If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

pyplynr

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Apr 4, 2010
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If you could have 1 and only 1 fully custom rifle. What caliber would it be? Here in the next year or so, I am going to start collecting parts for my first full blown custom rifle. I currently own a Rem .308, Savage 22-250 Ackley and a Savage .284 win that are all semi custom. This rifle will be used a a general purpose rifle. Ranges out to 1200, mostly steel targets, more than likely it will not be a comp gun just be used on my private range for fun.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

For 1 all around, go to rifle that is highly flexible for accuracy, targets at long range, hunting, and easy to get supplies for I would choose a 30-06 and run around 24" long on the barrel.

The chambering is highly flexible with light bullets to heavy 210-220gr bullets. You can set up the ammo for a kid to shoot deer, rabbits, fox with it (pistol bullets with Unique or TrailBoss) all the way up to killing coastal bear or long range targets.

Then proceed to use it often and truly get "good" with it.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

Hypothetical questions are always funny. People's tastes change and rarely will you find a guy stop at a single custom rifle. No single rifle will fulfill every role. Odds are you're going to build one and it won't be the end-all be-all, and you'll sell/trade it or end up with multiple rifles.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

7WSM/RM/SAUM with 180's will be awesome at 1200. And it will have plenty of juice in case you decide to use it on furry, antlered critters.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

Badger M2008 Short Action with standard and mag bolts
McMillan Bro's or Manners A4 or T4
A plethera of barrels in every caliber you can conjure up
S&B 5-25

EDIT: 6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5 CM or 308 Win for <span style="text-decoration: underline">></span> 1200 yards and game.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hypothetical questions are always funny. People's tastes change and rarely will you find a guy stop at a single custom rifle. No single rifle will fulfill every role. Odds are you're going to build one and it won't be the end-all be-all, and you'll sell/trade it or end up with multiple rifles. </div></div>

Isnt that the truth

For paper out to 1200yds I would use a 260Rem, but for game out to 1200yds I would go with a 300WinMag, (depending on what game) not to go over board on power and cost to shoot.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

I already built it. My APA 7WSM.

If I was to do another, I would just get Jered to spin me up something in the 338LM variety.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

I'd really like to have <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #FF0000">A</span></span></span> fully custom built rifle
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Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

Shot and owned a fair amount of calibers on custom built platforms over the last 10 years (6X47L, 6.5X47L, 243 Win, 260 Rem, 308, 300WM, 338LM). I have to say that my favorite cartridge to date <span style="font-style: italic">if you could only have one rifle</span>, 243 shooting the 115 TUBB DTACs, pick your smith.

Kirk R
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

If you take into consideration the calibers that you have already
- 308 win
- 22-250 Ackley
- .284 win

I would not get a 30-06 because the 308win is so close, I know that you can get more velocity in a 30-06, but they are very similar. If you are considering a 30-06 then just skip that and step up to a 300 win mag or 300 WSM.

Although I picked a 7mm WSM over the 284win, you don't need that one either because they are similar.

The calibers that your are "missing" are either a slick 6.5 or a 338. In 6.5, some to consider are 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Rem, 6.5x47 Lapua, etc. In 338, some to consider are 338 lapua, 338 edge, etc.

For shooting steel and target shooting, I would pick one of the 6.5s because it will be easier on your shoulder and also your wallet than a 338.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shooter McGavin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not a custom, but Sako TRG 42 .300 Win Mag.

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</div></div>

I have one and love it!!
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

AI AW.

Not a custom, but if I could have only one that would be it. Quick barrel changes. Proven design. Works whenever I would need it to.

Caliber would be 6.5CM or .260REM.

I love .308 but if I could have only one and it needed to get past 1000 yards then it just wouldn't work for me.

When I was looking at a custom build, I just kept coming back to the AI. I eventually went with the AE MkII because I couldn't justify the added cost for the few added features of the AW.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you could have 1 and only 1 fully custom rifle. </div></div>

If I could only have one I'd take up sewing and start watching Oprah. 5 minutes in, I'd shoot myself.

All BS aside, 6.5 Creedmore, 260 Remington, 243 Win or 308 Win.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

The 30's have versatility from the .308 through the 30-378 but my choice would be the: 300WSM, it handles everything from the 155's through the 208's and will take any game in North America.

Stiller Tac-30 LA, Kreiger 12 twist, Manners T-4A with minni chassy
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you could have 1 and only 1 fully custom rifle. What caliber would it be? Here in the next year or so, I am going to start collecting parts for my first full blown custom rifle....</div></div>
My next project:
McMillan A-3/5A or Manners MCS T4A stock.
Stiller TAC 300.
Caliber of choice...
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

One rifle??? Hard enough being faithful to one woman!! Now the rifles too. Ok, ok, I like the 6.5x47 Lapua, and 260 Rem for what you described.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I already built it. My APA 7WSM.

If I was to do another, I would just get Jered to spin me up something in the 338LM variety</div></div>

Right here is were its at
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

6.5 Creedmoor, or a .308, depending on your likely maximum distance. You could always make a switch barrel and have both given these are both .473 bolt face short action calibers.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hypothetical questions are always funny. People's tastes change and rarely will you find a guy stop at a single custom rifle. No single rifle will fulfill every role. Odds are you're going to build one and it won't be the end-all be-all, and you'll sell/trade it or end up with multiple rifles. </div></div>

Perfect answer....just ask Sendero Man, Cinch, myself and multible others in here. Rifle-aholics we are.....grin!

My GAP Crusader .260 and my Surgeon 6XC are getting more trigger time than anything else right now.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

Tyler hit is really well...not everyone wants the same custom rifle for the same job, so opinions will vary.

I dealt with precisely your question a year or so ago. I have quite a few other rifles, so I ended up with a 260 Remington built on a Defiance machine Defender action. Badger bottom metal, AI/AW magazine system, Rifle basix trigger, Obermeyer 27inch 5R barrel, and RWS muzzle brake and a Manners stock. After it was finished I had it cerakoted dark earth color.

About 6-8 months after completing the build I think I hit all the right decisions. I'm really happy with how it turned out.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigJoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">DTA SRS in 260rem </div></div>

Got one in .308 I'll sell cheap
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PGS</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hypothetical questions are always funny. People's tastes change and rarely will you find a guy stop at a single custom rifle. No single rifle will fulfill every role. Odds are you're going to build one and it won't be the end-all be-all, and you'll sell/trade it or end up with multiple rifles. </div></div>

Perfect answer....just ask Sendero Man, Cinch, myself and multible others in here. Rifle-aholics we are.....grin!

My GAP Crusader .260 and my Surgeon 6XC are getting more trigger time than anything else right now. </div></div>

lol... ya that would fit my description !!
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Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you could have 1 and only 1 fully custom rifle. What caliber would it be? </div></div>30-06.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

Either a magnum in the 7mm or 300 class or a good 6 or 6.5mm given what you have now. Although if your 284 is build up with a long barrel to shoot the 180 Bergers, you won't gain a whole lot with anything else (other than the BIG ones mentioned). How much are you going to be shooting this rifle...think about if it will be your primary 'goto' rifle that you will shoot a lot. I just built a medium weight 6mmX47 Lapua for an all around shooter/groundhog gun.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

See my signature line. I was a little sketchy and rather ignorant of the .260s capabilities when I decided to build a custom in .260 but my smith recommended it and man was he right when he said it would shoot.

I had the chance to talke it to 630 yards where it will consistently hammer them into groups less than 1.75". Several 1" group give or take. But I also shot a .535" group at 630 yards. Yeah I was shocked. Two of the shots nearly in the same hole. Quite amazing and I am very pleased with the components I used, the entire rifle as a whole, and my smith. I could be wrong but I think that group comes out to somewhere around .08moa.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

if i could only have one full on custom rifle it would by my 18.5" barreled 308, aics 2.0 and nightforce f1. it's compact, handles great, i have made hits on a 21" plate out to 1500 yards with it and it will fire any ammo including some south african 7.62 surplus.
 
Re: If you could only have 1 full on custom rifle

Use the Remmy 700 and put it in a CSS RTS drop-in stock, VOILA!, instant general purpose rifle good out to 1200 yards, Tac matches, hunting and even several if not all NRA High Power matches including Palma, Long Range, Mid-Range, F/TR and XTC. Problem solved. If you want you can purchase the lightweight 'Hunter' back end seperately, have both adjustable and hunter rears colored the same and change them out as needed.
http://www.competitionshootingstuff.com/id12.html