looking to built first bolt rifle

[Greenwood187]

still deciding on what caliber either .223 or .308 leaning towards the .308. this gun will be mostly used for hunting and target shooting. just looking for something fun and not a huge pocket killer. been looking into the remington 700 but dont know where to actually start. buy the stock rifle and build or buy a stock then action and what not. if someone could point me in the right direction of what and where to start would be great. id like to build it piece by piece due to funds and can wait around until i find the right deals on what i need. here is a rifle i found on here that i like and would like to build something similar. thanks for all the help

 

[turbo54]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

223 is gonna be quite a bit cheaper to shoot. You'll have to decide if the 223 will hit game hard enough to be worth going with. A well placed ~50gr Vmax or Blitzking @ 3300fps can do some serious damage.

Anyway, you have to decide the age-old question: Remington or Savage?

I recommend you do some snipergoogle-ing to help you decide which you prefer.

 

[pm04z71]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

well if you are planning on doing all work yourself then id deff go with the savage. you can easily find a used savage 10 at a pawn shop for under $300. Then you will have a working gun to hunt with while you wait for the funds to upgrade. but that is just my .02

 

[TacT-MecH]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

I bought a remington 700 in 223 last year and I love it. It was a dicks sporting goods special and I converted it to a BDL model and threaded the bolt myself. It has proved to be a consistant shooter and for the money (around $600 total scope and all) was a great buy. It comes with the xmark trigger (I adjusted it down) and leupold 2 piece base. I sure others have better suggestions but this rifle is getting a new stock (manners?) and it will be finished.
But I also own a savage 110fp and I love it. I has a sharp shooter competition trigger, Manners T4A, Badger rings and base, and a vortex viper scope.

 

[Johnny Lately]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

Build. Not "built"

 

[HillBilly_Sniper]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

Best bet is start with a good factory gun and work your way into a custom rifle one part at a time. I started with a rem 700 sps in 223 once i got the rifle i put "at the time" the best optics rings and bases i could afford and run the $hit out of it then went to a custom barrel stock and so on best of luck to you!

 

[JB02]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

If you want a rifle like the one above then don't waste your time buying a factory and building up. You'll want to assemble the parts from the get go.

My guess is that is a trued Remington 700 receiver (short action) with a tactical bolt knob (perhaps a badger). Probably a match grade barrel; barreled action probably cerakoted matte black. Perhaps a McMillan A5 stock in GAP cammo. Looks like it has either CDI Precision or Badger M5 bottom metal with a five round AI mag. For accessories, it's spec'd out with a triad tactical stock pack (but a left handed one), a surefire muzzle brake, and a Harris bipod (no KMW pod lock). Has an additional forward stud and rear stud for the sling (not sure on the make).

From reading this, you'll notice that there aren't many "factory parts" on that rig.

Here's what I suggest:
- Get yourself a bighorn "sporter" style receiver with a .308 bolt face. Another option would be to get a Stiller.
- Timney trigger, set at 2 lbs (can order from the factory)
- Find a Bartlein, Krieger, or Rock Creek 30cal, 1/10 twist barrel with a Remington Varmint contour. I recommend 20" finished length. Have the barrel threaded 5/8X24 and capped with a thread protector. Buy a muzzle brake that will fit if desired (e.g., APA little bastard)
- Have the gunsmith chamber the rifle in .308 Win
- Manners mini-chassis. Although you're looking at something like a T4 above, I recommend either a T or T3 if you're going to have it as a multi-purpose hunting/target rifle. I recommend you get 2 left hand side flush cups. Perhaps a front stud for a harris bipod.
- Have the metal (barreled action) cerakoted to match a finish that complements the stock.
- Triad tactical stock pack (large)
- TAB gear or TIS sling with quick disconnect cuff and flush cups
- Harris 6-9 notched swivel bipod w/ pod lock

Another option is to get GAP's "rock" rifle with the Badger M5 upgrade.

For optics:
- Nightforce or Seekins 20 MOA rail
- Nightforce or Seekings low 30mm rings
- Nightforce 2.5-10X32 NXS (great dual purpose for hunting and precision)

Take some time to collect the parts (it will take some time) and send them to someone like Gradous, GAP, or Mark Gordon for assembly and finishing. You'll be glad you did it right the first time.

 

[stranded]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

If you're going to build I strongly reccomend standard chamber/neck unless you like the extra time spent away from shooting and lack of factory loads. Ask me how I know with 500rnds yet to neckturn.

 

[Joebill]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

If that is what you want start buying parts and have it built. Some of the barrels are 8 to 10 month wait time. Don't know about manners but McMillan is 4 months. Between those two items that will be enough to get started.

 

[Greenwood187]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

thanks for the input guys will be starting the build soon. thanks

 

[fdkay]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

The problem with asking this question on a board like this is that you are going to get answers all over the place and most won't have completely read your initial post.
You stated that you didn't want a pocket killer.

Some of the answers you have gotten are for a custom rifle costing over 3500 dollars, that is without the glass.

Are they worth it? Hell, yes.
Can you afford that, or are you patient enough to wait and purchase all of the parts?

A bighorn action is going to run in the neighborhood of 1100 bucks. Once again, it is worth it, but is it worth it to you?

If you decide to go full on custom right from the start, good on ya. You can't go wrong that way, you will have a rifle to be proud of, it will be far superior to anything you can buy off the shelf with the exception of the TRG and AI rifles.

If, on the other hand, you want to shoot a very accurate rifle now and slowly have work done to make it an absolute laser, I recommend you start with something like a 700 Varmint in .308.

Why .308? Because factory match ammo is the same price per round with the .308 vs the .223.
You only save money when you reload as the powder consumption is far lower and shipping the bullets is far cheaper on the.223.

The .308 is also far more versatile.

Install that varmint rifle in the stock of your choice, it appears you would like the Mcmillan A2 or Manners MCS T4, excellent choices indeed, have them bedded for best results or get the mini-chassis in the manners.

Add decent mounting hardware like this:
http://swfa.com/TPS-Mounting-Kit-for-Remington-700-Short-Action-P44682.aspx

And a good scope like the Weaver 3-15 Tactical or 4-16 viper PST and you will have a very solid gun that will most likely shoot around .75 moa.

You now have a good, solid foundation to build from.

When funds permit, install a new trigger. The Shilen or Timney are going to be excellent choices for a field gun.

Save your money.
When funds are available again, send your barreled action to one of the smiths here on the hide and have the action and bolt face and lugs trued and a match grade barrel installed.

If you wish, have a side bolt release installed. It doesn't make it shoot any better, but I like mine.

 

[JB02]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

What fdkay is saying is true, and the bottom line is that you need to make a strategic choice:

1. Go with a high end factory rifle from the get go (e.g., AI AE MKIII or Sako TRG)
2. Go with a high end custom rifle from the get go (e.g., build your own from custom parts or buy a "stock" rifle from GAP or another quality precision rifle shop)
3. Go with an intermediate factory rifle (Rem700 AAC-SD, Rem700 5R, Savage 12LRP, etc.) and build up as you get funds

The beauty of option 1 is that you get a proven and accurate rifle right out of the box with no wait time.

The advantage of option 2 over option 1 is that you get to decide how to build your rifle. My build sheet above was just a suggestion. The options are limitless. However, cost and build time will be a factor.

The advantage of option 3 is that you don't have to make a hefty down payment on a $3,500+ rifle to start shooting. You can have a quality rifle for $750-$1000. The disadvantage is that if you decide on going with options 1 or 2 down the line you will end up spending more money in the long run.

My advice is that if you have the money and you're willing to pony up then just go with option 1 or 2. Since you seemed to more of the mindset of having an all-around hunting/target handy precision rifle, I suggested going with a bighorn sporter/rem varmint barrel/manners T mini chassis or a GAP Rock Rifle with Badger M5.

You could get something like what's in the picture above by doing the following:
- Buy a Rem700 5R/Rem700 PSS/Rem700 AAC-SD to get started
- Top the rifle off with a Badger/NF/Seekins 20 MOA rail and 30mm rings with a Vortex Viper PST
- Get yourself a good TIS sling and a Harris bipod
- Buy a Timney trigger when you get more money
- Buy a B&C Medalist stock, such as an A5, when you have more money, if desired (get the stock that suits your tastes, but the A5 is better suited for a target vice a hunting rifle)
- Buy, if desired, a DBM system and pay a gunsmith to install it. CDI precision, Badger M5, and Surgeon (best, most expensive) are all good

 

[xXlojackXx]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

I bought a Remington Sendero in .300 RUM for my first long range rifle. It shot .457" 4 shot groups at 100 yards from the factory with hand loaded ammo. I have since put a Tomney trigger in it, a Manners T4 stock epoxy bedded, muzzle brake, Cerakote, and bolt knob/fluted and it's a hammer even without trying the action or having a match grade barrel. Those will come when the factory barrel wont hold sub-MOA groups anymore.

 

[Greenwood187]

Re: looking to built first bolt rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LCDR JGB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What fdkay is saying is true, and the bottom line is that you need to make a strategic choice:

1. Go with a high end factory rifle from the get go (e.g., AI AE MKIII or Sako TRG)
2. Go with a high end custom rifle from the get go (e.g., build your own from custom parts or buy a "stock" rifle from GAP or another quality precision rifle shop)
3. Go with an intermediate factory rifle (Rem700 AAC-SD, Rem700 5R, Savage 12LRP, etc.) and build up as you get funds

The beauty of option 1 is that you get a proven and accurate rifle right out of the box with no wait time.

The advantage of option 2 over option 1 is that you get to decide how to build your rifle. My build sheet above was just a suggestion. The options are limitless. However, cost and build time will be a factor.

The advantage of option 3 is that you don't have to make a hefty down payment on a $3,500+ rifle to start shooting. You can have a quality rifle for $750-$1000. The disadvantage is that if you decide on going with options 1 or 2 down the line you will end up spending more money in the long run.

My advice is that if you have the money and you're willing to pony up then just go with option 1 or 2. Since you seemed to more of the mindset of having an all-around hunting/target handy precision rifle, I suggested going with a bighorn sporter/rem varmint barrel/manners T mini chassis or a GAP Rock Rifle with Badger M5.

You could get something like what's in the picture above by doing the following:
- Buy a Rem700 5R/Rem700 PSS/Rem700 AAC-SD to get started
- Top the rifle off with a Badger/NF/Seekins 20 MOA rail and 30mm rings with a Vortex Viper PST
- Get yourself a good TIS sling and a Harris bipod
- Buy a Timney trigger when you get more money
- Buy a B&C Medalist stock, such as an A5, when you have more money, if desired (get the stock that suits your tastes, but the A5 is better suited for a target vice a hunting rifle)
- Buy, if desired, a DBM system and pay a gunsmith to install it. CDI precision, Badger M5, and Surgeon (best, most expensive) are all good

</div></div>

i will be doing option 2. i have plenty of time to get what i need/ want. im in no rush to get this done but was looking for some input on what to do and look for since all the bolt guns i have purchased in the past were stock off the shelf.

i have a couple local gun smiths that are very good and will be talking to them as well. i kind of know what im looking for now so i will start the build soon. will be doing this in a 308 since i have a lr308 already.