Hunting & Fishing My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

[KPK]

What do you guys think. I've started collecting parts for a custom carry/hunting/long range rig and thought I would share. If I need direction please direct me!

Here's the list:

Caliber: 7mm SAUM - 180 Berger Hybrids, Accubonds, etc.
Action: Surgeon RSR Magnum WSM
Barrel: Brux #5 Fluted to finish at 26" 1:9 Twist
Stock: McMillan A3 Sporter more than likely standard fill (school me? Edge too light?)
Bottom Metal: Surgeon DBM, Badger DBM, or Badger Floor Plate?
Trigger: Jewell

I'm figuring around 10lbs w/o optics. Is this a good assumption?

What do you think? Need any changes?

 

[bohem]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

For a hunting rifle that needs knockdown, carry capability, and being handy it would be:

7 SAUM or 7 WSM or 300 WSM. Shoot heavies in each caliber.

Surgeon, Defiance, or now, a BigHorn Arms running bottom metal that can accomodate the 3.1" long OAL.

Floorplate BDL type magazine, not a DBM. Hunting rifles don't need a DBM in my opinion.

Stock would be something like a Manners MCST or a McMillan HTG, light, sturdy, and not overly agressive in features. If you want a raised cheekpiece, get a stock pack and put a piece of closed cell foam underneath it.

Top the rifle with a compact, high quality scope. Something like the Nightforce 2.5-10x32.

Run a barrel contour that's light, something like a #3. You're not going to worry about recoil, but humping a 6.5lb (less optics) rifle around vs. a 10lb (less optics) on a swamp or mountain hunting area is going to be much nicer.

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Thanks! I chose the a3 sported due to it being a hunting stock with a straighter grip. My plan is 7mm Saum with 180 berger hybrids if u didnt see that in my original post.

The barrel I have weighs 3.5 lbs and hate to go much smaller in diameter .750 at the muzzle.

I'm thinking the bdl would be better as well, it's just hard not to go dbm on. Custom rig lol.

Thanks for the input!

 

[bohem]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

What's wrong with going to a lighter contour barrel? Barrel weight does not equate to precision.

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Nothing wrong with it at all, but this will double as a targetish rifle as well. May be shooting more than a shot or two at a time at times.

Do I have my figures close?

Barrel - 3.5 lbs
Action - 1.5 lbs
Stock - 2.5 lbs
BDL BM - .5 lbs

I guess that would be at 8 lbs.

 

[264win]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

your action # look a little on the light side.
also dont forget scope rail / rings and jewel trigger .

 

[bohem]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

I would skip a Jewell on a hunting rifle, they're way too susceptible to dirt issues in my experience. Search a little bit and put an old Rem 700 trigger on there and bypass the Jewell.

They're excellent for their intended purpose, an ultra-precise target rifle trigger. This doesn't play well when it comes to dirt.

If you're going to double it as a target rifle then a little heavier barrel for recoil reasons might work, but a brake on it works well too. There's been more than a few light barreled rifles that shoot strings of shots on target and done very well. The bigger factor is not the contour but the quality of the manufacturing and material used in the barrel.

#5 with heavy flutes isn't going to be all that heavy, I have a tendency when someone wants "light, packable hunting rifle" to assume that means you're going to be humping that thing for miles, and in that case I'd be trimming weight wherever possible, stick a break on if recoil is a concern, and then advise hitting the gym a little too.

For a good scope on a hunting rifle, something that I forgot earlier would be the Zeiss Conquest series. Not really a target scope, but the glass clarity for use in low light hunting conditions is excellent, my last Conquest had better glass than all of my NF NXS scopes do.

 

[XL Mammal]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Take a look at the Vortex HS scope, as well. It's designed for long range hunting. I've never handled one, though. Just considering one for my hunting rig.

 

[42769vette]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

i have a mcst on my hunting/target rig. i will never look for another hunting stock, just call manners and make a order.

hind sight being 20-20 i would have gotten a mcsta

 

[Jethro80]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Hey vette, do you mind showing us that rig of yours I'm trying to figure out which stock I want as well and would love to see what your MCS-T looks like.

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KPK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do you guys think. I've started collecting parts for a custom carry/hunting/long range rig and thought I would share. If I need direction please direct me!

Here's the list:

Caliber: 7mm SAUM - 180 Berger Hybrids, Accubonds, etc.
Action: Surgeon RSR Magnum WSM
Barrel: Brux #5 Fluted to finish at 26" 1:9 Twist
Stock: McMillan A3 Sporter more than likely standard fill (school me? Edge too light?)
Bottom Metal: Surgeon DBM, Badger DBM, or Badger Floor Plate?
Trigger: Jewell

I'm figuring around 10lbs w/o optics. Is this a good assumption?

What do you think? Need any changes?
</div></div>

Sounds great. I like a little shorter barrels. Edge fill for sure. I prefer Seekins DBM myself, i like where the mag release is. You should be closer to 8.5 lbs without optics.

3.5 lbs barrel
2 lbs Edge stock
2 lbs action
1 lb trigger, dbm, bedding, etc.

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Thanks for the input guys!

Mule hunter do u think the edge would balance ok? Do u think going 24" would hinder more than 75-100 fps? 24" sure would be nice!

 

[EXSOCAL]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

I just went through this myself with a buddy. We were both building lightweight / longrange hunting rigs based on good old SS 700 Actions. I went with the Win Mag, and he went with the Ultra mag. Both rifles are under 10lbs with glass and shoot sub moa with factory loaded Barnes ammo.

What we learned... you need to pick one... do you want a hunting rifle or a target rifle? A light, sported bbl'd hunting rifle can still be MOA accurate across reasonable strings and will be much more pleasant to hunt with. You dont need a heavy MTU contour barrel to shoot tiny groups. If you build a rifle more on the tactical / target side, your gonna throw on some weight which bothers some, and not others. Depends on how you hunt, where, fitness, etc.

Either way, looks like you have a nice rifle spec'd out. Is this a future build? By the way, take a look at 7mm WSM as well, i believe the WSM calibers have more factory cartridge offerings and is a little peppier.

Cheers

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Thanks for the info Socal. I actually am in the process right now of building a tac/target rifle. I've come to the conclusion that you gotta have a hunter and a target. For the target I'm doing a 260 Rem, A5, 26" Rock Rem Varmint contour, etc. Not the heaviest, but I don't like a 17 lbr.

This is going to be done at some point. I talked to Bugholes/Greg Young about the barrel and it should be here in a month or so. I'm kind of stuck on the RSAUM. I like what I've seen (have a Sendero in 7SAUM), got all the reloading stuff, brass, etc. This on feeds the Berger 180 Hybrids well so that will be my bullet as well. I think the WSM may be better on a long action? Trying to keep this in a shorty...

Would you go shorter barrel?

 

[EXSOCAL]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Wow, what .260 sounds like a nice rig, that is an awesome caliber! Sounds like you have some good experience with the RSAUM, all the more reason to stick with it.

As for bbl length, I would not hesitate to have it finish out at 24". you will save weight and only loose maybe 50 fps or so which for hunting is negligable.

Cheers

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Clone a Remington Mt. Rifle with a Quality barrel in a 7 short of your liking and a Mcmillan edge Mt rifle stock. Slap on a 4.4X14 lupy with TMR and low turrets in talley lt wt rings.

 

[42769vette]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jethro80</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey vette, do you mind showing us that rig of yours I'm trying to figure out which stock I want as well and would love to see what your MCS-T looks like. </div></div>

here my aj brown built 260

mcst stock
stiller action
26 inch #5 shelin select match 1-8
badger dm
eagle stock pack
rifle basix trigger
harris s series with pod lock
uso rings
leupold range tape that mounts to the scope(not sure the actual name)

the rifle now wears a nsx. the nf bench rest was what i had at the time of the pics. this is the only time i shot it at 100 yds and i was just looking for pressure. thats 3 or 4 shots i cant recall wich. ive also added a rad latch to the badger since the pics

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

or you could buy this one !

incredible carry weight and shoots lights out ~!

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...112#Post2453112

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Thanks for the pics. What does it weigh?

Sendero, I saw that rifle. I like it, but it'll take me awhile to be able to afford this deal. Just kind of getting started. That is a nice one for sure!

 

[SingleShot85]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

I'm in the middle of the same build

McMillian HTG
Remy SA
300 wsm
24" #5 Krieger fluted
Alpha 7rnd mag
APA DBM
Shilen trigger
w/ any luck a Premier lt. Hunter with Gen II

Base?
Ring?

Should be ready Septemberish

planning on sending 185 Bergers at 3100 if all goes well

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Sounds pretty close singleshot. I like that APA DBM!

I'm probably going with Seekins rings on the pinned RSR base.

Think I've located a RSR WSM action!!

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KPK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the input guys!

Mule hunter do u think the edge would balance ok? Do u think going 24" would hinder more than 75-100 fps? 24" sure would be nice! </div></div>

Yes to your first question. A fluted #5 will balance well in almost any stock. It depends on how handy you need it. I lost about 150 fps over the guys shooting 26" barrels in my 6.5 wsm but 2,930 is more than enough for practical hunting ranges and the 21.5" barrel makes it balance and handle well.

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Got a pic of yours? Should I go lighter?

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Anyone have pics of their hunting rigs? Post them up!!

I think I'm leaning towards the McMillan A3 in Edge fill, Seekins DBM, and of course the barrel I already have on order.

The Seekins DBM seems a little slimmer/sleaker than the others.

 

[strick9]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Having put together a bunch of this type rig personally and my opinion only I would change stock to T5 and go 90 percent carbon. Also dump the custom trigger and bottom magazine per Bohems advice and go with an adjusted 700 trig and floor plate. I can't say that I like the looks of the T5 but for a quick standing shot when needed the thumbhole has some big advantages ergonomically speaking, not to mention from prone. I like the rest of it and have two getting put together by AJ of BigHorn and Mark Chanlynn with very similar specs.

 

[fw707]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

I had GAP do this one for me a couple of months ago:

It's a #3 Bartlein .260 Remington in a 700 action.
The stock is a Manners SL and the DBM is Seekins.
I would have been fine (and lighter) without the DBM, but it's there, and I like it.

 

[fw707]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KPK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The Seekins DBM seems a little slimmer/sleaker than the others. </div></div>

I like the mag release too, and Manners really knows how to inlet them.

 

[308crosshairs]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

My long range rig: 300WSM on a McMillan A-3 stock

 

[KPK]

Re: My take on the Ultimate Long Range Hunting Rig!

Thanks for the info and pics folks! Someone mentioned to me earlier about a Manners with Mini Chassis. I think this may be the way I want to go. It's cheaper even!

Do you think the T2 (I like tacticool), T3, or T would be best? I figure it right at 8.5 lbs rifle only with any of these stocks pretty much. The T is probably the best for me, but I like the wider forend of the T2 and T3...