So I bought a new 700RUM action a while back. It's a stripped carbon steel version. I'm getting ready to start purchasing the parts for the build and I'm hoping to get some insight from those who know more about building these. My plan is to build a heavy rifle to squeeze all the velocity I can out of it. A dedicated long range rig that can handle the heaviest for caliber bullets. I'm having trouble settling on a chamber.
I have been planning a 338RUM to shoot the heavier 250g, 285g and single fed 300g. I want it to be a repeater. Since it will be mag fed for most of the rounds I'll be shooting I stayed away from the 338Edge due to its extra length. From research I've read that you can fit some Edge loads in a 3.775" mag but they are so tight that they often hammer the bullets around in the case. Which is why I decided to go with the standard 338RUM with its shorter case length. I had initially planned a 338LM build but decided to save that for a better suited action. I had thought about going with a 300RUM but prefer the 338 bullet weights. I want above all else for this rifle to be as reliable and tough as possible as it will be drug around on hunts. I know it will be heavy, I've drug around a Zastava M808 with heavy ass wood thumbhole stock and massive 26" barrel and it's been my go to rifle I've learned to shoot longer distances with. But it's chambered in 30-06 and I've reached its limits. I plan on keeping this 338 build in the same weight class as my M808.
Here's my list so far for the build.
- Remy 700 UM receiver
- PTG dual ejector LA bolt, M16 extractor
- McGowen #7 338RUM 1:9 28" Remage
- HS Precision PSS take off
- PTG Stealth CIP bottom metal
- Timney 510 Trigger
- Tubb Speedlock firing pin assy
As you can see, this is a budget build. As much as I admire the amazing rifles you guys build here, a lot of them are WAY out of my price range. I have to build something here as fiscally responsible as possible while not compromising quality. This rifle will, for lack of better terms, be a beater. I'm not trying to build a beautiful Ferrari, I'm trying to build a primered 72 Nova that'll run. I want to use this rifle to learn how to shoot at distances past 800yds. I want to not cringe at the thought of dragging it through the brush, putting it in the dirt and shooting it regularly in places other than a bench. My concerns are more about reliability. Such as:
The Tubb Speedlock firing pin assy, have these proven to be reliable or would I be better served with a factory firing pin assy? Do you guys recommend the dual ejector setup for the RUM case? I'm planning on the Stealth BM so I can run Accurate Mags set up for the 338RUM. Are the Accurate Mags pretty reliable? I'm open to any recommendations you guys have. I know the HS stock is probably not the top choice, but they can usually be found pretty cheap second hand and I've had good luck with them in the past. The barrel will be threaded 5/8-24 So I can use an FTE brake. I went 28" so I can wring all the velocity I can out of the RUM. I know that's a heavy, cumbersome barrel to pack around but I have managed one before on a 7mmMag so I know what I'm going to be dealing with. I'll have fun getting used to it this fall. I plan on single loading the 300g loads while hoping to find an accurate 285gr load I can fit in the 3.775" mag without beating the bullets back in the mag. I usually pack the mags out of the rifle until I'm in position anyway.
Thanks for reading, I'm gonna use this as my build thread as time goes on.
I have been planning a 338RUM to shoot the heavier 250g, 285g and single fed 300g. I want it to be a repeater. Since it will be mag fed for most of the rounds I'll be shooting I stayed away from the 338Edge due to its extra length. From research I've read that you can fit some Edge loads in a 3.775" mag but they are so tight that they often hammer the bullets around in the case. Which is why I decided to go with the standard 338RUM with its shorter case length. I had initially planned a 338LM build but decided to save that for a better suited action. I had thought about going with a 300RUM but prefer the 338 bullet weights. I want above all else for this rifle to be as reliable and tough as possible as it will be drug around on hunts. I know it will be heavy, I've drug around a Zastava M808 with heavy ass wood thumbhole stock and massive 26" barrel and it's been my go to rifle I've learned to shoot longer distances with. But it's chambered in 30-06 and I've reached its limits. I plan on keeping this 338 build in the same weight class as my M808.
Here's my list so far for the build.
- Remy 700 UM receiver
- PTG dual ejector LA bolt, M16 extractor
- McGowen #7 338RUM 1:9 28" Remage
- HS Precision PSS take off
- PTG Stealth CIP bottom metal
- Timney 510 Trigger
- Tubb Speedlock firing pin assy
As you can see, this is a budget build. As much as I admire the amazing rifles you guys build here, a lot of them are WAY out of my price range. I have to build something here as fiscally responsible as possible while not compromising quality. This rifle will, for lack of better terms, be a beater. I'm not trying to build a beautiful Ferrari, I'm trying to build a primered 72 Nova that'll run. I want to use this rifle to learn how to shoot at distances past 800yds. I want to not cringe at the thought of dragging it through the brush, putting it in the dirt and shooting it regularly in places other than a bench. My concerns are more about reliability. Such as:
The Tubb Speedlock firing pin assy, have these proven to be reliable or would I be better served with a factory firing pin assy? Do you guys recommend the dual ejector setup for the RUM case? I'm planning on the Stealth BM so I can run Accurate Mags set up for the 338RUM. Are the Accurate Mags pretty reliable? I'm open to any recommendations you guys have. I know the HS stock is probably not the top choice, but they can usually be found pretty cheap second hand and I've had good luck with them in the past. The barrel will be threaded 5/8-24 So I can use an FTE brake. I went 28" so I can wring all the velocity I can out of the RUM. I know that's a heavy, cumbersome barrel to pack around but I have managed one before on a 7mmMag so I know what I'm going to be dealing with. I'll have fun getting used to it this fall. I plan on single loading the 300g loads while hoping to find an accurate 285gr load I can fit in the 3.775" mag without beating the bullets back in the mag. I usually pack the mags out of the rifle until I'm in position anyway.
Thanks for reading, I'm gonna use this as my build thread as time goes on.