Gunsmithing Open ended request - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

[Straight Shooter]

One of my customers has approached me to just build him the best/super accurate 1000 yard plinking/varmint rifle possible. I have free reign to achieve this objective but that's all. This has thrown me for a loop. I usually get a little more specific requests. There are so many ways to go and I am at a loss as to which way to go.

He shoots in the desert and plains country a lot and when he is out shooting with his friends he wants to be able to upstage them with a super accurate long range rifle. This is an elite crowd. Private jet hunts type crowd. To impress these guys is going to be a challenge. My initial reaction was to go with a 338 to use the higher BC Berger bullets. I know there is a lot of good choices from 6mm on up to 338. The 408 Cheytac and 416 Barrett are not out of the question. It just needs to be slick, cool and above all, super accurate. I've got the accurate part down but need to start with the best mouse trap I can.

I want to keep the rifle a manageable size and weight or it just won't get used. I personally wouldn't want to be fooling with a 30 pound plus rifle. I'm thinking in the 14-20 pound range. With no more than a 30" barrel. I'm pretty much settled on a Bat action but am open to suggestions. If needed I can go up to 35 pounds and any barrel length.

Here are the loose specifications:
#1 Extreme ability to place 1000 yard cold bore shot.
#2 Try to stay under 20 pounds
#3 Any regular easy to load for caliber.
#4 No neck turning or wildcats
#5 I kind of wanted to keep it in a conventional looking stock
#6 Barrel 30” or less.

You can see I'm making this way harder than it needs to be. What would you guys think it's going to take to consistently make cold bore shots at 1000 yards plus on 4" targets?

I know about long range shooting and what goes into shots like this. What caliber and rifle configuration would you choose and why?

 

[jbell]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Well you need to know how he is going to employ this rifle. Is he shooting off the ground or a portable bench? That will dictate the style of stock. Second are fast follow up shots necessary? That will dictate the action being a repeater or not and can also affect the caliber/OAL used. I think these are going to be the most important factors to decide BEFORE the build to get the most out of the rifle. But thats just me...

 

[JJones75]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I'd contact Bruce Baer and discuss it with him he builds alot of 1000+yd hammers
http://www.baercustomrifles.com/

For just 1k shooting i'd think a hot 7mm would be great maybe a necked down 338 Norma shooting a 180g Berger , hight velocity with a very high BC , recoil wouldent be so bad that a brake could be omited on a 15-20 pound gun , case capacity would not requite a barrel over 30"

Bat 3 lug single shot action , Kreiger 30" barrel , set the barrel and action up to bed into the stock via a 10" bedding block which with greatly add rigidity to the barrel , bed it into a good HBR style stock and top it off with a good scope. Basicly a BR rifle (theirs a reason guys that set world records build them this way)

What ive founbd at shooting long range is thing like mirage and wind play a bigger role and 99 times out of 100 the gun will WAY outshoot the gunner , its the conditions that kick your ass , hence the high BC high velocity bullet.

OR step it up to a 338/408 and shoot custom bullets

 

[ugsly]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

For my personal rifle I would stock with a .284 caliber for the BC, 1k wont be a problem.

Not to sound like an ass, but how well can he shoot to begin with? I guess where I'm going with this is shooters that know their rifles ability and are good at reading the wind can shoot a .308 very accurate @ 1k.

Kc

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

It will be shot off a portable bench. A single shot is what is being proposed. There is no rules. Just good ol boys out playin in the desert.

I did a 11 to 12 pound 7mm WSM last month on a Defiance action in an A5 that is shooting in the .1's and under for 5 shots. At 500 it's under an inch for 5 shots with 162 Amax's. Another one of these would certainly do it but was looking for something I might be missing.

 

[wadebrown]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I would look at the 6.5 x 47 Lapua, it will deliver enough energy to kill the prairie dog at 1,000 yards is easy to shoot from most positions. You mentioned hand loading so I would assume the customer would handload and the 6.5 L is about the easiest cartridge to load for given its wide sweet spots. One family of cartridge that are easier are those based off the 6mm BR and if you had not ruled out wildcats I would have said the 6mm Dasher.

I would not go with some of the big boomers as it sound like he is going prarie dog hunting and will want to shoot 100's of rounds a day and I would hate to shoot a 338 LM that many times. The recoil of a welll behaved big boomer is manageabe but the muzzle blast and pressure surge due to the brake is fatiguing for me. There is something ubercool about beating guys shooting big boomers in a cold bore shot contest at 1,000 yards with a little bitty cartridge, try it you will like it.

 

[Gray]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I'd say a 7mag or 7wsm built on a long action pushing 180 hybrid bergers

 

[my human host]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I don't mean to sound like a troll, but how many people are there that are actually capable of consistent cold bore 1000yd shots on a pd sized targets?

All the money in the world won't buy an individual the ability to control the wind.

By all means, do your best for the fellow, but this seem a little optimistic to me. No offense intended.

 

[pinzmann]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

A second vote for 284 winchester. I also have a 7wsm but its much more pleasant to shoot the 284. A 6.5x47 is even easier to shoot but the 284 is ballistically better.

 

[Jhnmdahl]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I'm not sure I'd consider the 338 or above to be a "varmint" rifle, and I know I'd have a hard time not flinching or anticipating recoil with larger calibers. A 284 is a good option, maybe even a 6.5 284 given his stated purposes. 6.5x47 is right there with .260 and 6.5 Creedmoor, and all three will last longer before a rebarrel with somewhat less recoil.

If you want to pound the shoulder a little more, there's always the 7mm SAUM, which is a little more efficient than the 7mm WSM.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

They have regular varmint rifles. This is not meant to be a volume shooting gun at all. It's more of a party stunt / big johnson contest gun. He said he wants to hold it back and once everyone has gone as far as they can he can pull it out and trump them all. He doesn't care about barrel life or cost. The accuracy requirement is 4" at a 1000 but also intends to try to blast rocks as far as they can see.

I told him heavy guns could weigh over 60 pounds and he said he didn't care. I don't think he realizes how much of a drag a 60 pound gun is. I'm pretty certain we can out shoot the normal guys with a sub 20 pound gun. A 20 pound 338 Lapua with a brake is recoiless. A 32 pound 338 SnipeTac shooting 300 grain SMK at 3350 fps is recoiless. Our last one from a mechanical rest, you can just relax and watch the entire trace through the 32 power Night Force all the way to the target. The big fast bullets help minimize wind drift significantly.

Does anyone have the "Big Johnson" of long range bombers they want to share the specs on?

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wwbrown</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> There is something ubercool about beating guys shooting big boomers in a cold bore shot contest at 1,000 yards with a little bitty cartridge, try it you will like it.
</div></div>

This is why I brought it here. I was thinking this same thing. I'm just not sure if it will work. 7mm 180 grainers might be just the thing.

 

[average_freak]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

6.5x284 with a can and 120 class bullets with Lapua brass. My guess is 3000-3200 fps depending on how he loads it.

If money isn't an option he won't be worried about a re-barrel at 800 rds, i've seen that round destroy the 10 and xring at 1000.

oh yeah, Rock Creek barrel, Defiance action, KMW Sentinel Stock, and a Nightforce. AND.... OSS for the suppressor, configured anyway he wants it.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I doubt there's a single answer to this question given the incredibly vague requirements but if he wants the ultimate why no go Accuracy International. Specifically AX338, folding stock, butt Spike, 20 or 27" barrel, Atlas Bipod, TAB Gear Sling, S&B 5-25X56, Spuhr mount...it'll be pretty difficult to top that. You can go a step further and throw in a clip on night vision device so he woo everyone by wacking prairie dogs at night 600 yards away.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

If it comes down to a pecker contest, with no regard for barrel life, perhaps a 7mm Hulk or 7mm Thunderhulk would fit the bill?

Not "exactly" wildcats, and were developed by the current 1000 yard IBS world record holder, Tom Sarver. Thus, the reamer and dies exist.

4mrad 100-1000 yards is crazy.

If the 195gr Berger in 7mm actually comes to pass, they would be un-fucking-beatable when launched @ ~3300+ fps.

 

[jbell]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Stay with the heavy 7mm like others have said. If you are keeping the weight down a 284 improved (Shehane) would be pretty slick. You should be able to get the 180g Bergers scooting along pretty well and still be able to call you own shots with a decent break, or just a solid position.

I say the BAT 3 lug is money for the action. I would keep the barrel around 28" and look at APAs FB break. Give Bill Sehane a call for a stock. But dont stop there see if he has a good rest and bag set up and knows how to use them.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Thoughts on 280AI verses 7WSM. I have both reamers. I haven't tried any high end 280AI builds but the 7WSM we did is stupid accurate.

Any recent credible rumors on the 7mm 195 Berger?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: *Straight Shooter*</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thoughts on 280AI verses 7WSM. I have both reamers. I haven't tried any high end 280AI builds but the 7WSM we did is stupid accurate.

Any recent credible rumors on the 7mm 195 Berger?

</div></div>

280, 280ai and 284 are cartridges to be considered when you don't need and don't want to deal with magnum recoil, powder consumption, blast and barrel consumption. They strike a nice compromise, providing very adequate horsepower but not going "over the top".

Sounds to me a compromise that ought not be made in this build.

At like pressure, the 7wsm will be good for 150+ fps better than the 280ai.

 

[Indypendent]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wwbrown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There is something ubercool about beating guys shooting big boomers in a cold bore shot contest at 1,000 yards with a little bitty cartridge, try it you will like it.
</div></div>

I concur. I'd exploit this^.

 

[pwc001]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

280AI, or the 7mm STW if magnum is ok.

 

[Switchbarrel]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: *Straight Shooter*</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They have regular varmint rifles. <span style="font-weight: bold">It's more of a party stunt / big johnson contest gun.</span> He said he wants to hold it back and once everyone has gone as far as they can he can pull it out and trump them all. The accuracy requirement is 4" at a 1000 but also intends to try to blast rocks as far as they can see.

<span style="font-weight: bold">I told him heavy guns could weigh over 60 pounds and <span style="text-decoration: underline">he said he didn't care</span></span>. I don't think he realizes how much of a drag a 60 pound gun is. Our last one from a mechanical rest, you can just relax and watch the entire trace through the 32 power Night Force all the way to the target. The big fast bullets help minimize wind drift significantly.

Does anyone have the "Big Johnson" of long range bombers they want to share the specs on? </div></div>

Keeping this important aspect in mind, "It's more of a party stunt / big johnson contest gun"

If I were to do it over & no wildcat (still reload though...?)
7 RSAUM
BAT 2x10" action
Krieger/Lilja/Brux, etc. 1.450" barrel 30" long w/Vais style muzzle brake
Shehane Maxi-Tracker or Precision Rifle & Tool "Chubby" stock w/barrel block
Jewell trigger / Tapered base / Rings of choice (I like Burris Sig. Zee's)
March 10-60x52 scope

My current heavy gun-
BAT 2x10"
1.730" Krieger barrels in 6.5x.284 Shehane and .284 Shehane
Baer barrel block and tapered base
McMillan H50 stock (weight added in butt)
Jewell trigger
Nightforce 12-42x56 BR
56# - Pain to lug, fun to pull out & shoot.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I'm in agreement with the 7mm SAUM/WSM. Or if you liked the .280 Ackley.

Short of that, I'm perfectly happy with what my 7mm-08 will do. A tight twist stabilizes heavy bullets. A quality barrel helps me put them where they belong. And a good stock that fits me well is a hoot to shoot, instead of trying to focus on how to hold the rifle. It's just a natural, and I don't fight shooting it vs. other rifles I have.

In 7mm you can send 100 gr. screamers (without burning the barrel) out to 300. Beyond that, the 180 Bergers take over. They buck wind so well with the velocities they can attain from those cartridges is amazing. And, even without a brake, the recoil is manageable.

As for weight, you can do a BAT action, but get ready to put it in a McCree or another modular type action. I love the McMillan style stocks but they are heavy. A 26" barrel will help save a little weight. Go with a light or medium varmint contour, and it will save weight there too. No need to go full bull size. Not unless he is putting over 20 into a group in a short amount of time.

A good thing to keep in mind is the Savage team went to Bisley a couple years ago and pretty much handed asses back to people. They took slightly modified $1k rifles and beat people with $9k rifles.

Stick with the basics. Find something the launches the 180 Berger well. Use a good brake if it's big. Build your rifle to the user. Use quality parts. The rest is up to him.

 

[LRI]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Ackley a 7mm RSAUM, throat for 180's, and rock the house.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: C. Dixon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ackley a 7mm RSAUM, throat for 180's, and rock the house.</div></div>

I LIKE THAT!

 

[McLarenross]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

375 Cheytac. Stupid easy to a mile. Should meet all the requirements.

 

[GasLight]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Buy him a bunch of classes at a reputable long range training school. Then he will understand that the most accurate 1000 yard rifle already belongs to the most accurate 1000 yard shooter. The gun is a tool, only capable of what the shooter is capable of. After that, it is 'any given sunday...'

 

[dinc]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

.264 Win Mag or 7mm STW (Shooting Times Westerner, 8mm Rem Mag necked to 7mm, mentioned above). One of the guys at the old Sac. Valley 'No Bull Sniper Match' Had an 7STW, it was like a laser.

Bruce Baer will tell you about a barrel bedding block as shown on Swithbarrel's gun. Best thing for gigantic barrels.

Then have him sell his soul to the Devil to be able to read the wind at 1000 yds for cold bore shots.

 

[rcnpthfndr]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

since its a big johnson thing, what about the 338 Big baer? i saw the rifle joel/bruce used before it was built and after it was built when he shot to a mile-ish. it would definately fit the bill.

 

[bh-ltr]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Why not just go 50BMG? If he can afford the money no object gun he should be able to afford the ammo.

 

[Goatman007]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Sand warrior is right, I have a 7mm-08 and it is a tack driver, just finished a 7mm magnum build and she is sweet! I would echo a smaller caliber would be ultra cool against the big boomers. And bh-ltr also has a good point above, if he wants a big caliber, why not the 50?

 

[GSRswapandslow]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

why not go ask the guys that build and shoot these guns? accurateshooters.com would have a LOT better base of info for you to ask

 

[Idaho CTD]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I'd do something like the 300 Hulk, since it holds the 1000yd record already, or some version of a .300 Norma Imp. With the heavies the are close to the equal of the .338's.

 

[xs hedspace]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

No wildcats, was the spec. See if you can find what cartridges the F-Class US Team shoots, go with the pros. I think one of them shoots the 7mm WSM, was shooting next to me at Forbes' club. No neck turning spec might be a problem. And money can't buy you out of that loose nut behind the buttplate problem....

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GSRswapandslow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why not go ask the guys that build and shoot these guns? accurateshooters.com would have a LOT better base of info for you to ask</div></div>

REALLY??

You think nobody here builds guns and shoots long range?

 

[swampbuck]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

After your done, send it to the vatican and have it blessed by the Pope, then the Dali Lama, then the Queen of England, then Tom Cruise.... Who else am I missing.

 

[PowerstrokeOBX]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

338/50bmg?

 

[Paul762]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I am going to suggest a different case here.
I am a long time prairie dogger and have run the gamut of rifles. Think of him reaching into his gun case and pulling out a 6MM AI Remington. Not your average off the shelf custom gun. You can fire form brass by shooting factory varmint loads. Running DTAC 115 grain bullets with a healthy charge of H4831 the high BC bullets (.588) at 3200 fps should help with drop and wind. Bullet drop should be about 23 MOA @ 1000 yards. Wind drift @30 mph 15.8 MOA what I usually find on the prairie. Recoil will be light with a 28 to 30” barrel and a twist rate of 1 in 7.5”. Only problem I foresee with any choice is how long the barrel will last.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

He said 1000+. They have up to 1000 covered. When they drop off some basket balls and go on out to 2500 I'm afraid all but the top 338's are out of business. Anyone running the 408CT or 416 Barrett? He can buy factory ammo for these. I just want to give him some ultimate options. I have ruled out the Anzio 50/20. I don't have the rights to that one anyway.

This is the direction I believe we are headed. This is one of Kirby Allen's creations. It will go to 2500+ but it rarely gets to go play because it weighs 32 pounds. It shoots 300 grain bullets around 3300 give or take 50 fps. It's a blast to shoot because it's recoiless.

What to do, what to do. I just know I need to impress a pretty tough room.

 

[eddybo]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

338AM is a monster no doubt, but for PDs might be a little much, maybe a 30/338 Lapua improved with 230 OTMs.

 

[Early Cuyler]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Has the 375CT been ruled out? My understanding is that if price is no object, the 375 is king of the hill due to superior bullet BCs. As for ammo, DTA has begun loading it so there is a factory option.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Halcyon612</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Has the 375CT been ruled out? My understanding is that if price is no object, the 375 is king of the hill due to superior bullet BCs. As for ammo, DTA has begun loading it so there is a factory option. </div></div>

I wasn't aware 375CT was factory loaded.

...375CT seems like the obvious answer here, being that big boomers are ok...

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

A friend and I were shooting 7mm-08 and 6.5 Creedmoor to one mile. According to what I have on computer the rounds had quite a ways more to go to get subsonic. That was August in Nevada out in the desert. About 95 F. and 4000 ft. elevation.

When I shot a lot of gophers and p-dogs in Montana, I was either at 4000 or about 3300-3500 ft. elevation. The temps were usually 60-70's. Depending on where he shoots, a .338 may not cut it either in standard configuration.

So, first thing I would do is find a barrel with the tightest twist. Being from a well known barrel maker of course. Next, find bullets that will stabilize best in that twist through the transonic range. All bullets get disrupted, some just handle it better, by design, than others. Put that barrel on the Bat action and stick it in a strong lightweight stock or chassis and you should end up with about a 14-17 lb. rifle.

I'm not convinced you need a .338. But, that is extra insurance. I've shot 7mm out to 2000 yds. and have done well with it.

No matter what you shoot at out to and past one mile is going to call for some really fine windage calls. That's another place to sink his money into if he can find a teacher of that on here. They do exist. He isn't going to just get a good rifle, run a computer program, and start ringing steel at 2500 with anything. If you've built it well then it will work.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

People always blame the gun. It's not the gun.

Pretty much most of the folks on this board, myself included, do not possess the marksmanship skills to demonstrate why the imaginary perfectly accurate rifle will shoot any better for them than what they already have.

Building the 'perfect rifle' will always be an exercise in conceit. If the current rifle has no glaring faults, it will probably already outshoot at least 95% of us, given a realistic assessment of our real world marksmanship abilities.

This is one hell of an opportunity to make a bundle off a fool. All it'll cost you is your integrity.

Greg

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is one hell of an opportunity to make a bundle off a fool. All it'll cost you is your integrity.

Greg </div></div>

He trusts me with because I treat him the same as a local guy who cuts firewood for a living. I have built him 4 other guns and my labor bill has never exceeded $600 and I absorb new reamer costs out of my fee. If this gun costs $10,000 due to exotic parts I still make the same. He gets a copy of all invoices and a detailed labor bill. The only way I could charge more is if I were to have to massage a bunch of junk into a rifle.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: *Straight Shooter*</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is one hell of an opportunity to make a bundle off a fool. All it'll cost you is your integrity.

Greg </div></div>

He trusts me with a blank check because I treat him the same as a local guy who cuts firewood for a living. I have built him 4 other blank check guns and my labor bill has never exceeded $600 and I absorb new reamer costs out of my fee. If this gun costs $10,000 due to exotic parts I still make the same. He gets a copy of all invoices and a detailed labor bill. The only way I could charge more is if I were to have to massage a bunch of junk into a rifle. </div></div>

So, as far as components and workmanship, you've got that covered.

What you are in essence asking is which caliber will not only be accurate at 1k, you want it to remain stable and accurate out to one mile and 2500 yds.

As I mentioned above what you really need to do is dig into the ballistics. Find out what the average DA is for the time of year these guys shoot where they do.
The two most important factors, I believe is finding a quality barrel twisted tight enough (over-twisted for normal ranges) and a bullet that remains stable through the transonic range. That's the only barrier you have the ability to deal with. He's going to have to overcome his own barrier as far as marksmanship.

I will tell you this. Shawn Carlock has shot his .338 Edge out to 2750 yds. and was hitting moa. So, don't count the .338's out at all. At DA's well above those of std. ATM, they'll range well past a mile.

 

[LRI]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Piece of advise I've learned long/hard:

1. Identify the specific purpose of the gun.
2. Press the question to the point of being annoying to really find out where/what your client expects.
3. Start with a cartridge and then build the gun around it.

It's been said that the greatest tribute to an author is to have a book thats torn, dogeared, and generally beat to piss.

I feel much is the same with working guns. A rifle with nicks, dings, and multiple barrels is a great tribute to a gunplumber. It's always a bummer for me when I learn of my guns collecting dust in a vault.

The application is the key. I get 20 phone calls a week inquiring about 9lb 1K+ deer rifles that will serve double duty for weekend F class matches.

Don't see many putters at the driving range. . .

I'd pin him down in a series of conversations to determine exactly what he wants/expects. If he's a repeat customer then this should be fairly easy to do by now. You should have a good idea of what features he likes. (bolt fluting, barrel fluting, external bolt releases, single/2 stage triggers, optics, rails, stocks, barrels, etc.

If its a varmint rig that speaks to me of a gun that consumes a quantity of ammunition. A varmint gun isn't one that gets 20 rounds put through it over the course of an afternoon. It's one that gets a couple hundred. Same with a steel ringer. It can take 20 rounds to get on paper during a windy day.

With that in mind use it as a barometer when selecting the cartridge. Is this the kind of client that'll devote 10 hours a week to prepping brass and making ammunition.

Many a gun enthusiast fails miserably at becoming a "shooter" because he's forced to sit in front of his shrine known as the reloading bench. Reloading is the means to the end, it should not be the focus of the hobby for a varmint rig. Keep that in mind when calling David to order a reamer in a 6.5-50BMG Ackley/Gibbs/Cheytac hybrid.

Other thoughts:

Is this guy a traveler or a local shooter? The neck turn long Dasher is a cartridge capable of stellar performance. It's also useless if your flying into Nebraska/S. Dakota to lay some hate on a dog town only to discover that the airline lost/confiscated your ammunition. Suddenly a 22-250 Remmy doesn't sound like such a bad idea because Cabellas stocks the ammo like chord wood.

Good luck.

C.

 

[lanwickum]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

so you want an impressive gun that gets used covering 1000 to 3000 yards. If he isn't going to burn through 100 rnds a day shooting it I would go with 375 cheytac and order 500 rnds ammo to send with the gun. Maybe even send the gun to corbon and have them develop the load for it. Thinking an accuracy int. AX chassis. Put a S&B PMII hendsolt premier on top. Higher power of course. see if he will put a suppressor on it. That always impresses. Set it up 100% including the case to put on the plane. With custom cut foam. Don't forget when doing this. All the time ordering and planning is time worth money to charge out. Hate to see a guy get the short straw because he is being to nice. If it impresses his buddies maybe they will call up and want clones. A lot of guys with money don't spend 20hrs a week researching how they want it assembled and what to use. That is why he gives a blank check. The less people have to do before shooting the better many people like it. Just let him know the guns limits. Oh ya maybe have it painted with dogs and dog skulls cross hairs... Seems like I seen one like the on here once. Better send a vectronix plrf with it also. Maybe applied ballistics app and a blue tooth kestrel. Then go out with him showing him how to use all this stuff. it isn't easy shooting over a mile. Just thinking and thinking here. Have fun with it.

 

[desertrat1979]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

Bare in mind, its not about the money you spend, but the work thats done. I think the biggest question, one that has been pressed already, would be intended use of the rifle. Is he a tacticool gear queer that has the latest and greatest, maybe a rustic, big game hunter or a benchrest guy that is going to squeeze out the last thousandth of accuracy? This will determine whether you are going to use a chassis/synthetic stock with a tactical scope, or some exotic wood stock and and lightweight components, or tack driver that weighs 15 lbs.

My "blank check" build would consist of this:
Action: Bighorn short action, Surgeon 591 or a bluprinted Remington S/A
Barrel: 24 inch SS, Rock, Brux...ect. They all work.
Caliber: .260 Rem (loaded ammo, reloading components, all available, tons of load info out there)
Stock: Bedded Mcmillian A1 or similar designed stock (of all the M40-styled stocks the A1 is my favorite) or a walnut version of the same design.
Trigger: Any quality single stage, user adjustable.
Base/Rings: Any of the top brands, I prefer steel over aluminum.
Scope: Top tier, FFP mil/mil
Other stuff: Atlas Bipod, two forward sling studs, sling, adj. cheek piece, butt-pad spacers.

Its a proven and accurate setup, and has the best of all 3 uses. Barrel contour will determin most of the weight, but something with a Remington Varmint or similar contour are managable. But that would be considered by some to be an ordinary or standard setup. A blank check build is nice, but the customer really has to provide some info. That way your not building a 25lb 2k yard anti-tank rifle, when he was expecting a 12lb p-dog rifle.

Oh, and the term plinking and .338, .408 and .416 just doesnt seem to fit. I understand the guy is rich, but you need to be stupid rich to use ELR cartriges for plinking.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

I have a note into him right now for further clarification. I had the regular stuff figured out. Lapua cases and down. I was looking for experience with the bigger stuff.

I personally plink and varmint all the time with a 338 Lapua. My son is really itching for the Anzio 50/20 to bust rocks as far as he can see. Look that beast up.

 

[wadebrown]

Re: Blank check build - most accurate 1000yd rifle.

If weight does not matter and you want to reach out really far (>>1000) accurately and budget is not a problem build him a rail gun. I built one a while back for a 338 LM and it had gas shocks (like on lift gates) specced for the weight of the gun, recoil energy and recoil distance. The barreled action is mounted by a large barrel block on rail guns, you tweak the aim on translators that are driven by mic head and the entire top half of the system rode on linear rails like used on CNC routers.

The thing shot well and could be adapted for almost any caliber by either adjust the aire shocks or installing others.

The setup looked butt ugly, took 15 minutes to set the system up, rode around in two of the largest Pelican cases you can find, but it could shoot. There was no connection between the shooter and the rifle except through the tubing from the squeeze ball to actuate the trigger so hearbeat or style was not an issue.

Taking all of the above into account I would never build another one.