Think i've narrowed it down to two routes. Which would you go with though?
The first is pick up a 16.5 AAC drop it into a manners MCS-TA or MCS-2TA along with DBM mini-chassis. Adjust the X-mark pro trigger to 1lb like my smith did with mine on my current rifle, add a Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32mm, along with base and rings accordingly. I think going this route topped out around 2500$
The other is buy a new 700 action from IBA or Brownells, same stock setup. Take the barrel from my 5R have it cut and threaded use it for the shorty rig. The rest is the same as above. Then get a bartlein #7 GAP contour in .260rem. Send it off and have it put on my main rifle that i took the 5R barrel off of: chambered, trued, crowned etc.
The second option i haven't totaled out yet but it's considerable more money but there is no risk in getting a dud. Seen some threads about the 700 AAC(s) that make me weary. Rebarrelling to the GAP #7 is something i've been meaning to do with my rifle for some time. Here it is as it is now.
700 5R
Pillar & glass Bedded in an MCM A5
X-mark pro trigger @ 1lb
APA RTG bottom metal
APA 700 bolt knob
USO SN-3 3.2-17x44mm
Here's how it shoots with my handloads running 45.5gr of varget with hornady 178gr BTHP COL @ 2.860
5 shots 100yds haven't taken them out any distance as i haven't shot in a long while and when i loaded these it was dead winter, saw no pressure signs. Shot them with no problems, first shot in 50F i got a bolt stick so i'll be backing down to 45.2. Though 45gr shot almost as good.
The first is pick up a 16.5 AAC drop it into a manners MCS-TA or MCS-2TA along with DBM mini-chassis. Adjust the X-mark pro trigger to 1lb like my smith did with mine on my current rifle, add a Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32mm, along with base and rings accordingly. I think going this route topped out around 2500$
The other is buy a new 700 action from IBA or Brownells, same stock setup. Take the barrel from my 5R have it cut and threaded use it for the shorty rig. The rest is the same as above. Then get a bartlein #7 GAP contour in .260rem. Send it off and have it put on my main rifle that i took the 5R barrel off of: chambered, trued, crowned etc.
The second option i haven't totaled out yet but it's considerable more money but there is no risk in getting a dud. Seen some threads about the 700 AAC(s) that make me weary. Rebarrelling to the GAP #7 is something i've been meaning to do with my rifle for some time. Here it is as it is now.
700 5R
Pillar & glass Bedded in an MCM A5
X-mark pro trigger @ 1lb
APA RTG bottom metal
APA 700 bolt knob
USO SN-3 3.2-17x44mm

Here's how it shoots with my handloads running 45.5gr of varget with hornady 178gr BTHP COL @ 2.860
5 shots 100yds haven't taken them out any distance as i haven't shot in a long while and when i loaded these it was dead winter, saw no pressure signs. Shot them with no problems, first shot in 50F i got a bolt stick so i'll be backing down to 45.2. Though 45gr shot almost as good.
