Wanting to build a 375 chey tac

[Jmoore771]

Hey guys. I've been wanting to build a 375 CheyTac for a few years now. I was shooting a .338 Lapua, but sold it last year. I've built AR-15's and .308 AR's, but I don't have no experience with building a bolt guns. I'm trying to find out who makes the best actions and barrel and what other components I will need for a complete build.

I will buy all components required over time. I'm hoping I can get everything purchased within 6-8 months.

I'm set up to reload, so I'm good on that part. I will have to buy a set of dies though and the reloading components for the 375. The purpose of the build is for long range shooting. I would like it to have a detachable magazine, but if it's a lot cheaper to go with a single shot, I will do that.


I'm a licensed firearm dealer, so hopefully I can save a little money on all the materials. I'm going to ask a few stupid questions.

Once I find the action I want and barrel, along with the other components, is it just a matter of putting it together? Told you it would be a stupid question, I'm green on this, but I want to learn.

I'm sure I will have to find someone to do the bedding. HELP!!!

I'll keep browsing through the forum to see what information I can find,

 

[JC Steel]

Call Chris at benchmark barrels. He's making me a 375 barrel right now and would probably do two

 

[BillyGoatMachine]

Do a little searching on what it takes to put together a custom bolt action rifle. Ask google for a start.

Short answer on screwing it together like an AR=No

Your going to need a gunsmith.

 

[WaltHer]

There are a number of good threads on this in the ELR section. Give them a look if you haven't already.

 

[lash]

You'll need a gunsmith as mentioned above. If you want to know what components to get, you again should do some research to determine what fits your needs and wants and budget. Other than that, just do what Jake is doing and you won't go wrong:

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/elr-beyond-1000-yards/254772-ok-im-building-375-a.html

Since you're admittedly lacking experience in this area, (As am I, but I've researched this subject a lot), I should mention that building a .375 is another degree more expensive than the .338. You're likely looking at $4000 on the low side, before glass etc. If you're fine with that, then find out what you really want and contact a good smith or two for opinions and build options.

 

[RWSGunsmithing]

Before you buy a barrel you need to decide what bullet your gonna shoot.

 

[Jmoore771]

I agree, I have a lot of research still to do. I'm aware of the cost. I won't be able to buy everything at once. My plan is to start ordering the components I need over the course of 6-12 months.

I own and shoot a lot of bolt actions, but I've never built one...This will be a great learning experience and needed one. I will a good understanding of everything involved when finished. My 338 Lapua I bought. It was the Savage 110 BA and the Vortex Razor HD for glass. The 375 Chey Tac has been on my mind for a couple years. I finally made up my mind that I'm going to start working that way.

I'll research the actions, function, barrel, barrel twist, proper bullets, etc. I figured it would take a good gunsmith to help me with the build.

Thanks....I'll start researching and asking questions as they pop up .

 

[Jmoore771]

ELR section? Can't seem to find it. I'm rather new to this forum. Most of the time I'm only lurking around Snipershide researching stuff.

 

[Glenn]

ELR - Beyond 1000 Yards

I would call RW Snyder Gunsmithing | Our Focus is on Quality
He has been built a few nice CT's.

I brought mine already built but will be building another one in the future to get what I want.

For me single shot is the best way to go.
You have plenty of time for a follow up shot!
Give you plenty of bedding area too.

My next one will look like this,

BAT single shot Model L action
34 inch 1in10 Lilja
Jewel
Stock ?????

Buy the best you can get once!

Glenn

 

[Jmoore771]

I will def "buy once, cry once" on this build. I'll start looking at different actions, barrel and stocks and go from there.

 

[orkan]

Have you considered a DTA HTI? I run one, and we've sold plenty of them in the last couple years. They shoot amazing, and are about as "turn-key" as you can get with a fully capable ELR rifle. Did I mention they are a foot shorter than most other 375's?

Give me a call sometime if you're interested and we can chat about it.

 

[Jmoore771]

I was in touch with DTA last year. They provided me with dealer pricing, etc. DTA was my first "I gotta have that rifle" when I started looking into the 375 and 408 CT. DTA is still on the top of my list. Not for sure if I could swing the money for one right now. I could always buy the chassis first then kit later. Or something like that.... The additional conversion kit option I highly favor. I'm debating on whether I should have one built of buy a DTA. To get the .375 cheytac, I think I would have to get the HTI chassis. I can't remember. I will give you a call. Is your phone number in your profile?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

If you don't know how a bolt gun is built and have to ask, that should be a sign you should have somebody else do it. Don't butcher it, send your parts to a reputable smith.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Stiller tac 408 with a baer bottom metal, a few good barrels out there pick a bullet will help id go conventional twas me over soggy bottom bore

 

[mcmuffin]

I would recommend, only because I've been building a rifle myself, find the gunsmith you want to do your work, tell him/her what it is your trying to accomplish and they will give you an idea of how best to approach it and what parts to order, it's hard to pin 20+ years of guns smithing sometimes against what you can dig up on the interwebs. Building a precision rifle is like having a suit tailored to you. It's all about the fit. I'd start with finding your gunsmith... Just my 2 pennies. And I wish I had someone tell me that before I began my build.


"It's you, MCMUFFIN!" - The Superbad hobo

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I would recommend, only because I've been building a rifle myself, find the gunsmith you want to do your work, tell him/her what it is your trying to accomplish and they will give you an idea of how best to approach it and what parts to order, it's hard to pin 20+ years of guns smithing sometimes against what you can dig up on the interwebs. Building a precision rifle is like having a suit tailored to you. It's all about the fit. I'd start with finding your gunsmith... Just my 2 pennies. And I wish I had someone tell me that before I began my build.


"It's you, MCMUFFIN!" - The Superbad hobo

I completely disagree. First, not a lot of smiths have experience building cheytacs, it's not a common deal. Second, a lot of smiths will push their preference or what's sitting on the shelf that they need to get rid of. I've had a lot of customs built and my advice would be to know what you want when you make the call and know what smith you're going to call.

 

[decider]

going to a gunsmith for advise on what approach to take on a gun build is like going to a prostitute for advise on how to clear up syphilis... they do have a lot of experience with it, but their advise is less than helpful

 

[Jmoore771]

Redneck, sorry if I confused you. I will not be building it. Only thing I'm going to do it purchase all the required components and send it off to a gunsmith...

I don't plan on doing the build myself. My plan is to get all the parts purchased and send it to John Beanland Customs for chamber, flute, assembly. Etc. I have a buddy using him for a 308 and 338 Lapua build. I'm leaning towards the Defiance action. Just have to figure out which one will work. Still undecided on barrels. My current short list is Brux, Rock Creek or Benchmark. I'm trying to keep the build within 3k-4k wihout optics.

As far as chassis/stocks....I still have more research to do. Mcmillian, Manners, XLR,...I have no idea yet.

 

[mcmuffin]

going to a gunsmith for advise on what approach to take on a gun build is like going to a prostitute for advise on how to clear up syphilis... they do have a lot of experience with it, but their advise is less than helpful

Guess I found a top dollar prostitute when I found my gun smith.


"It's you, MCMUFFIN!" - The Superbad hobo

 

[Jmoore771]

I def want to send it to a smith that has experience building cheytac. Hopefully by this time next year, I will have a complete 375 ct ready to go.

 

[Jmoore771]

I talked with Jon from Beanland Customs. I think we have plan. I will talk to him some more in a few days.

Action, I'm going with the Stiller Tactical 408 1.45 diameter.
Barrel will probably be a Krieger Either 30" or 32" with 1:10.5 or 1:11. (Not 100% on this)
Chassis I think I'll go with the XLR Tactical evolution HD but I'm still Looking others over
Muzzle brake Fat Bastard brake

 

[Jmoore771]

Do any of you know who all makes an action for the 375 Cheytac?

I know Stiller does, but was trying to find others also.

 

[lash]

Well, BAT makes an action for .375-408 and there are a couple others, though right now I cannot remember them. Call black diamond and see what they say, just for kicks.

 

[Jmoore771]

I will probably stick with the Stiller action. Finding a chassis/stock I want for this action is what I'm having trouble with. So far I'm leaning towards the XLR chassis,

Does Accuracy International offer a chassis for the Stiller 408 TAC 1.45 diameter?

If I can't find a chassis I want using the Stiller, I could always go with a different action manufacturer.

Anyone have any experience behind the XLR chassis that would like to weigh in about it?

 

[RWSGunsmithing]

If you want to use a stiller go with the 1.6 if you want the most ridged action for long range shooting. Use a 1.45 if you want a lighter weight gun.

A few chassis come to mind for cheytac style rifles.

PDC custom
Mcree's
XLR ind
Cadex