If you could build your dream bench gun what stock, barrel, trigger, etc would you get. I am considering building one but don't know anything about them. Lets say looking to spend 5 to 7 grand. I would be using it to shoot paper and steel out to 1500 yards.
-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
What would your Dream bench gun be ?
- Thread starter zorro13
- Start date
Accuracy International -- Just start with an AI and save yourself a lot of time and (believe it or not) money
Someone started another thread about what pro shooters are using.
For example, Bartlein barrels lead by a mile, pun fully intended.
Does that mean the other barrels are crap or not as good? Not necessarily. But if a person prefers another barrel, he opens himself up to "go be poor somewhere else."
Oddly enough, the most popular scopes are not the most expensive. Whatever works, I would imagine.
Same with actions.
Accuracy International is cool but it is mostly .308. Except for the multi-calibre (SIC). .308 W, .338 Lapua Mag, and .300 Win Mag. (Kind of like the Barrett Arms MRAD.)
Others might prefer other calibres (sorry, feeling british today.) Such as 6.5 CM, 7 Rem Mag, even the new 7 PRC. The 7 PRC is a long action and it does have some recoil.
In that case, this thread does make sense. Does a build have to be of separate components? Separately purchased action? Separate barrel that is compatible with that action? Or is it permissible to get a barreled action? Is there proof in the pudding that separate components bring greater accuracy? There are some pro shooters shooting rifles that were built as a a unit at a company, for example.
I think custom builds are great. In fact, in my one-stop-sign "city," there is a gunsmith who can build what you want to your spec, even a custom-built wood stock. Similar to the old mechanic's question. Precision is just a matter of money. How precise do you want to be?
A bench gun can afford to be heavy, which increases accuracy.
Other than that, I don't have any ideas on products, myself. As I had stated in my introductory post here, I will be the stupidest person here and, so far, I have been proving that claim, damn it.
For example, Bartlein barrels lead by a mile, pun fully intended.
Does that mean the other barrels are crap or not as good? Not necessarily. But if a person prefers another barrel, he opens himself up to "go be poor somewhere else."
Oddly enough, the most popular scopes are not the most expensive. Whatever works, I would imagine.
Same with actions.
Accuracy International is cool but it is mostly .308. Except for the multi-calibre (SIC). .308 W, .338 Lapua Mag, and .300 Win Mag. (Kind of like the Barrett Arms MRAD.)
Others might prefer other calibres (sorry, feeling british today.) Such as 6.5 CM, 7 Rem Mag, even the new 7 PRC. The 7 PRC is a long action and it does have some recoil.
In that case, this thread does make sense. Does a build have to be of separate components? Separately purchased action? Separate barrel that is compatible with that action? Or is it permissible to get a barreled action? Is there proof in the pudding that separate components bring greater accuracy? There are some pro shooters shooting rifles that were built as a a unit at a company, for example.
I think custom builds are great. In fact, in my one-stop-sign "city," there is a gunsmith who can build what you want to your spec, even a custom-built wood stock. Similar to the old mechanic's question. Precision is just a matter of money. How precise do you want to be?
A bench gun can afford to be heavy, which increases accuracy.
Other than that, I don't have any ideas on products, myself. As I had stated in my introductory post here, I will be the stupidest person here and, so far, I have been proving that claim, damn it.
Last edited:
this
cause who don't like glass on the beach v
or
cause 32 barrels of hell fire has to be cool as hell mounted on top of your home as a please try and break into my home device , truck , taking it to the beach as Mosquito repellent or a home .
cause who don't like glass on the beach v
or
cause 32 barrels of hell fire has to be cool as hell mounted on top of your home as a please try and break into my home device , truck , taking it to the beach as Mosquito repellent or a home .
For a strictly bench or non tactical type rifle I’m a big fan of having a left port and right bolt. Or even a dual port. I built a RBLP Defiance a decade or so ago and put a 6BR barrel on it with a BnA benchrest trigger. I have a Sightron 10-50 on it and it’s in a benchrest type stock that has a 3” wide forend. It rides in a front rest like a dream and is super pleasant to shoot. It’s also great for prairie dog towns of decent size and introducing kids or other newcomers to hitting targets at 600yds plus without a lot of effort or noise or recoil.
AI rifles are field rifles. I don't think they have any advantages outside of maybe quickchange barrels for a bench rifle.
I would do a single shot medium or long action in a stock that you like that fits in 284 win in a MTU contour or heavy varmint at around 28". Throw a sightron on it and spend the rest on a Seb rest and bullets.
I would do a single shot medium or long action in a stock that you like that fits in 284 win in a MTU contour or heavy varmint at around 28". Throw a sightron on it and spend the rest on a Seb rest and bullets.
1500 yds? 7 SAUM or 300wsm, Mcmillan Kestros, Bat or Panda action, 30" straight bartlein.
What is a bench gun? A gun specifically for use at a bench? Well, then it certainly won't have a stock on it. Yes, I'm being facetious. I despise shooting from benches. It's good practice for just about nothing that I'd actually do. Outside of occasionally using a bench for purposes of establishing zero, I simply don't do it. Mostly I don't zero from a bench either, prone works better for me. If you flip the question around, then it would be interesting... What would you ultimate gun bench be? I have some thoughts on that.
I agree with a need for clarity of philosophy of use. What is the intention of the gun? Always at a bench or prone, it can essentially a mobile vise that holds the action and your shoulder is behind in form only, not function. Because the human is the most imprecise part of the system. Which is exactly why I zero my rifles against my shoulder, not a lead sled. I need to know the general pattern of what it will be when I am hunting, which is my primary activity. And also, a reason I have not really had any ideas for input. I consider a bench gun to usually be a heavy machine with a long barrel that barely twitches when fired.
For hunting, a lot of bench guns would be not much fun or practical to carry through woods or across a hill. For example, my favorite hunting rifle weighs less than 12 pounds loaded. As opposed to a bench gun I saw someone test that was over 20 pounds without the mag in. Even so, the best groups that was doing were just a slight bit tighter than most factory hunting rifles and this build was from separate custom parts.
Last edited:
i'm just guessing...but when I read "bench gun" I thought heavy rifle with heavy contour long barrel. Like a PRS type gun.
I didn't think BR, F-class Open, Palma or similar. Just a gun you aren't going to be running around with.
But...its just a guess as the OP hasn't yet responded to requests for clarity.
Cheers
I didn't think BR, F-class Open, Palma or similar. Just a gun you aren't going to be running around with.
But...its just a guess as the OP hasn't yet responded to requests for clarity.
Cheers
I actually went the opposite way of thinking like an F-Class or true bench gun with the big front clamps and obscene weight. But then again I complain that my AI is a pig at 18 lbs. Who knows what this guy wanted.
I built this in 2011 for a local Varmint Silhouette fun match. Started off with the Leupold Fixed 45x and a Kelbly's 1000M stock. Then I made a couple changes.
Nesika Action, Left Port, Right Bolt
Bartlien Barrel
6BR
Jewell bottom safety trigger
Kelbly 1000M I duplicated because we don't have a weight restriction and I wanted about a 7.5lb stock at the time I built it. (full bedding chassis that goes the entire length of the stock from the forend tip to the butt plate.
-I have since shot a few matches where there was a weight restriction so I swap stocks for the original Kelbly's.
Nightforce 12-42 NSX & Rings (NP2DD reticle but if I could do it over it would have likely been something like the NPR1)
Had a local body shop paint the stocks for me.
I built it for the VS matches and absolutely fell in love with it. Just fun to shoot and crazy consistent. Happy I went to the NF scope for the shooting and testing I use the rifle for today.
In the VS matches we shoot prone and off the bench.
When I built that rifle it was the same time the 6 Crusader came out, and yeah I built one of those in a PRS style rifle. Always wanted to build another BR rifle like the one pictured in 6 Crusader.
***Only issue with this gun is in the Western KS wind, I have to clean the bolt between sessions of 50 rounds give or take. A little dust goes a long ways on that action.
I did upgrade bags and front rest since these pictures.
Nesika Action, Left Port, Right Bolt
Bartlien Barrel
6BR
Jewell bottom safety trigger
Kelbly 1000M I duplicated because we don't have a weight restriction and I wanted about a 7.5lb stock at the time I built it. (full bedding chassis that goes the entire length of the stock from the forend tip to the butt plate.
-I have since shot a few matches where there was a weight restriction so I swap stocks for the original Kelbly's.
Nightforce 12-42 NSX & Rings (NP2DD reticle but if I could do it over it would have likely been something like the NPR1)
Had a local body shop paint the stocks for me.
I built it for the VS matches and absolutely fell in love with it. Just fun to shoot and crazy consistent. Happy I went to the NF scope for the shooting and testing I use the rifle for today.
In the VS matches we shoot prone and off the bench.
When I built that rifle it was the same time the 6 Crusader came out, and yeah I built one of those in a PRS style rifle. Always wanted to build another BR rifle like the one pictured in 6 Crusader.
***Only issue with this gun is in the Western KS wind, I have to clean the bolt between sessions of 50 rounds give or take. A little dust goes a long ways on that action.
I did upgrade bags and front rest since these pictures.
5-7 k for rifle or 5-7 k for everything? You'll get two wildly different answers.
At that price range, I'd want the assurance that what I was buying had decent resale value. So Barrett or AI would have utility on and off the bench, with an easy swap of barrel or caliber to keep the rifle running in the future. If you want a true bench gun, I'd look at what 1000 yard Benchrest folks are shooting, or F class, and start from there.
At that price range, I'd want the assurance that what I was buying had decent resale value. So Barrett or AI would have utility on and off the bench, with an easy swap of barrel or caliber to keep the rifle running in the future. If you want a true bench gun, I'd look at what 1000 yard Benchrest folks are shooting, or F class, and start from there.
An example of what I've done for folks in the past.
Happy to help.
Happy to help.
Attachments
-
843763_409521082475989_215575061_o.jpg -
843787_409521059142658_1202930860_o.jpg -
19575293_1393305170764237_5691518650181482079_o.jpg -
11312712_844253869002706_583454489069560528_o.jpg -
11221742_852784178149675_4585836025208734571_o.jpg -
11402549_852537601507666_8091398145142326667_o.jpg -
11416296_852784158149677_3559965842123412091_o.jpg
Arc chassis, lone peak action, TT diamond. You want 284 Winchester as a caliber with a 30" barrel.
Ok, I am looking for a good, heavy gun to shoot at a local shoot with. All shooting there is done from a bench. Shooting steel out to 1000 yards and paper targets out to 500 yards. I was using a factory rifle up to now but want to upgrade. Just looking for suggestions on the different components that go into a custom gun.
short, medium, long action
mag fed or single feed
control round or push feed
mechanical eject or plunger
chassis or stock
caliber
boltface
reload or factory
weight limits at match?
bipod and bag or rest and bunny ears
bare muzzle, brake, can
50x SFP target scope or 25-36x tactical FFP scope
Action: No preference. What ever will work best for what I want to do.
Mag or single feed: No preference.
Control round or push feed: I am going to show my ignorance here and admit I don't what the difference between the 2 is.
Mechanical eject or plunger: Same as above.
Chassis or stock: Stock.
Caliber: No preference
Boltface: ?
Reload or factory: I do reload but like having the option of using factory loads if need be. I don't always have time to reload.
Weight limits: None, just different classes determined by weight.
Bipod and bag: Right now I just use bags.
Bare muzzle, brake, can: Bare muzzle.
Scope: I have a Tangent Theta I will be using.
I once had a savage RB LP target action with a 30inch bull shillen 6br prefit barrel and a laminate bench rest stock. The thing was boringly accurate
So no Bench Rest.....the discipline, right? Not USBR or IBS, correct?
What is the format and sanctioning org for this shoot...or is it just a local club fun shoot? (and absolutely nothing wrong wit that)
if i were to build a bench only gun
BAT
single feed
7mm SAUM or Sherman Mega
Honestly there are way too many variables for anyone to give the slightest suggestion
BAT vs Lone Peak vs Origin vs R700
6BR vs 7SAUM vs 300PRC
Bare muzzle sucks be civilized and get a can
Decide what you want for front/rear support
If you shoot at a club ask to try out some of the platforms those guys are using. Get a feel for stock vs chassis. Single vs two stage trigger. Different bipod or test options etc
If I had $5-$7k to spend on just the gun and already had a top of the line optic I’d buy an AI. For my type of shooting that is
On the opposite side of the isle I have my 284 fclass gun. With a McMillan stock/jewel trigger/32” Brux barrel and NF Comp 15-55
Two totally different setups for different disciplines
How many rounds you shoot will dictate a good caliber choice. Certain calibers obviously will dominate others and if your only firing a few rounds are good choices. Likewise if your firing strings of 20 rounds and what not you’ll burn a barrel up quick with heat
If I had $5-$7k to spend on just the gun and already had a top of the line optic I’d buy an AI. For my type of shooting that is
On the opposite side of the isle I have my 284 fclass gun. With a McMillan stock/jewel trigger/32” Brux barrel and NF Comp 15-55
Two totally different setups for different disciplines
How many rounds you shoot will dictate a good caliber choice. Certain calibers obviously will dominate others and if your only firing a few rounds are good choices. Likewise if your firing strings of 20 rounds and what not you’ll burn a barrel up quick with heat
The man did say “bench”. So, I suppose something like this would be the ultimate (picture borrowed from 6BR Forum)
However then he changed the parameters. So, if I was going to choose a “bench” gun that was really something like a PRS rifle, I suspect A Manner’s or Foundation stock or an MPA chassis, A decent barrel, of your choice. (I have had superior results with a Shilen, but the MPA barrels I am using are pretty good) any of the good actions available and a nice tigger by TriggerTech or Bix n Andy.
However then he changed the parameters. So, if I was going to choose a “bench” gun that was really something like a PRS rifle, I suspect A Manner’s or Foundation stock or an MPA chassis, A decent barrel, of your choice. (I have had superior results with a Shilen, but the MPA barrels I am using are pretty good) any of the good actions available and a nice tigger by TriggerTech or Bix n Andy.
Last edited:
I'd probably figure out the purpose of different rifle features, the associated benefits/cons, and how they impact what you're trying to accomplish before dumping $5-7k on rifle.
Edit: If you don't want to wait until you've got a grasp on the things mentioned above, I'd just get a turnkey rifle in a common configuration desired by lots of people that you can flip once you know what you might want in a custom. Some prime examples of nice rifles that you would be able to sell quick if you found yourself wanting something more specialized: GAP PPR, AI AT-X, Stuteville precision with their typical 737, foundation setup.
Edit: If you don't want to wait until you've got a grasp on the things mentioned above, I'd just get a turnkey rifle in a common configuration desired by lots of people that you can flip once you know what you might want in a custom. Some prime examples of nice rifles that you would be able to sell quick if you found yourself wanting something more specialized: GAP PPR, AI AT-X, Stuteville precision with their typical 737, foundation setup.
Last edited:
1000 yd benchrest light gun, Shehane MBR stock, Kelbly's F class action left port right bolt, Jewell benchrest trigger (2 oz), Hart barrel , Vais brake, and is chambered for 6.5 x 284 Shehane.
For a non-dedicated BR rifle, MPR chassis, Defiant action, Huber 2 stage trigger, Bartlein barrel, Hellfire brake, Caliber 6XC
Either one should fit your budget. Like other have advised figure out what you want to use it for then pick the best components you can afford in a caliber that fits your needs.
Damn great question I’m not sure where I start but more than likely a 6mm PPC make sure the whole rig weighs more than 20lbs I guess if you had to pin it down right now I’d go to shooters corner I’d buy a used rig to start so I could dump more money into the scope that’s me though
The rests alone are quite expensive. Most guns weight between 60 and 80 pounds, but guns up to 200 pounds have been tried. However, the recoil characteristics of the very heavy 160 to 200 pound rifles (according to the author of this article) don’t recoil smoothly and throw shots out of the group. Anyway, we think, PRS is expensive. I suspect this can top er.
1000 yard Bench Rest Guns.
I shoot the same BR Varmint Silhouette matches that Gunner 75 mentioned. He was generous enough to supply one of his prototype heavy BR stocks to me for the BAT 3L rifle I built in 6 Dasher for these matches, and I took it to the same body shop for Ford electric red paint. That's a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 scope on the BAT. I went with a Bartlein hvy Palma bbl with 1-7.8tw & a Vais brake, but after shooting with that brake under a covered firing line for a couple of years, I parted the threads for the Vais off and cut 5/8-24 threads for a TBAC CB mount, and then sent my old 30BA can back to TBAC for the Ultra re-core program. Unless you've shot a rifle with a radial brake like the Vais & then switched to what's essentially an Ultra 9, you can't appreciate how much more pleasant it is with the can! I only used my old 2nd-hand Sinclair front rest for the photo - built myself a heavier home-made stainless rest as the 1st project after I'd bought my vertical mill. It's all surplus SS from the Yard in Wichita, which IIRC, cost me about $45. If you ordered in enough 303 SS to build one like it today from one of the online outfits that sell small orders of metals, it'd cost about $600. Nowhere near as nice or useful as a SEB or other joystick front rests available today, but it's still a neat old traditional front rest, and I get by with it. I used it in the only formal 1000yd BR match I've ever shot, out at CRC near Byers, Co. back in 2007, and shot the small group of the day in the light rifle division during the State Championships that year with another Dasher, which was just a 30" med Palma Dasher bbl on my Nesika Palma rifle - with no ejector, I was really hustling to get five shots off in the same condition...good reason to use an action with a drop port or at least an ejector so you save a lot of time if you're group shooting.
Attachments
If a single shot will do then look no further than this guy.
www.wheeleraccuracy.com
But for 1500Y I'd go for 300WSM.
Both of these cartridges represent two of the most balanced long range cartridges around and have the records to prove it. Also get good barrel life.
You want high precision and a low ES combo.
6 BRA | wheeleraccuracy
www.wheeleraccuracy.com
But for 1500Y I'd go for 300WSM.
Both of these cartridges represent two of the most balanced long range cartridges around and have the records to prove it. Also get good barrel life.
You want high precision and a low ES combo.
More like not knowing what you're asking. You say you want to shoot at a local club match... and if I skimmed this thread carefully enough, you seem to be describing a competition for a decent 18+ pound rifle supported by a bipod in the front and some sort of rear bag - e.g., a typical PRS rifle of the sort used by a great many people on this site.
Suggestion: ask the match director what "official rules" are in place. These might influence your decision.
I compete at a sort-of-similar rimfire match each month... and there are written rules for it. No machine rests, for example, of the type used in true bench rest disciplines.
I suspect that many people here have no "dream gun" because every time they build a rifle, they shoot it awhile and want to try something else. That's the case with me. My primary interest is PRS-style matches, plus the little gallery-style .22 match. I just built my 4th "dream rifle" - a RimX-based .22LR. Not because there is anything wrong at all with my 2nd "dream rifle," a Vudoo .22LR. The 3rd "dream rifle" is a Defiance Deviant-based, ZCO-scoped rifle which wears a 6.5CM, 6BR, or .223 barrel, which replaced my first "dream rifle..." In the 5+ years I've chased rifle, I've had three factory bolt guns (Tikka centerfire, CZ .22), three custom centerfires (Defiance, Terminus, Stiller actions), and two custom/semi-custom .22s (Vudoo, RimX). I've happily used Jewell, Timney, and TriggerTech triggers - all are very similar but I've settled on TT. Optics have settled on Vortex Razors (gen-2, gen-3) and the lone ZCO - the ZCO is better than the gen-3 Razor but not, to me, $1000 worth of better which is why I have two gen-3s - lots of scope for the $. Barrels on the centerfires are all Bartlein... and even though my RimX isn't even four months old yet, I'd probably try different bits if there wasn't a price hit. Please note: THERE WAS NOTHING "WRONG" WITH ANY OF THESE RIGS; I CHANGED STUFF BECAUSE I COULD.
Bottom line: There is no "best gun" because people like different things and what you like will change as you learn. With your budget of $5-7k, you have a lot of choices - so my suggestion would be to build something with the idea you'll probably want to change it so resale is a thing. For additional guidance, you might want to call places like Southern Precision Rifle (bugholes.com), Altus Shooting Solutions (altusshooting.com), CS Tactical (cstactical.com), Mile High Shooting (milehighshooting.com)... there are MANY reputable outfits that can help you. And at the price point you've posted, differences across brands will be more preferential than performative. Example: I have two .223s. One is built on a Terminus Apollo action (currently ~$1300) and the other on Defiance Deviant (currently ~$1750). Both have Bartlein barrels and live in MDT ACC chassis. One Timney trigger, the other has a TriggerTech. They feel different to run - both are super-smooth but the Terminus is a 60-degree bolt, the Definace 90 degree - their accuracy is identical.
There's a lot in this post to consider and MUCH more left out because it seems like you're where I was in 2018. You can read all you want, but the only way to learn to ride a bike is get on one and pedal.
Last edited:
Bat TR 308 bolt face
Bartlein or benchmark in VCC contour
Bix n andy Tacsport pro x single stage flat shoe
Area 419 hellfire match and 36mm 20moa 1 piece scope mount
Spuhr SICS
Accu-tac SR-5 with arca head
ZCO ZC527 with MPCT 2 reticle
Chambered in 6x47 lapua
Bartlein or benchmark in VCC contour
Bix n andy Tacsport pro x single stage flat shoe
Area 419 hellfire match and 36mm 20moa 1 piece scope mount
Spuhr SICS
Accu-tac SR-5 with arca head
ZCO ZC527 with MPCT 2 reticle
Chambered in 6x47 lapua
