Which would you buy first?

[EMorr]

I currently have a Remington 700SPS in 30-06 that has proven to be a great rifle for what I initially bought it for, after getting into reloading and wanting to start making some shots at longer ranges I came to the realization that most do and that is that the SPS stock is pretty much junk. I am going to be switching to a Bell and Carlson stock but this leaves me with a conundrum. Eventually I want to add a custom barrel to this rifle, most likely it will be from Schilen with a 28” length and a heavier contour than my current barrel on the SPS.

So that is my problem do I buy the barrel first and then have it sit around for a few months until I can afford a stock with a larger barrel channel, or do I buy a stock with a large barrel channel, install my current barrel and live with the unsightly gap between the barrel and stock for a few months?

Thanks in advance for your opinions and what would you guys do?

 

[ogonzalez13]

Re: Which would you but first?

I think if it was me I would buy the Stock first and live with the GAP for a while. Seems to me that the rifle has served you well as is and putting a new stock on it will allow you to continue hunting and shooting and use up all the the life the factory barrel has. Hell you paid for it might as well get your moneys worth out of it. Also, if you shoot with the new stock a while you will find out how much you really like the feel of it and if you dont then you could sell it before moving onto your full build. Of course it would be better to try one out before buying if you have not already done so.

 

[windermike]

Re: Which would you but first?

Stockys has a great deal on HS stocks right now and in my opinion are better stock than the B&C.

 

[uncledog57]

Re: Which would you but first?

Put the B&C on mine with the factory barrel and it looks pretty good! Love the stock and get compliments on it all the time. You will definitely be able to live with it.

 

[-Snyper-]

Re: Which would you but first?

I would get the stock first. And when you get ready for the barrel, I wouldn't go with a 28" barrel. That's a lot of steel out in front of you that's going to be heavy.

 

[EMorr]

Re: Which would you but first?

windermike,
Thanks for the heads up, I had never heard of that sight.

snyper,
I may go with I 26” but right now all I really know I that I want to go longer than 24” just to see If I can get some more speed out of my hand loads.

uncledog57,
good to know that it does not look to bad with the factory barrel.

 

[Boss334OP]

Re: Which would you but first?

I agree with the majority... Stock then barrel. The B&C A3 is on sale at Midway USA.

 

[cox308]

Re: Which would you but first?

agree with the above posters. I'd go with the stock first while continuing to shoot out the factory barrel. I'd also try to find a deal on a HS stock rather than going with a B&C. I had a B&C on my 300wm Remington XCR Tactical. The front end wasn't very stiff and with anything barrel that had a heavier contour I'm sure it would not free float well when using a bipod.

 

[JGorski]

Re: Which would you but first?

Id get a H-S stock, too. Do you plan on getting into F-Class since you stated youd like to have a 28" tube put on?
Here's my SPSS in 308, H-S PSV096.

 

[EMorr]

Re: Which would you but first?

I will definitely take a look at the H-S stocks, as far as the 28” barrel goes and F-class competition I’m not sure that I yet have the ability to compete at that level. Currently my rifle will group 3 rounds at around .75 MOA at 100 yards but when I look at 5 shot groups it opens up to about 1.25 to 2.0 MOA so right now I have a hard time knowing where my skill level is and I’m hoping that a better stock will give me an idea if I’m capable of holding a .75 MOA group and if it was the stock causing anomalies in POI.