Who has built a "do it all" rifle?

[SLG]

For me, the Fix is the latest in a series that has spanned the last 20 years. Fun projects, but rarely do they do what you want, ime.

Here's a Brockman custom in 308 from a few years ago, built on an M70 action. The TBAC brake on the end was just to see what it looked like, it is not actually on there. Kreiger #3 cut and threaded at 18". Gun shoots tiny groups.

 

[OLD308]

I keep thinking about a 708. Check out the 150 eldm. I could get the best numbers with them playing with a balistic calculator.

I run the 168 CH Bergers in my 7mm mag so same bullet for two rifles is easier on me. Never had an issue with how they preform per my requirements. Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll keep it in mind.

 

[BangBangBlatBlat]

I have a Nucleus in 6.5 Creedmoor at 22 inches with a Remington Varmint contour barrel that is going to be my "not too heavy to hike with" rifle.

 

[jstamper1979]

Another vote for the CTR.
I just started playing with a RPR with an LRI barrel in 6.5 Creed, but my Tikka in .308 still works great for my informal steel shooting out to 1K with 178 eld’s, and is a superb hunting rifle.

I know the Creedmoor is the best thing since sliced bread and all, but I’ll have to shoot a LOT of deer with it to catch up to the 308, which always puts them down with authority.

 

[nexusfire]

What’s that weigh??

Scoped out I believe it is 14lbs. It has a 22" remington varmint contour Bartlein. I run a Schmidt 5-25 for the scope. Not the lightest but it has never let me down.

 

[Covertnoob5]

Scoped out I believe it is 14lbs. It has a 22" remington varmint contour Bartlein. I run a Schmidt 5-25 for the scope. Not the lightest but it has never let me down.

That’s nice! What “do it all” duties does it get used in? Hunting, comps, range shooting?

 

[260284]

So granted I haven't owned any of these parts, but for the cheap option what about a 6.5 creed Ruger American Predator in a Magpul Hunter stock with something light like a Bushnell LRHS or Leupold Mark5? Middle of the road barrel contour, 22" middle of the road length, threaded, takes AI mags, pretty light overall.

I have had a MagPul Hunter on order for a year for my son's american predator. I wish MagPul would get it together on this stock. Last year at this time it was "coming summer of 2017", now it is "coming summer of 2018", soon it will be fall of 2018 and still no sign of bigfoot.

 

[260284]

I built this as a dual purpose rifle, but decided I need more weight or switch to a muzzle break to be able to spot misses.

Tikka CTR, German Gun Stock Predator, 23.5" Bartlein medium palma with a BugNut, TBAC 30 P1, 4.5-18 LRSTi. 12.5 lbs with sling and 9-13" Harris and no magazine.

I have a factory 20" 6.5 Creedmoor barrel that I can swap in 10-20 minutes that will go on for hunting season this year. I used the 143 ELDX for 3 deer, a coyote, and a crow last year. I shoot the 140 ELDM for matches.

I am tempted to try the 129 ABLR in the 20" barrel for a hunting round.

 

[Covertnoob5]

I built this as a dual purpose rifle, but decided I need more weight or switch to a muzzle break to be able to spot misses.

Tikka CTR, German Gun Stock Predator, 23.5" Bartlein with a BugNut, TBAC 30 P1, 4.5-18 LRSTi. 12.5 lbs with sling and 9-13" Harris and no magazine.

I have a factory 20" 6.5 Creedmoor barrel that I can swap in 10-20 minutes that will go on for hunting season this year. I used the 143 ELDX for 3 deer, a coyote, and a crow last year. I shoot the 140 ELDM for matches.

I am tempted to try the 129 ABLR in the 20" barrel for a hunting round.

Awesome looking stick!

 

[Niles Coyote]

My do it all rifle: 25" Bartlien in 6.5 creedmoor fitted by Pierce Engineering on my Stiller Tac30aw action and housed in a MPA competition chassis. If weight is a concern a scope swap and manners stock will lighten the 16.5# rifle down 3 pounds

 

[nexusfire]

That’s nice! What “do it all” duties does it get used in? Hunting, comps, range shooting?

All of those!

 

[Barney88PDC]

No one, no one has built a "do it all" rifle because it does not exist.

There are concessions you are going to have to make either way. You will either end up with a handy, light rifle for hunting that may not be the best for recoil and spotting shots (due to weight) and may not shoot longer strings of fire accurately. Or you will have a heavy target rifle that shoots great with a longer, heavier barrel but you do not want to carry it around all day hunting in the mountains. Trying to do both you will end up with a rifle that really may not do either great.

It's like a vehicle. You want to really be able to pull a heavy trailer? Get a 1 ton. You want to trail ride? Buy a Jeep. Neither does both well.

 

[Crang]

As many have mentioned the Tikka CTR in 6.5 is about right. I have one as my back up competition gun to my TRG in a Bravo chassis for practice and comps but drop it back in the original stock it came with for hunting. Slowly switching my optics to Sphur mounts and will eventually have my 46oz Razor on it for long range and a light hunting scope I can go back in forth in just a few minutes - the AMG looks perfect.

 

[steve123]

I have a friend with a nice 6.5-4s Gradous hunter, a full custom made to be light-ish weight, he bought it used on the internet. Problem is he has a Swaro X5 on it now, which is awesome but a heavy scope and big scope. This was to be his do all rifle but the combo turned out in his opinion too heavy.

Me, I think his Gradous is too light for steel. Even with a brake it has a lot of rifle upset.

So he takes his lighter weight Weatherby with old scope hunting on foot instead, which the 6.5-4s and X5 was to replace, lol. He can't sell the Weatherby because it's a family heirloom.

We're negotiating a solution, probably a March 3-24x52 coupled with a carbon fiber stock but I told him he should just sell the Gradous, the X5 too, and start over. And buy a different rifle for steel.

So do all often means not that good for different purposes, you must accept the compromises.

That's precisely why I have different rifles and scopes for their appropriate purposes.

 

[SquarePizza]

For me I have a "do-everything-I-need" rifle. My primary rifle got a little bloated at 15 lbs spec'd out, and is a little long to be hunting in the thick woods of the north east. So I set up a second rifle. I have a clearing of 550 yards on my property that I can use to shoot, and so the rifle should handle that plus killing woodchucks in the garden and deer for the freezer.

For me that was the howa mini in 6.5Grendel, unfortunately at 10 pounds scoped, she came in about 2 pounds heavier than I wanted, but its still the most handy rifle that I own.

 

[Jackomason]

My new "do it all rifle" is a bergara ridge, this is in 7mm mag and Its pretty much like everyone is suggesting. But it really turns into a glass half full situation vs half empty. I like the rifle a lot. I've got a brake on it and it doesn't kick at all. It does heat up pretty quick and is on the heavy side. I'm sitting at 10.5 lbs.

My plans for it are to put it in a manners EH1, put a USO B17 on it and use it for everything killing related. Once the barrel is burnt I'd like to throw a ELR type caliber in there just to play with it and give me that much more confidence on game. Will probably keep the contour. If elk wasn't a concern I think this rifle in a short action caliber would hold it's own for shooting long strings at steel. But the stock is very basic.

 

[Gooldylocks]

No one, no one has built a "do it all" rifle because it does not exist.

There are concessions you are going to have to make either way. You will either end up with a handy, light rifle for hunting that may not be the best for recoil and spotting shots (due to weight) and may not shoot longer strings of fire accurately. Or you will have a heavy target rifle that shoots great with a longer, heavier barrel but you do not want to carry it around all day hunting in the mountains. Trying to do both you will end up with a rifle that really may not do either great.

It's like a vehicle. You want to really be able to pull a heavy trailer? Get a 1 ton. You want to trail ride? Buy a Jeep. Neither does both well.

So what if you got a 24" sendero/savage varmint contour barrel, so you had a nice mid-weight, then put it in an MPA hybrid chassis so you could add or subtract weight? With no weights it comes in at 2.9, and then you can add like another 5 pounds on top of that.

 

[brianf]

ive done close to the same with a few rifles.
i added a bottom rail (if there wasnt one already), took a old QD scope mount but instead of the scope i used a chunk of steel.
added about 4 lbs on the bottom so the balance doesnt get that screwy.
of course i only use that while on the bench or the field.
i have a "mega" block that i put on for new shooters and my kids so there is zero recoil (6BR AX308, with a kahles 10-50 on top).
everyone likes to hit bulls with no recoil, sucks them in every time.
my first try was a water bottle that i would fill with rocks and sand so i didnt have to carry the extra weight if i was walking far, but that jsut didnt work that well.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Does converting a rusted-out old Parker Shotgun into a 45/70 Cape gun with a .45/70 and 12 gauge barrel set... Count?

Not sure it does it... all. But it's done pretty good on deer, wabats and late-season partridge...

Pictures if you want!

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Bandit31]

So what if you got a 24" sendero/savage varmint contour barrel, so you had a nice mid-weight, then put it in an MPA hybrid chassis so you could add or subtract weight? With no weights it comes in at 2.9, and then you can add like another 5 pounds on top of that.

The Hybrid doesn't come in at 2.9lbs, just FYI. Either they've been letting quite a few slip or they're heavily misleading the advertised weights.

 

[m6z]

KRG Bravo and a Proof CF barrel with your action of choice should do the trick.

 

[Gooldylocks]

The Hybrid doesn't come in at 2.9lbs, just FYI. Either they've been letting quite a few slip or they're heavily misleading the advertised weights.

You're right, they updated the weight of it on the website to 3.5#

 

[Bandit31]

You're right, they updated the weight of it on the website to 3.5#

Still a bit inflated but at least its closer than 2.9lbs w/o the buttpad. Mine was slightly over 3.5lbs WITHOUT the entire buttpad assembly. 3lbs 14.9oz complete.

 

[Gooldylocks]

Still a bit inflated but at least its closer than 2.9lbs w/o the buttpad. Mine was slightly over 3.5lbs WITHOUT the entire buttpad assembly. 3lbs 14.9oz complete.

Folding or non-folding? Also, how do you like it? My fingers are crossed that they are going to release it for savage and I can pick one up.

 

[Bandit31]

Folding or non-folding? Also, how do you like it? My fingers are crossed that they are going to release it for savage and I can pick one up.

Non- folding. I didn't keep it as it had a ton of issues ( piss poor cerakote and assembly, tool marks, hammer marks etc) and it was considerably heavier than they advertised it and felt extremely awkward with my proof barrel. MPA's CS was the final nail in the coffin so I moved on and got a refund.

 

[CShooter92]

Can't find a pic of mine but I just did one.

Surgeon 591
6.5 Creedmoor
Manners T5A - Carbon Elite Shell (Could go platinum now to be lighter)
24" Hardy Carbon Fiber Barrel w/ Insite Heathen Brake.
Surgeon Bottom Metal
Vortex Razor AMG
NF Xtreme Ultralite rings
Harris Bipod

The gun weighs 12 Pounds with scope, bipod, sling, etc. I had it built as a coyote rifle and I run it at PRS matches. Personally I'd want it a little heavier for PRS, but it's fun to shoot.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

Can't find a pic of mine but I just did one.

Surgeon 591
6.5 Creedmoor
Manners T5A - Carbon Elite Shell (Could go platinum now to be lighter)
24" Hardy Carbon Fiber Barrel w/ Insite Heathen Brake.
Surgeon Bottom Metal
Vortex Razor AMG
NF Xtreme Ultralite rings
Harris Bipod

The gun weighs 12 Pounds with scope, bipod, sling, etc. I had it built as a coyote rifle and I run it at PRS matches. Personally I'd want it a little heavier for PRS, but it's fun to shoot.

I'd love to see a pic of this setup - seems like a excellent build

 

[Steelnecktie]

Built this one a few weeks ago, it’s my 11.5 lb. “do it all” rifle. 6.5x47 Lapua. Still waiting on Atlas bipod and Arca Rail. She is smoother than the photoshopped curves on a playboy bunny’s ass.

 

[xdeano]

I hunt for a living and shoot a little prs on the side. What I am going towards is a mpa ba hybrid stock. If you want to go to a match you can add their weights. If your going to hunt with it, you can pull them out. The stock is just as light as the carbon fiber with a mini chassis. Id also do the bighorn tl3 for at home barrel swaps. Put a bartlein 3b, 4, medium Palma and go to work.

Scope as you choose.
Caliber 6,6.5,7 you choose.

Xdeano

 

[BallisticPrimate]

I hunt for a living and shoot a little prs on the side. What I am going towards is a mpa ba hybrid stock. If you want to go to a match you can add their weights. If your going to hunt with it, you can pull them out. The stock is just as light as the carbon fiber with a mini chassis. Id also do the bighorn tl3 for at home barrel swaps. Put a bartlein 3b, 4, medium Palma and go to work.

Scope as you choose.
Caliber 6,6.5,7 you choose.

Xdeano

I didn't realise the mpa ba hybrid stock was as light as a carbon Manners/McMillan with DBM - what's the hybrid come in at?

 

[kepo]

Here you go. Getting her back out tomorrow for hopefully my first kill of the season.

View attachment 6747378

Which rings are those? Going similar rout. Just ordered Lrhsi GAP special! Thanks looks nice.

 

[Bandit31]

I didn't realise the mpa ba hybrid stock was as light as a carbon Manners/McMillan with DBM - what's the hybrid come in at?

Theyre not. All the Manners I've owned with the elite shell and mini chassis have all been lighter than the Hybrid. Generally by half a pound, some a little more.

 

[Rerun7]

They are seekins/vortex. A little heavy but that was one place I didn’t want to try to cut weight.

 

[Jackalope]

My M70 in 6.5x55. 9.9lbs

- 20” proof sendero barrel
- McMillan Varmint stock
- PTG aluminum bottom metal
- Nightforce ATACR F1 in Talley Lightweights

 

[BallisticPrimate]

My M70 in 6.5x55. 9.9lbs

- 20” proof sendero barrel
- McMillan Varmint stock
- PTG aluminum bottom metal
- Nightforce ATACR F1 in Talley Lightweights

What loads are you running in the 20'? Love the minimalism of that build

 

[Jackalope]

What loads are you running in the 20'? Love the minimalism of that build

So far I’m running 127gr Barnes LRXs over 48 grains of 4831sc in Lapua brass. Hoping to experiment with reloder 26 and the 130 Sierra game changers soon.

 

[Eggman]

View attachment 6931852
Built this one a few weeks ago, it’s my 11.5 lb. “do it all” rifle. 6.5x47 Lapua. Still waiting on Atlas bipod and Arca Rail. She is smoother than the photoshopped curves on a playboy bunny’s ass.

could you share some details on this builds parts list? that thing is nice

 

[Steelnecktie]

could you share some details on this builds parts list? that thing is nice

Manners compact stock (Arctic camo)
Kelbly’s Black Bear Tactical (S/A)
Kelbly’s rings
Proof Research barrel 20”
Area 419 Hellfire brake
Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56
Triggertech diamond (straight shoe)
Badger M5 bottom metal / AI mag
Made my own pillars and bedded action with Marine Tex.

 

[dms416]

I built my "dream gun" which was to be a more or less "do-all" shorty 308. I loved the idea of the gun, and the size and weight, but it was more or less a failure. The Tempest action didn't play nice with my ammo/brass; I didn't dig the Tubb trigger...I spent more time fighting the gun than enjoying it.

After 2 years of not having a huge gap in my rifle selection between big hulking AI's and AR15's with low power 1-8's, I decided to give this another go. The build in the works is as follows:
- EH1A again (really liked the stock)
- Impact Precision instead of the Tempest
- XTreme 22 (probably) instead of the Tubb trigger
- Bartlein 20" Med Palma in 6.5CM instead of 18" 308
- APA or Heathen brake instead of Surefire
- S&B US instead of the NF ATACR

As stated, above a "jack of all trades" is typically a master of nothing. I have more realistic expectations this time round and I'm a bit more confident in my parts/spec choices.

 

[xdeano]

Theyre not. All the Manners I've owned with the elite shell and mini chassis have all been lighter than the Hybrid. Generally by half a pound, some a little more.

Ok here is what I have currently. Manners Eh5a comes in at 3lbs. Manners mini chassis gen 2 is .62 lbs.
So I'm at 3.62 lbs with my manners c.f. stock.

The mpa ba hybrid is 2.9lbs plus another half lb roughly for the buttpad. So we're a horse a piece.

Can you get a manners stock to be lighter? Sure you can get a hunter stock, non adjustable and a bdl type mag system and you can cut quite a bit of weight. I'm just comparing apples to apples per say, with adjustable and mag system.

Deano

 

[Bandit31]

Ok here is what I have currently. Manners Eh5a comes in at 3lbs. Manners mini chassis gen 2 is .62 lbs.
So I'm at 3.62 lbs with my manners c.f. stock.

The mpa ba hybrid is 2.9lbs plus another half lb roughly for the buttpad. So we're a horse a piece.

Can you get a manners stock to be lighter? Sure you can get a hunter stock, non adjustable and a bdl type mag system and you can cut quite a bit of weight. I'm just comparing apples to apples per say, with adjustable and mag system.

Deano

Except the Hybrid isn't coming in the advertised weight, I know because I had one that was just shy of 4lbs (3lbs 15ish oz). There's also others here that have reported their's being heavier. The four Manners Elite's with the adjustable cheekpiece and DBM mini chassis have all been lighter by 6-9oz and the PRS2 i'm expecting here soon should be almost 10oz lighter. The Manners is more expensive though and doesn't have the full length dovetail or adjustable LOP/Buttpad though which would add weight and more cost.

The XLR carbon, Envy, element, and KRG Bravo kitted out and maybe some of the MDT's would be more of an equal comparison to the Hybrid and should still be a little lighter.

 

[CShooter92]

I'd love to see a pic of this setup - seems like a excellent build

Here you go. I'm running Berger 130gr AR Hybrids at about 2900 fps.

 

[Covertnoob5]

Just put this together last week after months of slowly getting parts together.
Kmw Sentinel w/ dovetail rail
Curtis Vector action
Premier 3-15 tactical
Cadex trigger
24” Krieger 6.5 Creed
Shooting Hornady 140 eldm at 2710

As you see it 16lbs, but I will get a 6.5 prc barrel soon for hunting in a lighter contour maybe medium sporter.

 

[Crazy1323]

My do all rifle is as follows:
308 Win
20" Proof Carbon Barrel (threaded)
Manners EH1A Stock
Defiance Deviant Tactical Action
Leupold MK6 3-18 (light weight with good magnification, FFP, and exposed locking turrets)

It is a great PRS rifle while also packing enough punch to take a deer at 5oo yards without much issue.

 

[PFG]

My do all rifle is as follows:
308 Win
20" Proof Carbon Barrel (threaded)
Manners EH1A Stock
Defiance Deviant Tactical Action
Leupold MK6 3-18 (light weight with good magnification, FFP, and exposed locking turrets)

It is a great PRS rifle while also packing enough punch to take a deer at 5oo yards without much issue.

Nice build. I'd change the optics to the LRHS 2-12, but thats just personal pref. Great components, and looking forward to seeing the completed project.

 

[Simia Dei]

Here you go. I'm running Berger 130gr AR Hybrids at about 2900 fps. View attachment 6932657

Mate, can I ask how that brake performs?

 

[CShooter92]

Mate, can I ask how that brake performs?

It performs very well. Reduces recoil to almost nothing on a 6.5CM, there is absolutely no blast back towards the shooter, and easy to install. I believe Frank did a review on them a little while ago and so did the 6.5 guys.

Insite arms in Canada builds them, and they are the gunsmith who built my rifle. They make a version built out of Aluminum now that is like 1 oz to save even more weight and has gone through thousands of rounds

Here's a couple videos they posted comparing their brake to a competitor:

 

[chadholl]

Not a build but it is my do it all rifle:


Q The Fix 16" 308 Barrel
Trash Panda Suppressor
Trijicon Accupower 1-8 on Geissele Super Precision Mount
Atlas Bipod
WOTG sling

 

[NateVA]

Mate, can I ask how that brake performs?

I much prefer the Insite Heathen to the APA Little Bastard I had before it. I always hated the concussion of the LB. I actually have the aluminum model they make which is only 1.5 ounces, it's very nice that I can put it on by hand too.

 

[Simia Dei]

Thanks for the information fellas. I think I might have to give one a crack before ordering another APA. I like how it sits on that profile barrel. I have a medium Palma coming and my reamer should be here early next week. The do all build is nearly done.