First Benchrest Build...input welcomed

[krism83]

So I saw a post on here about a "budget build rifle" and decided to give it a shot myself.

Due to limited options at the gun shop to choose from right now, I am going to pick up a Mauser 98 in .30-06
Switch the factory barrel out for a Shilen 26" bull barrel in .300 win mag (or .25-06 haven't decided yet)
Throw on a Millet TRS1 4x16 scope
Stock trigger out for a Timney featherweight adjustable trigger

Haven't found a replacement stock for it yet, but wont need it quite yet

If you more experienced builders have any suggestions please let me know, this will be the first go round for me so input is very welcomed.

[Jim the Plumber]

How much are you going to be into the Mauser?
The Remington 700's are truly the way to go. your overall cost will be less with the Remington from the endless amount of new and used parts available.

[krism83]

Getting the Mauser for 265. The Remington 700's that they had there were all 500+

[krism83]

I have already started planning a build based off of the Remington Model 70 for a M40A3"ish" rifle.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

300 to a 25 06 is broad? Why not 7mm mag?

[krism83]

Well I have a fasination with odd ball calibers which is where the 25-06 comes in, but for cost effectiveness the fall back is .300 win mag.

Not 7mm Mag because I have two already lol.

[Huntbear]

You will need to open the bolt face up for the .300 mag... the 25-06 will fit pefectly.  Has the mauser been sporterized at all?  like the military sights milled off?  Drilled and tapped for scope bases?  Have you had the mauser checked for the heat treat??? 

How about a stock???

You can build a Savage rifle and actually have a switch barrel for about what you will have in the mauser, by the time you buy a new barrel, have it chambered, etc....

[Jim the Plumber]

You will be $$ ahead finding a Remington 700 in the $350.00-$400.00 range.
Bi-Mart has the SS ADL's with a cheapo scope, on sale for $400.00.00 or so.
If you are a WAC member, hit the November 17-18th show in Puyallup. 

[krism83]

It has mounts and bases on it already...but none of that is going to really matter much once i put a bull barrel on it. I'm going to have to sand out the stock just to fit the barrel in it, then I will have to bed it.

Stock I haven't looked at yet, I was going to roll with the factory stock until I could get and or find one that will fit. I haven't done anything to any of the original equipment on it yet, I can't pick it up till tuesday after they open up again and I have my paycheck in the bank.

Building off of a Savage action from what I hear is significantly cheaper and easier but I am not joking when I say that the ONLY Savage in the shop Saturday was a Savage 10 in .243.

The Shilen CS person I talked to said that the only thing I will need to pay extra for on the barrel is reaming and head spacing.

[krism83]

I was going to join the WAC last time I went but like an idiot I forgot some significant piece of the puzzle for joining so I couldn't. Maybe I will stop by after school on Saturday depending on how late they run. Are you going to be out there Jim?

[Jingles]

I know you said you weren't ready for the stock yet but passing this along just for info purposes

http://rifle-stocks.com/

[JackOfAllTrades]

vs the Mauser, You'll regret not going with the Savage in the long run.
 
243win or 6mm BR would be fine choices.
 
If you're looking to compete in F-class, then check out http://usfclass.com & http://www.6mmbr.com/fclass.html
 
-Steve

[Biggerhammer]

I would hold out for a Rem700, like mentioned before. Our local Bi-Mart has the Rem 700 SPS ADL's in the scope/ synthetic package for 349.00 matte blued and 445.00-465.00 for the stainless package. I have purchased several of each. Sold the barrels for 50.00, scope & rings 35.00 and the stocks for 25.00. I purchased a blued .300 ultra combo for 329.00 on the last big sale 5 or so months back.

So it was close to 360.00 out the door. Subtract 110.00 or so from the total, from the sale of the parts and look what you have into the action. The .300 Win mag is a excellent chambering, after all the years of shooting them. I feel the 11 twist is the way to go and has performed the best for me but I like the 165-190gr  bullets for the .300. the 190gr Berger's were perfection in the 11 twist.

[Jim the Plumber]

I was going to join the WAC last time I went but like an idiot I forgot some significant piece of the puzzle for joining so I couldn't. Maybe I will stop by after school on Saturday depending on how late they run. Are you going to be out there Jim?

I'll have a table in the Saturday only area.
 I'll have a few of my Precision Tactical targets on display as well as an RBros rifle (or 2).
If you have a CPL, it makes it allot easer and faster to get a WAC membership.

[FALFire]

Remington 700 or the Savage actions is the way to go.  Better off staying with the 6.5, 7mm or 30 caliber options, they are proven long range calibers.

Savage pre-fit barrels are the cheapest and easiest to go with and for the Remington 700, there are now Criterion pre-fit Rem/Age barrels that use the same barrel nut way of head spacing so no gunsmith is required. Savage bolt heads can easily be swapped out, no gunsmithing required. Stocks are available from Bell and Carlson, Manners, HS Precision, McMillan and many others, Mauser stocks.....not so plentiful. Triggers for Remington or Savage are by the truck loads and easily found used for great prices.

In my opinion, you are wasting your money on anything Mauser modified.