First Benchrest Build...input welcomed

[Blacktail Sniper]

You really want to hold-off till you can find a Model 700, not a 770 or other model.  They can be found.

[Caseyd]

Well I went and did a little searching around town the other night after work and it looks like I can find a good 770 model Remington for about 329 and then sell the barrel and glass that are on it for a few dollars to make back some of the money for the build. What that also means is I have to go back and look at different barrels to put on which should actually be easier because i believe (correct me if im wrong) some companies actually make drop ins for Remington models.

I do love odd ball calibers, but this one i think I am going to do in a standard universal format so that I don't have to buy new dies to make up loads to test out on it.

NO! The 770 is a pile.  There are NO parts avalible for the 770. You want to find a 700.

 

[Blacktail Sniper]

Might want to see if this is still availible.   

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,107112.msg1398893.html#msg1398893     

or


http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,100431.0.html

[krism83]

Well the gun shop has a ton of 70's and 700's on the shelves, but they are all at or around 500 bucks which blows like half of my build budget and the other half goes to the glass I'm putting on it.

Yes they can be found, yes there are parts readily available, and yes they are the easiest to build off of. However they aren't the cheapest to get started off of, and this is a "budget build" so I am looking to go for possibly lower quality for my first one to keep cost down.

Don't get me wrong I am still looking over all my options and possibilities right now and I appreciate all of the advice so far, but as far as keeping cost down I don't know how plausible that is going to be at this point in time.

[toothfangclaw]

What about a savage 110?

I own a rem 710, and it shoots fine for me. I can shoot moa @200 yards with cheap federal ammo. But if you are looking for customizing, a 710-770 is not the way to go.

[krism83]

None at my local shop, and the Wal-Mart and Big 5 don't carry much selection to choose from. Try to start out looking for one but the search turned up fruitless.

[toothfangclaw]

You might have to cross the pond to the other side. Or buy online. A good gun shop should be able to order one for you. 

[Blacktail Sniper]

Well the gun shop has a ton of 70's and 700's on the shelves, but they are all at or around 500 bucks which blows like half of my build budget and the other half goes to the glass I'm putting on it.

Yes they can be found, yes there are parts readily available, and yes they are the easiest to build off of. However they aren't the cheapest to get started off of, and this is a "budget build" so I am looking to go for possibly lower quality for my first one to keep cost down.

Don't get me wrong I am still looking over all my options and possibilities right now and I appreciate all of the advice so far, but as far as keeping cost down I don't know how plausible that is going to be at this point in time.

Here is a question for ya, have you contacted a gunsmith to actually do the work that can't be done by yourself?   It sounds like there is going to be some level of smithing required, so I would sugguest asking for a qoute on the cost of building what you are looking for on the Mauser and the Remington.   

You might be looking at false economics.  Yes, the Mauser may/will be cheaper to get at the front end of this build, but it may turn into a higher cost vs return at the backend. 

That being said, it's your project and your wallet, in the end if you are happy with the results....that's all that matters.   Looking forward to following this build and seeing the results.

[FALFire]

Try to find a long action Stevens 200 with a .473 bolt face.....270, 30-06, 25-06 but really it does not matter just as long as it is a long action. They are cheap and pretty easy to find, I just purchased one for 220 bucks with a scope in excellent condition from a gun shop.

[wraithen]

Try to find a long action Stevens 200 with a .473 bolt face.....270, 30-06, 25-06 but really it does not matter just as long as it is a long action. They are cheap and pretty easy to find, I just purchased one for 220 bucks with a scope in excellent condition from a gun shop.

These are honestly your best bet. less money to a smith. dont worry that these are the low end savages, the actions are the same. DO NOT get an axis or whatever the other name is. these are not going to work. the stevens line is a good action with a crappy stock. they are very inexpensive. I think savage figured out ppl were buying these just for the actions and thats why they discontinued them.

[JPhelps]

 http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,108953.msg1426003/topicseen.html#new

[deerslyr]

I would go the stevens route. You can rebarrel it yourself in what ever caliber you'd like. Put what ever stock you want on it and glass bed it. Throw a timney trigger on it and what ever glass you want.

[yorketransport]

If you build off of a Savage, you can get a Shilen 26" SS  Select Match  Varmint contour barrel for $339 with no wait. Northand Shooter Supply has them in stock. Then order a Stevens model 200 in 300 Win Mag from Buds Gunshop for $330 (with free shipping). Sell the stock and barrel for $75. Now just pick the stock of your choice and you're done.

You get all of that for the cost of the parts and no labor charges or wait time. There are lots of folks, myself included, who could help you assemble your parts when they're all ready. Remingtons are good actions, but not always the best to build off of if you have budget limitations. I'm not saying that the Savage is the best action, but I'll promise that a top quality barrel on a Savage will shoot just as well as a comparable barrel on a Remington, Mauser, Winchester or Ruger action.

Andrew

[deerslyr]

 

[landcbeitner]

I agree with all the folks above about the remington 700's... and savages. But if you're like me you have to do stuff that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever!

Mauser in 308 (on left)...


Mosin Nagant in 260 rem


And although it's on the back burner... there's a Lee Enfield SMLE (6.5 Creedmoor) in the works!