338 Lapua Build - Input needed

[engelwood]

Alright, so here it goes. I've been talking with Benchmark Barrels up in Arlington about a 338 Lapua build that I'm wanting to get going very soon. I have done some looking around and here is the current build sheet. Any mistakes being made here?

338 Lapua Magnum
28" Benchmark barrel with 2" benchmark brake
Fluted Barrel Body
Pierce Long Action to be able to accept 4" Seekins Bottom metal (this action is long enough to eject a live round)
Seekins Bottom Metal (need to choose between detachable 5 rd mag or internal 2 rd)
Fluted Bolt Body
Tactical Bolt Knob
McMillan A3 Sporter Stock
Jewell Trigger set to ~1.5 lbs
Black Cerakote on barreled action with chrome moly showing on bolt body, but black in flutes
Everything will be blueprinted by Benchmark, bedded in the stock, etc.
Approximate build time 9-10 weeks (4 week wait on action, 4-6 weeks on benchmark)

The main options I have fought with myself on are stock (mcmillan A3, or Greybull Precision, or Bell and Carlson) as well as custom action (Stiller 338 Tac, Defiance, Pierce, Etc.)

Any thoughts?

[Blacktail Sniper]

Order two....because my birthday is in April...just say'in!!!!

[Bob33]

What do you expect the weight to be?

[engelwood]

between 11 and 12 pounds with optics

[Special T]

I would make it clip fed. 

[jaymark6655]

TAC338, it has a larger action/bolt diameter which is a weakness on a normal 700 action firing the 338LM.   

[engelwood]

I have been informed by the guys at Benchmark that Stiller put the M16 extractor in the wrong place, so when you go to eject your case, it ends up hitting your windage adjustment on your scope pretty much every time. Their solution to the problem is to tell benchmark to mill out some of the ejector. Doesn't sound like a good solution to me. The pierce action is a .750 bolt face and is made of chrome moly, my assumption is that this is a superior action, due to the M16 extractor being in the correct position (from what I'm told). 

[jaymark6655]

Never heard any of that before.  Pierce is using a larger diameter bolt, but the action OD is the same as a normal 700?

[Biggerhammer]

If it were me I would opt for the 5 round mag along with the Greybull stock. I have had Bench mark build me rifles the last being a .338 Edge. I have had rifles built by other smiths including mcMillan themselves. I have had many of their stocks. A2's, A3, A4's and A5's along with several edges over the years. My last build through Benchmark I went with a Greybull. The stock has the feel of a McM A3 the plus is it has the aluminum bedding block which the McMillan does not, I had it skim bedded to my action. By the time you order(Wait forever) for a McMillan, pay the price of the McMillan which they are getting prouder of every year and then have it pillar bedded your close to a 1K or more. I'll take a AICS Chassis system or the AICS AX folder before I'lll sink the coin into anymore McMillans.

The Greybull is a excellent stock made by B&C to Greybulls specs, I really like mine and my next build is getting one also. Benchmark has treated me well and their work has always been accurate and clean.

Greybull stock on my last Benchmark build.(.338 Edge)

[engelwood]

Bighammer, how long is that barrel, what contour and what is the total weight of it? Very nice looking piece right there.

As for Mcmillan, I'm not sold, just going by the strong opinion of the guy at Benchmark. How do you like the feel of the grip in your hand, he tells me that it's quite a bit bigger on the Greybull, than it is on the mcmillan A3? 

[Biggerhammer]

Bighammer, how long is that barrel, what contour and what is the total weight of it? Very nice looking piece right there.

As for Mcmillan, I'm not sold, just going by the strong opinion of the guy at Benchmark. How do you like the feel of the grip in your hand, he tells me that it's quite a bit bigger on the Greybull, than it is on the mcmillan A3? 

The barrel that is on it is the Benchmark 30" Sendero contour. The switch barrel bellow it, is a Lilja 26"  #7 contour, chambered in 450/.375 Ultra Magnum. The Greybull does have a slightly larger grip which I like beside, if your driving it right 90 percent of the time you don't have a full grip anyway, torque issues. My thumb rests on top of the verital grip when shooting. I'm not saying the McMillan isn't a good stock ,what I'm saying is Greybulls design is functional, practical and I like its lines.

As for weight I can't recal exactly but it's under 12.

And it shoots. 

[engelwood]

That........ is...........awesome..........

I ordered the Pierce Action today and I will be getting it in the next 4 weeks or so. On to deciding on stock. Thinking that I might do the Greybull Precision, which benchmark will mill out the side ejector port area to fit the overlength action, and then send it off to get duracoted in a digital camo, then finish it off back at benchmark where it will all be put together.

[Biggerhammer]

A good friend shoots a Benchmark .338 Lapua and its a laser! Something magical about their .338 barrels.

[MtnMuley]

The only thing I would change is the stock.  I too vote Greybull.  Reguardless, you'll be getting a damn good rig!

[Maverick]

What do you figure itll cost out the door?