New Deer Rifle

[jjhunter]

Here is the new rifle I had built for my CO mule deer hunt this year:

Blueprinted 700 action 
Jewell Trigger (1.5 lbs) 
HS Precision Green/Tan camo stock 
27" Hart Barrel (12 twist) 
Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50 NP-R1

I am going to shoot 168 grn Berger VLD's at 3300-3350

[snagglepants]

damn, that thing is killer!!!  Caliber???

[jjhunter]

Sorry, it is a 300 Win Mag.  Most guys will go with an ultra mag these days, but I had to think about barrel life. I don't want to replace $500 barrels every year and fast is fast.  I broke it in and it looks very promising!   Still need to do some serious load development, though.  One more archery trip and I will dedicate my time to getting this long-range machine running right.

[bankwalker]

is that a full barrel? it looks FAT!

ive always wanted to get a custom rifle built. but its so hard for me to find something im 100% happy with so they any gun i buy has a very good chance of being sold after the season is over.

[jjhunter]

BW, the barrel is an "undersized heavy" contour.  It is made for 10lbs rifles.  The rifle handles suprisingly well despite the weight.  I happen to like heavy guns, they are much easier to shoot in the field and absorb a lot of recoil on a magnum rifle.  I have personally gone through several semi-custom rifles and it is hard to find exactly what you want.   If you do build one, make sure to not "go cheap" on any component.  Get exactly what you want the first time and it will save you $$$ in the long run.

[Red Dawg]

wow that is a real nice rifle. Great choice on the rifle and the caliber.

[Sagedawg]

Very nice!!!!!! Who did the work for you? I agree so much with your reasoning on the caliber as well. Good shooting.


  Sage

[addicted]

sweet. love gun porn.

hand loaded 168 gn'ers will probably be blazin fast

some info on the who did the work and maybe a price tag would be cool.

[JBabcock]

You ought to give TSX bullets a whirl too. I've been amazed at the accuracy I get from the bullets in sporting weight hunting rifles. I would imagine that in a rifle like that, the accuracy would be nothing short of stellar.

[jjhunter]

Russ Haydon did the work on this one and did a very good job!  I was very happy with everything.

Addicted - prices will vary a little, but you can expect to pay:

$450  Stainless Remington action                         $485 Hart (8 Flute) barrel
$200  Jewell Trigger                                          $435 HS Precision Stock (camo, extra)
$150-200 True Action                                        $50 bedding
$150 Chamber/Crown/Bead-blast barrel                $1600 Nightforce Scope
$130 ADL - BDL Kit                                           

A great shooting rifle that you have ultimate confidence in.......priceless.

[YukonMud]

Great looking rifle!

[FOsteology]

ALOT of scope and rifle for Mule deer! Out of curiosity.... what does it weigh all up?

[jjhunter]

ALOT of scope and rifle for Mule deer! Out of curiosity.... what does it weigh all up?

Have to disagree with above (obviously).  Kind of a generalization?  I will agree that this is not ideal for all hunting applications, but it is PERFECT for the hunt it was intended for.  I may be "new school" when it comes to hunting rifles, but having the best possible equipment to ensure a clean, ethical kill is the intended purpose.  I will also agree that you won't see a lot of 12 pound rifles in the field, but then again, I am submitting myself to the "torture".   A 36 ounce scope is also a little heavy, but it is a precision instrument and some of the best glass made.    

[FOsteology]

I will agree that this is not ideal for all hunting applications, but it is PERFECT for the hunt it was intended for. 

How are you going to hunt with this set up? Seems to me it would be ideal for Long Range.

[jjhunter]

How are you going to hunt with this set up? Seems to me it would be ideal for Long Range.
[/quote]

I am going to hunt behind a pair of 15x Swarovski's for hours on end.  Most of the shots are long because the terrain is flat and the scrub oak is tall.   The idea is to find a buck with the "big eyes" and then prepare yourself for a long shot.  I believe that you should have the right equipment ( and understand how to use it) before attempting long shots in the field - this is the right equipment.