New build for 2020

[Mulie87]

Now that hunting season is over it’s hobby time. I hunt w a .300RUM which is a tack driving beast, but it’s 10lb +\- . I want something around 7-8lb that I won’t mind hiking all day with, but will drop deer or elk....mainly deer.

I decided on a 6.5 PRC. Close to the same external ballistics as a .300 win mag, but a lighter bullet..143grn.

I got my first two pieces...Remington long action magnum action and a Timmney trigger. My Stocky’s M50 fiberglas stock at 2lb will be here soon.

I will post pics of the progress on this build.

[Jason]

I’m looking forward to the updates. 

[Magnum_Willys]

Nice bolt ! Now what barrel?  You using a Smith to put the barrel on?   Once you get this pack gun done might as well convert the .300 Rum to a 338 edge for those 1000 yard elk opportunities.  Nothing like a 300 grain smk pushing 2000 ft # when you get way out there.   

[b23]

Do you know what barrel contour you plan to go with and what finished length you want?  Unless you plan on going with a fairly small contour and or a shorter finished length, you will have a hard time getting down to your weight goal or 7-8lbs and I'm assuming you meant 7-8lbs unscoped.

As an example, I'm building a new 6mm Creedmoor using a SA Rem700 with standard BDL bottom metal, Proof Research CF barrel, McM Varmint model stock, Vortex HS-T 4-16x44 scope in NF ultra light .885 rings with a 20MOA rail, I weighed it all before dropping it off at my gunsmiths and it was 9lbs 2oz.  My stock is 2lbs 4oz so it's a little heavier than yours but I'm using a SA not a LA which evens it out.

Regardless of the weight it ends up being, you have a great build started and I look forward to seeing/hearing about the finished product.

[Magnum_Willys]

Yea the Xbolt Hells Canyon 6.5 PRC is 7 1/2 # unscoped. 

If you went with manners light stock you save 6 oz, and lonepeak titanium action another 8 oz, and a swarovski Z5 5-25 at 17 oz you could do it.   

[Jolten]

What's your budget?

[Mulie87]

Hey guys. I’m going with a 26” Proof CF barrel in the Sendero light contour. Hoping to get 7-8lbs scoped, but we’ll see. I thought it was a short action but after talking to my smith I learned it’s actually a long action magnum. So here’s to hopping I can keep it at around 8lb upscoped. I will be putting on a Vortex HS-LR 5-25 FFP.

Stock is 2.3lbs which is a out 2lb 5oz. Pic attached.

And yes, I will gather all the parts and have my smith put it together. I use Randy Brand in Shelton. Great guy, great work and FAST! He built my .300RUM which is a half moa gun. If you are looking for a good, honest smith send me a pm amd i’ll get you his info.

[Mulie87]

No set budget, but not an unlimited one either.

[Magnum_Willys]

Good build but double check weights ?

Action with bottom metal and bolt and safety = 2lb 7oz
Barrel = 3lb 2oz
Stock = 2lb 5 oz.

Total before Scope = 7lb 13 oz.

Scope 22 oz.
rings 4 oz.

Total before base and sling = 9.5#

[Crunchy]

Nothing like spending 3k on a semi custom, another 500 on ammo components, days at the range getting a load dialed in, and not getting a shot at a decent buck that year    Happened to me.  I haven't weighed my rifle but it has to be 14 pounds. 

[Magnum_Willys]

Each of last two years we've had success with customs that we neeeever would of otherwise but the year-round hobby of reloading and shooting is really the draw for customs.  If you aren't getting into that you are missing some of the fun.    Wish I would of started down the rabbit hole long ago.  I don't like packing anything over 10#.   The pro's say its nearly impossible to be dead accurate under 16# but I tried to prove em wrong at 10.5# but am not quite as accurate yet as hoped but working on it. 

[Mulie87]

I guess under 10lb will have to be the goal. I thought a out a 24” barrel, but I want the most performance out of the cartridge.

[Mulie87]

I agree with Magnum, the icing on the cake is harvesting an animal with a custom, but the fun is building it, load development and realizing your gun is accurate and if your into long range, making your longest shots ever with that gun. It happened to me this year. Built the .300rum in jan, spent all off season developing a load and getting really comfortable shooting it and even hit 100yds on steel. Made two long shots in the field hunting....510 on a buck and 728 on a doe. Like i said, harvest with that gun was icing, the build and shooting it was the reward.

[huntnphool]

 Will be curious to see how this turns out.

[Taco280AI]

I think you're going down the wrong rabbit hole. You have a 10 pound rifle, started out wanting a 7-8 pounder, now you're going to have another 10 pound rifle. What do you really gain with that?