Post by: 300wsm on October 04, 2010, 03:28:52 PM
Post by: Tony 270 on October 04, 2010, 03:30:28 PM
Post by: BlackRidge on October 04, 2010, 03:44:42 PM
Going the custom route, you could save some money, but that all depends upon your supplier and the type/brand of rifle you want to go with.
High quality barrels can run anywhere from $200 - $500, actions/receivers/frames/parts/mags/trigger assemblies/etc all range depending upon the stuff mentioned above, and buttstocks all depend on how much your willing to spend.
In many ways, I'd say your probably better off buying a quality rifle OTS, but if your set on making one, its definitely the best way to get exactly what you want. I've always bought OTS, then improved them with aftermarket parts as I went along. That way you have spare parts just incase and if you ever decide to sell it later on, you can assemble it back to its stock form for whatever reason (selling parts/etc)
Post by: FC on October 04, 2010, 04:30:16 PM
Post by: Cascade_Sherpa on October 04, 2010, 04:49:05 PM
Google the following:
GA Precison
American Precision Arms,
Benchmark Barrels in Arlington,
http://www.rbrosrifles.com/ (http://www.rbrosrifles.com/) is a good one to look at and he's a member on this site so you know your hard earned dollars are going to a good place.
I think the rifles that HS precision makes are damn fine rifles, and you won't go wrong, but if you know exactly what you want a true custom smith can steer you down the path of components to get you there.
Good luck and be sure to post what you end up buying!
Post by: AWS on October 04, 2010, 04:58:10 PM
http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/rifles/84m/84m_select_grade/ (http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/rifles/84m/84m_select_grade/)
Add a pound to 6lb 10 oz and you can get you 300WSM.
http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/rifles/8400/classic_select_grade/ (http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/rifles/8400/classic_select_grade/)
AWS
Post by: Bofire on October 04, 2010, 05:49:09 PM
There are some very fine rifles for sale out there, many semi-custom builders. Think about what you want, in detail.
most accurate, prettiest, lightest, toughest, which cartridge, quick and handy or heavy and solid? :) that is just a start. Custom action, modified factory? Every feature has a draw back.
Good luck
Carl
Post by: Tony 270 on October 04, 2010, 07:31:31 PM
Post by: high country on October 04, 2010, 07:39:26 PM
Post by: 300wsm on October 04, 2010, 08:28:06 PM
Budget = $2,500 Caliber: 300wsm, as for everything else, I am open to suggestions and will be doing a lot of research. Thanks for all the responses.
Post by: Bob33 on October 04, 2010, 08:32:34 PM
Post by: high country on October 04, 2010, 08:34:05 PM
Post by: Tony 270 on October 04, 2010, 08:41:22 PM
Post by: 300wsm on October 04, 2010, 08:42:29 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 04, 2010, 08:52:53 PM
:twocents:
$2500 without glass?
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on October 04, 2010, 09:22:02 PM
Are you wanting just accuracy, or also a nice finished gun as well? Will it wear wood or carbon? Stainless or blued? What weight will this gun be? These will easily pinpoint what gun is available.
Good luck hunting this year!
Post by: 300wsm on October 05, 2010, 07:05:01 AM
As for the weight, I would like to keep it around the 7lbs mark. To do this I will be going synthetic.
A couple have mentioned accuracy, I am not trying to join the 1000 yard club. I just want a gun that I know will make a consistant group out to 300 yards. I want the 1/4 group at 100 yards. With my hand loads I should be able to accomplish that with most of the rifles out there.
I checked out the rbros site and they do make a beautiful gun but I think for that money I would just buy the H&S. I do like the idea that Blackridge has to buy a quality rifle then improving it. I've got deer season coming up in a couple weeks that my Tikka will do just fine with. Then I have a Teanaway Bull muzzy bull tag in December. I'm sure my wife will look at me crazy when I ask her to get me a barrel for Christmas but my plan is to have something put together by next spring/summer so I can break it in correctly by next deer season. Thanks again for all the ideas. I know there are numerous options out there.
Post by: AWS on October 05, 2010, 09:29:46 AM
AWS
Post by: Cascade_Sherpa on October 05, 2010, 10:46:16 AM
Post by: 300wsm on October 05, 2010, 10:49:16 AM
Post by: 300wsm on October 05, 2010, 10:50:40 AM
Post by: AWS on October 05, 2010, 12:45:13 PM
AWS
Post by: Alan K on October 05, 2010, 01:02:04 PM
I'm not sure of the weight of the rifle/scope combo. I also have a bi-pod mounted on mine.
Post by: robescc on October 05, 2010, 08:23:11 PM
Post by: yorketransport on October 05, 2010, 08:29:13 PM
Andrew
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on October 05, 2010, 09:28:37 PM
Post by: haugenna on October 05, 2010, 10:12:02 PM
The action on them is stiff. Much stiffer than a 700 action. The accuracy of a rifle starts with ignition and action stiffness.
Pick up a match grade barrel, Hart, Benchmark, kreiger, etc etc. Have the smith blue print the action install the barrel. Put in a timney trigger in it and send it off to Lone Wolf for a glass bed job in one of their stocks and you have a dang nice ultralight gun for around 2200-2500 bucks. Probably 1/3 MOA if you do your part. A light gun can make a good shooter pull a couple. I think 1/4 MOA is unrealistic.
With all that being said. I read that you want consistant groups at 300 yards. You have that with the Tikka now. Just work on some load development. YOu mentioned your not a 1000 yard shooter. I shoot quite often with my Tikka at paper out to 1000 and I wouldn't want to be standing out there.
Bullet selection, Nosler accubonds are a hunting bullet and are not know for extreme consistant accuracy. Switch over to a Berger if you want accuracy. Don't get me wrong Nosler Accubonds are great bullets just not "target style" bullets.
Get serious about your reloading. Start sorting brass, checking runout on loaded rounds and brass, turning necks, annealing necks, weighing bullets, weighing brass, measuring the bullets from ogive to base, work on seating depth and buy powder in large quantities for consitancy.
The gun is one of many factors in accuracy. Good luck with your quest and keep us all posted.
Check out these 300 WSM's
http://www.mcwhorterrifles.com/GunRackPages/30Caliber/300wsm.html (http://www.mcwhorterrifles.com/GunRackPages/30Caliber/300wsm.html)
watch their 550 video.
Post by: high country on October 05, 2010, 10:19:48 PM
Sako guarantees a 5 shot sub MOA group before it left the factory, but if it won't shoot that tight you send it to the factory and they'll fix it.
only if you are the original owner who bought it from an authorized dealer within the last 2 years........otherwise they will tell you to send it to bolsa, who will tell you that they will look at it and then send you a bill for $100 to see your gun again. I know, I lived that nightmare once.
Post by: Hyde on October 06, 2010, 06:45:37 AM
Here's one thought... what if you take an off the shelf model that you like (in your 300 WSM of course) and then have it restocked with a McMillen, or whatever, and have it blueprinted, etc. That would probably get you as close to your goal for the least amount. Of course... it won't be as fun.
Post by: AWS on October 06, 2010, 06:57:45 AM
That link was great, I was suprised at how light they were, good find, that should help 300WSM out.
AWS
Post by: docsven on October 06, 2010, 06:59:08 AM
Post by: 300wsm on October 06, 2010, 01:16:17 PM
Now that I'm day dreaming, maybe my first project will be changing out the barrel and stock on my Tikka. I'm assuming it will take a gun smith to fit the barrel correctly??? The reviews on the Benchmark barrels are great. robescc, p.m. sent. What is a good stock? I like the olive/black that H&S have. Thanks again for all the help.
Post by: haugenna on October 06, 2010, 02:42:11 PM
Post by: Tony 270 on October 06, 2010, 04:25:13 PM
I'm liking the idea of taking an off the shelf gun and customizing it. Question, what is "blue printing"? Hyde, do you have Dan Cowen's #, I would like to at the least talk to him. After doing some research, I see I would need a 40 pound gun to get my 1/4" MOA, but 1/2" to 3/8" will be obtainable with the right loads/bullets/gun.
Like I said, a friend has the Defensive Edge Canyon Rifle and his test target measured 0.117 inches @ 100 yards. Not 40lbs either, about 13. Thing is crazy accurate at long range too.
Post by: Lightning_Rider on October 06, 2010, 08:43:48 PM
Post by: high country on October 07, 2010, 05:04:17 AM
Post by: rbros on October 08, 2010, 02:00:22 PM
I'm liking the idea of taking an off the shelf gun and customizing it. Question, what is "blue printing"? Hyde, do you have Dan Cowen's #, I would like to at the least talk to him. After doing some research, I see I would need a 40 pound gun to get my 1/4" MOA, but 1/2" to 3/8" will be obtainable with the right loads/bullets/gun.
Like I said, a friend has the Defensive Edge Canyon Rifle and his test target measured 0.117 inches @ 100 yards. Not 40lbs either, about 13. Thing is crazy accurate at long range too.
Shawn builds a good rifle and is a good friend of mine as well.
You don't need a 40lb rifle to shoot a 1/4-1/2moa groups. I have built several 8lb and up that will do it. I will be honest, the number of people that are capable of shooting a 1/4moa group consistently is pretty small. I compete and shoot close to 20k rounds a year, and I have days that 1/2moa is about it. I have other days that are smaller...338 Edge group at 300yds measures .403" outside to outside....thats .065" ctc folks. That particular rifle will shoot in the .1's and .2' pretty consistently and weighs 13lbs. My lighter weight rifle weighs 10lbs with a scope and shoot about the same size groups in 7 wsm. Most of the 7-8lb rifles that I have built will print 1/2moa or less, a guy just has to pay more attention to form when shooting them. Good barrels, machining, loading, and most importantly the shooter goes along ways. Pic components of good quality, has them assembled properly and you won't be sorry.
Post by: FC on October 08, 2010, 02:20:32 PM
I will be honest, the number of people that are capable of shooting a 1/4moa group consistently is pretty small.
You are being extremely modest, 1 MOA is unattainable for the majority of shooters, a TRUE 1/4 MOA shooter is extremely uncommon.
Post by: coachcw on October 08, 2010, 09:20:16 PM
Post by: rbros on October 11, 2010, 07:15:30 AM
wow you guys are very knowegleble here. I don't shoot enough to get those groups . I love to shoot differnt angles and elevations , cross winds and such . If your a snipper/ hunter i'd recomend that you get another tika and make both guns the same practice in the field and have one for a back up . my question is what happens when your 3k 1/4 moa riffle is put into a real life situation seems to me that the guy behind the gun makes the difference more than the gun does.
In all situations, the shooter makes a difference. An accurate rifle to start with builds confidence, but if you don't shoot well, or get nervous, then it doesn't do any good at all. Practice is the key. Most guys are lucky to shoot 50-100 rounds a year through their hunting rifles. If you practice, have an accurate rifle...when put into real life situation, your results will generally be pretty good.
Post by: 300wsm on October 11, 2010, 01:41:12 PM
I've decided I will keep my Tikka like it is because it has done exactly what I have needed to do. I talked to a buddies dad that made a 270 wsm for deer and pronghorn. I think I'll go that route so I don't have a redundancy in calibers. His gun is light and shoots flat. I'll just have to add that caliber to my reloading bench. Good luck to anyone going after deer this weekend!
I'll post what I end up with. Maybe there should be a post on the steps it take to build a rifle??? If I have time maybe I'll start that post when I begin?? I'll probable start this project after around Christmas after my muzzy bull hunt.
Post by: haugenna on October 11, 2010, 10:18:25 PM
I will say this, the rifle is one of 3 components in accuracy. Too many people put it all on the rifle. Spend some of that money on measuring tools, comp dies, and case prep tools and you will turn that gun into 1/2 MOA.
The other two are, shooter and precise reloads.
Post by: 300wsm on December 24, 2010, 10:01:15 AM
Post by: ribka on December 24, 2010, 10:17:44 AM
Here's what I ended up with. I decided that my 300wsm Tikka was just fine for bigger game, so I went with a 257 Weatherby. Found a guy on Gunbroker that builds a clone of the Alaska Ti. It has the 26" barrel that was frozen(forget the term crono-something), I also had the stainless barrel Cerakoted. Had them put a Jewel trigger set at 2.5 lbs. and put a Bell and Carlson olive w/ blk spider web to finish it off. They send you a target that shows it is a Sub MOA gun before they even ship it. Redhawk Rifles is the name of the dealer. Great to work with and they make a great looking gun. They are also a dealer of Zeiss. I put a 4x14x42AO to top it off. The price of the scope beat Cabelas by $160. Now I need to find some yotes to break it in on. Next year the deer are in for a deadly surprise!
what did you end up paying for the build?
Post by: littletoes on December 24, 2010, 11:58:55 AM
wow you guys are very knowegleble here. I don't shoot enough to get those groups . I love to shoot differnt angles and elevations , cross winds and such . If your a snipper/ hunter i'd recomend that you get another tika and make both guns the same practice in the field and have one for a back up . my question is what happens when your 3k 1/4 moa riffle is put into a real life situation seems to me that the guy behind the gun makes the difference more than the gun does.
In all situations, the shooter makes a difference. An accurate rifle to start with builds confidence, but if you don't shoot well, or get nervous, then it doesn't do any good at all. Practice is the key. Most guys are lucky to shoot 50-100 rounds a year through their hunting rifles. If you practice, have an accurate rifle...when put into real life situation, your results will generally be pretty good.
THIS being said by one of the top Shooters in the Nation, at a Tactical Level, with Rifles He builds, Himself. I've watched him shoot on several occasions, and win.
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on December 24, 2010, 12:44:02 PM
Post by: 300wsm on December 26, 2010, 09:50:29 PM
What are you planning on feeding the 257?
I got some Reloader 22 and have loaded 64 gr. behind a 100 gr Barnes TSX and also 90 gr. Nosler BT. Haven't shot it enough yet. I was thinking the TSX for deer and the BT for yotes or other varmin.
Post by: elkspert on December 26, 2010, 11:23:24 PM