First LR/P rifle- doing a build, need some advice

[Ronin13]

I know there are a few experts on here, so I humbly ask your advice...
A good friend of mine is a gunsmith- and he gave me some very nice quotes on a build. I'd like to build a custom R700/M40 bolt gun- using the R700 platform but just making it a little bit better. Ideally I'd like a free floating barrel and somewhat custom stock with an improved action and trigger (all of which my buddy said he could build from parts I provide). So my questions are: 1- Where's a good place to get a stock with internal magazine, barrel, and all the other necessary parts? He recommended McMillan for the stock, and that's about as far as our conversation went. I've never done a bolt gun build and am unsure of everything I need. 2- I've seen barrels ranging from 18-28", I'm looking at dialing in the range to no further than 1000M, with the uses being target and hunting (ranges from 100m-350m approx)... Which length would be best for portability and accuracy? And 3- Is it actually more cost effective to build from the ground up, or get an R700 and have him tweak it?
Thanks.

[Tim K]

Come to a PD match in Pueblo. Look around, ask questions, and most importantly get behind some different stocks. Stock selection is critical to shooting well, and they're stupid expensive so you want to get that right.

Cartridge selection is a big deal. Do that up front then go buy your donor action (long or short). There are lots of good barrel makers out there, and it doesn't matter a whole bunch which you choose.

You are going to need an action, barrel, stock, maybe a trigger, scope base, and glass. Add gunsmithing to the cost.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Tim, is this the same match that hosed posted all the time... Been waiting to try it out for years.

[Ronin13]

Thanks, Tim. I've fired an R700 (well technically an M24) chambered in 7.62NATO- and really like that round's performance, so I'm pretty much set on caliber at .308/7.62. My gunsmith friend already has the cost factored that he's going to charge, all I have to do is bring him all the pieces. But the real question is, is it really worth it to have a fully custom rifle vs buying an R700 in the store?

[islandermyk]

If your thinking about building from the ground up. Start with a custom action and then work your way down/up... between getting a REM action worked on to getting a custom action... I'd go with a custom action.
.. and then there is the option you could go ahead and just buy a custom rifle that has a custom or trued/blueprinted action.

I think you'll break even going both ways with either buying a custom or building a custom.

either way... have fun

[C Ward]

Pick one target rifle or hunting rifle , using one gun for both is going to lead to compromises that make it not as effective for either .

Stocks are a personal thing , get behind as many as you can ahead of time because the stock will end up being one of the most expensive parts and resale value isn't the greatest on some of them .

Building a precision rifle has never been about instant gratification even before the insanity , most barrel makers are 8-12 months out and my last McMillan stock took 6 .

Figure out what you want and then get ready to wait . Look at the reference material on the website listed in the Sporting Rifle Match thread for more info .

[quickdraw]

If you want to touch a number of different stocks, check out Triggertime Gun Club in Longmont.

[Ronin13]

If your thinking about building from the ground up. Start with a custom action and then work your way down/up... between getting a REM action worked on to getting a custom action... I'd go with a custom action.
.. and then there is the option you could go ahead and just buy a custom rifle that has a custom or trued/blueprinted action.

I think you'll break even going both ways with either buying a custom or building a custom.

either way... have fun

Thanks! Any suggestions as to where to go for custom actions?

Pick one target rifle or hunting rifle , using one gun for both is going to lead to compromises that make it not as effective for either .

Stocks are a personal thing , get behind as many as you can ahead of time because the stock will end up being one of the most expensive parts and resale value isn't the greatest on some of them .

Building a precision rifle has never been about instant gratification even before the insanity , most barrel makers are 8-12 months out and my last McMillan stock took 6 .

Figure out what you want and then get ready to wait . Look at the reference material on the website listed in the Sporting Rifle Match thread for more info .

I'm ready to wait, no doubt about that... Is it really worth it to get a full custom machine job barrel, or will some mail order .308 barrel work? I'm not looking to be in competition, and really can't afford two rifles right now, so I guess I should have clarified- it's going to primarily be a hunting rifle but of course with only one trip a year the rest of the time it's going to be a fun gun.

[C Ward]

The barrel and chamber are the most important part of the rifle . You put David Tubb behind a gun with a crappy barrel and chamber and it still wont shoot .

For a hunting gun there are way better calibers than 308 and you'd be better served with an of the shelf Sendero or what ever Remington is calling their up scale long action gun now in 300 or 7 mag .

[Hoser]

He recommended McMillan for the stock

I would not use a MCM stock/rifle if you gave it to me and then paid me to use it.

Manners is an outstanding choice if you go with a fiberglass stock.