If you were building a custom rifle, what would you do?

[BigTex.308]

So I decided to throw that 700 ADL .30-06 in the back of the safe and just save it for a rainy day. (http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...d.php?t=402978)


My next project will be a custom .22-250 or .257roberts. Still haven't decided which one yet but it will be one of those two. Give me your thoughts on both. I will have one of each at some point but it's just a matter of what I want first.

The budget for this will be a little bigger. Nothing super crazy but I want a good, solid, accurate rifle.


I'm thinking a Rem 700 trued action, barrel, timney trigger (maybe a jewl...any advice on the two is appreciated!) Boyds or McMillian thumbhole stock and almost 99% sure I'm getting a Leupold VX4 4.5x12x50 for it.



If it were up to you, how would you go about getting all the stuff for this build?


Obviously I want to save as much $$$ as possible. I'm wanting to finish this in 1 year. I have other projects going on as well, but this will be my favorite.


What barrel would you suggest? Nothing crazy expensive, but I want quality.

Thinking about getting a sweet looking quality bolt too.



Basicly looking for advice on what to get, and why. And also where to buy, and have the gunsmithing work done.


I plan to bed the action myself.




Thanks in advance.





Also, another project I'm going to be working on is a Savage 110 in .308. Just wanting a new stock, bull barrel, and probably a VX3 4.5x12x50 It's going to be the wife's gun.

But she just got a Left handed AR that I built and a new pistola. It's my turn for a new toy! lol. So that will be on the back burner for a bit.





Ike

[cwill37]

257 Roberts.

7X57 is one of my favorite rounds and is the parent of the Bob.

[BigTex.308]

257 Roberts.

7X57 is one of my favorite rounds and is the parent of the Bob.

I originally wanted a .22-250 but everyday it seems like I want the .257roberts more and more. I'm leaning very heavy towards it right now.





Ike

[bowhntrmatt]

I've never had a 257, but one of my favorites is my .22-250. Rem 700 vsf, leupold scope, bipod, plenty heavy. You don't even lose the target in the scope when you squeeze the trigger. I have been wanting to do some work to it, mainly a trigger. Focus has been on the 6.5X284 I finally got how I like.

[Rivermonster]

I got a Rem 700 varmint addition 22-250 and it's probably my favorite gun. My buddy put pillars in the stock and lightened the trigger and it really helped the precision. I got a Nikon Monarch 3x12x40 on it right now which I would like to upgrade soon. I've killed a couple 250+ pound hogs with it and several smaller ones. I've never tried but I would feel pretty comfortable using it for deer hunting from what i've seen it do to hogs. And for just shooting at the range its a dream and a lot of fun.

[Capt.Bryan]

Surprised CajunBlake hasn't chimed in yet. Hart, Lilja, Brux or Shilen. I think they all make good barrels and I am sure there are others as well. Since you are wanting to finish in the next year I think you will have to check lead times from the manufacturers. I saw on Harts website they are 3 months out on barrels and 9-10 months if you send your action to them and they true the action and rebarrel it.

As far as caliber ask yourself what you want this rifle for. Do you want to ear hole a deer at 200 yards (22-250) or shoulder shoot it at 400 yards(257) or just target shoot. If it is just a target gun then you may want to look at some different calibers in the 6mm or 6.5 range unless you are just dead set on the 22-250 or 257 Roberts.

The savage will be a little quicker build because you can buy the barrels off the shelf and with an action wrench, barrel nut wrench and go/nogo gauges you can do all the work yourself. Look at Midwayusa and Sharp Shooter Supply for everything you need. For your wife's gun you may want to look at the ballistics of the 260 rem and 7mm-08 just to cut down on recoil if she is going to be shooting it very much.

[SmTx]

My first custom will probably be something in the 6mm family I have to reload for. Anything else just seems boring

[BigTex.308]

Surprised CajunBlake hasn't chimed in yet. Hart, Lilja, Brux or Shilen. I think they all make good barrels and I am sure there are others as well. Since you are wanting to finish in the next year I think you will have to check lead times from the manufacturers. I saw on Harts website they are 3 months out on barrels and 9-10 months if you send your action to them and they true the action and rebarrel it.

As far as caliber ask yourself what you want this rifle for. Do you want to ear hole a deer at 200 yards (22-250) or shoulder shoot it at 400 yards(257) or just target shoot. If it is just a target gun then you may want to look at some different calibers in the 6mm or 6.5 range unless you are just dead set on the 22-250 or 257 Roberts.

The savage will be a little quicker build because you can buy the barrels off the shelf and with an action wrench, barrel nut wrench and go/nogo gauges you can do all the work yourself. Look at Midwayusa and Sharp Shooter Supply for everything you need. For your wife's gun you may want to look at the ballistics of the 260 rem and 7mm-08 just to cut down on recoil if she is going to be shooting it very much.

This gun will be my "anything in Texas" gun. I plan on hunting everything from pigs and yotes to rams and deer.


When I build my target gun I'm probably going 6.5x284cm



I thought about the .260rem. Still trying to decide what I want to do for hers. It'll just be a deer maybe pig gun. (She'll probably use her AR on the pigs.)
That's the main reason I got her the savage (that and it was a great price! $225!) I figure I can throw together a good semi custom rifle easy and quick and have it up and running in no time.


I'm waiting for CBs input. He's definitely the custom guru lol.



Thanks for the reply.




Ike

[ducks-and-bucks]

Your getting the gun fetish going aint you... its addicting and dont go away....

Whatever you do a trued rem 700 action is great. Your not competing of shooting competitions so no reason for a full blown custom action... trued rem 700 actio new in box $615 www.NWgunworks.com (north west gun works).... kreiger, brux, or bartlein barrel... again get on forums and ask for a barrel blank for sale in your desired twist rate... no need to order one.. someone has one.... 25 cal barrel may be hard as its not a desired caliber for most that really shoot alot thay will have extra barrels on hand...

Theres a big difference in quality and price from a boyds stock to a mcmillan or manners stock... personally for what your doing dont spend a grand on a mcmillan or manners stock... HS precision stocks are good and are like $300... trigger of youe choice.

S&S Precision for your gunsmith... then you will have a tack driving rifle....


I LOVE my 22-250.... POW!! Right in the eye ball... every time accurate!!

[ducks-and-bucks]

Action $615
Barrel $325
HS Stock $325
Trigger $100-220

Gunsmith work $350 mas o menos

Same price no matter what caliber

[BigTex.308]

Your getting the gun fetish going aint you... its addicting and dont go away....

Whatever you do a trued rem 700 action is great. Your not competing of shooting competitions so no reason for a full blown custom action... trued rem 700 actio new in box $615 www.NWgunworks.com (north west gun works).... kreiger, brux, or bartlein barrel... again get on forums and ask for a barrel blank for sale in your desired twist rate... no need to order one.. someone has one.... 25 cal barrel may be hard as its not a desired caliber for most that really shoot alot thay will have extra barrels on hand...

Theres a big difference in quality and price from a boyds stock to a mcmillan or manners stock... personally for what your doing dont spend a grand on a mcmillan or manners stock... HS precision stocks are good and are like $300... trigger of youe choice.

S&S Precision for your gunsmith... then you will have a tack driving rifle....


I LOVE my 22-250.... POW!! Right in the eye ball... every time accurate!!

For some reason I'm obsessed with bolt guns right now. I can't sleep cause my mind is on this next build.


I'm going custom action when i do my 6.5x284cm.


Thanks for the reply!



Only thing left to do is figure out how to fund this thing!



Gonna need some overtime!




Ike

[JP8]

257 Roberts.

7X57 is one of my favorite rounds and is the parent of the Bob.

Love both of these rounds. I never get much time to mess with my 7x57 but its a great shooter. Buying and building guns can get addictive for sure. I haven't let up since I started.

[Cajun Blake]

Pm sent as I'll reply with my build ideas later this am

[BigTex.308]

Pm sent as I'll reply with my build ideas later this am

Thanks for the lead! Looking forward to the rest.




Ike

[Cajun Blake]

the 257 Bob is a nice cartridge but I would seriously consider the 257 Ackley Improved. Same parent case yet 40* shoulder angle, less case taper, and according to Ackley, the greatest Improved round he developed. Hand load for it and never look back. 100 gr Nosler BT's are poison on any Tx deer or coyote.

Call Chris or Penny at PacNor (www.pac-nor.com) and order a custom stainless super match 3 groove 1:9" twist barrel. Remington Sendero/Varmint taper, and finish at 22". Barrel will be $310 and PN will cut, crown, install, and chamber barrel for $300 ... this includes truing the action and bolt face. Lead time is around 4-5 months

Find a used HS Precision stock for $200 and then skim bed action. I'd leave rifle as an ADL and install a single shot follower. It will be a tack-driving laser beam.

Upgrade to a Timney for $135 or a Jewell for $200

McMillan was just sold as their stocks have been taking around 30+ weeks for delivery and will set you back $500 , bedding another $200

completed rifle would look similar to this