Long range build advice

[westtexducks]

So I recently went and played with a couple of my buddies long range builds over thanksgiving holiday and now I am in the process of starting to scratch together a long range steel ringer/western hunting rig. I am set on getting the .300 WSM since it is a short action to save on some weight but basically identical trajectories as the 300 win mag. I put an order in for a savage 12 this one in particular (http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12VLPDBM)

So I am thinking the rest of the build will look like so,
Nightforce SHV 5-20x56
Mcmillan BAF stock
XLR industries buttstock
TPS 20 MOA one piece base (Input would be appreciated here as well if better options are available)
not sure on rings yet? Input would be appreciated talleys maybe?
Stock accutrigger, with options to upgrade later
Bipod(Haven't researched this one yet advice needed)
Get rifle bedded and all hardware installed by a competent smith

I have access to steel and paper out to 1000 yards on a buddies place so that is the realistic limit of the rifle for now. Guess what I am asking is there anything you guys would change from my setup? This will be a process over next few months so can adjust as needed. I have also thought about just leaving the laminate on it and just getting it bedded to save a little $$$ but not sure on that yet. Will also mention I do have access to an awesome reloader so that will not be an issue as far as ammo availability and getting the potential out of the stock barrel.

Anything I over looked?

[txfireguy2003]

So I recently went and played with a couple of my buddies long range builds over thanksgiving holiday and now I am in the process of starting to scratch together a long range steel ringer/western hunting rig. I am set on getting the .300 WSM since it is a short action to save on some weight but basically identical trajectories as the 300 win mag. I put an order in for a savage 12 this one in particular (http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12VLPDBM)

So I am thinking the rest of the build will look like so,
Nightforce SHV 5-20x56 GOOD CHOICE, ALSO CONSIDER BURRIS XTR2, AND OTHERS
Mcmillan BAF stock. ANOTHER GOOD CHOICE BUT DON'T OVERLOOK MANNERS, AND THERE REALLY SHOULDN'T BE ANYTHING REALLY WRONG WITH THE LAMINATE
XLR industries buttstock
TPS 20 MOA one piece base (Input would be appreciated here as well if better options are available) MAYBE NF 20MOA BASE? THEY ARE GOOD PARTS.
not sure on rings yet? Input would be appreciated talleys maybe? I LIKE WARNE, BUT BASICALLY ANY 1913 COMPATIBLE RING WITH A SOLID RECTANGULAR LUG THAT FITS INTO THE SLOTS ON THE 1913 RAIL, I PREFER A FLAT PIECE AGAINST A FLAT PIECE INSTEAD OF A ROUND BOLT ACTING ADD THE RECOIL LUG, BUT THAT MAY JUST BE ME.
Stock accutrigger, with options to upgrade later
Bipod(Haven't researched this one yet advice needed) HARRIS OR ATLAS WITH ATLAS PREFERRED IMO.
Get rifle bedded and all hardware installed by a competent smith

I have access to steel and paper out to 1000 yards on a buddies place so that is the realistic limit of the rifle for now. Guess what I am asking is there anything you guys would change from my setup? This will be a process over next few months so can adjust as needed. I have also thought about just leaving the laminate on it and just getting it bedded to save a little $$$ but not sure on that yet. Will also mention I do have access to an awesome reloader so that will not be an issue as far as ammo availability and getting the potential out of the stock barrel.

Anything I over looked?

Responses added in your quoted text.

[mudslinger963]

I have the Nightforce ATACR with nightforce rings mounted on a weaver rail on my 300 win mag. I agree, either the harris or atlas for the bipod.

[LWolken]

Your build should be just fine. The caliber however, while it will make for a good long range hunting rifle, for punching paper and ringing steel the 300 wsm shooting heavies will wear out most shooters in a hurry. I would go with something smaller like a 6mm or 6.5mm other than that you are gtg.

[Slick8]

Looks like you're on your way.

If you don't reload and are stuck on a magnum, I'd go with the 7rm or 300wm based on availability of quality ammo and as stated above you'll run out of gas on heavy bullets which is a requrement for 1k. Your weight savings will be negligible on that rifle for short vs long action.

If you're serious about this, you need to hand load.

[catslayer]

Your build should be just fine. The caliber however, while it will make for a good long range hunting rifle, for punching paper and ringing steel the 300 wsm shooting heavies will wear out most shooters in a hurry. I would go with something smaller like a 6mm or 6.5mm other than that you are gtg.

here is my only problem with this set up from savage... For a couple hundred more... you can get Alamo to build you a rifle... 300 wsm will wear out but its all about how much steel shooting you are looking to do. If your just doing it every now and then, it will last you quite a while.

Rings, talley or seekins would be great... night force rings work fine too.

Its a solid set up... bet you got no issue to 800, curious how good the barrel ends up being.

you reload?

[Cajun Blake]

FWIW, the difference in weight between a SA and LA is 4 ounces .... 1/4 lb.

[SOLID EAGLE]

The main downfall to the Savage is trigger upgrade availability. There is just not much out there. The Accu-trigger is ok, but just ok in my opinion. You will have a few more options with the traditional side bolt release. I have 4 Savage rifles. They all shoot great. For hunting, the Accu trigger is good. For long range shooting, I find myself comparing the trigger pull to a Timney or Jewel and it just isn't up to those standards.

[Mike D]

Long range build advice

I would choose the standard 300 WM over the WSM. SA vs LA for weight savings is a non issue. Also that NF scope will far outweigh any negligible weight savings.

Also I would have a custom built for the money you are planning to sink into this and I would do it on a Remington pattern action over the Savage.

At the end of the day if you buy a factory rifle and put a bunch of bolt ons on it, you have a factory rifle with a lot of bolt ons. Lipstick on a pig if you will. For a little more money you can have a true custom.

I also agree with the above poster on the trigger situation. I personally hate the Accutrigger. With a Remington pattern action you can get a Jewell trigger.

[westtexducks]

Thanks for the responses guys. The main purpose of this rig is going to be a hunting rig with some gong ringing as a side use that will be more of a practice for hunting thing than an every weekend use type rifle. Basically wanting a decent rifle to start getting into long range shooting and used for hunting as its main purpose. I figure in a couple of years I will go the full custom route after i have a little more experience under my belt and make it heavy for shooting off a bench and that one will probably be a 300 wm and be ready to go out to 1500.

And yes i have access to reloading equipment and will be working up loads for it probably with 180 gr pills dont really see a need too go heavier than that for 1000 and closer. As for accuracy expectations of it i am aware i will not be able to get one hole 500 yard groups but not really wanting a bench rest rifle and pretty sure i am not capable of that yet anyway.

And correct me if i am wrong but can you not get a custom barrel from any of the big name barrel makers for the savages? I am thinking if i am not satisfied with the stock barrel i will just throw a pacnor or lilja or some other barrel on it.

[westtexducks]

And i am figuring on getting a factory load figure out that shoots decent to run a hundred or so rounds through to get brass from and get me some practice in with the rifle before working up a handload. Is this backwards thinking? Or should I just order a couple hundred pieces of brass and go straight into handloads?

[txfireguy2003]

On the brass situation, look up new brass and compare prices. The cheapest WSM ammo runs around 40-50 bucks, maybe a bit less if you find it on sale. So for 100 pieces of once fired brass, you're in the neighborhood of 200-250 bucks.....but you'll get to shoot some. Might be more economical to just buy 100 pieces of new brass to start with, it'll be better quality most likely, and not once fired, but you won't get those 100 rounds of break in/practice bullets.

[BrianL]

I would start with scope and stock gun, shoot and see where you are at.

[captainsling]

I have this exact same Model 12 in the same caliber. It is a tack driver doing nothing to it. Get good glass like you are planning and see how it shoots. You will not be disappointed.

[1shot]

If your planing on getting it bedded make sure they bed it like a savage and not a remington.