recv'd a few PM's and the post below from SoTx ....
hope this thread helps those who are new to custom rifles and the terminology sounds Greek
First and foremost we have to establish a budget, and work around your spending allowance. The 3 main components will be the: action, stock, and barrel. The trigger is also important as I'll discuss that later. You already have it narrowed down to a hunting rifle, and the 7 SAUM cartridge. I'm assuming you reload, correct ?? If you hand load the skies the limit.
Let's discuss the action. You can go with a factory Rem 700 that should be trued, blueprinted, and single shot follower installed. Estimated cost around $700 after machine work and cerakote. Or you can purchase a custom "single shot" action which are priced from $950 to $1750 depending on manufacturer and options. Traditional factory actions are configured as "right bolt/right port". My shooting preference is "right bolt/left port" single-shot since I find loading a follow-up shot easier. This is how I was raised to shoot rifles from the bench and in the field. See pics below
I recommend an action with a Black Nitride, PVD, DLC, Birdsong Black T, or similar nitride coating. If you don't like the black finish on the action, at least get the bolt done. This coating has a high corrosion resistance, and low coefficient of friction. Pretty much all action manufacturers offer the "700 footprint" so their action can drop-in a stock inletted for a Rem 700. Below are links to: Kelbly, Borden, Stiller, Defiance, BAT, Curtis, and Surgeon just to name a few. Comes down to a matter of personal choice and what appeals to you. I own 5-6 Kelbly actions and fixing to build another. Their ATLAS tactical action priced at $999 is the best bang for your buck. Nitride coating and includes the picatinny rail.
https://www.kelbly.com/actions-steel...-tactical.html
https://bordenrifles.com/custom-acti...rline-actions/
https://stilleractions.com/custom-tactical-actions/
http://defiancemachine.com/
https://www.batmachine.com/actions/
http://www.curtiscustom.com/product/axiom-4/
https://surgeonrifles.com/shop/
The stock: again a matter of personal choice based on feel and the type of shooting you will be doing. Prices vary from $250 to $1600+. McMillan and Manners are the top dogs, as Grayboe (McM sister company), HS Precision, Bell & Carlson, are just a few of the other options. Chassis stocks are also gaining in popularity. Positive - no need to bed. Negative - price. Since you want a single shot, you can order an ADL inlet with blind magazine. Then have your GS pillar and glass bed to barreled action.
The barrel: half a dozen options on barrel maker costing from $350 to $825. Then you will need to select contour, finished length, and twist rate (based on weight of bullet you intend to shoot). Barrels to research: Bartlein, Lilja, HART, Kreiger, Broughton, Proof Research (carbon fiber wrap), Brux, Rock Creek, etc..
The trigger: priced from $125 to $400. Shilen, properly tuned 700, Timney, Jewell, BixN Andy.
The GunSmith: possibly the most important decision. Call around, ask questions, select a GS you feel comfortable with. Don't shop GS's based on price or geography. I've used GS's located in Arizona, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Idaho, Colorado, Penn., New Jersey, Alabama, Oregon, and several States I'm probably missing. Trust your instincts and make sure you are 100% content especially since you will be spending $1500 ~ $4500 on your dream build. Words of wisdom - after confirming the details and dropping off (mailing) your parts, don't call and bother the GS every month. He likely has 50 - 100+ customers ahead of you. Time on the phone takes away from machine and bedding work. If your GS has all the parts in stock, then you're months ahead of the game
Rem 700 custom, HS stock, fluted barrel
Kelby Kodiak, RB/RP, Stolle varminter stock, Jewell 12 oz. trigger, ABS barrel (my newest toy)
Surgeon custom rifle
Kelbly Kodiak RB/LP polished single shot, Kelbly varminter stock, Jewell 12 oz trigger, 20 Beggs
Stiller Predator action, Manners MCS-T stock
Farley Firefly action RB/RB single shot, MPI t/h stock, 17 Ackley Hornet
Stolle / Kelbly Grizzly II action, RB/LP single shot, McM Hunter class stock, .223
Nesika Model T, RB/RP single shot, McM stock, 6.5x284
Kelbly Kodiak Tactical, single shot, RB/LP/Right eject, Kelbly stock, 30BR
Kelbly Kodiak Tactical repeater RB/RP, Kelbly stock, .223
.
hope this thread helps those who are new to custom rifles and the terminology sounds Greek
Originally posted by sotx
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Let's discuss the action. You can go with a factory Rem 700 that should be trued, blueprinted, and single shot follower installed. Estimated cost around $700 after machine work and cerakote. Or you can purchase a custom "single shot" action which are priced from $950 to $1750 depending on manufacturer and options. Traditional factory actions are configured as "right bolt/right port". My shooting preference is "right bolt/left port" single-shot since I find loading a follow-up shot easier. This is how I was raised to shoot rifles from the bench and in the field. See pics below
I recommend an action with a Black Nitride, PVD, DLC, Birdsong Black T, or similar nitride coating. If you don't like the black finish on the action, at least get the bolt done. This coating has a high corrosion resistance, and low coefficient of friction. Pretty much all action manufacturers offer the "700 footprint" so their action can drop-in a stock inletted for a Rem 700. Below are links to: Kelbly, Borden, Stiller, Defiance, BAT, Curtis, and Surgeon just to name a few. Comes down to a matter of personal choice and what appeals to you. I own 5-6 Kelbly actions and fixing to build another. Their ATLAS tactical action priced at $999 is the best bang for your buck. Nitride coating and includes the picatinny rail.
https://www.kelbly.com/actions-steel...-tactical.html
https://bordenrifles.com/custom-acti...rline-actions/
https://stilleractions.com/custom-tactical-actions/
http://defiancemachine.com/
https://www.batmachine.com/actions/
http://www.curtiscustom.com/product/axiom-4/
https://surgeonrifles.com/shop/
The stock: again a matter of personal choice based on feel and the type of shooting you will be doing. Prices vary from $250 to $1600+. McMillan and Manners are the top dogs, as Grayboe (McM sister company), HS Precision, Bell & Carlson, are just a few of the other options. Chassis stocks are also gaining in popularity. Positive - no need to bed. Negative - price. Since you want a single shot, you can order an ADL inlet with blind magazine. Then have your GS pillar and glass bed to barreled action.
The barrel: half a dozen options on barrel maker costing from $350 to $825. Then you will need to select contour, finished length, and twist rate (based on weight of bullet you intend to shoot). Barrels to research: Bartlein, Lilja, HART, Kreiger, Broughton, Proof Research (carbon fiber wrap), Brux, Rock Creek, etc..
The trigger: priced from $125 to $400. Shilen, properly tuned 700, Timney, Jewell, BixN Andy.
The GunSmith: possibly the most important decision. Call around, ask questions, select a GS you feel comfortable with. Don't shop GS's based on price or geography. I've used GS's located in Arizona, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Idaho, Colorado, Penn., New Jersey, Alabama, Oregon, and several States I'm probably missing. Trust your instincts and make sure you are 100% content especially since you will be spending $1500 ~ $4500 on your dream build. Words of wisdom - after confirming the details and dropping off (mailing) your parts, don't call and bother the GS every month. He likely has 50 - 100+ customers ahead of you. Time on the phone takes away from machine and bedding work. If your GS has all the parts in stock, then you're months ahead of the game
Rem 700 custom, HS stock, fluted barrel
Kelby Kodiak, RB/RP, Stolle varminter stock, Jewell 12 oz. trigger, ABS barrel (my newest toy)
Surgeon custom rifle
Kelbly Kodiak RB/LP polished single shot, Kelbly varminter stock, Jewell 12 oz trigger, 20 Beggs
Stiller Predator action, Manners MCS-T stock
Farley Firefly action RB/RB single shot, MPI t/h stock, 17 Ackley Hornet
Stolle / Kelbly Grizzly II action, RB/LP single shot, McM Hunter class stock, .223
Nesika Model T, RB/RP single shot, McM stock, 6.5x284
Kelbly Kodiak Tactical, single shot, RB/LP/Right eject, Kelbly stock, 30BR
Kelbly Kodiak Tactical repeater RB/RP, Kelbly stock, .223
.
Not going out of my way or any hurry but could use a 4-14x40ao leupy & still want to find a moderately priced 36x or higher br scope if it falls in your lap between then.
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