1000m Long Range Target Bolt Action Rifle from Scratch

[sigstroker]

All of the above is unnecessary for plinking, which is what the OP said. You can get a new Weatherby Vanguard sub-moa for a little over 800 bucks. It comes in a bunch of calibers, but I would choose the .300 WSM. Even though OP seems to be recoil sensitive, he'll get used to it over time, and the .300 WSM works really well even when it's downloaded to .308 ballistics. I used to have a 7mm-08 and couldn't really feel any lower recoil than a .308, probably because the standard bullets are almost the same weight.

Also, some of the requirements in the OP are silly. Picatinny rail? That's dumb for a rifle like this.

[rksimple]

All of the above is unnecessary for plinking, which is what the OP said. You can get a new Weatherby Vanguard sub-moa for a little over 800 bucks. It comes in a bunch of calibers, but I would choose the .300 WSM. Even though OP seems to be recoil sensitive, he'll get used to it over time, and the .300 WSM works really well even when it's downloaded to .308 ballistics. I used to have a 7mm-08 and couldn't really feel any lower recoil than a .308, probably because the standard bullets are almost the same weight.

Also, some of the requirements in the OP are silly. Picatinny rail? That's dumb for a rifle like this.

By your recommendations, you have no idea what it takes to reliably hit something at 1000m. OP-do not listen to this advice.

How much experience do you have shooting at long ranges? If its not much, I'd recommend getting a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in 308 if you plan on upgrading the stock. If not, go for the 700P if you like the HS it comes with. The problem in going with a higher dollar custom right off the bat is you don't really know what you want just yet. After you've put a couple thousand rounds down the tube you'll have a much better idea of what you want in terms of performance, optics, reticle choice, stock features, etc.

Another downside to the custom if you're just starting out is that you'll be learning many fundamentals by burning up a very expensive barrel. I killed my last 260 barrel in about 2k rounds, granted it was a lot of faster pace competition shooting. If you don't mind burning up an expensive barrel learning things you could easily learn just as well with a remmy 308, then go custom.

For a custom, I'd do just what Randall said and get everything on his list. If you don't want to mess with bedding just get an AICS, XLR chassis or the like. Do it up in 260 Rem and hit the loading bench. Then get out and practice. After you get through your first barrel you'll know what you'll want to do for the next one. Want better barrel life? Try a 7mm08. Want less recoil? Move to a 6mm. Want ultimate performance? Go for a 6.5rsaum. It's all just trade-offs and your options are endless.

[RobG]

RK, I am sure sigstroker was being sarcastic/facetious.

The 7-08 is a great cartridge. A little light on powder for 180's, although it could be done, but works great with 162/168's. You'll get good barrel life, good magazine feeding, light recoil, and quality components available.

[BLR81]

Sorry guys in my original post I meant to say 7mm-08. I don't want the heavy recoil of the magnum.

The .284 winchester looks attractive. Less recoil and longer barrel life seems like a win-win. Especially with 180g VLDs. I will start scanning the remington catalog for actions in .284.

Is this article accurate on 7mm loads? Check about half way down on "Comparative Ballistics". It shows the .284 with the 180g Berger significantly outperforming the 168g Berger 7mm-08 at 1000 yards.

What do you mean by outperform? I'm not trying to put down the 284, but you have to look at the difference in loads and bullets. Because of the 284's size it has a max capacity of 66 gr to only 55 for the 7mm-08. I don't have a Burger loading manual, but my Lyman manual shows the max load of the 7-08 pushing a 168gr bullet using Varget is 40 gr with a MV of 2540 fps. The max load for the 284 pushing the same 168gr bullet is 47gr with a MV of 2736. It can be loaded to almost 10-15% more powder then the 7mm-08, but at the cost of increased felt recoil and powder usuage. And, in the test the 284 was loaded with 180gr Burger with a BC of .684 while the 7-08 used a 168 gr bullet with a BC of .643.

I don't think you can just compare the drop chart results since the rifles didn't have comparable loads or bullets. What you can do is see if the cartridge as tested meets you planned usage.

If your planning to shot Elk at 1000 yds, the 284 would be my choice. But if your after smaller game, or hunting inside 500 yds, or just shooting silhouettes out to 500 meters , or paper out to 1000 yds, my choice would be the 7-08. Using a high BC 160 gr bullet the 7-08 is a transonic rifle out to 1200 meters, with a max load that won't beat up your body.

[smith629]

Well guys after a lot of research I ended up ordering a new Savage rifle in 6.5 creedmoor. I researched this cartridge and the ballistics are excellent. I plan to shoot the .585BC 140gr Hornady a-max bullets. I think this rifle will help me really get started in LR shooting and then I can do a custom build later.




My only concern right now with this rifle is the factory stock. I've never been impressed with any factory stocks so I am basically buying the gun for the action/trigger/barrel. I do have my eyes on a Manners T5A (thumbhole). How much work does it take to drop in a factory barreled action into one of those? I've never bedded a rifle or whatnot before. Not opposed to doing it, but I don't want to screw it up. Maybe I should have a smith do it? In that case, which smith?

[LynnJr]

smith629
I am pretty sure the rifle described by Switchbarrel is a good shooter.I think he set 2-3 world records with it last April.

Switchbarrel
If you get a chance post a picture of your gun and by the way I like your car as well.
Lynn

[james758]

I got RW Snyder to build mine also.
I bought all the parts and sent them to him and he put it all together for me.
Surgeon action, HEAVY 308 barrel, Jewell trigger, Surefire brake, AICS.

and here is the view of the "stop sign" and "man sized target" out to 700 yds (which is too easy to hit with this rifle)

Rob Snyder did a good job on my rifle. Sent him a few bottles of wine from Paso when I went wine tasting with the little lady.

[ddindetroit]

I got RW Snyder to build mine also.
I bought all the parts and sent them to him and he put it all together for me.
Surgeon action, HEAVY 308 barrel, Jewell trigger, Surefire brake, AICS.

and here is the view of the "stop sign" and "man sized target" out to 700 yds (which is too easy to hit with this rifle)

Rob Snyder did a good job on my rifle. Sent him a few bottles of wine from Paso when I went wine tasting with the little lady.

That's a nice set up especially with the H59 reticle. You must spend a lot of time behind that scope. It really gets better if you spend regular time behind it. I am guessing if you are in pismo, you are using the Avenal steel range to shoot those distances ...

Detroit