custom barrels for target rifle-suggestions??
I have a Rem model 700 long action and want to add a really accurate target barrel, trigger and optics. The gun is currently a 7mag. but I was thinking something in 30 cal. Give me some opinions on cartridge and barrel brands and/or accuracy you have achieved with what combos???
0
-
You can spend all kinds of money on limited production barrels from small high end shops. But what you need to answer for yourself is how tight of groups do you want to shoot. With a little custom work it isn't very hard to get a rifle to shoot in and about 1 minute of angle or 1" at 100yds, and can be had for a resonable cash outlay. As you demand smaller and smaller groups, especially with larger caliber magnum cartridges, the amount and quality of the custom work needed goes up fast. When you get into the smaller semi custom barrel makers it becomes a real game of he said she said as to who is really better then anyone else. I generally don't use anything more expensive then a Shilen or Douglas XX. Most Shilen barrels that I've owned have shot better then I could. Then again I'm not out to win bets at the range and I don't hunt large game at much over 250yds. If you want to get into long range shooting and want to build the rifle for such target work, then maybe you should be asking about long range rifle smiths. Each will have their own opinion as to what barrel brand is the best and they are the ones who will in the end make it all works. Good luck... 0 -
Many great barrels are available right now. You can check these out
kostyshin (sp?)
Kreiger
hart
PacNor
Broughton
Border
Rock Creek
Shilen
Douglass
lilja
as for the caliber,..that would depend on yor purposes. For 600yd and less,..I would look very hard at the 6.5mm offerings such as the 6.5x55, 260rem, 6.5x284, etc. No need to burn huge amounts of powder when the winners are using 6mm-6.5mm (this is on paper of course,..not game).
for 1000yds,..the 6.5mm is still one great bore dia as is the 7mm and 30cal. I would look still at the 6.5mm-7mm bore in something like the aforementioned calibers for the 6.5mm and the WSM or SAUM in the 7mm. Choose an appropriate twist to handle the necessary long range bullets as well.
Now if you wish to hunt with it at long range, you have to consider the availability of appropriate bullets for that as well. Most match bullets will do the job,..but the shooter has to be sure of their shot placement for that to be a succesful alternative on the average.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
Hallowell& Co has a Seymour Griffin stocked Mauser action, Jaeger trigger, Lyman peep, G&H detatch sidemount scope base with a POPE barrel 30-06 for around $2,800.00.
Pope was the man in barrel making for long range shooting.0 -
JustC gave you the names of some good barrel makers.
IMHO Step 1 would be to define your exact usage (BR under 300yd, BR over 600yd, casual target, varment hunting, LR big game, etc)
Step 2 would be to find a top BR smith (assuming that's the direction your heading) and follow there recogmendations on barrel maker and chambering. Don't be afraid to consider using a speciality receiver, as the total cost could very well be lower than modifing your existing rifle (esp considering that you would A) still have a decent hunting rifle or
the amount you could sell it for)
You may also need to consider replacing the stock with somthing better suited for your end use.
With a well put together rifle, accuracy comes easy, but with one that's just thrown together, good accuracy is simply a matter of luck.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
I have the space available to set up a thousand yard range if I want, and fully intend to try my skill at that range. I want to stick with 30 cal due to a large supply of bullets inherited from an uncle who also loved to shoot. 0 -
Ok, given 1000yds in 30 cal you probably are looking at the 300winmag or even better would be 30-338 or 308norma cartridges. If you think the box mag can be extended and the bolt stop shortened so that you can get 375H&H length cases to feed, then you can add the 300wby and the 300RUM. Warning, the faster you drive the bullets the faster the throat of the barrel will wear/burn out. You might check out Brownells on line, their catalog lists 5 different contours in 30 cal barrels, with 1 in 10 twist, some are very bullish but are set up for the Rem 700. All you would have to do is get a smith to cut the chamber, swap out the barrels and set the headspace. The stock work required would depend on what contour you pick. That would be the most inexpensive way to take a stab at 1000yd target shooting and who knows you might get lucky. 0 -
i have a hart barrel on my .243 custom and it shoots very well.. 0 -
OK,..so we know 1000yds is your goal. That helps. If you are looking to get the larger pills (190+gr) then you will want to look at a 1:11-1:10 twist as it is better for the longer bullets especially at magnum velocities (not that a 1:12 won't do it). You should plan on at least a 28" tube and I would go with the 30". As to contour,..I say no less than a #7 but would look for as big as I could get except for a straight tube of 1.125-1.250 which would be very heavy. A good muzzle break will help you recover from recoil and cut down on the torque of a 30cal magnum as well. My pick for the stock would be the mcmillan MBR Tooley or Shehane Tracker or st-1000 in laminate or fiberglass (made by mcmillan). A nice trigger along the lines of a shilen, jewell, or rifle basix. A good strong set of rings and bases (badger ordnance or talley[to save weight]) Glass should be top shelf with target turrets to dial in to the x-ring. Rant off[:D]
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
Jeff,
Interesting profile...
The first thing that I would look into are some top accuracy gunsmiths and see what their recommendations, procedures and prices are. Pick a gunsmith that has experience in building long range rifles. One that you can ask questions of, talk to and one that understands what you're looking for in a long range rifle. The idea is to get what will make you happy not just what someone else can produce cookie cutter fashion.
Things to ask about:
- Truing the receiver, truing bolt nose/bolt face, lapping lugs, etc. Inappropriately referred to as 'blueprinting'.
- Bedding receiver (pillars).
- Choice of barrels (maker, length, diameter, contour, crown).
- Chamber (cartridge, throat, tolerances tight or not, bullet choices).
- Stock style and maker.
- Time to completion and delivery.
- Price complete.
Discuss all of these things and any others that you feel are important and get an agreement in writing. Do NOT depend on memory, yours or the gunsmith's. They are not taking notes while you're talking on the phone. Confirm the conversation in writing it's your job and your money.
Add to the barrel list:
Lothar Walther
Gary Schneider (Payson, AZ. no website)
Here's a list and descriptions.
http://www.6mmbr.com/barrels.html
You owe it to yourself to look into the polygonal barrels as opposed to the conventional rifling. Remember that button rifled barrel are slightly softer than cut rifled barrels. Versions of polygonal are 5R (Russian), Ratchet, 5C (Canted).
Cartridge: Your 700 is already set up for the LA belted magnum so just ask about the 300 Win. Mag. or the 30-338 which has a fine reputation for accuracy. The 700 will accommodate the longer 300 Weatherby and its variations.
Trigger: Jewell. Just be prepared to be spoiled forever.
Optics: There are so many top scopes that it's hard to choose. Don't cheap out on this purchase. Nightforce is the very best and the most expensive outside of US Optics.
Best.0 -
a'maker stick with what you have there are too to many varibles to answer correctly what caliber an barrele maker for LA 700 rem. you never actually mentioned what its main useage will be for... makes a diff.
is it your only big bore or do you just want to make a custom anything
'cause then when your done the type stock will be a big factor as well
as for the trigger rems 700 is pretty dam good they're adjustable...http://quarterbore.com/library/articles/rem700trigger.html .
as for the scope it would make a diff as well for the main useage
Leuopld is the best bang for the buck everyone here can suggest a super accurate gun of some kind but watt ya gonna use it fur..[:)]
just a thought for you to think on .....'cause i can spend Your money really fast lol [:)] hope you figure it out.... good luck on the prject Rich G
confused....but learning0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments