Rifle Building Question

[cade.patterson]

I'm really interested in getting into long range (anywhere from 300 to 800 yards) precision shooting using a .308. I really like the Remington 700 5R and can get one for under a grand. The other day I stumbled on a website selling just the 700 short action for $425 and I've got a few questions that someone can hopefully help me out with.

If I bought this action instead of a complete rifle, what else would I need, besides the barrel and stock and how much do you think everything would cost? I eventually want a McMillan A5 stock ($500) and a nice barrel, probably one from GA Precision ($315).

Here's the action for sale:
http://www.deathfromafar.com/htm/08_...ail.php?id=549

[dchfm123]

Minimum you will spend is a grand, and that is minimum.

Barrel - 300+
Trigger 75 t0 150
Stock 200 to 500
action 175 to 500
barrel fitting 60+
bedding and acuraglassing 125+
possible porting 100+

all the shiping and handling, gun transaction fees, etc 300 bucks.


this is all before the scope, rings, and mounts.

You might want to look into buying a good benchrest/varmiter rifle, it will be cheaper. It will be a long time before you are good enough to notice the differences that a custom built benchrest rifle and a nice varmit/tactical rifle from remmington custom shop. Buy the prebuilt until you are that good if ever that good and move up from there.

[godogs57]

Good choice on stocks...McMillian is the way to go...I would not, however, go with a GA Precision barrel...there are too many other brands that have much better reputation. Personally, I would stick with either Shilen, Hart, or Krieger barrels, stainless of course. Most custom gunsmiths will take your action and provide the stock and barrel, plus the work to put it all together for a fixed price. I like Carolina Precision Rifles, across the river from Augusta...John Lewis does a heck of a job. PM if if you want his phone #'s.

[cade.patterson]

I'll have to look into Carolina Precision. The barrels that I'm looking into from GA Precision are not their own barrels, they offer Bartlien, Schneider, or Obermeyer. I really like the Obermeyer with 5R rifling, which is why I'm wondering if I should just go with the Remington 700 5R already built...

[Hammack]

It depends just what you will be expecting from your rifle. I have yet to a see factory gun that could out shoot a properly built rifle by a good smith. I've torn down ALOT of 700 Rems, and the machine work on most of them is rather sloppy as far as tolerances go. I personally would prefer building a rifle on a trued action using a quality barrel than I would most any factory offering. Just my opinion.

[CraigM]

plus for a precision rifle you never know how many rounds were put through that action or if it is "as described" I say buy new or already built.

Kimber supposedly makes a really nice tac rifle built on the win mod 70 action

[Hammack]

Originally Posted by CraigM

plus for a precision rifle you never know how many rounds were put through that action or if it is "as described" I say buy new or already built.

I've never seen an action that was hurt because of the number of rounds it had run through it. any smith worth his money can take a functioning action true it up, and make a shooter out of it.

[cade.patterson]

The action in question is new, so this really doesn't apply.

[Ga-Bullet]

Yes the action Need to be trued. If you Look around and don't get in a Hurry You Can Built a Nice L.R. Rig For around a Grand.

[cmshoot]

GA Precision uses Bartlein barrels as their "primary" supplier. The last GAP-built rifle with a Bartlein barrel I had come through my school shot like a laser. It was scary accurate.

New or used on a Rem700 action, it doesn't make a difference. I've seen anyone able to wear out an action. In the 90's in the Corps, we were still using Rem700 actions that we had purchased in the early 70's. They had been re-barrelled and re-stocked beaucoups times over the years and still shot fantastic.

Usually, when I'm looking at having a new Rem700 built, I look around for the cheapest, beater used short action Rem700 I can find with the right bolt face. Once they're trued and bead-blasted, you can't tell the difference between a new and a used.

I'm a big proponent of custom rifles, because you get the exact mix of parts that you want personally. For a beginning shooter, the problem can be that they don't know exactly what works for them yet, or they haven't seen everything that's available.

I'd say buy a Rem700 Mil Spec 5R. Shoot the heck out of it. If you find out that you enjoy it, on down the road you'll form opinions as to what you want your exact rig to be comprised of. Have your rifle built then, on your 5R action.

Since you're in Athens, I highly recommend Patriot Arms in Pendergrass. Jared and the guys over there build a rifle as good or better than anyone in the US. You can drop it off and pick it up, which will save you a lot in shipping and insurance. Those rifle packages are long and heavy, and insuring a custom rifle gets expensive.

A bonus is that Jared has a range about 1/2 mile down the road from his shop, I believe it's about 800yds long by now. You can pick up your new stick, and go right out back and shoot it.

[BookHound]

Another +1 for Patriot Arms. However, they are very backed up right now. You will need to be patient.

I thought they bumped the range out to 1000 already if I am not mistaken.

The suggestion of buying a 5R and shooting it is a great suggestion. I bought a used PSS and had Patriot tweak the trigger, bed it and cut the barrel to 20" for use with a suppressor. With factory ammo it holds sub-MOA but certainly isn't a consistent .5-MOA gun. It helped me figure out a feature set I like and will have PA build me up a custom shooter later this year.

If you do go to PA tell them Mark at PSI recommended you.

Cade, you are welcome to shoot my PSS whenever you want. I have access to a private range where we can stretch out to 300-yards.

Mark

[Rainmaker]

Where can one find the Rem700 5R? Is this a new in production gun? Or a used one?

thanks

[timbawolf98]

The 700 5R is a fine gun by every article and review I've ever found of them. The barrel on them is much better quality than most Remmy's and the stock is HS Precision. From what I've read, you can take the 5R rifle to a smith and have the action trued and the trigger adjusted and have a definate sub-MOA rifle. That's exactly what I planned on doing when I was looking at this rifle, though the plans fell through as bills came in. Type in Remington Model 700 5R Milspec on Google and read through the reviews, I have yet to find one where the customer wasn't completely impressed.

Too, as said above, shooting this rifle will help hone your skills and make it easier to decide exactly what you want if you do decide to have a rifle built later. I highly recommend this option.

and to the post above me, you can find this rifle in a few gun shops around Georgia, you just have to do some looking. It was a limited production model but you can find new ones in stores still because for the most part, the public knows little of them. I know the Bargain Barn had one about a year ago but I believe it has since been sold. I know Cumming Gun and Pawn had one of their shelves less than a week ago, however. If I had the money for it at this time, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up this rifle right now.

[cmshoot]

Call Dixie Ammo Dump in Hoschton (706) 654-5614. I sent 5 or 6 folks there in the very recent past for 5R's, but I'm not sure if they have any left, or can get any very soon.

Remington only does runs of 5R's every so often, so it's feast or famine with 'em. If Dixie Ammo Dump doesn't have one, you can check Gunbroker.com and Gunsamerica.com, as well as the For Sale forums of sites like Sniper's Paradise and Sniper's Hide.

[Gunny62]

I know Clyde Armory in Athens has a few 5Rs. The price is either 1,019 or 1,119. I can't remember off the top of my head. Give them a call at 706-549-1842

[tab]

call tracy about boat at 706-540-0566 thank you

[rayjay]

Originally Posted by Hammack

any smith worth his money ......

The problem is that there are too many hacks out there that are not worth any money. You don't know this until you spend the money.

I would buy a Stiller Predator action. No truing needed therefore no opportunity for somebody to mess it up. Also the resale is much better than a Rem. Comes with a much better bolt handle. Stainless steel receiver. Precision fit between the bolt and receiver. Nice bolt release.

[Knotwild]

I second Carolina Precision Rifles. John Lewis was trained and worked for Kenny Jarrett at Jarrett Rifles for many years.

http://www.cprifles.com/index.html

I would suggest working your way into a custom rifle. Find a deal on a composite stocked Remington 700 in the caliber you want and have John accurize it. Accurizing is $325.00.

His super accurizing package includes blueprinting the action.

Pick up a Remington you like that hasn't been shot too much and do the math. You could have a great rifle for $1K or under. PLUS, you could then go back for a re-barrel, re-caliber, re-stock as finances permit.

Ask him if he remembers Jim Gentry. I just had John do 2 rifles a couple of years ago.

[GT-40 GUY]

This is what I did and ended up with a rifle that is extremely competitive as a benchrest rifle and a long range tactical rifle. If I new what I know now it would have cost me at least $150.00 less than I spent. If I had to do it over I would not change a thing except get it for less money.

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?...opgun+finished

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=374570&highlight=

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=371058&highlight=

gt40

[bighonkinjeep]

Team savage showed up and dominated the F class world championships with factory rifles and turned quite a few heads while doing so
This is not the same discipline as benchrest, tables are prohibited and rifles are fired from the prone posistion.
Here's a link if you're interested
http://www.savagearms.com/BreakingNews08192009.htm
Their are many fine platforms available but I believe that Savage is the biggest bang for the buck out there.
Savage is producing some mighty fine long range precision varminters as well as F class and factory target rifles.
Their new law enforcement rifles are highly accurate and looking pretty sweet too and available with stocks from Mcmillan, Choate and HS precision..
They have also made their precision target actions available to build on, and most guys with a little skill and a few hand tools can do a build themselves on the platform..
Not a salesman just a satisfied customer
BHJ

[RFWobbly]

There's a place in Jefferson, GA that builds special police and military sniper rifles which a LEO friend of mine talks very highly of called Patriot Arms, now American Precision Arms. They are located at the Jackson County Airport. Call, don't visit, this is not a store front. You might get some good info there.

[win270wsm]

Originally Posted by cmshoot

GA Precision uses Bartlein barrels as their "primary" supplier. The last GAP-built rifle with a Bartlein barrel I had come through my school shot like a laser. It was scary accurate.

New or used on a Rem700 action, it doesn't make a difference. I've seen anyone able to wear out an action. In the 90's in the Corps, we were still using Rem700 actions that we had purchased in the early 70's. They had been re-barrelled and re-stocked beaucoups times over the years and still shot fantastic.

Usually, when I'm looking at having a new Rem700 built, I look around for the cheapest, beater used short action Rem700 I can find with the right bolt face. Once they're trued and bead-blasted, you can't tell the difference between a new and a used.

I'm a big proponent of custom rifles, because you get the exact mix of parts that you want personally. For a beginning shooter, the problem can be that they don't know exactly what works for them yet, or they haven't seen everything that's available.

I'd say buy a Rem700 Mil Spec 5R. Shoot the heck out of it. If you find out that you enjoy it, on down the road you'll form opinions as to what you want your exact rig to be comprised of. Have your rifle built then, on your 5R action.

Since you're in Athens, I highly recommend Patriot Arms in Pendergrass. Jared and the guys over there build a rifle as good or better than anyone in the US. You can drop it off and pick it up, which will save you a lot in shipping and insurance. Those rifle packages are long and heavy, and insuring a custom rifle gets expensive.

A bonus is that Jared has a range about 1/2 mile down the road from his shop, I believe it's about 800yds long by now. You can pick up your new stick, and go right out back and shoot it.

Listen to this guy... he knows his stuff!

[ATLRoach]

Originally Posted by GT-40 GUY

This is what I did and ended up with a rifle that is extremely competitive as a benchrest rifle and a long range tactical rifle. If I new what I know now it would have cost me at least $150.00 less than I spent. If I had to do it over I would not change a thing except get it for less money.

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?...opgun+finished

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=374570&highlight=

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=371058&highlight=

gt40

x2 to this. I have multiple savage action built guns that will shoot lights out for a 1/3 the cost of custom guns. All of mine are consistent .5 or less shooters.

[jglenn]

for a good do it yourself project the Savage will make you an excellent rifle

install one of these barrels and you'll be very happy(made right here in Ga)

http://www.lothar-walther.com/339.php

[SouthernDeerHunter]

jewell trigger would be more like 200-250

[Hawghead]

The Remington 5R rifle is available in 300 win and 223 now also...and the 308 which has been a homerun. Ive seen 600 yrd groups with this gun..pretty impressive.

[Eroc33]

baynes army store in milledgeville has one in stock

[Dakotaman]

I like my Lothar-Walthar barrel too. I would suggest having them chamber the barrel. Nobody reams a chamber as accurately as they do. They are producing the best long range sniper barrels available for the Department of Defense and they know how to do it. Mine in .300 Dakota with a 26" barrel shot a .090" group at a hundred yards on the first outing. Pretty much through the same hole. It was difficult to measure the group size accurately because it looked like one hole. As far as I am concerned, the chamber alignment that they achieve is the most vital aspect of accuracy. You can try it on your action and glass bed it yourself if you like and if necessary. You may not have to blueprint the action depending on the accuracy you achieve with the barrel/chambering. I had mine glass/pillar bedded when my gun smith cranked on the barrel. The barrel is about $300-$400 depending on the contour/crown. I'm a happy customer.

[Eroc33]

i saw a Dixie guns rifle today that was very sharp the guy is in winder i believe. and he worked up a load for it and shot a awesome group with it at 400 yards with hunting bullets before he shipped it out. the barrel has intermediate fluting and that looks real good. if i wanted a custom rifle i would check them out

[Hammack]

Originally Posted by Dakotaman

I like my Lothar-Walthar barrel too. I would suggest having them chamber the barrel. Nobody reams a chamber as accurately as they do.

I'm not knocking Lothar-Walthar as they make a fine barrel, however their is only so many ways to skin a cat when it comes to chambering a rifle, and they don't know anything that all the rest of the barrel makers and top notch gunsmiths out there don't know. There are plenty of gunsmiths out there than can ream a chamber as accurate as L-W. I'm not a gunsmith, but I am a welder and machinist. The last barrel I chambered was a 280 for a rifle I am building for my brother, and it had less than .0005" total runout in the chamber. Chambering a barrel is not that complicated. It's basic knowledge of how to operate a lathe. You can go over to benchrest central and those guys can tell you multiple ways to chamber a barrel and they ALL will get the job done, and those guys are building some of the most accurate rifles on the planet. If the machine is set up properly, and the machinist is qualified then they could chamber a barrel several different ways, but the result is still a concentric chamber. Like I said before, I am not knocking L-W as they are a great barrel maker, but they don't have a secret that everyone else doesn't have.

[badger]

Been there and done that with Remington action based customs. They do shoot very well, but if you intend to compete, you need to look at upper end actions like Stiller, Bat, Nesika etc. I finally decided to build one from scratch and used a Stiller Tac 30 action, Broughton barrel, Rifle Basix trigger, Banser stock and Leupold optics. Caliber is 243 Ackley. It was expensive, but in my opinion, well worth it. It is shooting quarter MOA fireforming with zero load development. It shows a lot of promise.

I call it "Orange Crush"