Mountain Rifle Build

wilkup · Nov 7, 2024

I built my perfect hunting rifle a couple years ago and after 2 seasons with be customizing it into my perfect mountain rifle.
I started with excellent components from Defiance, McMillan, and Xcaliber. I will be tweaking these items over the winter.
I'm sending my Game Hunter Edge back to McMillan to have an Arca rail and flush cups added as well as opening inlet to M5 for a detachable mag.
I'm trading my gunsmith my 23" Ultra Lite CF barrel for a 17" of the same style.
Defiance has my anti action for a warranty issue and I will be a customer for life because of how well they've treated me.
Pinned Talley LW rings.
Silencerco Evo Havester
Steiner H6Xi 3-18
Just need to figure out which bottom metal to go with that accepts AICS mags and I'm gtg.
This will be my ultimate everything rifle when it's all finished up and I can't hardly wait!

cajun · Nov 7, 2024

17" barrel? What caliber?

wilkup · Nov 7, 2024

cajun said:
17" barrel? What caliber?

It's a 7mm wildcat that gives essentially 280AI/7mm RM performance in a short action. Sould be able to shoot the 132gr Hammer HHT around 3200-3250' with the shorter barrel.

David_h · Nov 7, 2024

Is this a new cartridge for you or same one on previous rig? Sounds great- That is the primary bullet we are using in our 280AI's.
Curious What part of the Talley Ring is pinned ?

wilkup · Nov 7, 2024

David_h said:
Is this a new cartridge for you or same one on previous rig? Sounds great- That is the primary bullet we are using in our 280AI's.
Curious What part of the Talley Ring is pinned ?

Same cartridge with a new shorter barrel, upgraded optics, upgrades to current stock, new bottom metal, and a dedicated suppressor. Talley makes their LW rings for the Defiance with an option for pins. It's pretty beefy and sits in between the screws. I'll post pics if you'd like since my rifle was disassembled to send out to Defiance for the warranty work.

wilkup · Nov 7, 2024

This was my rifle for part of hunting season this year. I scrapped the suppressor halfway through the season cuz it just made the rifle unbalanced and SOOOO long!

NotLongRange · Friday at 9:13 AM

I have a somewhat similar similar setup, but no CF barrel or suppressor. Your issue is exactly why I didn't want a suppressor - too long and imbalanced. I like the IDEA of a suppressor, but they just have a couple disadvantages.

My rifle is a 7PRC with a Defiance action by Hill Country Rifles. Really accurate…

wilkup · Friday at 11:56 AM

NotLongRange said:
I have a somewhat similar similar setup, but no CF barrel or suppressor. Your issue is exactly why I didn't want a suppressor - too long and imbalanced. I like the IDEA of a suppressor, but they just have a couple disadvantages.

My rifle is a 7PRC with a Defiance action by Hill Country Rifles. Really accurate…

I seem to always get overly excited when SHTF and forget to put my earplugs in. The shorter barrel will make the suppressor an easy fix for my childish personality with regard to hunting

Very nice rifle sir. I've always loved and preferred the look of a nice straight fluted barrel.

Crockett12 · Friday at 1:32 PM

My mountain rifle build had every single component chosen based on light weight -- including the caliber. Remington M-7 action (don't remember it's weight but it's lighter than the M-700 short action), .257 Ackley Improved, Pac-Nor 22" Stainless premium air gaged barrel and cut to Win M-70 Featherweight profile, Brown Precision Pound-r stock (weighs 16 oz), S&K Stainless rings and SKulptured bases (3 oz), Leupold Ultralight 3x9 scope (9oz.)! I even chose the sling based on light weight! The loaded rifle with sling weighs 6.5 lbs! It's not so light that I can't control it when shooting offhand but is a delight to carry and has always given me 3/4 groups (3 shot) at 3200 fps using any 100 gr bullet year after year! I built it to be my sheep rifle and this combo is absolutely deadly on deer sized game! With a heavier bullet it would be adequite for elk although I didn't build it with elk in mind!

wilkup · Friday at 3:33 PM

Crockett12 said:
My mountain rifle build had every single component chosen based on light weight -- including the caliber. Remington M-7 action (don't remember it's weight but it's lighter than the M-700 short action), .257 Ackley Improved, Pac-Nor 22" Stainless premium air gaged barrel and cut to Win M-70 Featherweight profile, Brown Precision Pound-r stock (weighs 16 oz), S&K Stainless rings and SKulptured bases (3 oz), Leupold Ultralight 3x9 scope (9oz.)! I even chose the sling based on light weight! The loaded rifle with sling weighs 6.5 lbs! It's not so light that I can't control it when shooting offhand but is a delight to carry and has always given me 3/4 groups (3 shot) at 3200 fps using any 100 gr bullet year after year! I built it to be my sheep rifle and this combo is absolutely deadly on deer sized game! With a heavier bullet it would be adequite for elk although I didn't build it with elk in mind!

My goal when I built my rifle was sub 8lbs RTH, with the ability to take the longer shots if no other option was presented. I tried the model 7 build a few years back but that lack of component availability pushed me back to the 700 foot print. Thankfully the anTi short action is lighter than my model 7 was.
Your build sounds like an excellent tool for mountain hunting!

dogz · Friday at 4:41 PM

Crockett12 said:
My mountain rifle build had every single component chosen based on light weight -- including the caliber. Remington M-7 action (don't remember it's weight but it's lighter than the M-700 short action), .257 Ackley Improved, Pac-Nor 22" Stainless premium air gaged barrel and cut to Win M-70 Featherweight profile, Brown Precision Pound-r stock (weighs 16 oz), S&K Stainless rings and SKulptured bases (3 oz), Leupold Ultralight 3x9 scope (9oz.)! I even chose the sling based on light weight! The loaded rifle with sling weighs 6.5 lbs! It's not so light that I can't control it when shooting offhand but is a delight to carry and has always given me 3/4 groups (3 shot) at 3200 fps using any 100 gr bullet year after year! I built it to be my sheep rifle and this combo is absolutely deadly on deer sized game! With a heavier bullet it would be adequite for elk although I didn't build it with elk in mind!

Great sounding rig, where have you drawn sheep tags at?

wilkup · Friday at 8:18 PM

Talley rings w/the pins.

WeiserBucks · Friday at 8:39 PM

wilkup said:
Talley rings w/the pins.

Perhaps take a look at a similar design from Hawkins. Better materials and track record if you're interested in a potential upgrade.

wilkup · Friday at 8:54 PM

WeiserBucks said:
Perhaps take a look at a similar design from Hawkins. Better materials and track record if you're interested in a potential upgrade.

I've seen them but the Talleys have never let me down.

Mountain Rifle Build

wilkup

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