Bottom Metal For Custom Rifle

geraldhawaii said:
Aloha All,

I have never owned a custom rifle in my life, and as I am getting older, decided to have one built on 7mm PRC. I have decided to have a Lone Peak Arms Fuzion Ti long action; 24 inch carbon Proof Research barrel (8 inch twist); Trigger Tech trigger. I am having a difficult time finding bottom metal for this set up. The only one that I could find was Hawkins with the Wyatt box. I have no problems with this hinge plate system, however I would prefer a Detachable Magazine. This is not a deal breaker for me, just a personal preference. Any suggestions on the bottom metal, or anything else would be greatly appreciated. Trying to keep the gun without optics to 7 lbs. or less. Will probably be shooting 175 grain bullets, and would wish the rifle to shoot to 800 yards.

As I mentioned earlier, this is my first build, so I am not very knowledgeable on building a custom rifle. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You will not offend me.

Also, any stock recommendation would be greatly appreciated. So far, looking at Manners, Mcmillan, and Pure Precision.

Looking at American Precision Arms muzzle brakes also, but they are heavy.

Thank you all......
Aloha,
geraldhawaii
Click to expand...
I Like the MBM Ti muzzle brake for lightweight rifles.
 
Custom rifles can be a great project. It hasn't been too long since I had my first custom built. I received a great deal of feedback here. Your GS should be able to provide some guidance, but the good ones will advise you to focus on what you want out of the rifle and your own preferences. I personally wanted a tried and proven DBM that was as close to flush fit as possible. The Hawkins Hunter DBM met my expectations. Stocks are also a personal preference item that should line up with how you will be hunting/shooting. Weight was a big consideration for me as I like to put some miles on while hunting. Very little prone type hunting positions where I hunt, so I went with a Mesa/Pure Precision stock. I went with a Hawkin Ti and had it turned to match the contour of the muzzle. To be honest, this was a significant waste of $$$ as I shoot suppressed 99% of the time.

Best of luck in your build.
 
Do you have the MDT in LA or SA?

I am building a LA and have been looking at the Hawkins Hunter, until I recently discovered the APA CIP RTG and the MDT Hunting. This is primarily a hunting rifle, so flush mags take priority, but if I could run 5 rnd mags that would be a cool bonus. Looks like both the MDT and APA would allow for CIP length mags, both 3 & 5 rounders. Is this your experience with your MDT?

Gotta say, the sleekness of the APA is appealing, but the functionality of the MDT being able to lock is a unique feature that could only be a good thing for a hunting rifle that will be carried in the Ouachita mtns of the SE US.
 
KTWebb said:
Do you have the MDT in LA or SA?

I am building a LA and have been looking at the Hawkins Hunter, until I recently discovered the APA CIP RTG and the MDT Hunting. This is primarily a hunting rifle, so flush mags take priority, but if I could run 5 rnd mags that would be a cool bonus. Looks like both the MDT and APA would allow for CIP length mags, both 3 & 5 rounders. Is this your experience with your MDT?

Gotta say, the sleekness of the APA is appealing, but the functionality of the MDT being able to lock is a unique feature that could only be a good thing for a hunting rifle that will be carried in the Ouachita mtns of the SE US.
Click to expand...

KTWebb said:
Do you have the MDT in LA or SA?

I am building a LA and have been looking at the Hawkins Hunter, until I recently discovered the APA CIP RTG and the MDT Hunting. This is primarily a hunting rifle, so flush mags take priority, but if I could run 5 rnd mags that would be a cool bonus. Looks like both the MDT and APA would allow for CIP length mags, both 3 & 5 rounders. Is this your experience with your MDT?

Gotta say, the sleekness of the APA is appealing, but the functionality of the MDT being able to lock is a unique feature that could only be a good thing for a hunting rifle that will be carried in the Ouachita mtns of the SE US.
Click to expand...

Mine is a long action (300 PRC) with CIP Magazines. I started with an Unknown Munitions dbm which was great but I moved to a Manners mini chassis and the UM dbm is not compatible. The UM works well, offers good magazine options for OAL, but the finishing leaves a hell of a lot to be desired for the price. Really poor machining with lots of tool marks on 3 examples I had.

Once I moved to the Manners mini chassis I ran a Hawkins DBL. This was great because I had all the COAL I could ever want and I used it up, but I just couldn't get it to feed right. Took a TON of fitting to make it work with the the Manners mini chassis, and wasn't worth it at the end of the day because of how difficult it was to tune. Granted, I was for sure using it way outside of its intended use. Fit and finish was great, nice maching and annodizing.

Then, MDT came out with their Hunter DBM and I decided to try it out. It's the easy button for sure. Fit and finish is superb and substantiates the price. Truly a drop in option and feeds perfectly with my Terminus Zeus in the Manners mini chassis. I love that the magazine locks in place. Feels like I get the best of both worlds between a DBM and DBL. I have zero desire to look at any other bottom metals at this point. To me, it is the best I've tried by no small margin.
 
ObiWanKannoli said:
Mine is a long action (300 PRC) with CIP Magazines. I started with an Unknown Munitions dbm which was great but I moved to a Manners mini chassis and the UM dbm is not compatible. The UM works well, offers good magazine options for OAL, but the finishing leaves a hell of a lot to be desired for the price. Really poor machining with lots of tool marks on 3 examples I had.

Once I moved to the Manners mini chassis I ran a Hawkins DBL. This was great because I had all the COAL I could ever want and I used it up, but I just couldn't get it to feed right. Took a TON of fitting to make it work with the the Manners mini chassis, and wasn't worth it at the end of the day because of how difficult it was to tune. Granted, I was for sure using it way outside of its intended use. Fit and finish was great, nice maching and annodizing.

Then, MDT came out with their Hunter DBM and I decided to try it out. It's the easy button for sure. Fit and finish is superb and substantiates the price. Truly a drop in option and feeds perfectly with my Terminus Zeus in the Manners mini chassis. I love that the magazine locks in place. Feels like I get the best of both worlds between a DBM and DBL. I have zero desire to look at any other bottom metals at this point. To me, it is the best I've tried by no small margin.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great info. I will be building on a Zermatt Origin (280AI), with plans of using a Manners PH w/chassis.
Do you run flush 3 rounders? 5? 10?
 
KTWebb said:
Thanks for the great info. I will be building on a Zermatt Origin (280AI), with plans of using a Manners PH w/chassis.
Do you run flush 3 rounders? 5? 10?
Click to expand...
No problem. That's the exact stock I have so I wouldn't expect any issues there. None for me.

I run the 5 round mdt mags on mine since I don't think they make a 3 round 300 prc mag yet. I'm fine with it and wouldn't replace it (the mags).
 

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