build or buy

[FIGJAM]

yes, Wby factory MKV with brake. And so will the new rifle, I have zero issue with a braked hunting rifle.

I figured it was - your response to lefty made it seem like you were were a real badass and already shooting a 30-378, so recoil wasn't a big deal. A braked 30-378 is a kitten. I hate brakes and won't hunt with people who use them, but that is a different topic for a different time...to each their own.

 

[Randy1950]

Looking for a light, but not necessarily ultralight, 300WM. In looking at the upper end of factory and lower end of custom I am trying to decide if I build or buy. So far it seems like you can get a very nice off the shelf rifle for just under $3K and build a lower end custom for not much over.

How hard is it to buy receiver, barrel, stock, bottom metal, trigger and put it together or have someone do it (and true it)?

I have built a bunch of AR's but never a bolt rifle, really not sure of the pro's and con's.

A nicer Fierce, Cooper, Christiansen, Bergara or a parts buy and put it together. Just wondering what vendors I should look at (or just shut up and buy an off the shelf stick).

 

[Randy1950]

I have a Cooper back country in 300W M. It will shoot sub half inch groups. Just don't abuse the barrel by getting it too hot It weighs 5.75 lbs. before add ons. I am 68 years old. I will let the young flat bellies carry the heavy rifles!

 

[FIGJAM]

I have a Cooper back country in 300W M. It will shoot sub half inch groups. Just don't abuse the barrel by getting it too hot It weighs 5.75 lbs. before add ons. I am 68 years old. I will let the young flat bellies carry the heavy rifles!

Those cooper backcountrys look pretty sweet!

 

[COBrad]

I looked hard at a Cooper Backcountry last fall but wanted just a bit lighter. Don't care for the Monte Carlo type stock either. Another $500 got a NULA ordered.

 

[FIGJAM]

I looked hard at a Cooper Backcountry last fall but wanted just a bit lighter. Don't care for the Monte Carlo type stock either. Another $500 got a NULA ordered.

I thought I read somewhere that Barrett struck an agreement with Forbes to use his design for their Fieldcraft...what does a NULA offer over a fieldcraft other than its a lot more expensive?

 

[teesquare]

I feel compelled to ask/suggest that this "convenience" barrel switching - including the scope mounting/dis-mounting/re-mounting thing just sounds like more of a P.I.A. ...than a convenience. Time + ammo to re-zero everything all over again seems to = aggravatiion. ...?

 

[FIGJAM]

I feel compelled to ask/suggest that this "convenience" barrel switching - including the scope mounting/dis-mounting/re-mounting thing just sounds like more of a P.I.A. ...than a convenience. Time + ammo to re-zero everything all over again seems to = aggravatiion. ...?

I researched this and came to the same conclusion. Seems like a way for anti factory rifle guys to join the custom gun snob community on the cheap. Some people may really enjoy the process I guess. I would rather buy a tikka or an xbolt then go through the barrel swap process everytime I want to shoot a different round. If you were using the same scope and didn't have a different scope for each barrel, I can see how that would be more cost effective. As soon as you start buying quality glass for each barrel, you lost me...

 

[thinair]

A pretty decent factory rifle for 7mm rem mag or 300WM is X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Long Range, @7 lbs 8 oz, 1299$ and has a fast twist (8). If i needed 1st rifle, i would get it, instead of going with more expensive custom rifles, plus all the wait.

 

[gjk5]

I figured it was - your response to lefty made it seem like you were were a real badass and already shooting a 30-378, so recoil wasn't a big deal. A braked 30-378 is a kitten. I hate brakes and won't hunt with people who use them, but that is a different topic for a different time...to each their own.

Fair enough on the brake topic but no, not being a badass. Just saying that going from braked 30-378 to braked 300WM was not going to be an issue in the big scheme of things. Actually, now that you mention it I have not ever seen an unbraked 30-378, sounds terrible LOL.

I guess I should add that I definitely want a rifle threaded with a cap so I CAN shoot it with cap, with brake or with can.

 

[FIGJAM]

Fair enough on the brake topic but no, not being a badass. Just saying that going from braked 30-378 to braked 300WM was not going to be an issue in the big scheme of things. Actually, now that you mention it I have not ever seen an unbraked 30-378, sounds terrible LOL.

I guess I should add that I definitely want a rifle threaded with a cap so I CAN shoot it with cap, with brake or with can.

I don't think weatherby makes them without a brake - lol. They probably wouldn't be able to sell many that way. I have a 300 rum, no brake, shooting 215 bergers just over max load and its comparable to someone kicking you in the shoulder with a steel toed work-boot. That is partly the fault of the crappy recoil pad remington puts on the sendero sfII tho.

 

[SAM55]

Newbie here. Just chiming in on the Coopers. My buddy has the Jackson Hole in 300WM and it shoots 0.5 groups. Great quality, beautiful rifle.

 

[FIGJAM]

A pretty decent factory rifle for 7mm rem mag or 300WM is X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Long Range, @7 lbs 8 oz, 1299$ and has a fast twist (8).

How are the stocks on those? I have been wondering if it is worth the extra money to buy the mcmillan version...my current xbolt is a medallion with the wood stock - I sold two xbolts stalkers because it felt like the stock was flimsy and made contact with the barrel when using a bipod. Did they stiffen it up with the long range version?

 

[rustyshackleford]

How are the stocks on those? I have been wondering if it is worth the extra money to buy the mcmillan version...my current xbolt is a medallion with the wood stock - I sold two xbolts stalkers because it felt like the stock was flimsy and made contact with the barrel when using a bipod. Did they stiffen it up with the long range version?

It's a McMillan. The triggers are the only thing that really needs attention on those