Custom Rifle On A Shoe String Budget

[StoneCold]

I won't tell you what to do here. I think you can do it for your price.

Elk at 750...I probably would just go 300 win mag. You say you don't have the capability right now so a 300WM will give you a bit more barrel life, less cost to load and practice. Won't be as finicky at the top end.

Or a 300 prc....

Just some thoughts...

 

[fguenther0925]

You can certainly create a 1/2 moa gun with your budget. If you are recoil shy I would not start with a 300 RUM and attempt to solve it with weight. I would back down to a 300 WM class cartridges, they are plenty adequate for what you want to do.

I've got a speed freak for a mentor.

 

[ducky]

I'm pretty confident it will be a 300 RUM.

I'm also a little recoil shy, so I'm looking to build a heavier gun. Something in the 12-14 pound range probably.
Ultimately, I'd like to be able to take an elk at up to 750 yards.

I'm not trying to poke holes in your dreams here. However, I think you would be better off buying a higher end factory rifle and optic for around $2500-3000, in something like 6mm or 6.5 Creedmoor and spend the remainder of your budget on ammunition or reloading.

Get the mechanics down first before starting with a .300 RUM. Your budget for ammunition in .300 RUM, either finding factory ammunition or reloading will be a lot more expensive. Not to mention with something like a 6.5 Creedmoor your barrel will last a lot longer. Remember barrels are consumables, they only last so long and need to be replaced.

Killing elk is about putting the bullet where it belongs more than anything. There are plenty of cartridges capable of taking elk that don't have the learning curve a .300 RUM will. Also while it can be done, carrying a 12-14 lb rifle for miles on a backcountry elk hunt won't be enjoyable.

 

[TopPin]

Love the Rum, still have 2 Remington long action mag bolt face actions from a couple of rifles I've had. And when set up properly they shoot lights out. One of my favorite cartridges for hunting. I will never not own one. Message me if you need any interest in actions or brass. Or questions regarding the ultra.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Budget Rifle ??
Personally,.. I'd Buy a .300 WSM, T-3 lite, SS NON-Fluted, 24" barrel, Tikka ( $900.00 ish ) and have, PVA do Brake / threads ($350. approx ) put on Zeiss 4-16 Scope ( $800- $850 ish ) Adjust Trigger to 2 lbs, Buy an adjustable Cheek riser ( $75 ), Put a LimbSaver Pad on it ( $40 ) , Rings / Mounts
( $125 ish ) Bipod ( $200- $300 ? ) Holland Bubble Level ( $80 ) 5 Boxes of, BERGER Ammo ( $300 ?) and go learn to Shoot All, the FIELD Positions. For "Practical Hunting" to, 800 Yards. THIS Rifle / Cartridge combo, Will Do Fine, on Elk,...
And Nobody, On Planet Earth can "shoot the Difference", between, a 1/4 Min "Custom Rifle" and a 1/2 to 3/4 Minute, "Tuned Up,..Tikka" from FIELD Positions, in the Windy aszz, Mountains,.. on Deer / Elk !
Knowing how to, Shoot / Read WIND, is FAR more important than having an Expensive, Custom Rifle. But all, JMHO from, 60 Years of, Big Game Hunting and, as a Former Gunsmith for, 25 years.
Spend the rest of your Money on your,.. Wife / Girl friend / Mom ! AND,.. a LOT more,.. Ammo !!!

 

[Bullbuck]

x2 what Lefty said

 

[med358-boise]

I've got a speed freak for a mentor.

Speed is fine, accuracy is final. Your mentor won't be shooting the rifle, you will.

 

[med358-boise]

Budget Rifle ??
Personally,.. I'd Buy a .300 WSM, T-3 lite, SS NON-Fluted, 24" barrel, Tikka ( $900.00 ish ) and have, PVA do Brake / threads ($350. approx ) put on Zeiss 4-16 Scope ( $800- $850 ish ) Adjust Trigger to 2 lbs, Buy an adjustable Cheek riser ( $75 ), Put a LimbSaver Pad on it ( $40 ) , Rings / Mounts
( $125 ish ) Bipod ( $200- $300 ? ) Holland Bubble Level ( $80 ) 5 Boxes of, BERGER Ammo ( $300 ?) and go learn to Shoot All, the FIELD Positions. For "Practical Hunting" to, 800 Yards. THIS Rifle / Cartridge combo, Will Do Fine, on Elk,...
And Nobody, On Planet Earth can "shoot the Difference", between, a 1/4 Min "Custom Rifle" and a 1/2 to 3/4 Minute, "Tuned Up,..Tikka" from FIELD Positions, in the Windy aszz, Mountains,.. on Deer / Elk !
Knowing how to, Shoot / Read WIND, is FAR more important than having an Expensive, Custom Rifle. But all, JMHO from, 60 Years of, Big Game Hunting and, as a Former Gunsmith for, 25 years.
Spend the rest of your Money on your,.. Wife / Girl friend / Mom ! AND,.. a LOT more,.. Ammo !!!

amen! times 10

 

[Ckleeves]

As far as custom goes, my definition would be to hand select all the components to create a complete system. A 1/2 MOA gun in capable hands is something I'm going to be after, but that might be a dream with my budget.
I'm also a little recoil shy, so I'm looking to build a heavier gun. Something in the 12-14 pound range probably.
Ultimately, I'd like to be able to take an elk at up to 750 yards. I'm nowhere near capable of that right now, but I'd like to have the equipment to do it as I get better.

A 12-14 lb 300 RUM for shooting an elk at 750 yards is crazy overkill. That's a lot of gun to carry to solve a recoil issue that isn't needed in the first place.

300 win/wsm/prc are all more then enough at that range. If your not stuck on 30 cal then 7 saum, 7 prc, 7 rem mag are still more then enough at those ranges.

6.5 prc, 6.5-284, 6.5 saum are also plenty and a whole lot easier to shoot then a RUM.

If you really want to get good to 750 yards buy a tikka in 6.5 PRC, spend a good chunk on a scope that works and then spend the other 2 grand on ammo and range time.

 

[fguenther0925]

I'm not trying to poke holes in your dreams here. However, I think you would be better off buying a higher end factory rifle and optic for around $2500-3000, in something like 6mm or 6.5 Creedmoor and spend the remainder of your budget on ammunition or reloading.

Get the mechanics down first before starting with a .300 RUM. Your budget for ammunition in .300 RUM, either finding factory ammunition or reloading will be a lot more expensive. Not to mention with something like a 6.5 Creedmoor your barrel will last a lot longer. Remember barrels are consumables, they only last so long and need to be replaced.

Killing elk is about putting the bullet where it belongs more than anything. There are plenty of cartridges capable of taking elk that don't have the learning curve a .300 RUM will. Also while it can be done, carrying a 12-14 lb rifle for miles on a backcountry elk hunt won't be enjoyable.

I currently have a 308 and 6.5 CM that I enjoy shooting a lot.

Im well aware that as my first go at long range that a 300 RUM will be a handful… I have the opportunity to shoot other large cartridges in order to prepare.

 

[6.5saum/300rum]

Here's a nice rum in the classifieds that's close to your budget. I've owned a Moa rifles 300 rum before and it was stupid accurate.

For Sale - MOA RIFLES EOL Carbon Extreme 300 UM

Rifle is broken in only, round count 81. Shoots .3 with the Hybrid 230 at 2979 on my Garmin. Not a scratch. Carbon Game Warden stock. Brass, dies and 79 loaded rounds. NF rings with ATACR 4-16 FFP. Rifle weight 6lb 10oz + scope. Safe queen. $5300 for package. Tom 541-944-8154 Oregon

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[nksmfamjp]

300 RUM is kind of special. I think you might enjoy 6.5 PRC or 7 PRC much more. Both are elk @750 calibers. Both are going to have enough barrel life to develop a load, practice and maybe hunt a couple years. Both fit in std actions with any bullet you want!

 

[fguenther0925]

Here's a nice rum in the classifieds that's close to your budget. I've owned a Moa rifles 300 rum before and it was stupid accurate.

For Sale - MOA RIFLES EOL Carbon Extreme 300 UM

Rifle is broken in only, round count 81. Shoots .3 with the Hybrid 230 at 2979 on my Garmin. Not a scratch. Carbon Game Warden stock. Brass, dies and 79 loaded rounds. NF rings with ATACR 4-16 FFP. Rifle weight 6lb 10oz + scope. Safe queen. $5300 for package. Tom 541-944-8154 Oregon

www.longrangehunting.com

I saw this. It was the impetus to create the post and see what the thoughts are out there. I'm not sold on carbon at the moment. I see its potential, but steel has been doing it right forever. While it is great for some, I'm just not that guy.

 

[fguenther0925]

300 RUM is kind of special. I think you might enjoy 6.5 PRC or 7 PRC much more. Both are elk @750 calibers. Both are going to have enough barrel life to develop a load, practice and maybe hunt a couple years.

We have a buddy that has a 7 PRC and it shoots good… just not fast enough for what I want to accomplish. This project is still in the conceptual stages so to speak, so the 7 isn't out of the question. I've just envisioned a 30 cal of some sort.