HELP! Custom rifle build, what cartridge???
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I had just bought my do all rifle - arnold arms rem 700 action lilja # 4 fluted with brake. Borden C/F stock. 6.85 lbs without scope. In 340 Weatherby Mag. Shoots as flat a 270 win with 130 and hits like a freight train. Over 3K fps with 223 gr hammer hunter bullets. That was my pick for do it all rifle.
zb338
Well-Known Member
I would say a 7 mm magnum or a 300 Winchester or the short .300. Make sure you get a muzzle
brake with these calibers and they will be a pleasure to shoot.
Zeke
brake with these calibers and they will be a pleasure to shoot.
Zeke
You guys are making some good points for the 7mm of some caliber of another (I'm currently considering putting something together, see below). I currently have a 300 win mag with a Shilen #4 barrel and a stiller action, it shoots lights out but is somewhat heavy, 10.5lbs with scope and but kicks less than my rem 700 30-06.
Just a thought since you said you already own some 30 cals. I'm starting to build a 6.5-06 and will be necking up 25-06. Am putting a #4 bartlein CFW barrel and Kelbly action. I want to have a gun that performs well in the field without the recoil...thoughts?
Just a thought since you said you already own some 30 cals. I'm starting to build a 6.5-06 and will be necking up 25-06. Am putting a #4 bartlein CFW barrel and Kelbly action. I want to have a gun that performs well in the field without the recoil...thoughts?
Bullmark
Well-Known Member
Full disclosure...I don't reload but would love to start, and am no ballistics expert. However, I have owned many rifles in many different calibers. For me, One of the biggest factors in choosing a caliber is will I be confident to shoot at longer distances. Longer is totally relative...it could mean 300yds or 800. Over the years I've come to shy away from the larger calibers that are no fun to shoot and discourage me from practice. A rifle should be an extension of the shooter and that requires some degree of familiarity and repetition. Also, a dead animal is a dead animal.
With all that said, if I was building a light weight set up, I wouldn't overlook the .280ai. I have one and it's a joy to shoot. It pushes 168vlds at 3000fps, and factory ammo is available anytime other than now.
The long action may deter you but the caliber is a nice compromise for me.....knowing that I'll be hunting mostly Deer size animals at 500yds or less, usually a lot less.
With all that said, if I was building a light weight set up, I wouldn't overlook the .280ai. I have one and it's a joy to shoot. It pushes 168vlds at 3000fps, and factory ammo is available anytime other than now.
The long action may deter you but the caliber is a nice compromise for me.....knowing that I'll be hunting mostly Deer size animals at 500yds or less, usually a lot less.
cooperjd
Well-Known Member
I agree. I have had and sold 2 375HHs. I will have another eventually. After I sell a kidney and kill a dall sheep in AK i will find something else to sell and kill a cape buff. Preferably with my bowtech, but if not another .375 i pick up.
cooperjd
Well-Known Member
The ackley is a cool cartridge for sure. i have one right now in a kimber hunter that is just over 5 lbs. just over 6 with a small leupold on it. I should be able to get 3,300 with 140gr absolute hammers, and the recoil is incredibly mild. Shoots 155gr factory federal terminal ascents at 2,980.
I considered having another ackley built after i sell the Kimber.
I was looking at going .30cal because if i sell the weatherby I will only have a .30-06 that's just a so-so shooter.
I am very intrigued by the 7mm SS. Ammo availability is not a concern to me so long as i can get components.
I agree that if a rifle is no fun to shoot you will not shoot it well. I had to finally put a brake on my 338RUM because the som***** was just too punishing. If the 7saum or 7SS recoil is anything like my 7RM, I should have no issues shooting it. If i do, I can always add a brake for practice.
I am not a sniper wannabe, but I do regularly practice out to 550y at my range, with the capability to extend to 1k, when i get a little better. I also picked up a fast twist (1:8") .22-250 recently to do some long range practice with, if i can ever find some **** bullets in stock!
PAGSDIII701
Well-Known Member
Go with the 7SS
cooperjd
Well-Known Member
Do you have one, and what bullets do you shoot if you do?Go with the 7SS
cooperjd
Well-Known Member
that sounds like a sweet setup you're going to build. i have a 6.5 creedmoor already and want something a little bigger for elk.
Saskquatch6
Well-Known Member
Sounds to me like a 300 WSM would fit the bill perfectly- lighter short action, accurate with different powders and bullets, reasonable recoil, some brass and bullets still available at least in some areas, powder and primer challenges same as any other cartridge you'd choose - and Tikka makes a nice one that should shoot well out of the box as you mentioned. Wouldn't argue against a 7 SAUM as an alternative however components may present more its challenge from what I see left on the shelves up here. Good luck with your choice.I'm turning 40 this year, and I want a custom rifle built. I already have the builder picked.
To get this I will have to sell 2 rifles, and take my wife's gift to me to get the custom.
I will sell a Kimber Hunter .280ai that I recently picked up (5lbs, 4oz).
I will sell a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight .300wby that i recently picked up as well (6lbs, 14oz).
I want a somewhat light rifle built, 6ish lbs. I will likely put a NF SHV 3-10 on it, maybe a 4-16 huskemaw.
This will be an all around hunting rifle, but really I need a mountain rifle. I bought the Kimber recently because I am tired of lugging around my 9-1/2 pound 7mmRM in the mountains. Hence the 6ish pound wish.
I have a 7mmRM, and a 338RUM, both remington 700s, both shooters....both pretty heavy. For the smaller critters i have a 6.5creed tikka.
This will be my deer/elk mountain rifle. 7mm or .30 cal.
Initially I am thinking something that starts with a 3. Something light will replace the kimber, and a .30mag of some sort to replace the weatherby.
But which??? 300win, 300wby, 300 prc, 30nosler, wsm, saum, etc. etc...
I handload so once i get components (one day maybe they'll be available again) I'll be set, no need for a lot of factory ammo.
I know a short action will be lighter, but I'm not building this to count ounces, I just want a generally lightweight gun, I do not have a specific ounce number in mind. I've also considered another 7RM since I already have components, but with a faster barrel so I can shoot the 178gr absolute hammers or other longer, heavier bullets that my current 9.25" barrel can't. My current 7RM is a **** dbm from the factory so further customizing it is really a pain.
With the cost of customs I really will only have 1. Anyone else been through this struggle? Part of me says keep what I have and get another factory rifle like a tikka 300win and have a new faster barrel put on it for a lot less money than a full custom. The other part says' i've been dreaming about a really nice rifle for a long time and i should just do it....
any ideas? I'm struggling here
Overkill338
Well-Known Member
I might sell you a Ruger Alaskan .375
Take a look at the 7 Sherman short. True short action that can sling 180 hybrids at 3000 FPS and still get good barrel life. I'm running 64 grains of n565 in mine and it hammers. It's sort of like the saum, but it will run in a short action even with the heavies. It's got less body taper, and a sharper shoulder with the shoulder pushed back a bit and a longer neck compared to the saum. If you're stuck on the 30 cal, rich Sherman also has the 30ss which I've heard hammers as well. My rifle is around 9.5 lbs scoped and I can spot impacts at 200. Kicks like a baby. Awesome awesome cartridges. Shermanwildcats.com. Check them out!
I recently bought a 340 Weatherby Mag Mark V Accumark. It is a heavy rifle, heavier than my 378 Weatherby Mag, My wife fell and broke 5 bones in her foot and two in her ankle. No, she was not kicking me. I have been pretty well housebound, and I had to wait a long time to get everything I needed to load for the 340, but as soon as the wife can get around on her own, I am going to try the 340 out hopefully on some pigs at about 300 yards. I have the big gun and several smaller guns, but since joining LRH I have fallen in love with the 338 caliber guns. Seems to do it all with finesse and grace. I think your choice for a "do all" rifle is right on target.
