Long Range Hunting Rifle On A Budget

[greggc1960]

Yeah, it's a monster case. Don't have a magazine, tho, just have to feed it slowly. The 110 mag is not quite long enough, and I didn't want to pay extra to enlarge it. Still, for my purposes, it's fine as a single shot. I'll post here as soon as I make it go BOOM !!

 

[7magcreedmoor]

I read this article many times, and finally was compelled to undertake the project. A Savage 111 provided the starting place, and EABCO the varmint barrel in 6.5/284, JP Industries brake and Rifle Basix SAV-2 trigger. Boyds JRS Classic laminate in forest camo with pillars and a Limbsaver pad for furniture. Optics from Vortex in Burris rings on a rail. I paid a pro to do the assembly as my woodworking skills are survival basic only and I wanted the rifle to look presentable when finished. The rifle groups well, and put 3 Berger VLD 140s into less than an inch at 500 yards after break in. Velocity is 2870 at best accuracy, although I did see 3044 during load workup, but faster was also bigger groups. The only thing I would do differently next time is flute the barrel- she tips the scales at 13 pounds with sling, bipod and 4 rounds, and is just a bit heavy toward the muzzle. I think fluting might move the cg to right at the bolt face, which makes a rifle feel more alive when stalking.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

Here is my project inspired by Jerry's article. Had some trouble attaching pictures.

 

[greggc1960]

Here is my project inspired by Jerry's article. Had some trouble attaching pictures.

Man, thats a nice looking rig. And it shoots good, too! I really like that Boyds stock. I put my Savage 110 on a Boyds Varmint Thumbhole. Try to post pics.
I'm working on load development, and had a few issues. For starters, and quite a few fellas on this site helped me get on track, I was underpressured for that 338378 case. I loaded H1000, at a middle of the road listing from Hornady 8th edition, and was denting cases. Then, and just posted under reloading techniques, the belt was a tight fit, to the point that 1/2 of my brass was very hard to close the bolt on. I think I got it now, and we'll see. Another "Jerry inspired" build!

 

[7magcreedmoor]

That is a good looking rig, I like the blue color. I have several Boyds stocks and find they are a good compromise between cost and solid base for the gun. I can't do a thumbhole stock though, I have trouble running the bolt fast and still get my hand back in position. I do wish my grip was a bit more vertical, and I see Boyds is now offering a laminate they call "tactical" which has a more vertically oriented grip, without a thumbhole. Maybe for my next build...

 

[greggc1960]

That is a good looking rig, I like the blue color. I have several Boyds stocks and find they are a good compromise between cost and solid base for the gun. I can't do a thumbhole stock though, I have trouble running the bolt fast and still get my hand back in position. I do wish my grip was a bit more vertical, and I see Boyds is now offering a laminate they call "tactical" which has a more vertically oriented grip, without a thumbhole. Maybe for my next build...

On the same page there. Even thought about getting a piece from them and build it in the grip. Ahh well, cant have everything, I guess. I also have a "Classic", I think its called, no thumbhole, from them on a Ruger M77 Tang. Pepper color. Positively gorgeous wood. Good shootin.
Gregg

 

[greggc1960]

Got out to a real range today, with my "Jerry Inspired" 338-378. After all the headaches I've had with this thing, today was payday! Got her shootin about 3/4 in at a hundred, then spent the afternoon and all the ammo I had ringing gongs! Farthest gong hit was 500 yds, but I hit the one 12x12 at 400 about ten times! What an addicting sport! And, I need to say, what a great web site this is. I have not only been inspired here, but also, helped.
I'm not sure I could have done it on my own.
Next, I'd like to get it shooting a touch tighter. Good shooting.
Gregg

 

[joe cousins]

This is a thread for discussion of the article, Long Range Hunting Rifle On A Budget, By Jerry Teo. Here you can ask questions or make comments about the article.

great info thanks for your honesty. joe cousingun)s.

 

[Garyshome]

I'm really cheap......Mosin Negant. It works really well though.

 

[j martineau]

First, thank you for the info on building a long range hunter. Compared it to all I have gathered and found it to be helpful and pleased to fining I had purchased the right rifle as a base. Being 70 years young and having been trained by the USMC I naturally love shooting. Long range to me is beyond 600 yards out to 1000. I always have enjoyed your articles and decided to build the rifle I truly wanted. Building is half the fund. I have to agree with you on the one most important thing you have brought up; If you can't continuously shoot a sub MOA at 100 you don't need to go long range on anything other than paper. Having served in the 60ts I hate to see anything suffer because of stupidity and shooting anything with not having a clean kill shot is just that, STUPID! Thank you for all your inspiration and advice it is well appreciated.

 

[five0merc]

Lots of good info in the article and this thread. Looking at building one myself now. Was going to just try to buy a gun and use it, but really considering this route now. On to more reading now.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

Here we go again: I have started collecting parts/ordering parts for the next Teo concept savage. Another 111, Boyds Tacticool stock, PacNor barrel in 280AI, RifleBasix SAV2 trigger JP brake, various tools from midwayusa, Vortex HSLR FFP scope. Biggest challenge now is waiting patiently for all the components to arrive...

 

[Dufus Dipwater]

This is a very interesting article and right down my alley. I currently own a FN Hershel Special Police Rifle in .308 with a Shepherd V2 scope. It has been fun at 780 yards so far.

I am hoping to convert a Ruger M77 MKII in .300 Win Mag to a long range shooter. I got it cheap enough so I have room to move around. Granted it is not a Savage action, but it is a start. It is a 100% virgin rifle, meaning it is factory bone stock.

My thoughts are:
1. Muzzle brake. It goes in as soon as I recover enough from knee replacement to take it there.
2. Optics; It currently wears a Swift 3.5-10x44 with duplex reticle that it came with. I am happy with Nikon BDC's as I have two of them now. I am considering a Vortex Viper 6.5-24x50 HSLR or equivalent.
3. Stock; I am debating different stocks such as Boyd and Hogue.

Am I headed in the right direction with this Ruger, or is there a better action to work with. The "on a budget" part caught my eye, and this is where I am at.

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

Mr. Dipwater: I have two ruger m77s in Boyd's stocks- excellent choice. May I also recommend timney's replacement triggers, mine are set at just under 2 pounds. Vortex scopes also ride in my rings, and are very satisfactory with Kenton custom turrets calibrated for my load specs. I had my stocks pillar bedded, and the barrels (one from PacNor, one from ER Shaw) free-floated starting at the taper.