new guy wants to build a gun

[avfromvt]

I have been lurking around for a while, and reading lots of posts. I have a rem 700 in 7mm-08 with a wooden stock. The gun is probably 10 years old with a low round count. The accuracy with factory ammo is around 1 1/2" and it is good enough for closer range game as is. I would like to build/buy a gun I can shoot deer size game out to extended distances max would be 600-700 yards.

question 1: Should I build this gun up or buy a different gun?

question 2: If I build something off of this action should i leave it 7mm-08 or rebarrel to 308? I am not a big fan of a lot of recoil so i would like to stay away from the 300rum, 7mm mag, etc. I am not too concerned with rifle weight, and was thinking new stock, barrel, scope, bedding, trigger is good. (thinking of bushnell elite scope) Would like to get the most bang for my buck.

option 2: buy a rifle for at or less than $1200 with scope.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Well I suppose it depends on what you want to spend. Since you since you already have a rem 700 I would stick with that. If you really want to start the build off with a new action I would look at a savage. So using the 700 action I would take it to a smith and have him true the action, this is different than blueprinting, you can have it blue printed for lots more $$$ if you want. Then I would have a new recoil lug installed and a custom barrel. The 7-08 is a wonderfull round better than the 308 ballistically. Im a really big fan of the 260 Rem and would go that route but the 7-08 has wonderful ballistics and bullet availability, so you cant go wrong with either. As far as the stock goes if you dont mind spending a little more money you could pick up an HS precision for around 300 or so and they are drop in, I would have it bedded as well but its not necessary you could always shoot it and if you not happy have it bedded. I would buy a composite stock but for less $$$ you could have your wood stock bedded, if you keep the wood stock this is probably a must. An after market trigger is up to you a competent smith can adjust you trigger but with all the controversy over these trigger one could make the argument to get an aftermarket. Since the action is at the smith you could have him pin your scope mounts on for very little. Then spend the money on a quality scope with proper magnification better than 3-9. If cost is a factor I believe nikon as a monarch in 4-16 that is very adequate. So for the 1200 you talked about you could have your rifle accurized and a scope, maybe even a bipod and dies. Well thats my opinon anyway, good luck and have fun. By the way I have a bushnell elite 4200 and Im not that impressed with it, plus nikon has the online computer software so you can figure out exactely what all the dots on your reticle are for your load and at all the different zoom levels.

 

[MTBULLET]

I would use a BERGARA drop in bbl and do it myself in .308. I've built 4 rifles for myself using BERGARA, and all are bug hole shooters, and I've sold several to others with the same results (accurate!) The stock remington trigger is fine for a hunting trigger with proper adjustment, stock is up to your preference.

 

[Don Ward]

Lots of correct answers and directions to go.

Your current caliber is capable of what you want to accomplish. With some hand loading or experimenting with different factory loads, you may be able to get the accuracy level higher. For 600 yards, I would want to be able to shoot a 1 MOA group from a prone field rest as a benchmark. That gives you a decent chance at 9" (1.5 MOA) group at 600 when you figure in imperfect wind calls and some nerves when hunting.

Your 700 is a great platform to build on and you can free float the barrel, bed the action, or upgrade the trigger on your own or at a reasonable cost at a gunsmith.

You may find there's quite a bit of accuracy waiting to be found in your current rifle. You will also learn quite a bit as you work on it.

If you do start swapping major parts, you have many great calibers to choose from on a short action with that bolt face.

That said, new rifles are fun!

 

[liltank]

I agree with all current suggestions. Rebarrel to a 24 or 26" 7mm-08 with a 1:9 twist. Start using 162 A-max, 160 Accubond, 175 SGK, and 168 Berger make great bullet choices. If your not a reloader, take some of your build money and buy a starter set. This will increase your ability to shoot more accurately and in the long run make shooting more affordable. So those are my suggestions. A new stock will go a long way and re-using the current action is very affordable. Sticking with what you know eliminates some of the learning curve.

Tank

 

[avfromvt]

I think i will stay with the 700 new stock and barrel for a start. It sounds like i should stay with 7mm-08. Will keep you all posted for technical questions.

 

[BillR]

Kind of a dumb thought while reading your post. The 7MM-08 is a good cartridge. Sounds like you would like to have a .308 win which is not a heavy recoiling cartridge at all unless your putting it into a very very light rifle. Why not spend the money to buy a Rem 700 VSSFII in .308 Win and build on it. Or a 700 SPS SS 700 in the same caliber. I seen one of those on sale for $509 yesterday and that was brand new.
Shooting long range with either of them is not that hard as they both shoot very well and then get some real good optics and put on it. Probably won't cost as much as a custom build in the end and you end up with two rifles rather than one.

 

[liltank]

Kind of a dumb thought while reading your post. The 7MM-08 is a good cartridge. Sounds like you would like to have a .308 win which is not a heavy recoiling cartridge at all unless your putting it into a very very light rifle. Why not spend the money to buy a Rem 700 VSSFII in .308 Win and build on it. Or a 700 SPS SS 700 in the same caliber. I seen one of those on sale for $509 yesterday and that was brand new.
Shooting long range with either of them is not that hard as they both shoot very well and then get some real good optics and put on it. Probably won't cost as much as a custom build in the end and you end up with two rifles rather than one.

The .308 is a great caliber and I am building one now as we speak, but the bullets and low BC really limit its abilities. The bullets that I have mentioned in the 160 class offer terrific ballistics for the size cartridge that he is using. If you compare the ballistics side by side w/ a 160 class 7mm against a 165 or even the 200grn bullet in 30 cal, the 7mm is going to plain out shoot the .308 at distance over and beyond 800yrds.

Tank

 

[avfromvt]

If i bought a Rem 700 VSSFII in .308 I wouldn't want to spend a lot more than the cost of the rifle. If i just had the trigger tuned is the VSSF going to be sufficient.

 

[liltank]

If i bought a Rem 700 VSSFII in .308 I wouldn't want to spend a lot more than the cost of the rifle. If i just had the trigger tuned is the VSSF going to be sufficient.

Sounds like a good set up, but why don't you save your money and by the stock, and barrel of your choosing? You could build the same exact rifle for less money and it would be semi custom. Unless you want another rifle in the safe, then by all means go ahead! Just a suggestion if you get the .308, Hornady is making a 178 BTHP w/ a claimed BC of .530. That is the highest in any 175 to 180 class bullet out right now unless you go to the 185 Berger. It looks like it is tipped from the factory and has a similar design to the Lapua Scenar. Suggestion was made to me by our .308 Winny Guru that for long range application to utilize the 200 SGK and the Hornady 208 A-max. They have a lower opening velocity making, higher BC and make for an optimal bullet to around 850yrds. Mind you won't be setting and speed records with these bullets in a .308. You can expect velocities in the 2550 to 2600fps range.

Tank

 

[davewilson]

i agree with post #4. you've got the gun to do what you want, just accurize it. i did a similar thing a long time ago. let a smith take mine apart (700) trued the action, even cleaned the face of the barrel that goes against the receiver. bedded, trigger job and wah-lah, it's a very accurate and consistant gun. just shoot the 140's and you can hammer deer at 700. then, and here's the key to be able to do all of this at 700. get a scope that will do it.

 

[rscott5028]

These are all great ideas to which I would add the following thoughts...

I have nothing against any other caliber. But, recoil can be tamed if that's a concern with the one you'd like to use. My 14yo shoots a 700 Sendero 7mm Rem Mag very accurately for long range. I got it for a reasonable price on Gunbroker. It's accurate and has the twist rate to handle VLDs. It's heavier than I would want for a lot of carrying, but absorbs recoil and is a ***** cat since I had a KDF muzzle break installed for $180.

Secondly, you need a long range shooting system that will include the proper rifle, scope, ammo, practice, wind meter, range finder, spotting scope, etc...

Once you start hitting targets at long range, you will get hooked. So, commit early on to a plan that will put the whole package together over time and don't overspend on one piece only to be unable to range your game in the field.

Best of luck with the project!

 

[trebark]

Depending on the bullet you use, the 7mm-08 has enough horsepower to take deer at 600+ yards. So I think you kinda have two options.

1. Accurize your current rig. Went this route with my nephew's rifle.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/nephews-transformed-rifle-53634/

2. Alternatively, you could go right to a 'full custom' or you could steadily upgrade your 'accurized' rifle. That's the route I took with my 308, which was transformed into a full-custom 260 (of course when you go full-custom, you rebarrel the gun and can choose any caliber you like...308, 260....anything)

Read this thread all the way through (this is the 'accurized' step)....

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-308-1k-rifle-evolution-continues-43510/

It will lead you here.... (the full-custom step)

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-260-mcr-59628/

 

[avfromvt]

I was wondering if the short action was going to limit me in the future. My original thought was also considering getting the savage 111 long range hunter in 25-06 and then in the future if i wanted to go to the 7mm mag or 300 win mag I could (and if I get more serious probably will). I know recoil can be tamed with weight and a good brake and with this option i would have a good platform to start from.