your post is very interesting. as many posters here on this site, it is hard to get a read on your abilities and intent. your original post sounded like you wanted to save money and that you have limited experience. as i read further, you actually have considerable resources available to you and sounds like you have considerable experience also, howbeit, you might not "own" the equipment. you have done some loading and minor gunsmithing. unless you want to customize and get rid of a bad shooter, i cant for the life of me see what you would accomplish with a good rifle customizing it that severely. if i was going to customize everything, i would go with a totally customized rifle. if i was on a budget, i would get a new savage in whatever caliber i wanted as they make some pretty nice shooters right out of the box and it would be far cheaper. everyone has made great recommendations. i would steer away from the cheap barrels, as it was previously said: some are shooters some arent. pac nor, lilja, kreiger, hart, shilen are ALL shooters (very rare to find one that isnt). muzzle brake it if you dont want all the recoil. any KDF type will do (radial or modified radial) from a reputed brand and good gunsmith. one of my 300 WM Model 70 shot 3/8 in groups at a 100 and it shot exactly the same after 2 in off the barrel and a KDF installed with the same load (dont expect that as it probably cant be done again in a 1000 barrels). ANY brake will kick up dirt on a bare ground, i have tried most. use a pad or as i do-an old pair of chaps or leather (the gas goes out as a cone even from side ports). if you are prone and close enough to the ground on bare soil, you will get dirt into the optics including your god given ones. good shooting and happy trails.