New Lightweight 300 Norma Improved Ready for the Range

[Ledd Slinger]

Been working on this hunting 300 NMI project most of the year and finally have her ready for the range. The goal was to build a good long range hunting rifle in a heavy hitting 30 cal round and keep it under 10 lbs with all components, not including a scope/rings. Mission accomplished!

Action: Kelby Atlas Tactical Lapua w/.750" bolt and 20 moa pinned rail
Trigger: Bixn' Andy TacSport PRO - Set at 4 oz.
Barrel: Proof Carbon Fiber full sendero, 26", 1 in 9
Chamber: 300 NMI, 35 deg shoulder, .339" Neck
Brake: MBM Titanium Beast 4 port
Stock: AG Composites "Chalk Branch" - 100% carbon fiber stock
Bottom Metal: PTG dbm assembly with 5 round AICS 338 Lapua magazine
Bipod: Chinese knockoff of carbon fiber LRA Light Tactical bipod (actually really good quality for a Chinese product)

Total Weight (ALL components listed above):
9 lbs. 5 oz. Weighed as pictured below.



As for the build, I do all my own stock work and bedding. Action and scope rail bedded with Marine Tex. Scope rings have not been installed yet, but I will also bed those with JB Weld.

Bedding job pictured below. Yeah I know, I know...barrel isnt fully free floating with bedding under the barrel. Well I wanted it that way. I dont know why, but I seem to find more forgiveness with hunting rifles having the first 1" of the barrel breech bedded so that's how I do it



For the barrel and brake work, I was lucky enough to get the rifle in with @Alex Wheeler for installation amongst his busy schedule. I've had a LOT of rifles built over the years and I can say just by looking at Alex's work that he is a perfectionist. The chamber cut is a work of art when looking at it under the borescope. Brake to barrel mating is seamless and perfectly aligned with the bore. Excellent work by Alex. Definitely a top notch smith. Now it's up to me to get the thing shooting

 

[boltfluter]

That bedding is perfect! Whatever your doing keep doing it. This looks to be the ultimate long range hunting machine. Very nicely done!! Looks like Alex did a first rate job on his part too.

Paul

 

[284winner]

Been working on this hunting 300 NMI project most of the year and finally have her ready for the range. The goal was to build a good long range hunting rifle in a heavy hitting 30 cal round and keep it under 10 lbs with all components, not including a scope/rings. Mission accomplished!

Action: Kelby Atlas Tactical Lapua w/.750" bolt and 20 moa pinned rail
Trigger: Bixn' Andy TacSport PRO - Set at 4 oz.
Barrel: Proof Carbon Fiber full sendero, 26", 1 in 9
Chamber: 300 NMI, 35 deg shoulder, .339" Neck
Brake: MBM Titanium Beast 4 port
Stock: AG Composites "Chalk Branch" - 100% carbon fiber stock
Bottom Metal: PTG dbm assembly with 5 round AICS 338 Lapua magazine
Bipod: Chinese knockoff of carbon fiber LRA bipod (actually really good quality for a Chinese product)

Total Weight (ALL components listed above):
9 lbs. 5 oz. Weighed as pictured below.

View attachment 1118560

As for the build, I do all my own stock work and bedding. Action and scope rail bedded with Marine Tex. Scope rings have not been installed yet, but I will also bed those with JB Weld.

Bedding job pictured below. Yeah I know, I know...barrel isnt fully free floating with bedding under the barrel. Well I wanted it that way. I dont know why, but I seem to find more forgiveness with hunting rifles having the first 1" of the barrel breech bedded so that's how I do it.

View attachment 1118554

For the barrel and brake work, I was lucky enough to get the rifle in with @Alex Wheeler for installation amongst his busy schedule. I've had a LOT of rifles built over the years and I can say just by looking at Alex's work that he is a perfectionist. The chamber cut is a work of art when looking at it under the borescope. Brake to barrel mating is seamless and perfectly aligned with the bore. Excellent work by Alex. Definitely a top notch smith. Now it's up to me to get the thing shooting

View attachment 1118555

View attachment 1118556

View attachment 1118557

Tell more about the bipod and it's weight. Compare it to the Atlas carbon bipod.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Bipod can be found here:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=lra+bipod&_sacat=7301&LH_PrefLoc=1

Weight is kinda heavy for a hunting pod, but considering the width and adjustability, it's not that bad. I added a little weight to the pod by installing some 1/4-20 studs and claw inserts for better grip on the ground. Also notched the inside of the feet for better grip without claws. Total pod weight is 21.7 oz with added claws.
The one bad thing about the bipod is you cant change the feet and they are hard plastic. That's why I added the claws and studs. Other than that, is solid aluminum construction with stainless steel on the moving parts where you need it. This bipod has only cant and height adjustment. It does not swivel.

So rifle without the bipod weighs in at just over 7 lbs 15 oz

 

[284winner]

Are those pad claws available from the same company or will the Atlas spike feet work on those legs ?

 

[wedgy]

Nice rig !
What length can you get in the mag, what bullet are you planning to shoot ?
have you chosen an optic yet ?
I know N570 has been the go to powder for the NM
Can't wait to see some targets !

 

[Rube Shooter]

Absolutely impressive, I like how the pattern on the barrel blends with the camo pattern of the stock.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Are those pad claws available from the same company or will the Atlas spike feet work on those legs ?

Claws are from ACE Hardware

Feet are not removable so no, Atlas feet will not work.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Nice rig !
What length can you get in the mag, what bullet are you planning to shoot ?
have you chosen an optic yet ?
I know N570 has been the go to powder for the NM
Can't wait to see some targets !

3.750"-ish in the mag. I have N570 to work with as well as RL33 and IMR 8133. I have Berger 230s and 215s on hand but will probably shoot the 215s for hunting.

 

[284winner]

In the video from the product it showed the plastic/rubber leg feet remove showing a hollow carbon tube. Figured the Atlas spike feet would slide in those tubes

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Damn, I didn’t know I even wanted a new hunting rifle! That’s mighty fine!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Very professional looking bedding job!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

In the video from the product it showed the plastic/rubber leg feet remove showing a hollow carbon tube. Figured the Atlas spike feet would slide in those tubes

Hmmm...maybe I didnt pull hard enough? Lol. I stopped when it felt like something was gonna break.

 

[284winner]

Hmmm...maybe I didnt pull hard enough? Lol. I stopped when it felt like something was gonna break.

Check out ptt-outdoor.com
They have a short video on that bipod if it's the same one that you purchased. Shows her removing the rubber/plastic leg caps.

 

[hogpatrol]

Good job Ledd! That bed job is primo.

 

[JLT]

^^^^^^ What Hogpatrol said! ^^^^^^

Outstanding work! Almost a shame to screw anything on top of that bedding job and hide it from view . . . almost. Really nice-looking rig.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Here's some photos of the AG Composites Chalk Branch stock. I like the low profile on the forearm for a lower center of gravity. I installed the picatinny rail on the stock a while back for use with a large bipod and 3" bag riding adapter.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Got the 34mm Spuhr scope mount rings bedded and scope mounted. Scope is the Trijicon Accupower 4.5-30x56. The combination of the big Spuhr mount and scope adds about 46 oz to the weight. Rifle weighs in at 12 lbs 6 oz now.

That's a little heavier than I want to be. I have a really lightweight Magpul bipod I could use. Probably use the LRA for load development then switch to the Magpul for hunting. The Magpul will help me to shave off 10 oz on total weight.



Then I may have to swap scopes. Been waiting for my local NF dealer to get in some NX8s. Using the 4-32×50 would shave off 8 oz for the optic then I'd go to a 30mm mount which would shave another 2-3 oz. I have also ordered a new Meopta Optika6 4.5-27x50 riflescope so need to see how that scope performs when it arrives. That would also help me to shave off about the same amount as using a NX8 and 30mm mount.

Choices choices....I absolutely love the ruggedness and amazing optics in the Trijicon, but it really adds a ton of weight to a rifle designed to be light. With the Magpul bipod, 30mm mount and a Meopta or NF NX8 scope, I could probably get the rifle down to around 10 1/2 to 11 lbs.

 

[Bc'z]

Let us know how it shoots.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Heading to Alaska for a week long fishing trip tomorrow but will try to get a couple rounds downrange when I get back.