6.5-284 or 7mm project

[bluejazz]

I am interested in what components, actions, barrels,stocks,optics) board members used to build
there custom rifles. I am thinking about putting
together a long range hunting rifle for elk in this caliber.
Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Macs]

I think that if I was to do this for elk hunting I would go with the 7MM for the fact of the bigger bullet, I would maybe even go with a 30cal. I would start with either a Lawton, or Stiller for an action. Going with either a Benchmark or Kreiger for the tube, setting that in an Accurate Innovations stock, topping the package with a Meopta scope, or a Schmit & Bender for hunting. This is only an opinion, have fun & enjoy the sport! ! ! ! ! !

 

[people]

I second the 7mm or 30cal. I am currently using a 7mm STW and really like it. My STW is not set up very well for long range I will only take 500yds and closer shots with it. I would like to get a Left hand .338 Lapua Mag but I do not want to spend about 5,000 for one.

 

[olympian]

+1 for 7mm but it depends on what you consider long range....

 

[Preacher]

A plain old 700 Remington long action will work well for what you want.
A 7mm SAUM or the Winchester 7mm WSM would be a very good choice
in a 28 inch barrel, and 30 would be better......
Put one of those sweet looking 5.5X22X50mm Nightforces on it and get to filling the freezer....

 

[M700]

I'll second or third the recommendation for a minimum of 7mm, and a .30 cal or .338 cal isn't at all inappropriate for big bull elk. A lesser cartridge/bullet can certainly take one down, but a little bigger bullet is good insurance.

The 7mm has great appeal because of the excellent 175 & 180 grain bullets avail w/high BC. I took my big bull with a 175 from a 7mm Rem mag and it worked great.

The .30's are the classic elk rifle - elk are the biggest thing on my list of species to hunt - and I've got a .300 WSM set up for it. Any of the good .30's will do a fine job. Plan on using at least a 180 grain bullet for a good high ballistic coefficient and a 200 grainer is even better.

Hard to go wrong with the .338's if you can handle the recoil, and with a muzzle brake on a good rifle, it's not that bad. A 250 - 300 grain bullet sent downrange from a big case like a .338 Ultra Mag is a wonderful thing.

I like McMillan fiberglass stocks, or a quality laminated stock like those avail from Joel Russo. A good recoil pad helps with the big kicker cartidges. Scope base and rings from Seekins Precision or Badger, with 20 MOA built in is a good idea. I'm a fan of Leupold scopes after 30+ years of using them, but Nightforce makes an excellent product too. Kind of depends on your budget and how far out you're going to be shooting.

Krieger is my favorite barrel maker - but many others work very well. If it's a dedicated long range rig, no need to bother with anything less than 26" and longer barrels are just free velocity. Too long can get cumbersome though.

I've seen really nice rifles built on Rem 700 and Win 70 actions. A custom Stiller or something would work fine too.

Best of luck - it sounds like a neat project. Guy