Boss's Hunting Rifle

[DShortt]

Last week my boss asking me he was thinking of getting into hunting. Several of us guys at work talked about our hunting stories and he said he was intrigued. I ask him what game he wanted to try hunting and he said he would try deer at first and maybe elk down the road.

The next day I told him a 280 AI would be perfect for what he wants. I told him a 280 AI could be loaded for coyote, deer, and elk. He doesn't know this cartridge but said to find him a good gun. I asked him what's his budget and he said he doesn't have a budget.

Now I know he said he said he doesn't have a budget but I figure I want to start from the bottom of the list and work my way up. My first thought was I didn't want to tell him to just go in the store and buy what ever they had on the self. I want to go through the hold build process with him and hope he'll have a better understanding for his rifle. I want to put together the rifle, find a load for the rifle, and show him how to reload more bullets.

For all the options, this part that will remain the same:
- Short Action Customs FL die - $295
- Midsouth RCBS seating die - $125
- my spare press (still new) - $40
- Brownell's Shilen barrel blank - $202
- Arken EPL-4 6-24x50 FFP - $412.40
- N560 Powder Valley - $64-410
- Gunsmith cost - $300
- Total - $1438.40

My first low end of the rifle build will be on a Savage 110 action. I've built many rifles off a Savage so I'm very familiar.
- Savage LA top bolt release (Northland Shooter's Supply) - $490
- MDT Oryx chassis - $365.46
- Timney Trigger - $125
Total - $980.46

Next option is from a Tikka action. I have no experience with Tikka but everyone seems to like this action.
- Tikka T3x LA lite (JA Outdoors) - $780
- Oryx MDT chassis - $365.46
- TriggerTech special - $225
Total - $1370.45

Next option is from Mack Brothers
- Mack Brother's Ego 2 - $775
- Oryx MDT chassis - $430
- TriggerTech special - $270
Total - $1473

The last option is from Defiance
- Defiance Classic - $980
- Oryx MDT chassis - $430
- TriggerTech special - $270
Total - $1680

The last expenses are brass, bullets, and primers which totals to about $250 - 300

Now if he doesn't freakout about the these prices and he is willing to go higher, I will suggest other chassises and other actions but I figure to start at these options. I'll tell him he can always buy reloading equipment and rifle parts here and there over the course of several months. I have all this information written out on a sheet of paper and will give it him tomorrow morning after our safety meeting. I noticed most hunters use blind mags and not chassises and I'll ask him if he prefers a stock. What do you think of my thought process? Any other suggestions?

Has your boss been shooting?

If not, there's a learning curve to go through before worrying about the 'perfect' rifle.

 

[DShortt]

Ok. Thanks for everyone's suggestions but after talking with my boss, he told me he already bought a 7mm RimMag this past weekend. He went into Sportsman's Warehouse and the sales person talked him into a Savage Axis 7mm Rim Mag. As for reloading, the sales person told him factory ammo is just as good or better then anything reloaded. So that's that.

Ah, well nevermind about shooting skills then.
This action by your boss already answered that question.

Next year, it'll be a different rifle because the first one was not accurate.

 

[ClayM]

Ah, well nevermind about shooting skills then.
This action by your boss already answered that question.

Next year, it'll be a different rifle because the first one was not accurate.

You'll be able to buy that 7Mag CHEEEEP!!!!!