Gun Smith

[Thomass]

I am getting ready to have my first custom rifle built. I have read ton of messages on this board. Most of the people on here make the comment to talk, talk, ask questions and ask question to the person building the rifle. However, since I am new to having a custom rifle built and would not know a bs question and answer could some of you guys offer up some good questions I should be asking and what good answers would be?
I know this sounds stupid to a lot of you but just remember we all started somewhere.
thanks

 

[Thomass]

I have however decide on some of the items I would like to use in my rifle. The rifle will be a 300 win mag. I am looking at using a Broughton 5-c heavy varmit barrel 1 to 11 twist, a Mc.Millian A3-5 stock, and a Bat Model HRPIC Repeater action. Any thoughts on this?

 

[fullersson]

Broughton, McMillian, and Bat all make very good stuff. I think you are making the right call on using good name brand equipment like that. Any reason for the 300 win mag? Most of the time you get more accuracy out of a gun with less recoil. The only thing about Broughton, McMillian, and Bat is that they are all 2 to 6 months back ordered last I checked. Good luck.

 

[butchlambert]

Thomas,
I would decide on a smith first and lay everything out that you want to do and the components you want. After visiting with him and firming up your plans, start gathering your components. There are several top quality smiths available and the good ones have a backlog.
If you're looking at FClass or long distance, Alan Warner, Dave Tooley, Nat Lambeth"Rustystud", and Mike Bryant come to mind. They have all been in business for many years and are familiar with the platform you are describing. They are honest. There are others out there that are very good also. Get references. You are listing quality components, don't shortcut on your smith.
Butch

 

[1000yardstare]

Second the question on the .300 Win Mag. Belted cases can sometimes give headspace grief, head separations and all that nasty stuff when repeatedly reloaded.

If you can take that much recoil on a steady basis, the .300 WSM is beltless and more efficient, giving the same velocity as the bigger belted Magnum with less powder.

If the rifle is for F Class and general target work, the good old .308 Win (7.62 NATO) is still pretty hard to beat, all things considered. And the recoil is pretty well what the average guy can handle on a steady basis. It is the standard cartridge for International events such as the Palma.

 

[butchlambert]

You may look at the 7SAUM. A lot of the FClass guys are building 7s now. Joel Kendrick has a new one that Tooley built that is shooting like a short range BR rifle. You need to talk a bunch with your gunsmith about this and other issues that will come up.
Take advice from successful people as you see on the forums a lot of people heard something at the range and post it as gospel.
That means you need to question my advice also.
Butch

 

[whiskey08]

my gunsmith swears by krieger and brux barrels,
1 what r you gonna use it for.

2. how long do you need the barrel to be, to achieve the velocity you need to suit your purpose. (shorter = stiffer = generally more accurate)

3. will a 1 in 11 twist stabilize the majority of bullets u wanna shoot.

4. what reamer do you want your gunsmith to use. Make sure that the bullet you want to use and the reamer give you the ability to touch the lands and still be less than magazine lenght.

my buddy used a 300 for competitions and I used a 308. I hated shooting his rifle, it would make my jaw ache, where as I could shoot mine all day long. Also the componets for reloading are cheaper for 308. With that said make sure you get what YOU want or you'll end up doing it all over again.

 

[bsc4444]

I have a Remington Sendaro in 300 win. mag. I had a muzzel brake and special recoil pad put on. The gun has the recoil of a .243. I also had the trigger reworked to 2 lbs.,bolt face squared and recoil lugs lapped. My gun has a 1:10 twist and shoots 150's to 180's and shoot 1/2 moa. I haven't shot anything heavier than the 180's....I would go with a 1:10 twist. I haven't shot the gun past 400 yds. but it will hold 1 moa. [4 in. group] if I do my job. I have found the 300 win. mag to be accurate with a good selection on powders and bullets. Good luck on your build....this is my 2 cents worth.

Brad

 

[NateHaler]

I have however decide on some of the items I would like to use in my rifle. The rifle will be a 300 win mag. I am looking at using a Broughton 5-c heavy varmit barrel 1 to 11 twist, a Mc.Millian A3-5 stock, and a Bat Model HRPIC Repeater action. Any thoughts on this?

Find a trustworthy, competent, and honest rifle builder in your area. Tell him (or her!) what your objective is. You don't mention what kind of shooting you intend to do -- which is the most important consideration of the project.

Go to BR Central (www.benchrest.com) and look for their list of gunsmiths. Ideally you'll find somebody in your area, rather than having to deal through phone/email/UPS.

 

[deadlyswift]

I'm not going to try and talk you into another caliber. If 300 win mag is what you want then build it! I will go as far as to say I agree with the above post. There are better calibers out there, but if 300 win mag is what you want build it! AS far as a gunsmith! My advice would to be to seek a gunsmith that is knowlledgeable about the kinda of rifle you want to build! I have come to realize that if a gunsmith doesn't understand F class rifle's then he can't build u a F class rifle that you want. I am currently building a 6 br that will be my high voulme shooting varmint rifle! This Smith is a great guy! Has 50yrs experience in gunsmithing and varmint hunting as well as handloading. At this time I am working on making the chocies to build a rifle for 1000yrd prairie dog hunting rifle! The Jury is still out on the Caliber at this time. With this build I want Bench Rest type accuracy so once all my components have been chosen and ordered there will be a different Smith building this rifle! Not because my current smith can't do the job but because It's just not his field of expertise, or basicly his interest's is not the same as mine! Seek a Smith that has the Knowledge of the purpose of the rifle you want to bulid!

Good luck to you!
Deadlyswift

 

[wapiti25]

The negative comments about belted cases is uncalled for. A belted case chamber is no worse than a 6BR or 308. A FEW factory sloppy chambers may cause problems but so do the sloppy 308's. Bad reamers, (loose tolerances on the shoulder demensions) and poor understanding of how to set up reloading dies have caused the comments on belted cases. I hunt with and reload for the 300 Win mag. You need to make sure the action will feed the cartridge you choose. You do not say what kind of shooting this rifle is being built for. The 300 Win does push heavy bullets at high velocity, but you pay the price with recoil. Work with your gunsmith to get what you want. Good luck!

 

[butchlambert]

I agree with Wapiti on the 300 Win. Mag. and I happen to own a lot of RWS 300 Win. Mag brass. It is real good brass.
Butch

 

[StraitShooter]

Thomas,
I would decide on a smith first and lay everything out that you want to do and the components you want. After visiting with him and firming up your plans, start gathering your components. There are several top quality smiths available and the good ones have a backlog.
If you're looking at FClass or long distance, Alan Warner, Dave Tooley, Nat Lambeth"Rustystud", and Mike Bryant come to mind. They have all been in business for many years and are familiar with the platform you are describing. They are honest. There are others out there that are very good also. Get references. You are listing quality components, don't shortcut on your smith.
Butch

A year and a half ago I entertained the thought of having an F Class rifle built for me. I had done a lot of reading on the subject, and one thing that stood out was being open minded when talking to your gunsmith.

I had a lot of ideas on components and caliber.

Then I spoke to Alan Warner. Many phone calls and emails later we decided on the components and specs. Probably the Nightforce scope was the only component that made the final spec., although I was not wedded to anything in particular.

4 to 6 months later I was the proud owner of a beautiful F Class rifle. Alan got me very focused on the cartridge aspect, basically building the rifle around the 7mm 180grn Berger bullet. Workmanship was second to none, and the overall experience and knowledge gained from working with Alan and Dan Warner would be hard to duplicate.

I have not shot the rifle in competition yet, due to work schedules, but so far owning and shooting it have been quite gratifying.

Find a smith you have confidence in who has experience with the type of shooting that interests you. Then talk to him with an open mind.

Hope this helps!

Eric

 

[Walt_NC]

Find a trustworthy, competent, and honest rifle builder in your area. Tell him (or her!) what your objective is. You don't mention what kind of shooting you intend to do -- which is the most important consideration of the project.

Go to BR Central (www.benchrest.com) and look for their list of gunsmiths. Ideally you'll find somebody in your area, rather than having to deal through phone/email/UPS.

+1

For a while, I was in the same shoes as the OP. I knew I wanted to make the jump to a (semi) custom rifle, though I was convinced that my lack of knowledge would prevent me from even knowing what questions to ask the gunsmith. Yesterday, I said screw it and went over to the local gunsmith and told them "I don't know what I want as far as custom work goes. But I do know what I want the rifle to be able to do". Turns out, that was good enough.

The guys at the shop were awesome. They explained what would work best for the rifle and what to avoid....all without making me feel like an idiot. Also, I'm new to the precision reloading game. One of the 'smiths (John) was cool enough to sit me down and explain his reloading set up, why he uses what he uses and even gave me a couple of great tips to prepare better loads. These guys have a customer for life.

Long story, short: You don't need to know everything you want in your custom. Just go talk to a good gunsmith, and tell him what you want the rifle to do.