Help me choose and action for a budget build

[Majja13]

Hey all if this has been beaten to death I do appologize. I ama fairly new to the long ranage game and figured I would come to the best in the long raange game. I would like to do a budget build in either 6.5x47 Laupua or 308. The use will be for reaching out father than my CZ 550 varminter 22-250. I would like to be able to shoot 600-1000 yds. And I want to build as much as possible as a project. I am looking at either using a Stevens 200 action or a Howa 1500. Something about the 6.5x47 just intreags the hell out of me. I am not new to the shooting sports as I have shot IPSC for many years. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Some options I have thought of have been either of the actions above on an XLR chasis if I can swing it. If not it will be a B&C stock with CDI bottom metal. Like I said any info would be great.

Thanks
Majja

 

[FroggyOne2]

Of the two actions that you have listed, I would rather go, if it were me in your shoes, with the Howa action.

 

[savageboy]

If you end up w/ the Stevens, you will want to get a different trigger (SSS, etc $97 shipped) and possibly do a bolt lift modification (.38spl case and a little work) It really changes the way the bolt feels/ functions. The floating bolt head of the Sav/ Stevens actions makes up for any squareness issues that you would have to have the bolt lapped for in another action. The nice thing- and thing alot of people don't like the looks of- is the barrel nut. Its nice cause w/ a mininal amount of tools(barrel vice, headspace gages, etc.) you can get a pre-fit barrel from Pac-nor, Shilen, etc. and save a $200 chamber/ headspace bill. There are alot of aftermarket parts for them as well- stocks, bolt handles, etc. You can get a New Stevens action for $235+$17 shipping from Northlander, add a $100 trigger and a little work and you have a pretty good action. Add a Pre-fit barrel for $300 from Northlander, etc. and you have a good barreled action for a little over $350. You will prob. want to add a tactical bolt handle for $40 ish at some point (SSS, or others). I have won matches in the past at 600/ 1000yds w/ a .260AI configured as the above w/ a $220 B&C Medalist stock bedded w/ Devcon and a good ground oversized recoil lug, good 20MOA base, rings and I would recommend getting the best glass you can afford. I use a niteforce, however a Sightron, etc. if an affordable alternative. Probably the least expensive way to get into this game. Get good brass - Lapua, etc. its worth it, some 130-140gr. tips- Berger, Lapua and you are off to the races.

 

[mattri]

The Stevens is absolutely the way to go. They are far and away the best bang for the buck out there.

If it were me I'd just buy a 200 locally, sell off the stock barrel and stock to recoup a little cash and then go the route savageboy suggested, a trigger, a Criterion barrel from Jim at Nothland http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,17351.0.html and a decent stock.

I've bought a few barrels, a couple actions and 2 stocks from Jim, he is great to deal with and very knowledgable, you might give him a call and run your ideas by him, he is very helpful.

As far as the bolt mods or using a "tactical" bolt I say don't bother. It doesn't do anything to improve the accuracy of the rifle and the actions are pretty good stock. It's a preference issue, not trying to step on anyones toes, just not worth it to me.

 

[TORCHRIDER]

The Stevens is absolutely the way to go. They are far and away the best bang for the buck out there.

If it were me I'd just buy a 200 locally, sell off the stock barrel and stock to recoup a little cash and then go the route savageboy suggested, a trigger, a Criterion barrel from Jim at Nothland http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,17351.0.html and a decent stock.

I've bought a few barrels, a couple actions and 2 stocks from Jim, he is great to deal with and very knowledgable, you might give him a call and run your ideas by him, he is very helpful.

As far as the bolt mods or using a "tactical" bolt I say don't bother. It doesn't do anything to improve the accuracy of the rifle and the actions are pretty good stock. It's a preference issue, not trying to step on anyones toes, just not worth it to me.

+1

 

[beak916]

If I had a 6br barrel off of a f class rifle I would assume it would be a large shank. Could I put that barrel of the above savage action or would I need to get another target action?

 

[artbosco]

I am fairly new to the long ranage game and figured I would come to the best in the long range game. I would like to do a budget build in either 6.5x47 Lapua or 308. The use will be for reaching out father than my CZ 550 varminter 22-250. I would like to be able to shoot 600-1000 yds. And I want to build as much as possible as a project. I am looking at either using a Stevens 200 action or a Howa 1500. Something about the 6.5x47 just intrigues the hell out of me. I am not new to the shooting sports as I have shot IPSC for many years. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Postpone the build.

Save up for a better action.

Your confidence level will go way up knowing that the heart of your rifle wasn't built on a shoestring.

Confidence at the bench, can make a big difference on paper, down range.

 

[H2OBUG]

I did 2 builds on the stevens 200 Action one was a 270 Win one a 7mm-08 the 270 I picked up here @ home for $179 new the 7mm-08 came from bud's for $250-- I used the fatory barrels on both--and they both shot very well for a factory tube--The triggers were bad real bad--I adjusted the hair pin spring and buffed the contact points and that helped but if you go with the 200 the Rifle Basics trigger will be a must-- I used the SSS bolts and single shot followers--them beded them on Boyds Ross thumbhole stocks.. I used leupold bases and rings--if you go LA you may want an extension front ring set. The 270 will shoot .4-.5" 5 shot groups @ 100 with the factory barrel with the first 3 almost always touching (I only tried 2 loads)-- the 7mm-08 shot just a bit better best results came from 140 Berger VLD's and Varget. My son still hunts with the 270 and loves it-- I sold the 7mm-08 and bought another Remington 700--JMHO great platform for a budget build--

 

[Hoier]

And for about $500 (depending on which one) a Savage Target action would be a great start for a budget build. Also a pre-fit from Northlander and a B&C Medalist you would have a hell of a rifle for about $1000. And you can run the B&C and just lose the center action screw (which I hear doesn't make to much of a difference) but if it really bothers you, you can epoxy in another pillar.

 

[Gman]

I am fairly new to the long ranage game and figured I would come to the best in the long range game. I would like to do a budget build in either 6.5x47 Lapua or 308. The use will be for reaching out father than my CZ 550 varminter 22-250. I would like to be able to shoot 600-1000 yds. And I want to build as much as possible as a project. I am looking at either using a Stevens 200 action or a Howa 1500. Something about the 6.5x47 just intrigues the hell out of me. I am not new to the shooting sports as I have shot IPSC for many years. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Postpone the build.

Save up for a better action.

Your confidence level will go way up knowing that the heart of your rifle wasn't built on a shoestring.

Confidence at the bench, can make a big difference on paper, down range.

I'll second this comment.

 

[1holeaddict]

Do it right the first time cuz it will cost more to build something and not be happy and then to rebuild it. Save up and start out with a better action as mentioned above. Look for a used Savage LRPV and slap a new barrel on it and ur golden.

 

[calib]

the savage/stevens is the way to go. especially if you want to do the work your self. there is a lot of info out there along with people that will help you out along the way with any aspect of your build. i built my first one as a 243 ai and shot my fist f class match with it and took 3rd place. the coolest thing to me was i built the gun that did soo well. the parts are very easy to find. i have a lot of confidence in my savage rifles. the whole rem, savage, who ever action thing is just like the ford, chev, dodge thing. up till now i have built 3 rifles(243ai 1:9 twist, 7stw and another 243 1:12 twist) both 243 ai's shoot half minute to 8-900 yards and the only reason not further is due to weather or range limitations. i am currently in the process of building two more rifles. one a 22-250 ai, and the other a 6-284. i can not wait to get them done and see what the guns i built will do. i plan to be able to shoot coyotes at long distance(700 and beyond) with the 6- 284.

good luck,
caleb