help me on a (semi) custom rifle build

[nra-for-life]

Hi everyone.

I am considering taking on a basic gunsmithing project and i would like your thoughts and opinions...

My idea is to take my Remington (700 sps in .243) and re-barrel it with a prefit criterion in 6mmbr. then bed the action into a bell and carslon fiberglass stock and put a jewel trigger on it. i would probably do some other basic improvements such as lap the bolt lugz, etc etc.

I had considered starting with a savage target action but since i already have the Remington i will likely just go with that. also the sheer amount of aftermarket parts available for the Remington 700 makes it an appealing choice.

I spoke with the criterion dealer (Jim Briggs at Northland shooters supply) who explained to me the basic procedure to install the barrel. seems pretty straightforward, i will need to buy about $200 dollars worth of tools.

the price for the barrel and tools is around $450
the stock would be around $300
the trigger around $225
I probably would have a few hundred dollars in some misc. stuff. all in all i figure id be in this a little bit over $1000 which makes this very economical.

any thoughts on this. what type of groups do you think i might be able to produce with developed handloads? I am kind of hoping to be able to produce a gun that will shoot quarter minute if i do my part...is this expecting too much? has anyone done a similar build???? give me your thoughts please on what you think, what you have done and or what you would do differently.

 

[MrMajestic]

1/4 MOA consistently is a pretty high goal! I think 1/2 MOA is probably more realistic. I have a Criterion on a Savage 12 and I shot some low 3's but 5's are an honest average. There is nothing wrong with your components but rarely do you see them in the winner's circle. I like your spirit and wish you success in your build. Keep us posted with it.

 

[nra-for-life]

hmmmm....i'm able to average just a hair over 3/4" with it right now as is in 243. (32.3 gr h322 and 70 gr smk's.) id be pretty disappointed to throw a grand at it and only get it a quarter better....sadly this may just be the reality of it though. the other aspect is that id like to do the build for fun and to learn.

1/4 MOA consistently is a pretty high goal! I think 1/2 MOA is probably more realistic. I have a Criterion on a Savage 12 and I shot some low 3's but 5's are an honest average. There is nothing wrong with your components but rarely do you see them in the winner's circle. I like your spirit and wish you success in your build. Keep us posted with it.

Isn't the winners circle usually shooting tighter groups than a .25? i don't shoot competitions. Thanks I will defiantly post the results of whatever i decide to do.

 

[MrMajestic]

Isn't the winners circle usually shooting tighter groups than a .25? i don't shoot competitions.

Wouldn't say usually. Perhaps some short range Benchrest however F Class X-ring is 1/2 MOA and am not aware of anybody that ran a perfect target. There have been some impressive 1000 yd. bench targets but they are not typical. I think any gun that shoots consistent 1/4 MOA would be a "Hummer" in anyone's book.