Need some help deciding on a new gun.

[KT]

All,
I'm currently deployed overseas and have been looking to purchase or have a rifle built for when I come home. I'm trying to figure out whether or not to buy a factory 40xb or have a custom built. I have been searching around for the last couple weeks on the forums and still have no ideal. I have about 10 rifles now but none of them are of really good quality. The only range out here goes out to 300 yards. So I mostly shoot paper for groups. However I would like to start shooting at longer ranges if I can find a rifle range out here in Virginia.
I'm looking to spend about 2500 bucks or so. I have looked at GAP rifles. But their a little high for me. I have also looked at Charley Robertson at Score High. He is more in my price range. Looking for a tactical style in either 6mmbr or 308. I reload all of my ammo as well.

If anyone can point out a builder that I missed or should I just go with the 40XB. thanks for the help
KT

 

[NateHaler]

I'm trying to figure out whether or not to buy a factory 40xb or have a custom built.

I vote no on the 40x. You can get much more for your money than just a reputation. I recommend you keep an eye on the classifieds of the various forums. This one, long-range.com, snipershide.com, and so on. Gently used stuff can be quite the bargain. Look for deals, instead of buying brand new.

Your question gets asked hundreds of times each year on various shooting boards. Use the search function to find rifle builders. Ideally, you'll find one in your area. Don't use some hack who sells you on BS. There's WAY too much of that, in this field, like many. ;D

 

[ridgeway]

With your budget...go custom. The 40x would be ok if you already had one to build off of, but would not buy a new one. You will get a better quality firearm going a custom route.

Check out kelblys...they have a tactical section on their website. Also, like mentioned above, keep an eye on the classifieds. You can find generous deals at times.

 

[Moderator]

While I love 6BRs (that's why I started this website), for a tactical application I'd recommend a mid-sized cartridge to improve mag feeding. Right now my first choice would be a 6.5x47, but there's also the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6XC.

Lots of guys like the .260 Rem, but you can come VERY close in ballistics with the 6.5x47 and not hav mag-length restrictions.

If you are thinking about F-Class shooting, go with the .308 and you can shoot F-TR.

 

[kjcpoint]

KT, First off thanks for the work and dedication over there!

Take a look at Stillar Precision. I think the predator action(700 footprint) is of excellent quality for the money. $700 to $900. You will need a trigger and bottom metal. Mcmillian makes a5,a4,a3 tactical stocks that will work perfect. Price range from $400 to $700. The stock will need to be bedded.
The 308 is an excellent choice and I would top that with a lilja 3 groove stainless barrel. $325. To have the gun chambered and bedded would cost about $300 to $400. In South Dakota anyway. Depending on when you come back home most of the custom stuff takes some time to get unless you find it used. In stock barrels can be picked up from lilja,krieger and others if you plan to order a stock. They will inlet the stock to match. Scope??

 

[KT]

Thanks for the advice. More questions now for you. If I were to order a action from one of these company's do I have it sent straight to the smith or can the smith get the action for me? The reason I ask is with me being over seas I can't really be home to take care of getting the parts to a gunsmith. I have about 6 months left over here so I have a while to go before I come home.

I'm just a little hesitant on buying a used gun. There is one gunsmith in my area and he builds a lot of rifles for the military. So he is very busy and it takes him a long time to finish guns. So something local really isn't a option.

thanks KT

 

[MarkS]

KT,

No to 40X Go custom. One thing to add, A used custom gun. You can find very good prices on used gun, that will take very little to set it up as you want. You will have a good action, trigger, stock and barrel. may just need to change cal and open up boltfaces. I have turned 2 PPC into 6BR.

Mark Schronce

 

[boogershooter]

KT, Mark King is a exellent Smith and a very nice person to deal with.He has put up with and helped me much. Who ever you use, try to give them advanced notice to get components together as it takes a while sometimes for the suppliers. Thanks for your tour,and good luck. Laurence Kaye.

 

[kjcpoint]

KT.
I have had a predator on order since the first week of november, ordered the barrel from lilja the same time and got it last week. It takes some time but you get what you want. I can help you if you chose?

thanks,
kyle

 

[NateHaler]

Buy this one. It's quite the deal for somebody, and WAY less expensive than buying new: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1644429#Post1644429

You need to register (free) on this forum. If you're not already a member, you might like the site. If you just want the ad details (.308, Stiller Predator, Rock barrel, Jewell trigger, etc.) then PM me. The asking price is $1,750 shipped. Built by Mickey Coleman, who's a prince and a scholar in my book.

 

[Rust]

KT - Just get home safe first.

Mickey Coleman is my smith, and his work is impeccable. Last time around he chambered up a couple of 6.5 X 284 barrels for me (like to have a spare or two on hand) and they ended up being within 0.0004" of each other as near as could be determined, and yeah that is the correct number of zeros, four ten thousandths.

Building a rifle from scratch I'd recomend one of the 700 clone custom actions, there are a bunch of makers out there. In most cases you can chose between field clearances or really tight target clearances, a solid bottom single shot action or a repeater cut action to suit your intended end use.

Barrels, well, take your pick. Check with Brunos out in Phoenix or Sinclairs to see what barrels they have in stock. Bartlein has been making some of the best lately but there are plenty of other good barrel makers out there too.

At longer ranges, BC of the bullet rules over pretty much everything else. A pretty decent compromise would be the 6.5 X 47 Lapua. With the 130 Bergers it should reach all the way to 1,000 pretty well and it's real accurate. A 1-9 twist barrel ought to stabilize the 130s, but the 142s (which I consider heavy for the case) would need a 1-8.5 or 1-8. Go with a minimum spec SAAMI chamber for your first barrel, you can decide on a tighter no turn chamber on your second barrel.

I like McMillan stocks but I tend to put all the extras on them which jacks up the price. Great stock. Another thing to consider would be one of the Eliseo aluminum kits, German Salazar wrote a really good article. Just starting off though, do a bolt in rather than a glue in so you can change your mind later on. The Borden action mentioned in the article is a fine piece too.

Best scope for the money is probably one of the Sightrons, great glass and I haven't heard of any failures although someone will likely chime in.

On the other hand, there isn't anything wrong with a used rifle from a top builder. And the price can be very attractive, especially if a few extras like dies come with it.