Need some help on rifle build stock and barrel selection

[Gone Ballistic]

I currently have a stainless Remington 700 BDL LA rifle with a shot out barrel that I want to build my last budget friendly rifle from. I have a TT trigger I'll be using as well. I am leaning towards a Hart barrel but, don't see many being used for long range shooting or hunting anymore other than in competitive shooting. I do see a lot of Proof, Bartlein and others and am wondering why Hart barrels don't seem to be used much anymore. I want to keep the barrel price under a thousand dollars and the stock under $700 and have been looking at the McMillan Grayboe line of stocks but am also open to suggestions from any of you that like a different brand that falls within my budget. I want to keep the stock under 3lbs with an adjustable cheek piece. I am building this rifle in a 7mmRemMag. and will be using it for hunting as well as target shooting. Don't bother suggesting other calibers as I am dead set on the 7mmRemMag. as my caliber choice for this particular build. I have enough brass, primers and powders for this caliber to last me for the rest of my shooting years. Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I think a hart barrel is perfect for hunting. Havent seen one used for benchrest in probably 15years

 

[Walt Krafft]

I have built a couple of hunting rifles using fluted Hart barrels. They look and preform great. Your budget looks adequate to go with any barrel you want. You may want to spend some time looking at what Stocky's has to offer.

 

[Spike A]

I will say I just got a Douglas barrel from @Stan Taylor and it was cheaper than that and I’ve put a few hundred rds through it now and it performs very well... I wanted a McMillan in the worst way when I built mine but I had to re use a b@c that I had to save up for a McMillan .. so i think your stock choice is on par... many choices from them

 

[Bc'z]

Keep your eyes peeled in the classifieds section of the forum.
I scored my McMillan edge fill there for $450.
I have a stock Remington LA CDL stock off my rifle, It needs sticky butt pad replaced and refinished. Cheaper alternative.

 

[INTJ]

If you want a budget build, you could use the B&C lightweight stock with the aluminum bedding block. These stocks work great and are under $300. Stocky's has a lot of options for Remingtons starting at around $200.

Then brand of barrel isn't that important. Most decent ones will be between $350-$500. Add another $300 to have a smith chamber and install it, and another $150ish for a bedding job. You could do the bedding yourself.

You implied this rifle will be used for long range hunting. A sporter weight rifle is not a great choice for a true long range hunting rig. However, a sporter weight rifle is great for deer and elk under 600 yds. Heavier weight is better for long range, lighter weight is better for carrying. Keep that in mind as you decide on the stock, barrel contour, and scope.

The 7 Mag, like many magnum hunting rounds, does not make for a very good target rifle. I would not recommend using up your limited barrel life by frequently shooting paper with it. A 7mm Rem Mag barrel will likely keep very good hunting accuracy for what, 1500 rounds max? That is a lifetime for a hunting rifle, but target shooting can eat that up in a hurry.

It might be better to dedicate the 7 Mag to hunting and maybe a little plinking for proficiency, and get a .223, 6.5 Creed, or .308 for targets.

 

[mauser284]

The problem with Hart barrels in a lot of calibers is barrel life. They have very shallow rifling I would put Shilen in this same category and I would not use either as my first choice for a magnum if I wanted decent life.

With the price your want to pay you can get a barrel from anyone. In a magnum like 7mm Rem Mag I would go with a Brux, Bartlin or Krieger. If you do not plan on doing a set back and rechamber down the road I would go chrom-molly steel and go nitride finish. You can do that and still come in under budget.

In terms of stocks they are so personal that you really need to give it a lot of thought and if you can try some of them. Your face wand hands will be kissing cousins with the stock unlike the barrel so that is were you really need to focus. Nothing makes or breaks a rifle like the stock if you intend to really use it and use it a lot! I feel so strongly about the stock that I normally make my own so I know they are exactly what I want!