Noob - 1st Repeater Build

[microcenter]

So I'm thinking about stripping an old (about 10 years old) Remington 700 to build a PRS style tack driver (that is the goal at least). The gun is a .22 250 Varmint Remington 700 BDL. A few years after I got the gun I swapped out the ADL with a BDL hinged mag, sent the bolt out to badger ordinance to have a large tactical bolt know installed and put a tactical Bell and Carlson Varmint stock on it. That is how the gun stands today and it still has a stock trigger. It was a great shooting gun and could easily shoot under .5" groups at 100 yds with handloads.

I'd like to take this to the next level and do something 6mm or 6.5mm and could use some advice. Obviously not knowing much about it I started down the route of "why can't I just do it in the 6mm BR chamber" and later learned about the magazine issues related to this approach.

So that left me thinking to go with either 6GT, 6 Creedmoor, or 6.5 Creedmoor. The goal is to have a PRS "style" rifle that is a tact driver.......current range limits me to 300yds (I'm in NY...) but plan on finding farm land to shoot out to 1000 yards after I get my loads developed (*important - I plan on reloading for this rifle). I'm fixated on it being to be able to shoot 1" groups at 300 yards as I know I'm able to do this off a bench with proper supports. Kind of an accuracy benchmark in my head after shooting a friends gun sometime ago and I was able to do this repeatedly. Want to be able to target/steel shoot out to 1000 yards and maybe more in the future.

So if I go down this route I'm leaning towards a pre-fit Criterion Remage barrel option (open to other advice but a starting point because I've heard good things and it seems that the average mechanically inclined person can do this installation and the head spacing). Again if there is a better option, I'm all ears. I'm sure it depends on the round I go with but not sure what the best barrel length would be for ultimate accuracy, and then muzzle brake or no muzzle brake? Then we get into barrel contour? Was leaning towards the MTU from northland shooter supply.

I was also thinking to go with trigger tech diamond option for accuracy. I'm not sure what the stock trigger pull weight is but it takes way too long for it to "break".

As far as stocks. I was thinking about going the chassis option. My understanding is that barrel contour fitment is less critical and most barrel contours should fit standard chassis? The budget option seems to be the KRG Bravo but then I was considering stepping it up and doing an MPA Comp or MDT system. Again would love to get advice on these options. Truth be told I've always liked the McMillan and Manners style precision stock but it seems that the chassis are more plug and play without advanced fitment milling and bedding? Or having to deal with DMB fitment as they come included with the chassis system.

So at the end of the day, Is trying to re-barrel and throw money at my Remington 700 a good use of money to get sub .5 MOA results? Thoughts or advice on chassis/stock options, chambers, triggers?

I've been kind of trying to copy things I see in posts like this one for ideas:

Sunday GunDay: New 6GT Cartridge Tested in 3 Tactical Rifles « Daily Bulletin

The New 6GT Cartridge for Precision Rifle Competition Report by Vu Pham Earlier this year I was ready to build a 6 Dasher when I saw a lot of buzz on the interwebs about a new caliber George Gardner (Owner of GA Precision) and Tom Jacobs (Owner of Vapor Trail Bullets) designed, the 6GT.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Or would I be better off buying a factory "semi custom" option in something like this.....and get on the line and just wait a few months to get it.

BadRock Precision Rifles South Fork - Firearms for tactical and target use.

BadRock Rifles are built for tactical and target use, the South Fork uses a precision bolt action, set into an aluminum chassis. Call us at 406-897-2776.

badrockrifles.com

Maybe there is no magic answer and it's my project and problem at the end of the day but any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciate it. I love to hear from people that have a lot more experience in the field than I do.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[One Eye Pete]

Retrofitting your Remington with a Criterion remage barrel and a triggerteck diamond trigger is going in the right direction. Definitely go with a stainless barrel. I really like the Triggerteck diamond two stage trigger. You are better off spending money on the trigger and barrel than the muzzle brake which to me doesn't do too much for accuracy unless you are shooting a hard recoiling caliber.
As far as the length of the barrel for what you are doing 26 in seems about right. For accuracy in target shooting use the heaviest barrel contour that will fit your stock. The MTU is a good choice if it fits your stock or if you can open up the barrel channel to accommodate it.
Chassis stocks are the rage and they "look cool" but a well bedded wood, fiberglass or composite with aluminum insert will shoot just as well. What is important is that the gun "fits you" and is comfortable when you shoot it.
As far as the cartridge in today's hard to find reloading component market I would go with the one that I could most readily get the components for. Probably a 6 or 6.5 creedmore. The 6.5 would give better barrel life. With a creedmore especially a 6.5 you could always shoot factory ammo if you can't get reloading components.
I assume you are going to reload. In this case once you decide on a cartridge then decide on the bullet you want to use. For longer ranges beyond 300 yards the heavier bullets generally work better. Once you pick a bullet go to the Berger bullets website and use the the twist rate calculator to see what twist rate to order the barrel in. If in doubt err on the fast twist rate side.
The other place to spend your money to get better accuracy is a quality scope.
With a Criterion barrel on a Rem action a Triggerteck trigger a well bedded stock and decent scope you should easily be able to get to 1 in at 300 yards with some tuning and practice. The main thing when you are starting out is to keep it simple concentrate on reloading and shooting skills.

 

[SweaterDood]

You will spend as much/more money to upgrade your 700 in most cases vs a “production class” custom. The Badrock is Defiance’s option, PPR from GA Precision, Masterpiece Arms has one, there are others too. If you can budget to custom, do it. Main reason is for the guaranteed headspace of a good custom action. You can order shouldered prefits ahead of time without waiting on a gunsmith to spin up a barrel with action in hand. Also the production class rifles will be correctly fitted and assembled to work properly without the need for special tuning. Though everything is “R700 footprint” it doesn’t always just screw together and play nicely.

All that being said, a good chambering job on a quality barrel on a Rem action will shoot to your desired accuracy, no problemo. Take a hard look at the KRG XRay over the Bravo, you get a hell of a lot more chassis for $50 extra. It’s also upgradeable to the same level as the Whiskey3 for less money.

In either case, get good rings, good mil/mil FFP glass (there are good budget options here too), and a good muzzle brake. TT diamond 2 stage is my preferred choice as well.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

My RemAge, Lefty Rem 700 SS short action with, a Criterion 24" Heavy Sporter SS Barrel, 1-7.5 Twist, is getting me One Hole, Groups in the 3's ( .4's on, a Bad Day ) 3 Loads so far, with, NO Bullet Tuning, yet !
I'm using, 80 grain Flat Base Varmints, 95 gr. Classic's and 108 gr. Elite Hunters, in barrel that's chambered in,
6 XC, W/ Norma Brass, Forster Dies, and CHEAP, E-Z peasy, Accuracy !
Timney 1 to 1.5 pound Trigger, Glass and pillar Bedded in H-S Precision Stock and Braked ( just under, 10 lbs ).
I lightly lapped the Lugs, Headspaced the Barrel on, a New Norma Case, using, a CrownRidge "Nut", and TIGHT on, the Go Gage !
The 6 XC, is easier on barrels than, the 6 Creed, Has less recoil than, the 6.5 Creed, IS extremely accurate with, MANY, 1,000 Yard Wins, by several Top shooters IF not, too Windy and has, very minimal Recoil with, NO muzzle "Jump" to, speak of ! The 6.5 Creed, would be, MY 2nd choice.
AND Yup, I'd buy another Criterion Barrel in,.. a New York, Minute !

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Another vote for the 6xc. You mentioned getting a BR, and correct on the difficulty of feeding. The 6xc is the next level. An accurate cartridge, not too much capacity.
Yes - a prefit is a way to go - but I would get the concentricity of the action threads looked at. Perhaps a local smith would give the action the once over and wind the barrel on, using his gauges? And while you are getting that sorted - fit a decent bolt stop. Best of luck.

 

[One Eye Pete]

The 6xc is a great cartridge but if you can't find the reloading components for it factory ammo for it is harder to find and I would guess more expensive than 6.5 Creedmore. I don't shoot either of these cartridges so I don't have any ax to grind. Actually if you are really in search of accuracy then go single shot. Instead of a magazine put a single shot follower in. I believe PTG makes them for a Remington. Then when you reload you aren't limited to magazine length.
When I started out I had a repeater. I built a 243 Ackley because I wanted VELOCITY. I did get velocity but I got something else I didn't plan on. I used it at a tactical match where I had to put 10 shots on target in one minute. It was in hot weather and when I finished the string I could have fried an egg on the barrel. When I boroscoped it later on I found out I had fire cracking in my nice Shillen select match barrel. That's what happens when you shoot a high capacity round fast from a magazine and get the barrel good and hot. For long range shooting use heavy (high BC) bullets and loading for accuracy trumps velocity.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Bruno's in Phoenix, Az.,. HAD, 6 XC Norma Brass, the last time, I looked !
IT comes in and, it goes out ! A few others, also carry, Norma Brass and well WORTH, the wait, IMO.
YES, it's Popular with,.. the Guys that, "Know",.. Accuracy, Repeater feeding and about, Barrel, LIFE !
I bought 200 Pieces to last, the Barrel out.

 

[Fast14riot]

The criterion barrels are nice, I've had 4 of them. I recommend a precision ground recoil lug, I also really like the Pac-Nut offered by PacNor instead of the standard savage style nut.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@ microcenter,..
Bruno's HAS,.. 6 XC Norma Brass @ $ 109.00 per 100 , IN stock, with, FREE,. Shipping,.. HURRY !

 

[SweaterDood]

The criterion barrels are nice, I've had 4 of them. I recommend a precision ground recoil lug, I also really like the Pac-Nut offered by PacNor instead of the standard savage style nut.

Bighorn has a cool barrel nut as well.