Please help me make the right choices

[magic mike]

OK folks, this will be my first post since introducing myself a few days back so here goes.

I have no doubt that this very topic has been covered many times on this forum but I am going to forge ahead anyway. My goal is to have Don (Stick) Starks at S&S build me a 6br target rifle in the near future. I am currently dealing with my Remington 700P for which I have purchased a new Brux SS 10 twist 0.300" barrel. I am taking that gun up to Stick in the next week or so to let him do his thing to the action and install the barrel. While I am there I want to be able to have a meaningful conversation with him about building the 6br so to that end I am looking for some input from you all as regards actions and stocks. I am not a competition shooter (yet) but I want a gun that would be able to hold its own providing I do my part. My budget will be somewhere in the $2,500 range for the rifle less optics. So, my question is, do I try and round up a stock and an action from the vendor or vendors of my choice and possibly end up on a waiting list for who knows how long, or do I buy something used from someone that has the action and stock I would like and have Stick replace the barrel (if required) and do whatever else he deems necessary?

I would like to hear your thoughts about stocks and actions. I am leaning toward Stiller, Borden or Bat actions but I am open to others. Everybody seems to have some sort of stock that allows for using a Remington style action so maybe a better question about stocks would be which ones to stay away from.

So here I sit, mouth shut with eyes and ears open so fire away.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[BoydAllen]

Stick knows all of the answers to any questions that you might have. He worked with Speedy Gonzalez for a number of years, doing work at the top level of accuracy gunsmithing, and has continued in his current enterprise. You are in good hands, just ask him any question that you might have, and if you want to discuss this further, you can PM me with specifics.
Boyd

 

[jonbearman]

If it were me I would look on benchrestcentral and get a used rifle with everything you need to start including a custom receiver and just plan on rebarreling. I cant think of the link to the list which is in new jersey and he has a ton of good used stuff to build on that way you will save a lot of money. Try shooters corner, he has a long list of complete guns and some are righteously priced.

 

[dkhunt14]

I don't believe you will build a BAT or custom action for 2500. I would build on an 8 twist for the big bullets. That way you can reach out there. I would look for a stock with a 3 inch flat on the front. The best thing you can do is talk to your gunsmith and tell what you want. He knows what it costs. I would also make sure you put a brake on. I would also go with a 1.250 for 5 inches tapering to .900 or so barrel for accuracy. Matt

 

[4xforfun]

What , exactly are you going to do with the gun?

Is 6 BR your best choice?

I really, REALLY like the idea of a used CUSTOM. Find one with a custom action......I like either BAT or, if I am in a pinch, a BAT. Or a BAT!!

I think decent bench equipment (bags and rests) is a big deal. Also, loading stuff, like scales and dies. Don't skimp. Measuring tools.......buy the GOOD stuff.....do not skimp.

Also, I would make the barrel longer than 0.300" !!! ;D

Good luck, and keep in touch!

Tod

 

[Ledd Slinger]

If wanting all new parts. Brux or Krieger are good choices for top quality cut rifle barrels. Obermeyer barrels are pretty good too. For an action that will save you some money, maybe talk to Jerry Stiller about his P-1000 action. Can get it in dual port and it's no slouch in making a very accurate rifle. For the Price of a P-1000 action, you can get a nice barrel with it too and still be under the cost of a top end BAT action by itself. Most BAT actions are gonna run you around $1250-$1400 new. I think the P-1000 was going for around $900-$950 last time I checked (couple years ago). So $950 for the action plus $350 for a nice contoured barrel blank and you are right in the $1300 range. Add $200 for a Jewell trigger, that's $1500. Then that leaves you with $1K to get a good stock, bottom metal, and plenty extra to put towards gunsmithing. Just a thought.

 

[GeorgeSpringer]

Mike,

I have one rifle that Speedy/Stick built and two that Stick did from components I supplied. He normally has Stiller actions in stock but he can get anything you want. Being cheap I went the used rifle route and picked up a Panda in 6 PPC that I had re-barreled with a 1:8 twist 6mm barrel to 6 BR. Stick has a 6BR reamer with .115 freebore which is just right for 105-108 bullets. I agree with the comment that buying a used rifle and re-barreling is much less expensive than buying components having one built. It is generally less time involved as well. I would peruse the forum sites like this one or Benchrest Central and look for a rifle, If you find a 6PPC that is priced right buy it and have Stick open the bolt face for the 6BR when you re-barrel. If you have patience you could wait for the swap meet at Shilen Barrels in Ennis at the end of February. There are always deals to be had from those selling off equipment. I picked up a Panda in 6.5x284 there for very little money. Check the Shilen website for the date and be there early if you choose that route.

George Springer
Denton, TX

 

[BoydAllen]

There are quite a few PPCs that have been built on a so called universal bolt face, using actions that will extract PPCs on a .308 bolt face. Buying one of those would save you the cost of having it opened up. You just need to know to ask about that when inquiring about the rifle. Pandas and Vipers are done that way. There may be others. Also, right bolt, right port actions tend to sell for less than right lefts, and the same can be said for actions that were made before trigger brackets were offered in that model. The same can be said of flat bolt faces. I have found that the only time that a flat bolt and breech are an issue is when chambering an empty case. There is no issue with a loaded round, at least in my experience. Recently a friend picked up a used rifle that I was experienced with. It was built on an old style Shilen DGA action, with a Six thumbhole benchrest stock, a Hart trigger, and a cut rifled barrel of unknown make. When he got his act together on tune and how it wanted to be shot, he shot a five shot .191 with it, on a good day, at 100 yds. The action is glued in the stock, with trigger pin holes in the stock that allow the trigger to be dropped out the bottom if needed. The trigger is as good as any that I have ever felt, and I have tried a lot of different triggers. LIke some others have said, your budget is a little light for an all new components rifle using the best of everything, and used rifles can be a real value. Take a look under the complete rifles heading on the left side of the home page on Benchrest Central, and click on Shooters Corner. Bob White has a great reputation for his honesty in dealings.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

If you don't mind used, then I agree with other posts as well. If you can find a good price on a used rifle, then that's probably the way to go.

FYI

Jim Richards shot the new World Record 1000 yard 10 shot group in a sanctioned Benchrest competition last year in Missoula, MT with a USED rifle he purchase from Tim Claunch Group measured 2.6872".

 

[normmatzen]

I would buy a Savage off-the-Shelf bench rest gun in 6BR. You will have a very serviceable rifle that will shoot better than you can for some time. When the barrel is shot out, buy a good quality barrel, chambered with YOUR reamer by a well known smith and maybe even have some timing and truing done on the action and you will be able then to shoot competitively with ANYONE!

 

[butchlambert]

I don't believe he has indicated which discipline that he will shoot. Can't give him a good answer without that.

 

[Sniper338]

Pm sent...

 

[GSPV]

There is a PacNor 6mm/1:8 HV blank in the classifieds for $275 right now. Pick up Remington clone action (Stiller Predator, Borden, Alpine, Kelbly Atlas., etc) Lots of stocks available for that footprint. Less pricey than for some of the custom footprints. Put in a Jewel.

Have it chambered in a no turn 6 BR chamber with enough free bore for the 105-ish long-heavies.

Then, spend time putting a lot of bullets on paper in the wind.

When you figure out what discipline you want to shoot, you can sell it without losing your shirt.

 

[magic mike]

Thank all of you for your input. I really appreciate it. My intent is to shoot some local matches out to 500 yards or so. I think the used gun approach is a good idea and a great way to end up with a custom action, trigger and a good stock. I am certain there is not much that Stick couldn't get set straight for me. My reason for this post was to see what you fellas had to say so that when I get with Stick I can toss out some ideas and let him point me in the right direction. After owning a guitar manufacturing company for twelve years I have no problem doing any kind of stock finishing work. I can't help myself with the metal finishing work though as I don't have the equipment anymore to do it not to mention the fixturing etc. At this point in my life it's a little late to start over again. I am most happy these days to let someone else do it and then just enjoy what they did for me.

Mike

 

[Judd]

You are in good hands with Stick and company...Only advice I have is go with a custom action. No matter how much you do to a Rem 700 at the end of the day you still have a Rem 700. You lose your donkey on the machine/smith work to get a Rem 700 to where it needs to be to be competitive. Not saying it won't work because it will but what I am saying is by the time you spend the money for to true up a Rem 700 you are not that far off custom price and when it comes time to sell it you have a Rem 700.

Good luck and I'm sure I'll see you at some of the clay matches this year. Be careful, it's addicting.

 

[magic mike]

Thanks for the insight Judd. I agree totally. I'm going to go ahead and let Stick do his thing to my 700P because it's what I have but going forward I definitely want a custom action on the next build. I am not one to get hung up on brand names and the costs associated with them. If there is something out there that works as well or better that is not mainstream I have no problem using it. It just needs to work.

Mike