What to build?

[joshb]

Don't do the friend's idea, you're just giving him a sow's ear with some silk around it. You should show him the 257. Better elk cartridge.

 

[savagedasher]

Sounds like he hasn't shot much.
308 is all the gun he needs. It will do everything that's needed. It can be loaded down where he can pratice with low recoil . Shoots very accurate. Nothing spoiles a shooter more then recoil . That reason alone is why I say a 308 . Larry

 

[mikeinct]

My vote is for Something in 6.5MM that won't kick him senseless..But a Hunting gun & 1000 yd capable is a tall order...U Got me thinking buddy..mike in ct

 

[Fast14riot]

Don't discount 6.5x55 either, still widely available and quite capable.

 

[swd]

Trued up Rem 700, X Caliber barrel, pick the $500 or less stock that suits you, 6.5 Creed and a Nightforce SHV. Easy .5 MOA shooter. Excellent factory ammo. No problem for elk within a reasonable distance. Great for 1K steel/paper paper punching.

 

[JRS]

My bosses best friend asked me to build a rifle for him. He wants me to teach him long range shooting with it and wants to shoot pigs at long range. He also wants to deer hunt and possibly elk in the future. He doesn't load. And his budget is around $3000. Anyone want to help me come up with a plan?

Are you, building the gun? If not, add the cost for the gun smithing work to the cost for the components, plus shipping and applicable taxes. If your friend is going to rely on factory ammo only, why not choose a well built factory made rifle, capable of allowing him to do his thing?

 

[Iowa Fox]

These are all good ideas. Keep them coming. The budget has to include the scope or I would have sold him my 300wsm. I think finding ammo will be an issue. He is less enthusiastic than anyone on this forum but he has money and wants to spend it. He won't want to search for ammo and probably won't buy it online. A friend of mine recommended I just get a stock Remington in 308 and put a better scope and stock.

-I'm thinking of buying a ptg trued rem 700 action
-Pick a barrel and chamber in 308
-b&c stock or hs stock
-timney trigger or tuned x-mark
-vortex pst 6x24 Moa reticle
-20moa rail
-Burris sig zee rings with off set tuned for scope
-standard bdl bottom metal

I think setting him up with federal gmm 175s will be a good starting point and he will be able to buy ammo anywhere. This should get me close to $3000.

Consider the Burris XTR Signature rings for the Vortex with a standard rail. They are a heck of a set of rings and you can get 40 moa of offset with the inserts that come with the rings. I have seen the 30mm for $70 bucks plus a few bucks for shipping.

 

[hogpatrol]

My .02: Scotch the trued Remington and go with a Stiller or Pierce hunting action. Brux or Muller barrel #3 or #4 contour no longer than 24", H.S. Precision stock, Calvin Elite or Jewell trigger, Harrel's slotted brake. Caliber? Pick one in 6.5 or 7mm and practice with it, alot. You should come in under 3k with gunsmithing and a decent 20x max variable hunting scope.

 

[joshb]

A GAP 7wsm is on the sale board. Nice gun. Saves a lot of your time. Just mentioning. I'd dicker with it tho.

 

[gbp]

I would be thinking a 6, 6.5 or a 7mm.
great bullets to be had in any of those chambering's

257 not so much and don't need a 30cal for whatyou are trying to accomplish
jm$0.02

 

[JRS]

I would be thinking a 6, 6.5 or a 7mm.
great bullets to be had in any of those chambering's

257 not so much and don't need a 30cal for whatyou are trying to accomplish
jm$0.02

The selection of "great" 25 caliber bullets available is more than adequate

 

[Medium rare]

I told the guy the build time frame and he decided not to build a gun. He said something about a cooper rifle he is thinking about.

 

[CTK]

I told the guy the build time frame and he decided not to build a gun. He said something about a cooper rifle he is thinking about.

Cooper in 280 Rem, 7 Rem Mag or 280 AI. VX3i scope with side focus. 3k
Full custom with better scope would be over 4k

 

[Wingnut00]

264 win mag. Awesome round. Little tough on barrels

 

[fredo]

My bosses best friend asked me to build a rifle for him. He wants me to teach him long range shooting with it and wants to shoot pigs at long range. He also wants to deer hunt and possibly elk in the future. He doesn't load. And his budget is around $3000. Anyone want to help me come up with a plan?

How is your 300WSM rifle put together?

Has this fella had an opportunity to shoot your long range rifle?
If so, what is it that he liked/disliked about your rifle?
How did he manage recoil?
How well can he shoot, overall? Novice, marksman, or somewhere in between?
Is he a young dude? Older gentleman?

Rifles tend be a personal tool, so I'd be trying to tailor a custom build to his specific wants/needs over arbitrary internet opinions. Age, physical condition, experience, etc... all factor into the equation.

Based on literally zero personal info about the shooter, I'd default to a something like a 6.5Creedmore. Accurate, easy to shoot, good factory ammo selection to choose from and plenty of power to kill deer/pigs.

As for building a rifle, once you've got his specific wants/needs lined out, I'd sooner suggest surfing online classifieds for mildly used rifles. Guys that "have money and want to spend it" build rifles all the time, and seems like many lose favor/interest rather quickly. Before ya know it, that 'custom rifle' is for sale! Which of course, opens up a door for you to grab a really well built rifle at bargain pricing...

Good luck!

 

[Shynloco]

My bosses best friend asked me to build a rifle for him. He wants me to teach him long range shooting with it and wants to shoot pigs at long range. He also wants to deer hunt and possibly elk in the future. He doesn't load. And his budget is around $3000. Anyone want to help me come up with a plan?

Medium rare,
Its occurs to me your friend is asking a lot from one rifle. But perhaps I'm reading into what he means by "long range." What I mean is long range to me is 1K and for that I'd want the 260 caliber. But that caliber won't cut it for elk. And the $3,000 for a quality accurate, even blue printed Rem 700 action with a Kreiger and decent stock, can't include a good quality scope like a Nightforce for long distance. So something has got to give because unless someone is willing to build this baby for next to free, you'll probably need to rethink the quality of the parts and/or your friend might consider opening his wallet a bit wider. Just my .02 worth.

Alex

 

[fredo]

Considering budget with scope is $3K, he could get either of these and still have $$$ for a quality, dependable Nightforce scope on top.


Tikka T3 Tactical, .308Win, or .300Win Mag . Retail ~ $1,300.00

Savage 12 LRP 6.5Creed or .260 Retail ~$1,000.00

Remington 700P LTR . 308 or .300 Win Mag. Retail ~$1,000.00

In no particular order...