Looking at a custom build, opinions?

[EchoM70]

I have a Savage 300 WSM that I have actually posted about on here. Anyways I've been looking at improving it in different ways and now think I have decided to go the whole 9 yards and really make a custom rifle I'll be proud of owning and keep for life. Here's the specs on what I'm planning.

Build specs:

Shilen select match 300 WSM, savage drop magnum contour drop in.

Sharp shooter supply timing/truing job with comp recoil lug.

Mcmillan Sporter stock.

Rifle already sports a good aftermarket trigger.



What you guys think? anything else I should be considering?

My goal with this rifle is to build something of quality that will accompany me for the rest of my life and of course it has to be a very accurate platform.

 

[jbj]

I think you're off to a good start. You might think about getting a chassis stock from Manners. Having SSS do the work on your action is a good plan, but be aware that they can take a long time.

And don't skimp on the glass

 

[CB900F]

EchoM70;

Sorry, I'm going to be a wet blanket here. By all means, keep the Savage as a hunting gun. However, you're stating you want a lifetime gun. So, start with an action where the bolt fills the reciever & doesn't let "stuff" fall into the magazine well. An action where the bolt head isn't an interchangeable item, but is an integral part of the bolt assembly. An action that the barrel screws into rather than attaches to with a separate nut. Do some research on current production customs by guild gunsmiths & ignore the engraving, intricate woodwork, and OMG custom machine work. I doubt you'll find too many using current producton Savage bolt actions. In other words, if you want lifetime, start with solid.

900F

 

[NELSONs02]

Keep the Savage as is and order a full custom the way you want.

A carbon steel action with an extractor you can pop out with your finger will not suite you well for the rest of your life.

You could get into a GAP Non-Typical with a McMillan for around 3500 and be done with it.

 

[EchoM70]

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate the input. Guess I need to reconsider what I want and what I need and really look on how I should accomplish that.

It's going to extend my $1200 budget for the build. So it won't be this year or maybe not even the next, that's the only downside.


So if I extend the budget to $4000 for just the rifle...., what am I looking at?

 

[CB900F]

EchoM70;

This is a situation where it really pays dividends to go slow & think it through first. The first thing you decide on is the action, which I presume will remain a bolt. Look around, see what's available at what price. You might find a nice Santa Barbara for a couple of hundred at an LGS or with a smith you've developed a relationship with. You might find a donor rifle with splinters instead of a stock, and a shot-out barrel at a garage sale, who knows? Just don't get in a hurry, and it sounds as though your not going to be.

Also do some research on the gunsmiths in your area & who has a specialty in what. There are wood guys and there are metal guys. Start to develop a relationship with the guy you want to do the work if you can. Get a good general idea of what you want at what budget point before you enter in to areas that there's no backing out of without taking a large loss.

900F

 

[ironworkerwill]

Cooper

 

[jbj]

$4000 will get you there. 1200-1400 for the action, 400-500 for a barrel custom chambered and headspaced, 700-900 for a stock, and then your builders time for truing, bedding and all the other stuff that pops up (including you changing your mind).

If it was me, for a full custom, I'd get a Bighorn action and put it into a Manners with a chassis or McMillan of the style I'd want.

Parts shop carefully and send the stuff to the builder of your choice. With the Bighorn's floating bolt head, you can switch barrel between calibers and cartridge classes easily ( if you want to do that type of build).

GAP are great. I've never heard anyone not love a Beanland. And the new hot guy on Snipershide is Chad at LRI; My buddy has several of his builds and the workmanship, and results are impressive to say the least (quick turnaround time as well).

Conversely, you can buy a really nice, used custom build with most of the features you like to try out for 1800-2500. A lot of guys are addicted to building. They commission a gun, run less than 100 rounds thru it, the sell it to do another. Try before you buy

 

[nastynatesfish]

I'd keep that savage and build what you want. I've never had issue one with a savage build and I've done 6 now total from 308 Norma mag to a 7-08 I just did. The savage avtionas are great to build on, the bolt is fine to work with, accuracy can be high as any. You don't have to get a loan to do an accurate build. I trust savage and Stevens just as much as Remington. There's people say the acid receiver is stiffer than a 700. You'll get everybody's preference on rifles to use. If you want to use what you have, do it. You wanna spend money? Get a stolle, or bighorn or one of the numberous actions. You'll still end up with a rifle to shoot. I wouldn't drag a firearm I spent 5k on through what I do. I'd rather have a rest shooting TOOL than an expensive ornament

 

[nastynatesfish]

Savage on top remy on bottom

Remington

Savage

Ruger

Mauser