gdcpony
Member
So I have been deliberating several different ways to round out and mutate my caliber selections for three rifles I have. I hate having the same gun as the next guy, but full custom jobs are not in my price reach. So I needed to find some what economical builds that fill certain niches in my collection. Please, note that I want to meet certain goals in my plans. I know that meeting them is not going to be easy, but if it was I wouldn't be doing it.
First, I have broken 51 bones including both collarbones, and right shoulder blade. Recoil is NOT my friend. Anything that kicks say like a 12ga or 30-06, I will shoot them, but not for long or without consequences. Heavy guns and light kicking rounds are how I deal with the issue.
Second, is that I do like speed in my bullets. I am usually set on around 3000fps. I adjust my bullet weight and loads for that or better. I understand it is not required for killing power or any other purpose, but I am stuck on the idea.
Third, each rifle must fill a gap. Since I have a .224 (.223Rem-my only common preference) and plan to max at .284 (7x57) it leaves not much room to spread three rifles into. Oh and do this without an "overbore" like my .243 or "underbore" cartridge like my .308 (IMHO).
I do reload and have played with the idea of using "Improved" cartridges, but the cost dissuades me for now. That might change by the time I get these rifles done though.
So I finally settled on these rounds to build in; .257Roberts, 260Remington, 7x57 Mauser. I figure it includes my two favorite rounds and a long range secret of a friend of mine. Now, to match them to their future homes.
The first rifle to be torn apart and rebuilt will be done at the end of this deer season. I love the AR platform so it was a no brainer to rush out and pick up an LR-308 last December 15th at 9am. Problem is it was a base model with a 16" barrel in my most hated round the .308. Despite that I found the recoil light and it has proven accurate enough for 300-400yd shots on varmints.
This one will be receiving a stainless .750 dia 24" barrel reamed to fit the .257Roberts round. A JP 15" hand guard will shroud it and the Wilson Combat adjustable gas bock. While it might not go on right away a Magpul Stock and JP muzzle brake as well. Its role will be as a 300-500+ varmint/deer slayer. It should be capable of firing a 100gr SGK at about 3000fps. This meets my goal of a bettering the .243Win without any real recoil increase.
Another rifle on the chopping block is actually a 98 Mauser that was sporterized in the 50's by Johnson Automatics into 257Roberts. It has no collector value so I am not tearing apart a rare much desired item. Right now with a 25" barrel it will throw the SGK's at 3200fps to sub MOA groups. 60gr pills fly ungodly fast, but don't group as well after 200yds. It won't be touched until I have worn the barrel out, but it will be mutated.
This rifle already wears a Boyds thumhole stock, but I will bed it properly in Devcon. The receiver sight I won a few matches with has been replaced by a scope now that I don't compete any longer. I will mount a 26" varmint contour in 7x57 after having the old action reworked to true it up a bit better. A good trigger is already on it so the barrel is the only major item being redone here. I plan to play with bullets to get my magic 3000fps, but I can push this round well beyond the ultra safe standard. This will be my "big gun" for any out west hunting or just wanting to make sure I have enough umph to put a mulie on the ground.
Recently I acquired a Savage in .243 that right now my kids are using as a deer rifle. It is a low end rifle with the Accutrigger so I will be looking to see what it can do after the season. Right now they are using it at 200yds or so to anchor deer. It shoots almost MOA, so that needs work. The stock is so flimsy that even my youngest flexes it, so another item to replace.
This will be a barrel and stock replacement once we throw more of my 85gr pills out of it. Boyds is my go to for stocks and I have had four excellent recommendations for McGowen for economical yet accurate barrels. I will be sourcing them for a replacement barrel in .260Remington. If finances are more flexible in the year I do this rifle (it will take a couple years to wear out the current tube under current use rates), I might go with a Shillen on it in a heavy sporter contour. The ballistics seem awesome for these long little pills, and if I can find a 120gr GK type bullets, some varmints may find themselves dead from across a 600yd field.
My .223 AR will only be having the muzzle threaded for a JP muzzle break and an adjustable gas block added under a rifle length free float tube (should look good over the 16" bull). That will all be done relatively soon.
There. Just voicing plans that I know will probably change. However, this way I can gather yet more input BEFORE I start tearing things apart. So aside from trying to sell me on how great a .308 (yes, it is good, but not all it is put up as many times) is, offer up anything you have.
First, I have broken 51 bones including both collarbones, and right shoulder blade. Recoil is NOT my friend. Anything that kicks say like a 12ga or 30-06, I will shoot them, but not for long or without consequences. Heavy guns and light kicking rounds are how I deal with the issue.
Second, is that I do like speed in my bullets. I am usually set on around 3000fps. I adjust my bullet weight and loads for that or better. I understand it is not required for killing power or any other purpose, but I am stuck on the idea.
Third, each rifle must fill a gap. Since I have a .224 (.223Rem-my only common preference) and plan to max at .284 (7x57) it leaves not much room to spread three rifles into. Oh and do this without an "overbore" like my .243 or "underbore" cartridge like my .308 (IMHO).
I do reload and have played with the idea of using "Improved" cartridges, but the cost dissuades me for now. That might change by the time I get these rifles done though.
So I finally settled on these rounds to build in; .257Roberts, 260Remington, 7x57 Mauser. I figure it includes my two favorite rounds and a long range secret of a friend of mine. Now, to match them to their future homes.
The first rifle to be torn apart and rebuilt will be done at the end of this deer season. I love the AR platform so it was a no brainer to rush out and pick up an LR-308 last December 15th at 9am. Problem is it was a base model with a 16" barrel in my most hated round the .308. Despite that I found the recoil light and it has proven accurate enough for 300-400yd shots on varmints.
This one will be receiving a stainless .750 dia 24" barrel reamed to fit the .257Roberts round. A JP 15" hand guard will shroud it and the Wilson Combat adjustable gas bock. While it might not go on right away a Magpul Stock and JP muzzle brake as well. Its role will be as a 300-500+ varmint/deer slayer. It should be capable of firing a 100gr SGK at about 3000fps. This meets my goal of a bettering the .243Win without any real recoil increase.
Another rifle on the chopping block is actually a 98 Mauser that was sporterized in the 50's by Johnson Automatics into 257Roberts. It has no collector value so I am not tearing apart a rare much desired item. Right now with a 25" barrel it will throw the SGK's at 3200fps to sub MOA groups. 60gr pills fly ungodly fast, but don't group as well after 200yds. It won't be touched until I have worn the barrel out, but it will be mutated.
This rifle already wears a Boyds thumhole stock, but I will bed it properly in Devcon. The receiver sight I won a few matches with has been replaced by a scope now that I don't compete any longer. I will mount a 26" varmint contour in 7x57 after having the old action reworked to true it up a bit better. A good trigger is already on it so the barrel is the only major item being redone here. I plan to play with bullets to get my magic 3000fps, but I can push this round well beyond the ultra safe standard. This will be my "big gun" for any out west hunting or just wanting to make sure I have enough umph to put a mulie on the ground.
Recently I acquired a Savage in .243 that right now my kids are using as a deer rifle. It is a low end rifle with the Accutrigger so I will be looking to see what it can do after the season. Right now they are using it at 200yds or so to anchor deer. It shoots almost MOA, so that needs work. The stock is so flimsy that even my youngest flexes it, so another item to replace.
This will be a barrel and stock replacement once we throw more of my 85gr pills out of it. Boyds is my go to for stocks and I have had four excellent recommendations for McGowen for economical yet accurate barrels. I will be sourcing them for a replacement barrel in .260Remington. If finances are more flexible in the year I do this rifle (it will take a couple years to wear out the current tube under current use rates), I might go with a Shillen on it in a heavy sporter contour. The ballistics seem awesome for these long little pills, and if I can find a 120gr GK type bullets, some varmints may find themselves dead from across a 600yd field.
My .223 AR will only be having the muzzle threaded for a JP muzzle break and an adjustable gas block added under a rifle length free float tube (should look good over the 16" bull). That will all be done relatively soon.
There. Just voicing plans that I know will probably change. However, this way I can gather yet more input BEFORE I start tearing things apart. So aside from trying to sell me on how great a .308 (yes, it is good, but not all it is put up as many times) is, offer up anything you have.
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