New rifle build itch

[LoonWulf]

I’m all in favor!!!

+1

 

[WisBorn]

I think the 6 creedmoor is a great choice for your build!
Can't wait to see it finished!!!
+2

 

[lightman]

Yep. Getting that itch again. I'm thinking I'm gonna have to scratch it, too. Maybe piecemeal this time, though.

Here's the Itch:
I am 65 and semi-retired and will go into full retirement mode when I no longer wish to work or am no longer able to work. (Whichever comes first.) Rather than go whole hog and have a new full custom rifle built, I have been considering some "renovation" work on an old (but very dear) friend.
My old Remington 788 carbine in .308 Winchester was bought new, including a box of WW Super X 180 grain Silvertips, at a gun show in 1982 for the princely sum of $112. I haven't fired the old 788 in probably 10 yeas and it sits in the back of the safe gathering dust. I have nobody that has any interest in it to pass it on to when I am done with it and I have been battling a hankering for a 6.5x47 Lapua for High Power Silhouette matches. The old 788 already has a Timney trigger and the bolt face and action length are fine for the 6.5x47. I have had excellent examples of McGowan barrels in the past, so will probably settle for a chrome moly steel one, 26" long, with a light Palma contour and a 11 degree target crown. For a stock, the Boyd's Lightweight Prairie Hunter and Classic are both very acceptable in a 25% figured Claro Walnut. I would pillar and glass bed it, of course.

So, am I crazy or what?

If you have the funds, and from reading your post it sounds like you do, I would say follow your heart.

I kind of in the same boat as you except that I'm slightly younger and I have MS. I don't know how much longer that I will be able to get around well enough to hunt. But I guess none of us really do, do we?

30 something years ago I did a lightweight 308 build on a 700 action. Back then I could walk and stalk. Now that I can't walk for miles and miles I'm thinking about rebarreling it with a short varmint barrel. Something like the short Remington Tactical rifles. I'll probably restock it and may even add a Nightforce 2.5-10 Scope.

 

[Poper]

Further thought and discussion has modified my choices a little bit. Influence of the THR folks has been a distinct advantage, too.
The re-build itch for the old Remington 788 is going to move forward. Definitely going to set it up for High Power Rifle Silhouette and a take-it-to-the-range-and-shoot-tiny-groups gun.
I have decided to leave the hunting use out of this build all together because I have my Tikkas for that. My .270 Tikka T3 Lite has killed multiple big racked bucks. My .30-06 Tikka T3 Hunter has filled the freezer many times and my 6.5x55 Tikka T3 Hunter has killed several deer, too. Additionally, there is the Browning A-Bolt Hunter in .300 WSM whenever an elk tag shows up in the mail. So I believe the hunting aspect of my rifle selection is well filled.
Therefore, I have filled out a pdf order form for the chrome-moly ER Shaw barrel in 6x47 Lapua, 1:7 twist, 26" long, light varmint contour and recessed target crown. I'm going to sit on it for a while before I send the order in and just let it simmer on low.

The Boyd's At-One stock is running in first place for stock selection. I put one on my son's .30-06 Remington 783 and he loves it.
Still, the Prairie Hunter in a Claro Walnut would be pretty sweet, too!

 

[herrwalther]

So, am I crazy or what?

We all are. But when the inmates run the asylum, crazy is relative.

 

[horsemen61]

Still, the Prairie Hunter in a Claro Walnut would be pretty sweet, too!

that’s what I would do!

 

[MarshallDodge]

I had an At-One stock on my 6x47L before I put on the KRG Bravo. While I really like the At-One, it just didn't feel right during recoil. It ended up on a 223 build and it is perfect there. My wife enjoys shooting it and I can adjust the length of pull in 5 seconds.

There is a Pro Varmint on my other rifle and I like it. It would be nice if I could get the adjustability of the At-One integrated into the Pro Varmint.

Does the 788 use a similar bottom metal as the 700? I put the Magpul bottom metal in mine, which is now a factory option, and it's a huge improvement.

 

[Poper]

Does the 788 use a similar bottom metal as the 700?

No, it does not. The 788 has a stamped & blued sheet metal bottom piece and trigger guard with a blued, 3 round, metal, detachable box magazine.