The finished product

[P.B.Walsh]

My rifle is now done, with all of the help I get from ya'll.



Remington 700 Varmit, .308
26"x.750" barrel (might cut down to 16.5")
Harris 6"-9" swivel bipod
Leupold MkIV 2 peice bases
Burris XTR 1' Low rings
Leupold VX-II 1-4x20mm with a duplex reticle
Krylon paint

Thanks,
P.B.Walsh

 

[bpl]

Why such a low powered scope for a long range rig such as that?

 

[Uncle Mike]

What's up with those scope rings, P.B.?

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Why such a low powered scope for a long range rig such as that?

Because for what I do, it's far more useful than a higher power scope. I usually do not hunt at longer than 100 yards.

Besides, if I can learn how to shoot accurately at 1-4 power, i'll be that much better at higher powers!

And I am probally going to build a modern 1903 for longer range (kinda backwards huh).

What's up with those scope rings, P.B.?

What about them?

Thanks,
P.B.Walsh

 

[Ratdog68]

Nice...

a nice down to business lookin' rig. Congrats... now, go enjoy it and post up the target pix.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Thanks, hopefully I can go shoot it this weekend!! I can't wait!

 

[Uncle Mike]

Did you use 'extended' bases?

It looks really good, did you do the paint?

 

[P.B.Walsh]

No, regular MIV bases, painted it myself.

 

[Abel]

Have you got a real picture?

I have a 308 with a 4x20mm scope, but my rifle is a 788 carbine. The heavy contour barrel looks weird with such a small scope. Why did you pick this rifle for such close shots? Bipod? I am confused.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Sorry for the other picture Abel, I fixed it now.

Scope is for reasons stated above, bipod is for stability in prone (this is how I usually hunt).

Yea, it might look wierd, but it is purpose made.

 

[Rokman]

If that is all the power (1x4 scope) that you want, then more power to ya. Nice rig.

 

[Abel]

If it works for you, that's all that matters.

 

[juk]

I find myself liking it. At least you knew what YOU wanted and built it to that. I will say that when I am deer hunting I keep my scope toned down to 3x or 4x even though it is a 3-9. Not many deer woods in Alabama that offer 150+ yard shots or the need for anything above 4x. I think that would be a serious close quarters deer rifle if you did lop the barrel down.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Thanks, juk, you know what it's like!!

The only place for 100+ yards is on a 400 yard powerline that I barely hunt on.

 

[juk]

I hear ya. A kill shot to a deer shouldn't be a problem even with the 4x at that range. I'm a member of a range up here that has target stands every 50 yards to 350. If you want to see what you can do that far, shoot me a PM and I'll take ya out there.

 

[Al Thompson]

I've shot some darn small groups with a fixed 2.5x scope. I'm a big fan of the lower powered scopes as (IMHO) they tend to be less expensive and good for about 95% of the shots we southrons get at deer.

P.B., buddy of mine cut his 700V down to 20 inches. Worked like a charm - long enough to keep the muzzle blast down, short enough to be very handy, heavy enough to be steady.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Yea, I'll just have to deside on the barrel length, it's only 10.2 pounds right now but it's really muzzle heavy so it feels heavier, hopefully the barrel cut will make it nice and balanced.

 

[Dr T]

It looks like a very nice, purpose built rifle. It is the quality of the optics, not the power of the scope that really matters.

I suspect that your decision on barrel length will ultimately be driven by the balance of the rifle. I have a Ruger Frontier .308 with the 16.5" barrel, and with the sporting contour barrel and the forward mounted scope, it handles nicely in brush. The muzzle blast is not bad (certainly less than my 30-06 with a 20" barrel--but that is will a very hot load).

With your heavy barrel, I suspect if you shorten the barrel that it will balance about like my Ruger. And it will be a bit lighter to lug around while you are getting to your hide.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Range report

I went out today and sighted my rifle in with some Wolf 150 grain FMJ rounds to get on paper, but did best with Remington 150 grain Core-Loks, Federal 180 grain SP was good, except for the fact of me pulling a flyer. (Yes, I know 5 shots are the standard on here, but I don't have that kind of money to be able to do so, any donations are gratefully accepted).



Smallest group was .942 CTC with the Remington rounds



I am pretty happy with the rifle, considering my low skill level, now once I cut it down, it'll be a nice rifle.

Thanks,
P.B.Walsh

 

[kis2]

that'll work! not bad groups at all.

i like the rifle. i think it shows the flexibility you have when you dedicate a purpose to a gun, as opposed to trying to fit one rifle to every situation. if you cut the barrel down, make sure to post pics! gonna krylon the stock?

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I thought about painting my family crest (Walsh) on the buttstock and a Patriot head on both sides of the forend (my school logo) and te NRA symbol below the ejection port. But I figured that it would get messed up, and I added a buttstock pouch.

Time will tell......

Thanks,
P.B.Walsh

 

[Rokman]

Looks like you should be able to hunt with that. I am pretty good at pulling a flyer to mess up a nice group.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Yea, thats what my uncle was saying, but I'm disatisfied with my performance, one I hit under .75" for 5 shots, I'll be estatic.

Thanks,
P.B.Walsh