Build me a rifle

R

Rammer

Active member
I have a bug to build my first custom rifle. Here is a list of what I want.

7mm WSM
24" tube
Stiller Predator Action
Detachable box magazine

Here is what I need help with:

Keep it somewhat lightweight for mountain hunting.

What stock?
What contour barrel?
What barrel make?
I'd like to shoot 160gr Nosler AccuBonds or 168gr Bergers

This will be a project where I gather a bunch of parts for, then send them/take them to a gunsmith and have him put it together for me.

Feel free to post up pictures of similar projects to encourage me, and since this will be my first custom built rifle, any and all help is appreciated.
 
Stock is going to be your prefrence. that is a comfort level.

countour of barrel. Lilja 34 light weight 36 little heavier. depending on wait you want.

Make Lalja, Kreiger, Shielien about any of them are good shooters.
 
I'm putting a rifle together as well. .300 WM
Krieger SS barrel 26" #8 contour
Shilen trigger
Sako extractor on Remington bolt
Manners stock (mcs-t)
Schrez break and Schrez scope bases w/ Talley rings..unless my gunsmith recommends otherwise

Still have a few things to finalize...this is going to be my elk & deer rifle. I don't mind the weight. I hike into remote places & just sit patiently...I wouldn't use this rifle for pushing timber..

Hope this helps some.
 
If your anywhere near Sturgis when you assemble these parts I know a gunsmith you should go and talk to. Heck you could just call him up or stop by his shop and discuss with him a build. One of the nicest and cleanest gunsmithing shops you will ever see.
 
Rammer:

How bout' buying a new 7mm Mag for the cost of that Stiller action?

Remington, Ruger, Browning, Tikka, Winchester Model 70; all shoot about as well as a custom offering...No?

Savage, Stevens, Marlin, Mossberg...and a new barrel later?

N0? You're a hard guy to please.

Assemble the parts list, but don't buy; take the list to the gunsmith, and discuss. Then buy...

Good Luck!
 
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I don't want a pencil thin barrel, I was thinking something a little heavier than a standard sporter, and then flute it.

I want this rifle to be able to reach out to 1000 yards.

hillside - sounds like you are putting together a nice rifle! I'm not going to be pushing timber, mainly spot and stalk out west.

foxy - knowing you I'd end up with a CZ 17 fireball or something
wink.gif
hahaha

Lwilliams - I'm not close to Sturgis, but I am heading out that way next week to do some mountain lion calling/coyote calling. What smith is there, I might be bored and have to look him up.

Buckeye - I already have a 7mm Rem Mag, what I am hoping to accomplish is a shorter/lighter gun for packing in mountains and scabbards.
 
I think a contour similar to the Rem Magnum contour, especially fluted, is thick enough, light enough and should be accurate enough.

I have a 7 SAUM factory Rem in a lightweight stock which weighs in at about 7# with scope is pretty nice and accurate.

A McMillan Edge is pretty sexy, but may not be the right stock for 1000 yards.

Check out Coleman rifles, Gre Tan, Weaver Rifles to name a few.
 
I've done some research today and I am thinking it will be in a Manners lightweight stock.

I am thinking Pac Nor for a barrel, yea or nay?

What twist is optimal for 160-168gr bullets?

My local dealer has a Remington 700 SPS in 300 WSM for fairly reasonable, I might pick that up for the action donor....
 
I've had several rifles built for long range shooting. I would go with a Borden or Stiller action and possibly a long action so you can seat 180gr bullets just shy of the lands and still fit in the magazine. Kreiger #5 contour fluted or a #4 contour unfluted 1 in 8 twist or my new favorite Lothar Walther. I'm a huge fan of McMillan stocks and highly recommend them. Don't go to light 7.5lbs is about perfect without scope, I learned that the hard way with a 6lb rifle. Go with a Jewell trigger especially if going to 1000yds and shoot heavier high B.C bullets. If your on a certain budget make sure you leave enough for great optics, without them the nicest rifle is useless.

McWhorter builds some great rifles as does Chad Dixon at LongRifles Inc in South Dakota. My 2 top choices.
 
Gotta love the 7wsm. I'm a fan of Mcmillian stocks but the wait can always take the longest. Schneider barrel and BigHorn Action are a few suggestions of my favorites!!

Here is my brother's 7wsm with some videos that you can check out too!!
 
I'm somewhat in the same boat as you but I'm gonna keep mine a 7RM. I have a Rem 700 ADL I'm going screw down into a McMillan Classic when it arrives in March and give it a 2.5# trigger of my liking. From there, I'm gonna see how well the factory tube shoots without truing and re-barreling.

If that goes to heck, it's getting trued and a Rock Creek Barrel or Pac Nor with a factory Rem Magnum contour. If I were not starting with this type of plan as you and still wanted to build a 8 lb +- 3 rifle I would have gone no larger than a #3 contour for a hiking gun. From what I've gathered with one custom rig I have and some thoughts of a few others I can respect, custom barrel makers can produce long range conistent shooters out of thinner barrels than factory.

Not sure how light you want to go but check out that McMillan Edge technology.
 
Originally Posted By: woodster_yoteGotta love the 7wsm. I'm a fan of Mcmillian stocks but the wait can always take the longest. Schneider barrel and BigHorn Action are a few suggestions of my favorites!!

Here is my brother's 7wsm with some videos that you can check out too!!



That is a great video, and even better shooting! That definately gave me the bug to get this project rolling.
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I know that many gunsmiths would like to be the one to order the barrel. They are being held accountable for how the gun shoots and like to order the barrel themselves. It is hard to hand a bunch of parts to someone and expect them to be responsible if the quality isnt there or something was damaged etc.

I would make a list of your dream parts and go over them with the gunsmith first.

Excellent choice in caliber. I have a .300 WSM that I may use as a donor for a 7WSM project.
 
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