Custom LR Coyote Rifle Build

C

Clocked92

New member
I have been batting around the idea of building a custom coyote rifle for about a year now. I already have a VSSF II 22-250 that I use now but want something to reach out and touch those coyotes that hang up at 600 yards plus. Being that the cost of this rifle will be rather large, I want it to be relatively universal, meaning that I wanna be able to take deer with it as well as occasionally target shoot at both paper and steel.

I do reload but the availability of factory ammo is nice since it's a decent source of fireformed brass once shot in my rifle. Therefore I'm leaning towards the 6.5 Creedmoor with the ability to shoot 120-140gr projectiles. I'm not a big fur guy, I do this for fun and sell the occasional whole coyote to a buyer in town so pelt damage isn't a top priority here. I live in Saskatchewan Canada so there is lots of open space to really see the full capabilities of the cartridge at distance.

Here's my idea for the build:
Surgeon 591 Action
22-23" Barrel (Thinking Medium Palma or Rem Varmint contour)
Manners T2A/T4A stock(Elite Carbon fiber to keep weight down)
Manners mini chassis or Surgeon DBM to run AICS mags
Vortex Razor AMG scope (on order)
Harris Bipod

I really would like to keep the rifle right around 12 pounds which is what my VSSF II weight right now. I feel cutting the barrel 4" shorter is a big start here and also make it much more maneuverable. I've thought about a PROOF Carbon barrel but I don't know if I can justify the added cost.

So that's my plan. What do you guys think? I am definitely open to suggestions and other ideas to contemplate. FWIW, I have looked at both building on my VSSF II and just buying a rifle chambered in 6.5CM but I kind of just want a custom build. Plus I still want to have a 22-250 in my arsenal for other varmints.

Opinions? Ideas? Suggestions? Would love to hear it.
 
I think you've already got a pretty good plan laid out for yourself.

If you can swing it, I'm always in favor of adding a new gun to the heard as I'm a firm believer in you can never have to many.
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With using a barrel that short I think you are on the right track by choosing what I'd call a medium sized 6.5 something or other. I think it would be pointless to go with anything larger than something like the 6.5x47 Lapua, 260 Remington, 6.5x55 Swede, or 6.5 Creed if you're only going to use a 22-23in. tube.

Of the four mentioned above I would pick the 6.5 Creed last but only because Lapua, currently, doesn't make brass for it but if Lapua ever starts making 6.5 Creedmore brass and rumor has it they possibly are, then I'd say pick whichever one sounds best to you because all four are nearly the same.
 
I think that you have a great plan as I have just finished up a project very similar in a 20", 22x47 Lapua. Weight wise, you should be able to get close to the 12lbs mark.

You should be able to obtain good speed with the Creedmore in those barrel lengths.
 
Originally Posted By: Clocked92I have been batting around the idea of building a custom coyote rifle for about a year now. I already have a VSSF II 22-250 that I use now but want something to reach out and touch those coyotes that hang up at 600 yards plus. Being that the cost of this rifle will be rather large, I want it to be relatively universal, meaning that I wanna be able to take deer with it as well as occasionally target shoot at both paper and steel.

I do reload but the availability of factory ammo is nice since it's a decent source of fireformed brass once shot in my rifle. Therefore I'm leaning towards the 6.5 Creedmoor with the ability to shoot 120-140gr projectiles. I'm not a big fur guy, I do this for fun and sell the occasional whole coyote to a buyer in town so pelt damage isn't a top priority here. I live in Saskatchewan Canada so there is lots of open space to really see the full capabilities of the cartridge at distance.

Here's my idea for the build:
Surgeon 591 Action
22-23" Barrel (Thinking Medium Palma or Rem Varmint contour)
Manners T2A/T4A stock(Elite Carbon fiber to keep weight down)
Manners mini chassis or Surgeon DBM to run AICS mags
Vortex Razor AMG scope (on order)
Harris Bipod

I really would like to keep the rifle right around 12 pounds which is what my VSSF II weight right now. I feel cutting the barrel 4" shorter is a big start here and also make it much more maneuverable. I've thought about a PROOF Carbon barrel but I don't know if I can justify the added cost.

So that's my plan. What do you guys think? I am definitely open to suggestions and other ideas to contemplate. FWIW, I have looked at both building on my VSSF II and just buying a rifle chambered in 6.5CM but I kind of just want a custom build. Plus I still want to have a 22-250 in my arsenal for other varmints.

Opinions? Ideas? Suggestions? Would love to hear it.

I like to see posts like this! Take a look at the new Bighorn arms SR-3 actions, very nice actions.

This year we are using Dan Hardy carbon fiber wrapped barrels, Hardy engineering is looking to market here in the U.S. and we are going to be running their kit, the man who oversaw AI's barrels is the one who set up the process for these new barrels so you know they are going to be top of the line. Not to mention if you are concerned about the added cost, consider a Rem 260 with a standard velocity of 2700, your going to have A LOT of barrel life.

Manners stocks are phenomenal, and you are right on course with the new Carbon fiber shell, they are noticeably lighter than the standard. The new Gen 2 mini chassis I believe is the way to go, have the stock already geared with it and your set. I prefer it over the Gen 1 because it has new ergonomic ambi mag release that works real nice, and it also has a "sleeve" style or beveled mag well for easier magazine swaps.

If you didn't have the Vortex on order I would of pointed you in the direction of the new USO's, we'll be releasing something pretty cool from them soon!

Harris is great for bipods, I would look into LongRifles Inc. pic rail for the forend of your Manners, get an ADM QD release for your 6-9" and your 13.5-27" and you're set for a rapid acquisition from prone to seated etc!

Let us know what you decide!
 
Thanks Skinney. I have looked at the new Bighorn TL3 and while it has some great features, I am still leaning towards a Surgeon. My smith has worked with Surgeon actions regularly and actually keeps them in stock. They would need to order the TL3 and I don't know the wait time and extra costs required for that.

The same smith has actually just started carrying Hardy barrels as well. They've used Hawk Hill custom barrels in the past but if they have a Hardy Carbon in stock I might ask what the price difference would be.

I love Harris bipods as well. I currently have 2 of them for my coyote and deer rifles right now. Will definitely look into a pic rail and QD for them! that would be really handy.
 
I'm with skinney on the 260. I'm at over 3000rounds on mine and after running a two day course of fire last weekend,it's time for a new barrel.

Bighorn has some sweat actions, but I still love my surgeon!

Good luck
 
With the 260 vs 6.5CM, are you running into any issues with longer C.O.L running the longer 140gr bullets in magazines with the 260? I was under the impression that that is one of the benefits of the CM over the 260.
 
I've never ran a CM, but I'm running the 143 ELD-X with the 260 under mag length with no issues... When the throat starts to go, I usually go to the 139 Scenars giving me the option to seat to a longer OAL and chase the lands, if need be.
 
Originally Posted By: Clocked92With the 260 vs 6.5CM, are you running into any issues with longer C.O.L running the longer 140gr bullets in magazines with the 260? I was under the impression that that is one of the benefits of the CM over the 260.


Not for me at all, but I'm shooting Amax and Eldm's which are not shy of a big jump. I've tried to jam them,but they shot horrible till I backed them off about 30 thou.
 
I've also got buddy's running the same bullets and powder charge in there 6.5 creeds that get the same velocity's as I do. I just get to use better brass. So....
 
Sounds like the making of a sweet rifle. I'm currently waiting on a medium palma Brux for a Bighorn TL3 6.5x47 Lapua build.

By my rough calculations you are probably going to come in just under 12# with that spec sheet. Saying that, if this is mainly a long range coyote gun with occasional target shooting you could cut a couple pounds here and there if you wanted without giving up the ability to have a fun day shooting steel.

You'd probably save 1# by going with a light palma instead of the medium and another 2# if you went with a EH1 instead of t2a. Just something to think about, either way that thing sounds like it's going to rip!

Also, while I love the new release and surgeon style magazine guard on the new mini chassis...there is something sweet about a top notch pillar and bed job from a good smith. Plus, if you are running that 591 that surgeon dbm goes with it like peanut butter and jelly. One sweet running setup.
 
After listening to and reading all the hype about the Tikka CTR Rifles. I recently purchased a Tikka CTR in 260 caliber with the 20" threaded Stainless barrel.
This is My First Tikka and I am impressed with the Trigger (almost a jewel) and the accuracy. The Stock seems cheap plastic but the accuracy over-rides the cheap. I re-loaded by Hodgdon's Manual, max load, with some 123 SST's and some 140 SST's and both shoot 1/2 moa or less. I had one 3 shot group at .500" at 300 yards. Fantastic for a Factory Rifle. BTW I used New Winchester 243 Brass and ran thru my Redding 260 F/L sizer , load 'em and shoot.
But to reply to the poster on top, the 6.5 Creed or the 260 rem you'll have to precisely range and Dial those turrets alot for those 600 yard shots. For Coyote size critters I would prefer a 243 Ackley or 6mm Ackley and 95gr Bergers to shoot Flatter. Less Dialing for 600 yards. But I really do like your choices in Action , 22-24" Barrel, Stock, etc... Go for It!!!!
 
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Hey Skinney,

I just came across your videos on youtube. Absolutely love the CR-MOD 0 22-250 Rem Match with the Manner's T5A. I'd love to build my rifle almost exactly the same without the suppressor (they're illegal in Canada unfortunately) and in 6.5 Creedmoor.

The more and more I research my uses for this rifle, I'm leaning more towards coyote hunting but I still want to be able to have a large enough bullet to take a deer at 4-500 yards with it.
 
All looks very good to me.
Between me and two shooting buddies, we have 2 creeds and one 260 in 6.5.
Only difference I see is that factory creed is more available locally and 260 is extremely hard to find, that may change.
If forming from other brass is a concern, I think 260 has a slight edge in 7m-08 is a single FL pass and no inherent case OL cut.
Another nit, 308 case gauge works on 260 but not creed.
 
Shooting long range = good
a 12 pound hunting rig = ?????
They call that a truck gun around here, because you need a truck to carry it.
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Originally Posted By: MotoHunterShooting long range = good
a 12 pound hunting rig = ?????
They call that a truck gun around here, because you need a truck to carry it.
smile.gif


For coyote hunting, I drive to my spots, walk in 200 or so yards and set up on a bipod. I realize it's not for mountain hunting where you'd walk miles upon miles with the rifle. But a short walk and it would rarely ever be used for offhand shots. I swear at my current rifles long barrel way more than I swear about it's weight.
 


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