280REM I have done it three ways, 1. My Bestest Buddy Gunsmith (really is the Best Friend I have on the Planet) Made me a 7mm Remington Mag on a PFR Model 70 Long Action, 28" Shilen Select Match Barrel, McMillian Stock, 3x9 Swarovski ended up costing, $1024 + Scope=$1750+600 cost of Donor Rifle, this rifle shoots 150 Ballistic Tips Sub-MOA, but is a 1 MOA rifle with other bullets 2. VZ24 Mauser 25-06, MidwayUSA A&B Barrel, Reamer, Gauges, Bold Optima Trigger, Hogue Stock. I did the work, the barrel was prechambered, so all I had to do was worry the Chamber a little deeper to regulate the correct headspace, I drilled and tapped the action for a scope. The VZ 24 was $60.00, Reamer=$80.00, Gauges=$45, Trigger=$35, Stock=$80. I did all the work from the bolt rework to reworking the triggerguard and bottom metal, It has been cold blued. the rifle is a Sub-MOA rifle with any load I have tried, but it really likes 120 Sierra HPBT Gamekings. I'm into the rifle about $325 total + my time 3. 30-338 Win Mag. 1999 Montana Rifleman Action $425.00, McMillian Stock=$350(Internet Special at their website), Pac-Nor 30" Super Match 5-1/2 Contour Barrel=$245, Robar,Inc. Visit for NP-3 Coating and Barrel Engraving of Caliber and Moniker "Big Juan"=$325, 4.5-14 Zeiss Conquest SF=$669. Again I did all the fitup and chambering, bedding the stock. The rifle is magic, Sub-MOA on any load so far. Total into the rifle is $2014+ my time (as a side note 30" barrel was used to get the most out of the cartridge without hot rod loading, but it is really a PIA to carry very far, very muzzle heavy, but Gosh does it Shoot). I used this rifle on a Cow Elk Hunt in New Mexico last year, a very marked reaction to the bullet strike, 1/2 step forward, 2 two steps falling sideways, TUE=tits up Elk. For what its worth like stated earlier, you really want a Gunsmith close enough you can actually visit the shop, check progress, ask the hard questions and have trust in. A very hard combination to find in some areas. A man can't go wrong choosing the 30-06, it just gets'er done. The 270 is a good choice also, it really performs on anything I tried it on (8 Elk and a Buttload of Antelope and Deer). You may want to consider the 338-06, seems like a real performer without the recoil. I used one on a feral pig hunt, it was used to take one hog and a Corsican Ram, both about a 100 yards, Nosler 210 Partition @ 2650. The hog was a Bangflop, the Ram went about 30 yds before expiring. Good Luck, a Custom Rifle is always fun to do, they become an extension of yourself once you become familiar with them, kind of like you were born with it. Chet
