Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Project "Whitetail Widowmaker" is off and running!!!

Here is my quest to build the ultimate rifle for hunting pastures and woodlots here in Missouri. Shots can range from 10 yards to as far as you care to shoot but mostly under 500. So I aquired a short stainless sucks and sent it to Pac-Nor with the instructions to true it and barrel it with a stainless #3 Super Match 22" long with a 1.75" shank and chambered for 7mm-08 AI. It will have a 1-11" twist and have the throat cut for 120gr X's. Hopefully it will be fluted if I can find someone to do it. Left instructions for Pac-Nor to do it but I think #4 is the lightest contour they will flute. We'll see! Also they will be doing some helical fluting to the bolt body and skeletonizing of the bolt handle.

Twelve weeks or so from now I should get it back and it will be sent to Mark Bansner to have one of his High Tech stocks installed and bedded. Have'nt decided on the color yet. While it's there I'll have all the metal coated with their "Ti" K-kote polymer finish. After I get it back from them I'll install a Jewell trigger and set it at 1.5Lbs and be ready to rock.

This combo should have enough poop to take these river bottom bucks easily out to 500. All in a package that will handle well in any situation I might encounter here in Missouri.
Can't wait to get it done so I can gloat a little here with some pics and such. I'll keep those interested posted as to the progress of "Whitetail Widowmaker".

X-VERMINATOR

Sounds like a winner! I built a couple of em similiar to yours a few years ago. I've got a ton of load data for the 7-08AI including the Barnes X 120gr if you are interested. Mine was re-barreled by Pac-Nor on a SS 2.5 contour with an 11 twist also. Your rifle will dote on 120 & 140gr bullets. Here's a little buck I popped last season using a 139gr Hornady SP at 2980fpsMV. Never knew what hit him!





MtnHtr

Sounds like it'll be a nice one. What kind of scope and mounts are you going to go with?

Uh-Oh . . . .

I feel a swirly coming on . . . . .. . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Leupie 6x42 is mandatory around these parts, by the way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

BMT <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'll be using Talley LW's cradeling a 3.5x10x40 Vari XIII. No swirly or 6x42 for this project but I do have a dark red and black 50/50 classic (thanks hondo) planned for my next project "High Plains Drifter". It will be a short stainless sucks .270 wsm built around a 140gr. accubond with a #3 ish Pac-Nor 24" long (grin).

MH, I would be very interested in you load data. Send to buckmaster03@charter.net when you get time, thanks.

X-VERMINATOR

Mtn Hunter

That's a nice rifle and that "little" buck would be a wall hanger here in West Virginia. Thanks...

Glad to be of some influence. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Don't know if you were trying to do an exact match of mine, but mine is a 80/20 mix.

John

Nope, not an exact match just a little more black. I love the way yours looks with the stainless metal!!

X-VERMINATOR

You will love it. This is mine, built for the same use you described but leaning a little more towards shooting across bean fields.
7mm RemMag - 24" PacNor #4. McMillan Remington Hunter. Leupold 6.5X20

model70man, what part of W.V. you from?

You're absolutely right, I have a couple simular sized racks on my wall! Still amazes me that what we would call "a nice buck" would be passed on by many in other states! I guess are deer hunting here must be a little harder <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

SteveM70

Raleigh / Summers counties. There are some big deer in Raleigh County if you can hunt them but most are on private land. Where are you from? Thanks...

That buck is small/young for a mule deer...... but it that was a whitetail around here (VA), it would be a pretty decent rack.

Mnt Hunter, That's a slick looking little rifle. How long is your barrel? What kind of velocity/accuracy do you see with 120 X's out of it? Oh ya, what does it weigh as pictured?

X-VERMINATOR

PDS, 7mm rem mags are a mainstay with me. I love everything about them. Probably because of all the great hunts and game I've taken with them. Lot's of memories associated with that round. I'm currently in the process of converting my tools from factories to semi-customs and I'm currently without a 7mm Rem mag. I will make room for another one of these days and versatility will be the theme.

What kind of loads do you shoot out of her? All of mine were always force fed 150gr BTips by way of sucks actions as I mostly hunt deer. Never did find one that did'nt like them. As stated my next one will be built for versatility and will probably be built for 160gr Accubonds. A go anywhere do anything rifle, in the lower 48 anyway. Did I mention how much I like Accubonds (grin)?

X-VERMINATOR

model70man, I live at the foot of Spruce Mountain about 10 minutes from Bradley.

There are a few really big ones around here and over the last few years I have tried to become more selective in my hunting, holding out for at least an 8 or better while focusing on one or two "slungers" in the area.

The problem, I think, is the young deer I am letting walk are not getting very far! I would really like to talk my neighbors into becoming more selective, letting the young deer mature or at least become a childs first deer!

So far I have only used the 120 and 140 BT's on deer. I have not tried anything heavier, and of the two I like the 140 best. I really have not had the time to get loads wrung out for this rifle. It's my first 7mm. My reloading gear is still packed in a storage building waiting for a house to sell so I can compleate my move. The rifle shoots the lighter BT's plenty good but I am looking forward to having time to do a serious load work up on her.

Xverm,

Sent you an E mail with data. My 7-08AI weighs right around 7.75lbs, she has the steel DDs mounts and a Leupold Vari XIII 2.5-8 resting on top. This is my primary mulie rifle, I could lighten her some more but probably won't.

MtnHtr

Cool, Never too early to get started gathering components. Sounds like you have a great set-up there. I'm thinking mine will come in at 7.5 Lbs all up. Hopefully she will like those 120gr X's.

What happened? I didn't receive the load data. Might be my POS puter. Can you just send me a private message here? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Whenever you get a chance.

X-VERMINATOR

P.M. sent.

MtnHtr