Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Thoughts on a GAP build...

It'd be nice if McMillan would list their stock specs like Manners. https://mannersstocks.com/stock-technical-specifications/

For me, the lower heel makes pad shoulder contact way too low. In a standing shooting position its manageable (but not ideal). The closer to the ground, the worse it gets. In prone the pad is literally below my shoulder with only the top tip contacting the lowest part of my shoulder. I absolutely hate it, but that's just me.

Regarding barrels, as previously mentioned, I just went through the exact same decision and went Bartein 3 over the 3B. I have a rifle built on a Bighorn, EH3, and Barlein 2B that is nearly perfect, and shoots phenomenal. The only reason I upped the contour to a 3 was the fact that 2B is in 6.5 and the .308 is a much bigger hole.

Not much, it was on their rifles ready to ship page, and was what I had in mind for a build. Talked to George and he recommended to chop the barrel to 20” to provide the min .725” for the TBAC CB. Added the rail. That was it!

The sheep hunter port just cuts the port side of the action to trim some weight.

I’ll probably try the Templar VII with GAP hunter port like Pat suggested for a future build, to try the integrated split bases rather than a rail.

Perfect antelope and mule deer rifle!

Stock fit is highly subjective but for me, I'd skip the Manners, the 308 and the #3b..........Manners EH-2 - 8"s just don't fit me well. The reach to the trigger is the problem, though the stocks are very well built, I just can't get behind them!

Anything vertical gripped from Manners or McMillian works fine for me but for Sporter up to Varmint type stocks, I like McMillan!

I'm 6'4" and 250lbs, yet I like tight closed grips with a palm swell. Anyone smaller is likely to have similar problems with Manners (most won't even know it). Not having to reach for the trigger with a good cheek weld is what I'm looking for.....

Bartlein 3b's are unnecessarily heavy for what your describing and .308's suck heavy ass in comparison to most everything chambered and properly throated these days...

If I were about to drop GAP money I'd be thinking Bartlein 2B, McMillan Hunter w/Edge technology and 8" twist 7mm-08......


X-VERMINATOR

A Douglas #3 in a Classic...is a Halibut and LEGENDARY.(grin)

Hint..................

I like it.

Chris - the Bartlein #3 is equivalent to many #4's.

I wanted a bit heavier tube on my 6mm Creedmoor and it surely got me that.

Well, I did it. Order placed yesterday. Thanks for all the helpful feedback everyone provided (even if I didn't follow your recommendations). Remember that this was not intended to be a lightweight carry rifle. It's a rifle for hunting from fixed stands and blinds, and it'll be shot off the bench a lot. I know that the CRF was completely unnecessary, but I really like the FN SPR and DBM setup (except for it not being AICS compatible), and this is a setup that I'm really interested in trying from Defiance. I like the three-position safeties because they block the firing pin (not just the sear) and lock the bolt when engaged. The APA RTG was a departure for me; the more I looked at it and the Curtis magazine, the more I decided I could get the best of both worlds with this setup. GAP really likes that bottom metal (it's their standard now on magazine guns).

This will be very similar to a 20" M700 5R, and that's a format I really like. Or, if you like, an FN SPR with a much more trim stock.

- Manners EH2 with painted (Cerakote) GAP camo by Larsen Tactical
- Templar V1 (Hunter) with controlled-round feed and three-position safety
- APA RTG bottom metal with Curtis 3-round flush fit magazine
- Bartlein #4 fluted, 10" twist, finished at 21"
- Trigger Tech Special tuned to 2.5 lbs.
- Nitrided bolt and action
- Atlas pic rail on the forearm for bipod use
- Cerakote graphite black

The parts list couldn't be any better should be a very accurate rifle....looking forward to some pics!

Awesome. Do we get to spend your money on a scope now?

Right on Richard. Need pics when done.

I have a VX-6HD 2-12x42 ready to go. If I get a wild hair, it'll be a NF 4-16x42 F1.

Chris,
Looking forward to seeing the end result!

My custom build lesson-learned was not to allow so much shank. Tube is heavy on that end! Went 2b on a .223 and it’s no lightweight. Of course the shorter barrel will help.

Man I hate to be the spoiler but my money is on you regretting the Bartlien #4. They are heavy. Rifle is going to be 10 lbs with a 20oz scope and picatinny rings.

I really don’t think. But, if I am, barrels are easily replaced.

The only way to know is to try it. I know thats the way I learned.

And now the wait.
Looking forward to the report!

So...I did something I should have done two weeks ago. I got my calipers out and took a hard look at the dimensions of the factory barrels I have on-hand. I also took a close look at photos of some EH2s inletted for #4 Bartlein contours. With "hat in hand," here's what I've determined:

- The #4 Bartlein looks WAY too thick for the forearm on the EH2. They make it work, but the sides of the stock are paper thin toward the front of the forearm, and I don't like it.
- Most of you suggested that I go no heavier than #3 Bartlein, and you were right. Spending some time with my calipers, I've concluded that this is the way to go.

This will make this build identical to what Kimber7man got from GAP (photos above), and I suspect it will balance much better.. I'll call GAP tomorrow morning. I doubt they've done anything given that I just placed the order last week, but, if it costs me a little to make a change, so be it. Again, thanks for the help. Here are the new specs:

- Manners EH2 with painted GAP camo by Larsen Tactical, Atlas bipod rail, and non-rotating flush cups on left side
- Templar V1 Hunter action with "sheep port," controlled-round feed, and three-position safety
- APA RTG bottom metal with Curtis 3-round flush fit magazine
- Bartlein #3 fluted, 10" twist, finished at 21"
- Trigger Tech Special tuned to 2.5 lbs.
- Nitrided bolt and action
- Atlas pic rail on the forearm for bipod use
- Cerakote graphite black

I think you made a good decision.