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

That’s almost identical. Would you mind posting or sending photos? If you had gone with a 3B or 4 contour, how do you think it would have effected the balance?

I have a bat machine vr pic action, machined in pic rail and recoil lug. I personally think the solid top machined in pic rail across the top of the action adds a huge amount of stiffness to the action. I feel this makes a noticeable difference. It’s also a slick way of the having no extra parts. I have no issues top loading or unloading this action. Defiance makes a very similar action, and they also make an action that has a thinned out machined in rail over the cutout. I would first get their version of action that us similar to mine if you still insit on action cut out size and are worried about it. I bet gap could get one of those defiance actions like I describe. I hadn’t looked at defiance stuff in a while imo it looks have options for anything a guy could want. Wanna know a custom action company that fell,off the map? Surgeon wtf happened to them

The Curtis Customs looks pretty sweet. I need to get one on the way.

A cost effective option for a lower profile mag (but not completely flush fit), is Ruger's polymer 3-round mag. It extends a tad but you can still carry with your hand under the action.

http://shopruger.com/AI-Style-Polymer-308-Win-3-Round-Magazine/productinfo/90560/

If you're stuck on using a BDL bottom metal I would look into the Hawkins Precision model.

https://hawkinsprecision.com/bottom-metal/

3B and 4 are stout barrels. A #3 is plenty, 3B max.

BTW, I have ordered the parts and now playing the waiting game for essentially the same blueprint and for the same purposes. I went with a #3 after mulling over it and the 3B for a while. Beanland is building mine. I agree with you on the BDL bottom, I went with Hawkins BDL.

I can like everything about that setup - though while I like a wee chunkier barrel, a #3 Bartlein (3 not 3B) is about perfection from where I'm seated in the peanut gallery. But you've only got to please you.

I carry my rifles in my hand as much as on my shoulder, and have never had an issue with a DBM system. The balance point is always right in front of the guard screw, never behind it.

As far as PT&G hinged floorplate vs Badger M4, there is no comparison in quality. Badger wins hands down.

I prefer a Stealth DBM for carry and everything else.

Hint...………...

My non-typical; fluted barrel and brake:

Pat, you've got to remember we're in the south. We're rednecks. A smooth belly is much more convenient to lay on the hood of the truck or the roof of the SxS.

Nice! I did a T&E for GAP on that platform, years ago in a .300WSM. A real hammer!

As an all arounder it’s probably one of the most well thought out rifles. I absolutely loved mine but rifle add got me

#3 bart is plenty of meat for a carry huntin rifle. Hawkins is king for BDL, but having one and thinking of a new build I would go DBM all the way. Slap in a flush mag if I felt the need.

Friends, Scenarshooter (my buddy Pat) is without a doubt the most knowledgeable hunter and shooter (there IS a difference) that I've ever known.

I can remember he two of us crawling side-by-side through a patch of insufferable prickly-pear cactus and getting within range of my .280 Ackley. Pat was by my side all the way and this particular hunt was one of the finest in my loooong hunting career.

When Pat speaks, I listen … closely. And I'd recommend that all of you do too.

Blessings,

Steve

It's a rather Halibut-esque Blueprint.

While I love Marty,I don't much care for his alloy M4's.

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

Gracious words my friend...thanks, and likewise.

I can't believe that antelope hunt was 22 years ago. Helluva buck! I've got a picture somewhere....

To have friends the caliber of you two is what every good man I know strives for. I’ve tons of buddies but only about two or three that are lifers. Brothers are a blessing.
Find that picture pat I want visual.

Noone cares....

I think this was 1997.

Classic spot and stalk antelope hunt. Steve's wife, Karen got a nice one on the same hunt...I'll see if I can locate that picture.

Nice heavy buck!! Grats