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

Good choice! I’m sure GAP will get you taken care of. A bartlein #3 will be much better in an EH2.

Right on!

I'll get photos up later today, but my new GAP rifle came in yesterday. To say I'm happy would be an understatement. This thing is EXACTLY what I wanted. I should have went custom years ago, though I probably needed to hunt with all those factory rifles in order to really understand what I wanted in a rifle. I'm blown away by the fit, finish, and quality. The #3 Bartlein is absolutely perfect--heavier than sporter but not quite Remington varmint thick. The 3 position safety and CRF bolt is phenomenal. Keep in mind that this build was meant for whitetail and hogs from elevated stands in southern Georgia. I went with .308 because I'm invested in that cartridge, and working up loads is trivial.

- Manners EH2 with painted (Cerakote) GAP camo by Larsen Tactical
- Templar V1 (Hunter) action with "sheep cut" for weight reduction
- Controlled-round feed bolt with 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 with flat shoe tuned to 2.5 lbs.
- Pic rail on the forearm for bipod use
- Cerakote graphite black

Sounds like a nice rifle that’s for sure...I been thinking about ordering one of those Gap rifles myself...

Richard that sounds awesome. Find some Varget and 155 scenars and you’ll be in tall cotton!

Pics man!

Just kidding. I bet she’s gorgeous

These photos suck, but you'll get the point. Once again, the build specs:

- Manners EH2 with painted (Cerakote) GAP camo by Larsen Tactical
- Templar V1 (Hunter) action with "sheep cut" for weight reduction
- Bolt and raceways nitrided
- Controlled-round feed with 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 with flat shoe tuned to 2.5 lbs.
- Pic rail on the forearm for bipod use

While I haven't shot it yet, here are my key takeaways from the experience SO FAR:

1) GAP's reputation appears to be well earned. The entire ordeal from start to finish was near flawless, and I really can't complain about anything. If you can spare the coin, I don't think you'll be sorry.
2) This build spec is exactly what I hoped it would be. I would do nothing different. Basically, it's the culmination of my 35 years in the whitetail woods and what I felt an ideal deer rifle would be for my style of hunting.
3) I obsessed about barrel contour, and I couldn't be happier with the Bartlein #3. To me, it's like a "light varmint." Fluted and finished to 21", it's the PERFECT combination of diameter. length, and material.
3) I should have done this custom thing a long time ago. However, I'm not sure I'd have known what I really wanted without all those factory-rifle experiences, so maybe I needed to get here slowly.

This gun will get either a VX-6HD (2-12x42) or a NF ATACR 4-16x50F1. I have the Leupold ready to go, and I WANT it to work, as it's cheaper and lighter, but we'll see how things go. It's going to have to dial consistently, or she gone. I'm going to begin with the 155 Scenar-L, Alpha brass, and either Varget or H4895 (whichever shoots better). If this combo shoots, I'll give the Scenar a try in the deer woods this fall.

The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the bipod rail. The one that GAP installed appears to have a flat base. While the EH2 has a wide forearm, this rail is a poor match for the contour of the forearm, so I'll either bed it, or I'll change to a different rail. I'm sure it would be fine, but I just can't live with it only making contact near the center.

That’s a very nice looking rifle... I’m sure you’ll be very happy with it...

Very nice!

What did the final weight end up being?

7.4 lbs with the Curtis magazine installed. I was hoping for no more than 7.5, so I'm happy. Weird thing is that it feels lighter than that.

8.9 lbs with the VX-6 HD and 30mm TPS aluminum rings. Four rounds and a nylon sling ought to put it just over 9 lbs. I’ll take it.

Looks good! Reminds me of one I had built by Jon Beanland. Mine is 14.6lb all up as seen.

That’s a beauty MCH. Your rifle is obviously more of a long range rig with the longer, heavy contour barrel. What I was going for was something that would be close to a precision rifle but also be maneuverable and ”huntable” from a climber, tripod, or box blind. If the VX-6 HD behaves, I should be around nine pounds with a set of TRS alloy rings and four rounds.

Very nice stick Allen!..Surprised your spindly little arms can bare the weight...Grins, Snarc 😂😎

Barrel is 23" and 24-1/8 to end of break. Yeah I wanted a long range rifle but still be able to hunt it. So it is a sh_t compromise, but I am enjoying it. I wouldn't do it again. I would either build a long range target rifle or a hunting rifle. My thought process was I don't compete in LR but do enjoy shooting LR, so if I could get a good enough LR rig that I can hunt with if desired it's a bonus.

They can't! That is why I am going to have you be both my gun bearer and pack carrier!

Laffin...😎

You better be ready for Spring Bear.

I will be happy if I can stay out of MCH's crosshairs........ nice rifle.

I have read with great interest Scenars threads about re-barreling his GAP rifles and maintaining the accuracy and even retaining the old barrels zero. Speaks to the quality of the Bartlien barrels and GAP machining.

I too have made the same mistake in a build combining long range format with hunting and ended up too heavy, they always seem to get left behind for a lighter rifle

Haha You are not even close to being in my crosshairs. It takes a lot more than a sensationalist drama queen to get in my crosshairs. I would actually like to meet you. I suspect you probably aren't a bad guy.

As for heavy rifles there are places I don't mind packing the extra weight and there are places I would not think of it. I do like my light rifles, but I barely ever pry my c_nt off the couch so I live vicariously through the Fire!

MCH,
Hey, if we are going to be friends maybe you should start out by saying something nice? ... like hey nice rifle you have.... just sayin
Another thing you always look angry in your couch pic's.... I like to laugh and have fun.. not sure we would get along?

Signed,
Drama Queen......