Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Any ideas on building a beanfield rifle?

I have a 700 BDL .30-06 sitting in the safe that I bought back in the early 70's. I never use the rifle anymore, but been thinking of using it as a donor for a deer beanfield rifle. The hunting club I am in has a great mix of bottomland areas and large foodplot/agricultural fields.

I do not know what caliber to start the project with. I am kicking around a .284, but open to other bores. Any suggestions, including bullet weight?

I do not mind if the rifle ends up on the heavy side, because it will be used from tower type stands, and not carried around the farm (have other rifles for that).

Pac-Nor barrel (contour ?) and McMillan stock with what scope?

If you have built a beanfield rifle, please tell me what direction you went. I want Karl Feldcamp to do it for me, and VERY willing to wait in line. He has done some work for me in the past, and I he is a great person to communicate with. Thanks.

my two votes would be either a .280 rem ai'd with a 24 inch tube or a choice of .25-06 or .257 wby mag

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3584822/1

Any self respecting bean field rifle has to have a S&B on top.
Since I wrote that I've corrected the Nikon thing.
Big time.

In your case with the 06 sized bolt face you might want to try something like one of these.


dave

I'd post in the Optics section as most of those boys know more about sitting on your ass 'hunting' then anyone on here.

Hmmm. .257 wby sounds interesting. No issues with the boltface?

Sakoluvr
You have a all up weight in mind?

dave

.280 Ackley Improved, #4 or #5 contour at 26 inches, add good glass of your choice and go kill all sorts of things.

No. Just planning on driving my 4-wheeler to the tower stand and then sit on my ass. Figure it has to be light enough to pull it up to the stand once I am settled in on the office chairs we have up there. <GRIN>

Naw, it can be on the heavy side.

280AI with 26" #5. Barrel choice would be BRUX. I dont care what the critics say...I refuse to run anything PAC NOR on any of my rifles. Go 9 twist and load up some 140 grainers. I run the NAB in my AI and its a death ray on whitetails. And yes its the accuBOND...not the accuBOMB. Kills em dead with minimal meat damage.

COOL.
For this type of application.
Weight is a good thing.
If you decide to keep the 06 bolt face then the 280 AI would be excellant.
If you decide to open it up to a mag, then i'd be thinking about 300 win mag.
I have a heavy 300 win mag on a M700 with a 5.5 Schneider and the 4-16x50 PMII.Its in the McM GP/HTG.Its 12.5 pounds.
Just dandy for a big time ass sitter like me.
See,you dont have to go to the experts on the optics board after all.
If you spend the time to work it out.Its no problem getting the 300 WM out to 1000 yards with a 180g Ballistic tips.
SO in your case if you were to ask me.
I'd say a M700
Rock Creek 5.5 fluted 1-10 twisted finish at 26.Even bigger if you can stand it.
300 Win Mag.
For stocks The GP/HTG is excellant.A nice stock thats close to that is the Manners MCS-T
http://www.mannersstocks.com/Tactical.html
For a tactical type set up the Mcmillian A-4.
Id skip that a-5 chit as Im not a fan of rounded forends.
Rounded forends off a rest will cost you in the accuracy department.
Flat forends ride the bags much better.
The Manners stock that comes cloeset is the MCS-T1.Again a flat forend.
Scopes.
The 5-25x56 Schmidt & Bender PMII.I like the standard P3F reticle.
Or the Zeiss Victory FL Diavari 6-24x56 T*FL.
http://www.zeiss.com/c1256bcf0020be5f/Contents-Frame/e34e4125aa548d6685256bcf0061320d
Ought to make a heck of a beanfield rifle.


dave

280Ackleyrized.
Nice.
Are you an ass sitter too?


dave

dave, thanks for taking the time to give me the details. That is going in my notebook. Had a 300 mag years ago in an old Sako sporter. Took my longest shot on a whitetail with it using factory Hornady ammo. It shot lights out, but I really did not have a need for it where I was hunting at the time. I used to use it on a powerline that ran through the lease on occasion.

Nope..not an ass sitter. Dont have the huge tracts of timber here for good 'ol still huntin. But some of the places I hunt are quite a way off the beaten path. Some almost a mile walk in. I hunt on the ground and shoot from the prone position most of the time. Other times, i find a good tree to lean against and use a set of shooting sticks. Do notice I said WALK. No motorized vehicles of any kind allowed unless its for retrieving an animal(travel to the particular property is of course in a motor vehicle but it stays at the gate.) Most of the areas I hunt are open and do provide longish shots so I'm glad to have a heavier rifle. Im in good enuf shape that carrying it in is no big deal.

Just as a dissenting vote, I'll say 6.5-06 AI'd. (Not that I know crap about beanfield rifles.)

no reason to build it heavy, wont shoot no' better.... i would vote 6.5-06 or a 6.5-280AI if your bored.. #3 contour. 24". 8T. mcmillan classic in edge fill. 3.5x10 leupy with a elevation turret. thinking 8.5#.

#2. heavy version. #4. 26". 280AI. same classic handle with standard fill. 4.5x14 with ele turret....

sounds like a ton of fun either way....

good luck

woofer

Dave--if you don't mind, what are the color percentages on those 2 swirleys? I'm really liking them.

Sakoluvr
UR welcome.
How far are you figureing on shooting?
Got a max distance in mind?
Heres my 300WM at 300 yards.

I dont have a good picture of my 300 but it was built by Dan Dowling.Hes retired.But im thinking that Kamfield will do just fine for you.
Pick a good smith.
Pick good components
Buy a good lazer.
Buy a solid rest to shoot off of.
Practice.


dave

There supposed to be 25% gray and 75% Black.
Thats what there supposed to be.
Stats.

Top rifle is a M700 skidded .5 forward in the stock.
McM GP/HTG
#4 Hart 1-10 twisted
270 WCF.
S&B 1.5-6x42 Zenith Flash Dot 7a reticle.

Bottom rifle is a M700 skidded .5 forward in the stock.
McM GP/HTG
#4 Hart 1-10 twisted
280AI.
S&B 3-12x50 Classic old 4a reticle.

Neil Jones worked over M700 triggers.
Twins.



dave

I'd say give Jim Borden a call but anymore its tough to get him to do a build with a 700. Unless you willing to pay him to work it over to his standards. Quality of work is top notch. While I dont doubt Karl's ability, you may well get a faster t/a time with Jim. Borden is and will always be my goto smith. I have 2 of his rifles. One shoots lights out and the other remains to be fired but have no doubt it will be a finishing nail driver as well. (Thats better than a tack driver )

Thanks all.