I'm ready to order everything I need for a new build. I was curious to what you would do different and why on what I've decided so far.




.300 win mag
Stiller Predator action
Krieger 1~10 5r, finished at 26" not sure on contour yet but I want to go as light as I can on the barrel. Would also like it to be fluted.
Timney trigger
Undecided on exact stock but it I'm thinking a McMillan.
Leaning towards a Nightforce 5.5-20 SHV
Also undecided on bottom metal.

I'd like the gun to be around the 8-9lb range and will be shooting 180-190 gr bullets unless it's Elk or Oryx and I might bump it up to 200 or 210.

Thanks in advance

Sounds like a longer range geared rig with the occasional hunt for elk/Oryx. Do a Krieger or Bart #3 fluted, 24-25" chambered in 7mm Rem Mag throated for 168 - 180 VLD types.

My guess is that you'll shoot it more and better and will handle your game equally as well.

Have it threaded for a brake or suppressor

If you go with Kreiger a #5 will be the smallest contour they will let you order in 30 cal, which is to big for my taste, personally I would go with a Bartlein #3 since your going to flute it!

This. And consider a less than 26" barrel.

I'd definitely go shorter than 26".

This with an 8 twist 2b Bartlien. Cut at 23", thread for suppressor, and throat it for 180 ELD-M to hit lands at 3.50.

After some more research I like the idea of a 7mag. My current 300win is finished at 28" and definitely awkward. I thought I'd be pretty happy with 26" and didn't feel id notice much difference at 24-25" compared to 26"

I don't want a brake but will consider threaded for a future suppressor. I guess that's where the shorter barrel is nice, with the added length of a brake or suppressor?

If I do 7mag I could also drop the rifle weight down from what I originally stated, which would be nice.

Thanks fellas'

I don't notice a huge difference between 24 and 26 but I started disliking 26" barrels once I used a few in the 22-23" range. Any more, if I don't need every little bit of speed I prefer 23" and under.

Not saying that's right for everybody.

30/06

It ain't dead yet!

My 23" 300 is a whopping 3fps slower than my 26". Both factory Winchester bbls, the shorter is a boss with the boss removed and re-crowned. The 23" is significantly handier. Both running the 200gn tsx @ ~2950 via IMR4831.

A 24" barrel in 308 diameter would be fine if you go 300 mag. Consider the difference in internal ballistics / expansion chamber in 308 v 284. The 308 diameter x 24" is a larger chamber and should do fine ballistically.

Preach Brother.

A few changes but stuck with a .300. The action and barrel arrived, went with a Brux #4 fluted to 22" I'll finish at 24-25"
Nightforce NXS 5.5-22 will be here Thursday. Ordered a McMillan Game Scout and now I just need a trigger and bottom metal. I'm thinking a Calvin Elite. Any issues with these triggers?

for a hunting gun I would likely go with a Timney 510, the Calvin is a great trigger but feels like more of a bench trigger than a hunting trigger, it don't have a defined break, it just goes off when the desired pressure is reached, most triggers designed for bench work break the same way. My Calvin feels exactly like my Jewells, honestly I can't tell the difference between them.

No personal experience yet, but have heard good things about Bix and Andy triggers you might give them a look!

Before the Hog Hunt this year I installed Trigger Tech Special. I like it.

235.00 for the Bixn Andy tac sport. I wonder if it's the same as hillbill described the Calvin Elite and Jewell? All I've ever used is the Timney 510.

Never heard of it. I'll see what info I can find on it, thanks.

Your gonna be in the 10-11lb neighborhood.
To stay in the 8lb range Ida went with

Stocky Carbon Fiber VG2 stock
Bartlein #3 contour fluted finished at 24 and threaded for a beast brake
March 3-24x42 scope
300 WSM with Wyatts bottom metal. Shorter case would help to utilize a faster powder for the shorter barrel

I have seen the name Timney since I was 12 in 1963 reading about guns. I am 66 now, but did not start buying Timney products until 2011 at age 60.
Now I put a Timney in most things I build; Rem700, Win M70 pre 64, Arisaka, Sav post accutrigger, Sav pre accutrigger, 98 Mausers, and 91/30 Mosin Nagants.

I bought a lot of extravagant triggers from Brownells over the years, but no more. Not for shooting deer at long range, for that I will use a Timney.

A recent build I finished with a fluted 21" bart#3 and McM hunter was at 6.7lbs without scope. A 20oz leupold put the whole thing at 8.1 lbs. So.... with that #4 you're going to be overweight, then add the big NF - its going to be on the heavier side. I put the trigger tech on mine and like it a lot so far.

Sounds like bottom metal is the only thing you havent settled on - I used, and would recommend, Hawkins BDL. This would also keep your weight down vs some of the steel BDL and tactical choices.

I build a number of rifles every year.
Two weeks before hunting season opens, I go out into the sagebrush to test them at long range.

Whatever is light enough, and still gets the job done is what I wind up hunting with.

It seems a boy's rifle is 5 pounds.
A man's rifle is 10 pounds with scope, sling, bipod, rear bag, cheek pouch, and ammo.

You can't make this schitt up... wow

Yep, it's BS for sure. Who in their right mind checks their rifles two weeks before the season?

I go out a week before the season, and shoot up at least a half box of ammo.

And my rifles weigh 12 lbs minimum, what with the permanently-attached front rests and all.

I use a trigger tech in my AR and it works great.

My last one was a 6mm creedmoor with a #3 bartlein fluted and finished at 25". Stiller tac30. Manners EH1.

It weighed 7.3lbs and was only enough shoulder to thread 1/2x28.


Just for reference.