.260 Rem Build

[Savage_Jake]

I am planning to build a .260 rem using a Stevens 200 as a base.

Mods will be:
Choate Tactical or Bell & Carlson A2
Shilan Varmint 26" .260 barrel
Rifle Basix or SSS target trigger
EGW 20moa base
SSS High Cap mag conversion (I'm already aware of the different mag setups and screw spacing)

Scope and rings will be what I can afford but nothing cheap. Most likely a Buckmaster or Millett.

Anyone that has some input or advice to some other mods, please feel free to post it up.
This is going to be my first build and I want to go the Savage route so I can do the work myself.

[johnsopa]

I started with a Stevens 200.

Added a 26" Shilen 260 barrel from MidwayUSA - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=482505

Added a B&C Medalist from Shooters Discount.

Added an EGW one-piece base.

Added Burris 30mm Signature Zee rings.

Added a Bushnell Elite 4200 Tactical 6-24x50.

Bought 200 pcs of Remington brass. Tested 140gr AMAXes and 130gr and 140gr Berger VLDs. All loaded to 2.850" overall length.

Settled on the 140gr AMAXes. Using 42.9gr of H4350, I see 2713 fps average and five shots groups will always be under 1" at 200 yards.

I normally bed my stocks but since this gun shoots so well, I have not touched it.

I cleaned it once before shooting, once after 10 rounds, and haven't cleaned it since -- I probably have 150 rounds or so, thus far.

[Savage_Jake]

The A-maxs are the bullets I was going to try first.
The shoot great in my 700 .308.

[usngunner]

I built a 260 in a McMillan A5 and Lothar Walther barrel for my wife. 17 MOA to 1k. It will shoot 142 SMK's into a 12 inch steel plate at 1200 yards all day long to boot. It was demoralizing to be honest.

She had it sitting on the line at a shoot in Tennessee. Anybody that wanted to shoot it could. All day long we would dial the dope on for the plate, adjust for wind and have them hold center.

Nobody missed. Awesome cartridge.

[Savage_Jake]

Thats really good to know. I have been reading nothing but GREAT things about the .260.

I was told however, not to use the Stevens action. And that, "you can't turn an AMC Gremlin into a Camaro."

I am hoping to prove this person wrong with my build.

[johnsopa]

Another thing, some people will say to start with Lapua or Win 243 brass and neck up, or start with 308 and neck down. However, I think that unless you are really running hot loads, the Remington brass will be fine. I only reloaded my original 50 twice (still have 150 untouched) but I'm happy with them so far. Before spending $$ on Lapua or time reworking Win brass, get some RP and try, IMHO.

[johnsopa]

I was told however, not to use the Stevens action. And that, "you can't turn an AMC Gremlin into a Camaro."


This is just idiocy. The actions are dimensionally the same as the Savage action. Get a three screw trigger from SSS and you'll be set. I've adjusted all three of my Stevens with three screw triggers down safely to about 1.75 - 2 lbs.

[Smokepole]

That's a fact. Stevens IS Savage. And you can turn a AMC Gremlin into something that will take a Camaro any day of the week! But, I haven't been able to get my 3 screws down past about 2-1/2lbs safely.

[Savage_Jake]

What is the 3 screw trigger? Is it the SSS competition trigger.

[Blue Avenger]

No, it is a factory trigger that had a screw under the sear. do not have any 2 screw triggers but they would be missing the single front screw for adj. sear engagment. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/gcidso123/savage/100_5273.jpg
3 screw http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/gcidso123/savage/100_5274.jpg
4 screw http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/gcidso123/savage/100_5275.jpg
sharp shooter trigger http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/gcidso123/reargripstriker011.jpg

[Savage_Jake]

Ok...gotcha

So what trigger would I be better off with?

I only punch paper and would like to try my hand at some long range matches.

[Savage_Jake]

Another thing, some people will say to start with Lapua or Win 243 brass and neck up, or start with 308 and neck down. However, I think that unless you are really running hot loads, the Remington brass will be fine. I only reloaded my original 50 twice (still have 150 untouched) but I'm happy with them so far. Before spending $$ on Lapua or time reworking Win brass, get some RP and try, IMHO.


I hadn't really thought about the brass issue. I'm glad you brought it up. I have used Rem brass in the past and had good results. But since Win brass is cheap and excellent, I switched to it.

[pdog06]

Ok...gotcha

So what trigger would I be better off with?

I only punch paper and would like to try my hand at some long range matches.


Then go with the SSS trigger. Much nicer than the factory ones if using for bench work.

[Savage_Jake]

I have been reading that it is better to use a long action receiver if seating bullets long.

Is this a must or will a short action work seating the bullets to normal length?

The reason I ask is because of the stock issue I would have with a Long action.

I want to go with either the B&C Medalist A2 or the Choate Tactical but there is not an option for LONG ACTION CENTER FEED.

If there was I could use the 111 .30-06 I have listed for sale.

[psharon97]

The short actions will work, you may not be able to shot more than one at a time though; ie the rounds won't dimensionally fit in the short magazine and you may have to remove the bolt to extract the round.

As far as the different actions, the stevens 200 action is the same as the 110/10 action from savage. Only difference is the trigger. Get the SSS Competition trigger. You won't regret it.

As far as scope mounts goes, especially if your looking for cheaper prices, the Weaver Grand Slam rings are great rings for about $20 off swfa.com.

[Savage_Jake]

But in all of my manuals, it says the OAL is from 2.785 to 2.800". That is the same as a .308.

Also, does Stockade Stocks make stocks for "YOUR" action or are they pre-made like other companies?

I would like to have this stock made if I have to use my .30-06 long action. $375 for a custom made stock for my action would be nice.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa51/djstimuli/tactical_large.jpg

[pdog06]

They dont use your action for it. It has an aluminum skeleton in it that eliminates the need for bedding. They will customize it to your LOP though or any other options they offer.

As for the OAL. Just like for a 308, if you load them and seat them to factory spec it will fit in a magazine, but more than likely your rifle will be more accurate with the bullet closer to the lands. Which also means it will now be too long to fit in a magazine. Thats why I mentioned using the long action for it over on LRH, especially since it is a LA DBM..

[Savage_Jake]

What I mean is, they can make a stock for the "LONG ACTION CENTER FEED".

At the moment neither Choate or B&C make a stock for that mag setup which is why I wanted to get a short action.

[Danley]

Yes

[Savage_Jake]

I called Kevin at Stockade Stocks today. He is a super cool guy. I told him what kind of rifle I had, explained my situation, and I asked him if he could make me a stock. He asked me, "Does a frog have a water tight asshole?" I said of course it does. ;D

I can't wait to get one. They actually fit the box part of the magazine into the stock. No retaining clip is used to convert from a DBM to an internal magazine. So it looks I will be going with my .30-06 long action as my base for the build.