My latest builds - 223 Rem and 284 Win

[Onewolf]

I built a couple new rifles in the last week that I had been collecting parts for over the last year. I pursue long range precision practical/tactical shooting in a fairly 'budget minded' manner because of all my other hobbies. :) I tend to use Savage actions for my bolt action rifles because I can do my own gunsmithing. This saves money but mostly TIME.

The first one is a 223 Rem intended to be used for short/medium range (out to about 600 yds) practice for me and for my wife when we're plinking on the 'short' 300m range. It's a Savage varmint SS action, Choate stock, McGowen 24" Shilen #7LV contour 1:7 twist barrel, NSS precision lug and barrel nut, EGW 20MOA scope base, Burris Extreme rings, and SWFA 12X fixed scope, and Harris bipod. I plan to shoot A-max 75s using Lapua brass with this rifle.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/Onewolf42/20160629_141424.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Onewolf42/media/20160629_141424.jpg.html)

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/Onewolf42/20160629_141431.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Onewolf42/media/20160629_141431.jpg.html)

Next is a 284 Winchester. I wanted to try a 7mm but I wanted to use a short action so the 284 Win seemed like the best choice. With the Savage short action and after-market magazines I am limited to 2.99" COAL for magazine feeding. My initial A-Max 162 rounds are 2.97" COAL.

It's a Savage LRP Target action, Manners T5 stock, McGowen 25" Shilen #7LV contour 1:8 twist barrel, NSS precision lug and barrel nut, EGW 20MOA scope base, Burris Extreme rings, and SWFA 12X fixed scope, and Harris bipod.

I may also try Berger 180 VLD Hybrids but I won't be able to magazine feed them.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/Onewolf42/20160629_141606.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Onewolf42/media/20160629_141606.jpg.html)

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/Onewolf42/20160629_141646.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Onewolf42/media/20160629_141646.jpg.html)

Finally, I'm going to try out a new/inexpensive scope on my 264 LBC (6.5 Grendel) semi. The scope is an Atlon Talos BTR 4-14 FFP and it costs only $300 on Amazon. Their scopes have gotten pretty good reviews value wise with good tracking and decent glass so I figured would give it a shot.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/Onewolf42/20160629_151246.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Onewolf42/media/20160629_151246.jpg.html)

Sorry for the off-kilter photo, but I find it challenging to take photos thru the scope using the phone camera.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/Onewolf42/20160629_153816.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/Onewolf42/media/20160629_153816.jpg.html)

[scooterf79]

Those are some very nice builds!
Be sure to post your results!
I think you'll like the 7mm, I really like that caliber.
Scooter

[jpx2rk]

Nice work. Do you set a budget for each build, or just continue to look for the items needed to be on sale and go from there. ?

[drybean]

Very nice!!!!!!!!!!! let us know how they perform

[foxx]

Nice.

What's that in the last picture's background? I am guessing a model train platform of some kind?

[Onewolf]

Nice.

What's that in the last picture's background? I am guessing a model train platform of some kind?

28x32 ft HO gauge layout under construction....

http://www.onewolf.org/Album/LayoutConstruction/index.html

[foxx]

^^^^ slouch.

[foxx]

Incredible layout, Onewolf.
Absolutely incredible!
I am dumbfounded.

[Onewolf]

Nice work. Do you set a budget for each build, or just continue to look for the items needed to be on sale and go from there. ?

Since it takes so long to get custom barrels I generally decide what caliber(s) I want for future builds and go ahead and order them in the barrel 'recipe' I have standardized on. Once a barrel is ordered I try to find/buy a suitable action if I don't already own one that's available for use in a new rifle. I have bought 'donor' rifles and I have bought just actions. I really like the Manner T5 stock and Stocky's Stocks used to stock them inletted for Savage SA DBM. That was very convenient because I could get them in less than a week (and it's a bonus when all my rifles appear the same to the untrained eye because my wife doesn't realize how many I have unless she checks the gun safe. :) ). However Stocky's no longer stocks Savage inletted Manners and it takes 6-8 months to get one direct from Manners. For my next build I think I'm going to try a chassis system (either XLR or MDT).

The budget for each ends up being about the same I try to use all the same/similar pieces parts. I used a Choate in the new 223 simply because I didn't want to wait for a Manners or a chassis system.

I've standardized on the SWFA 12X fixed scope ($260 including rings during their annual Black Friday sale), EGW 20MOA HD mount, NSS barrel nut/lug, Shilen #7LV barrel contour, Harris bipod.

The basic cost of my standard build is around $2000 or $1600 in the case of the Choate 223 build.

[scooterf79]

Wow on the train layout! That's awesome! Can't even imagine how much work you put into that. VERY cool!
Scooter

[jpx2rk]

Since it takes so long to get custom barrels I generally decide what caliber(s) I want for future builds and go ahead and order them in the barrel 'recipe' I have standardized on. Once a barrel is ordered I try to find/buy a suitable action if I don't already own one that's available for use in a new rifle. I have bought 'donor' rifles and I have bought just actions. I really like the Manner T5 stock and Stocky's Stocks used to stock them inletted for Savage SA DBM. That was very convenient because I could get them in less than a week (and it's a bonus when all my rifles appear the same to the untrained eye because my wife doesn't realize how many I have unless she checks the gun safe. :) ). However Stocky's no longer stocks Savage inletted Manners and it takes 6-8 months to get one direct from Manners. For my next build I think I'm going to try a chassis system (either XLR or MDT).

The budget for each ends up being about the same I try to use all the same/similar pieces parts. I used a Choate in the new 223 simply because I didn't want to wait for a Manners or a chassis system.

I've standardized on the SWFA 12X fixed scope ($260 including rings during their annual Black Friday sale), EGW 20MOA HD mount, NSS barrel nut/lug, Shilen #7LV barrel contour, Harris bipod.

The basic cost of my standard build is around $2000 or $1600 in the case of the Choate 223 build.


Thanks for the info on how you do your builds. I'm no where near that yet but good info. Thanks again.

[Onewolf]

Thanks for the info on how you do your builds. I'm no where near that yet but good info. Thanks again.

One other item I failed to mention is that I start collecting reloading supplies like dies, brass, bullets, and a trimmer during the 'collect' phase. This helps spread out the cost of the whole rifle system.

[jpx2rk]

One other item I failed to mention is that I start collecting reloading supplies like dies, brass, bullets, and a trimmer during the 'collect' phase. This helps spread out the cost of the whole rifle system.

I've started that on the 12FV in 204R I got a few weeks ago (going backwards with getting the rifle 1st), I have the scope and rings but haven't had time to install yet, now looking for reloading stuff on sale. LOL

[DrThunder88]

Great looking guns! You've got some well thought out setups there.

When you get around to it, I think we'd all appreciate a more in depth review of the Athlon scope. They look very much like a known quantity, but it'd be good to know if this one lives up to the speculation.

[243LPR]

"What's that in the last picture's background? I am guessing a model train platform of some kind? "

I think it's called a vacuum cleaner.

[Onewolf]

"What's that in the last picture's background? I am guessing a model train platform of some kind? "

I think it's called a vacuum cleaner.

It's the SharkNado vacuum. :)

[Onewolf]

Performed my first CFE 223 powder load test with the 223 on Sunday.

Powder loads: 24.0, 24.3, 24.6, 24.9, 25.2
Brass: Lapua
Bullet: Hornady A-Max 75
Primer: CCI small rifle
COL: 2.39"

I did not have my chronograph setup.

24.0gr, 24.3gr, and 24.6gr all look promising. I will load 10 rds with each of those loads and shoot 10 rd groups at 300meters to see which powder load works best.


http://www.onewolf.org/Files/223a.jpg

http://www.onewolf.org/Files/223b.jpg

[Onewolf]

I got the 284 Win barrel threaded and installed a MuzzleBrakesAndMore.com Beast 3 port brake. As expected the brake makes it much easier to stay on target.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/Onewolf42/mbm.jpg