Mods for model 111 Trophy Hunter XP 25-06

[Cajun48]

This rifle is mostly used for hunting and targets out to 200-300yds. Had it for a little over a year now and figure its time to start tinkering.
Plans: Adjust accutrigger, new stock (Boyds), optics (currently Nikon Buckmaster II 4-12X40 BDC), action bedding (if required), new barrel (if required). Any other mods that might be benificial?
Trying to keep total price (well) under $1000 (fixed income is a pita)!
All comments/help is appreciated! aj b BTW It has a bottom bolt release.

[olddav]

Trigger work first, maybe even replace the spring in it.
When you replace the stock install pillars and bed it, either one will void the warranty so might as well do both.
I like to install a one piece scope mount and you might as well bed it too.

Just out of curiosity how does it shoot now?

[toddcdozer]

It would help knowing what you expect to achieve, how it shoots now and what accuracy requirements. A $500 AR will shoot well out to 300 yds so I'm not sure what your requirements are. Any 06 based rig should do what you are talking about in its sleep.

[Cajun48]

olddav and toddc, Right now (latest 5 shot group) shot #1 (cold barrel) 2"right, shots #2 & 3 Bullseye 1/4"apart, Shot #4 1"high, #5 1"right of #4. Cold barrel shot bothers me the other 4 equal 1 1/2" group. All shots 100yds. For a hunting rifle 2" off center at 100yds can cause problems.
Eventually would like to shoot 5 shot groups 3/4" or less (100yds), 2" out to 2ooyds and 3" or less to 300yds. When hunting I'm in a 15-18ft ladder stand both have stable gun rests. Furthest shot is 315yds across a pasture.

[toddcdozer]

olddav and toddc, Right now (latest 5 shot group) shot #1 (cold barrel) 2"right, shots #2 & 3 Bullseye 1/4"apart, Shot #4 1"high, #5 1"right of #4. Cold barrel shot bothers me the other 4 equal 1 1/2" group. All shots 100yds. For a hunting rifle 2" off center at 100yds can cause problems.
Eventually would like to shoot 5 shot groups 3/4" or less out to 2ooyds and 1" or less to 300yds. When hunting I'm in a 15-18ft ladder stand both have stable gun rests. Furthest shot is 315yds across a pasture..33 MOA = Aftermarket barrel, stock, well tuned or aftermarket trigger, handloads, great bullets and good rests in most cases. Luckily it isn't long range so ES wont be a huge issue and you don't need a reticle or dial system to play or a $3k scope. I would build a 280AI or 6.5-284 primarily for the bullet selection and work up a load.

[RC20]

A lot depends on how you feel about weight. Heavier barrel will get you more consistency for the 5 shot groups.

My Shilen Bull looks to be 3/8 MOA (that's a guess, once you get down there the shooter makes huge difference in sub 5/8 and a 3/8 inch group:
Its about a 12 lb gun. Barrel is 8 lbs or so.

Note I say MOA. Your desire is 3/8 MOA and .33 as todozer notes at 300.

If you are serious and can shoot that well, then you may be talking a cut rifle (Southern Precision Shooters ) has suppliers for those, price is not as bad as you think. Brux, Bartlein, Krieger. Walther Lothar does extr care button rifled as does Shilen. $350-380.

The optic is a tough one. My eyes are not so good, best scope I found that I liked that could dial out to 300 yds was a NightForce and that was $1100 (I got the dot)

While its my take, when target shooting I am at 12x at 100. Using that you need something like 24 for 300 (maybe more) . The NF goes to 36.
I plan on an occasional shoot on a 1000 yard range (take a 4 wheeler to do the targets!)

Plenty of other glass out there, but to do that kind of shooting it takes good glass and while the 12x scopes are common and you can get some good ones (I have a Cabella I love as the cross hair are a bit thicker than Leopold which I have a harder time seeing and the Redfield very good 12 x but very heavy cross hairs)

[glockr]

.33 MOA = Aftermarket barrel, stock, well tuned or aftermarket trigger, handloads, great bullets and good rests in most cases. Luckily it isn't long range so ES wont be a huge issue and you don't need a reticle or dial system to play or a $3k scope. I would build a 280AI or 6.5-284 primarily for the bullet selection and work up a load.

I agree with the 6.5 part, but wouldn't either the 6.5 Creedmoor or 260 Remington have enough energy remaining for clean kills at a max range of 315 yards? Nothing against 6.5-284 but it has a reputation as a barrel burner, recoil is quite a bit more, ammo is quite a bit more expensive...

[SageRat Shooter]

I agree with the 6.5 part, but wouldn't either the 6.5 Creedmoor or 260 Remington have enough energy remaining for clean kills at a max range of 315 yards? Nothing against 6.5-284 but it has a reputation as a barrel burner, recoil is quite a bit more, ammo is quite a bit more expensive...

Yes, this is accurate... the 143 Hornady ELD-X fired at 2800 fps carries over 1500 ft lbs of energy at 400 yards.... That's enough energy to take down an ELK....

[toddcdozer]

I agree with the 6.5 part, but wouldn't either the 6.5 Creedmoor or 260 Remington have enough energy remaining for clean kills at a max range of 315 yards? Nothing against 6.5-284 but it has a reputation as a barrel burner, recoil is quite a bit more, ammo is quite a bit more expensive...
Any 6.5 would be fine out to 300. The 284 has Lapua brass but you can get that with a 260 or Creed now. A 6.5x47 would be a great pick also.
1/3 MOA is a tall order and may or may not happen depending on a slug of factors.
I primarily listed the 284 because he's on a LA.

[olddav]

.33 MOA, I'm thinking you just blew your 1K budget.

[ninner]

I'd try the trigger first.
Are the stated groups with factory or hand loads?
Id stay away from a heavy barrel if you hunt from a tree stand.

[Cajun48]

I'd try the trigger first.
Are the stated groups with factory or hand loads?
Id stay away from a heavy barrel if you hunt from a tree stand.

Gonna go out this week and shoot a 5 shot test group (factory ammo) then I can compare other groups to it to look for improvements. The Barrel I was looking at (if it gets that far) was a Shilen 24" heavy sporter (#4 contour). I want to keep it a 25-06 using 90-117gr bullets. I will eventually be reloading for the 25-06 and the biggest thing I'll be shooting is a South Carolina Deer! The stand is a ladder type. I'll ride a 4wheeler to within 50yds of the stand then climb a 18' ladder. Comphy after that! lol
ajb

[Cajun48]

Made some corrections to post #4. Was tired at the time and brain was in a fog.
I live in Ladson SC so no elk size anything. I'm 68 and have a focus problem in my right eye (pressure).
The numbers I quoted might be "pie in the sky" but if I can get the shoot off quick enough, I think I can come close.
I want the gun to stay a 25-06 (already have the dies for reloading).
aj b

[RC20]

Yea not sure why it wandered off onto other calibers. SC seemed unlikely place to find an elk wandering around.

I would get the heaviest barrel you think will work in the tree stand.

Also think about a sear spring, that will let you adjust down to 1.5 pounds. You can take it up to (4 or 5?) for hunting purposes.

[SageRat Shooter]

RC20,

LOL!! The Elk reference was just for knockdown performance... If it would knockdown an Elk at 400 yards, then it should be more than sufficient for what the OP would most likely ever shoot.