A Budget Hunting Rifle Build

[Halligan]

This is a great point. Using the used market for a budget rifle build is a great option. I will have to note that going this route has risks. You don’t know how the rifle was cared for. I’d recommend brining a person with you who is knowledge able about rifles and know what to look for when making a purchase from the used market. I had a bad experience in the past and over paid for a completely shot out barrel.

I’ve always wanted a M70. Let’s see some pics of this build!

100%, knowing the basics and then the idiosyncrasies related to certain firearms is a must (i.e. good/bad years, barrel condition, etc.). I'd even throw in knowing the market, and for those who want to go used, below is a list of things I've point out/asked (with tact) that have driven the price down, sometimes dramatically:
1) The price is out of range
2) The gun has been refinished
3) This/that needs repair
4) Ask how long it has been on their books (shops all of the sudden love to haggle when something hasn't moved in a year)
5) I got cash and am a pretty cool guy (lol)

It always useful to remember that shops often pay about 45%-60% of a firearm's resale value, thus there is always some room to make a deal.

Also here is the old girl, I'd take some better pics, but she is off at the smith for some TLC. Went the resto route to have this as a classic woods gun.

 

[Jsmalls273]

100%, knowing the basics and then the idiosyncrasies related to certain firearms is a must (i.e. good/bad years, barrel condition, etc.). I'd even throw in knowing the market, and for those who want to go used, below is a list of things I've point out/asked (with tact) that have driven the price down, sometimes dramatically:
1) The price is out of range
2) The gun has been refinished
3) This/that needs repair
4) Ask how long it has been on their books (shops all of the sudden love to haggle when something hasn't moved in a year)
5) I got cash and am a pretty cool guy (lol)

It always useful to remember that shops often pay about 45%-60% of a firearm's resale value, thus there is always some room to make a deal.

Also here is the old girl, I'd take some better pics, but she is off at the smith for some TLC. Went the resto route to have this as a classic woods gun.
View attachment 776431View attachment 776422

Beautiful M70! I have a few year old M70 featherweight that while she looks good, doesn't hold a candle to yours!

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[ShaneC]

Totally understand, in that case I think an easy way to start the journey is this thought process:
1) Is the current barrel accurate/has plenty of life left?
2) Do you want threading/can the current barrel be threaded?

The answers to these questions will help dictate an "have to directions". Is the accuracy of the barrel "meh", or can't be threaded? Proceed directly to new barrel. If it shoots, invest elsewhere until you burn out that barrel. This said, if you just want a 7 prc, send it!

Back to the main discussion, another angle we shouldn't forget is starting at the used rack, especially if you know what you are looking for. For example, I fail to ever go into a serious shop without finding at least a few lightly used M70's (from the good years), tikkas, sakos, etc., that are bargains for their quality level.

In my own personal example, I bought a 1973 production Model 70 that was a single owner safe queen for $500. Threw a solid scope on it, and was pleasantly greeted with good accuracy. Since then, I had the stock refinished, added butt pad, and freefloat/bedded for another $400. The incremental addition of luxuries, next up, Maven scope

The gun I have shoots well. Nothing wrong with the barrel. I have several other 30 cal guns from 308-300wby, including other 300 win mag. This savage 116 just does not get used. I do not currently have anything in a 7 as to why i was thinking of either rebarreling it to get some use out of it or getting rid of it and getting a 7.

 

[Cerickson12]

Update after some load development. I used Hornady brass and 4831SC. I did all loading on a 120FX auto trickler setup. I am happy with the accuracy but not so happy on the velocity. I will be trying a different chronograph to see if that changes anything.

180eld
OAL 3.36
62.6

1. 2607
2. 2588
3. 2616

Sd 14
Es 28
Avg. 2603

62.8

1. 2653
2. 2605
3. 2648

Sd 26
Es 48
Avg. 2635

63

1. 2635
2. 2619
3. 2628

Sd 8
Es 16
Avg. 2627

63.2

1. 2653
2. 2647
3. 2650

Sd 3
Es 6
Avg. 2650

63.4

1. 2674
2. 2661
3. 2641

Sd 16
Es 33
Avg. 2658

63.6

1. 2668
2. 2672
3. 2659

Sd 6
Es 13
Avg. 2666

63.8

1. 2696
2. 2658
3. 2669

Sd 19
Es 38
Avg. 2674

64

1. 2688
2. 2662
3. 2686

Sd 14
Es 26
Avg. 2678

 

[dreamingbig]

Thank you. I completely agree this rifle will be with me for a long time and probably wear a proof carbon barrel down the road.

Also the trigger spring is for the accu-trigger target spring which can be purchased from gun shack. It can be turned down well below 1.5lbs. Well worth the $12

After you change the stock, barrel and bolt is it even a savage anymore?


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[Halligan]

Update after some load development. I used Hornady brass and 4831SC. I did all loading on a 120FX auto trickler setup. I am happy with the accuracy but not so happy on the velocity. I will be trying a different chronograph to see if that changes anything.

180eld
OAL 3.36
62.6

1. 2607
2. 2588
3. 2616

Sd 14
Es 28
Avg. 2603

62.8

1. 2653
2. 2605
3. 2648

Sd 26
Es 48
Avg. 2635

63

1. 2635
2. 2619
3. 2628

Sd 8
Es 16
Avg. 2627

63.2

1. 2653
2. 2647
3. 2650

Sd 3
Es 6
Avg. 2650

63.4

1. 2674
2. 2661
3. 2641

Sd 16
Es 33
Avg. 2658

63.6

1. 2668
2. 2672
3. 2659

Sd 6
Es 13
Avg. 2666

63.8

1. 2696
2. 2658
3. 2669

Sd 19
Es 38
Avg. 2674

64

1. 2688
2. 2662
3. 2686

Sd 14
Es 26
Avg. 2678

View attachment 781112
View attachment 781113

Thanks for updating, glad to see the initial groups are promising.
Those velocity numbers are interesting, but at the same time it is a 20 inch barrel, so maybe not entirely surprising? I’m sure with barrel break in and playing with the powder it will speed up, what velocity were you targeting?

 

[darkhunter6.5]

Which version of the VG2 is that stock? All the ones I saw online said they were for savage rifles with the bottom bolt release. Also which barrel contour stock did you get? I picked up the trail hunter lite in 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Cerickson12]

Thanks for updating, glad to see the initial groups are promising.
Those velocity numbers are interesting, but at the same time it is a 20 inch barrel, so maybe not entirely surprising? I’m sure with barrel break in and playing with the powder it will speed up, what velocity were you targeting?

I’d agree with the barrel break in period but I already have 140rds down the pipe so likely not that. I was hoping to be 2750-2800. I’ve seen other people with the same rifle get those speeds.

 

[Cerickson12]

Which version of the VG2 is that stock? All the ones I saw online said they were for savage rifles with the bottom bolt release. Also which barrel contour stock did you get? I picked up the trail hunter lite in 6.5 Creedmoor.

They are for bottom bolt release only. I just spent approximately 20 min with a Dremel tool in letting to fit. Pretty easy job. I went sendero for barrel contour on the stock.

 

[Ty30]

Great write up, love to see budget builds like these. Never payed much attention to the stockys stocks until know, thinking about doing something similar.

 

[Cerickson12]

Great write up, love to see budget builds like these. Never payed much attention to the stockys stocks until know, thinking about doing something similar.

Thank you. Budget build can be fun.

 

[Solm]

100%, knowing the basics and then the idiosyncrasies related to certain firearms is a must (i.e. good/bad years, barrel condition, etc.). I'd even throw in knowing the market, and for those who want to go used, below is a list of things I've point out/asked (with tact) that have driven the price down, sometimes dramatically:
1) The price is out of range
2) The gun has been refinished
3) This/that needs repair
4) Ask how long it has been on their books (shops all of the sudden love to haggle when something hasn't moved in a year)
5) I got cash and am a pretty cool guy (lol)

It always useful to remember that shops often pay about 45%-60% of a firearm's resale value, thus there is always some room to make a deal.

Also here is the old girl, I'd take some better pics, but she is off at the smith for some TLC. Went the resto route to have this as a classic woods gun.
View attachment 776431View attachment 776422

Looks really nice.

 

[Cerickson12]

Got out today to check velocity on 63.2gr and decided I’m going to push the load hotter. I’ll plan to work up for 64gr to maybe 66gr max. I would like to push 180s at 2800 or faster which I feel I should be able to achieve for the 7prc without issue. I am however very happy with the accuracy.

 

[darkhunter6.5]

Trail Hunter lite 6.5 creedmoor put a vortex viper 2-10x42 on it. Still trying to decide which stock.

 

[Cerickson12]

Trail Hunter lite 6.5 creedmoor put a vortex viper 2-10x42 on it. Still trying to decide which stock.

Another option is MDTTAC Field stock. $299 and I bet there will be a killer blackfriday deal.

 

[darkhunter6.5]

Averaging right at 2lbs on the trigger with no adjustments.

 

[darkhunter6.5]

Took this deer with mine. Waiting on the Black Friday sales before I get a stock.