Building a Custom Rifle

SwiftShot

WKR
Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Messages
474
I was thinking about building a custom rifle. I like that Ti X Long Action Magnum from Defiance. I was thinking that action, Carbon Six Barrel and putting it in a MDT Hunter 26 Stock. I was thinking of 300 PRC. Well then I went to the range and pulled out my Christensen Ridgeline in 300 RUM. I was there shooting something else but I decided to put a few down range with it. Well 3 rounds at 100 yards . I like the rifle just not in love with the stock. I cannot see spending 1800 on a MDT stock for it but hell it shoots money with most loads. That is 212 ELDX at 2900 FPS. Should I just leave well enough alone. If I built a custom I would be happy with groups like that. Less than half Inch  300 RUM 100 Yards Resized.jpg
 
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
1,247
^^^^ What he said. ^^^^

Of course there is also the fact that you could spend $1500 on a chassis for your current rifle and it would end up shooting worse. Or, you could spend $3500+ on a custom and it won't shoot nearly as good as your current rifle. Those are always the risks.

It really depends on what you are actually going for. And you have to be honest with yourself, which is the hardest thing to do. Do you just want the rifle because it will be something different? Are you expecting better performance? Have you always wanted a custom rifle so that you can say that you have one?

Last thing. If you are going to go full custom, then buy once, cry once. I would honestly not go with either the action or the barrel that you listed for a full custom. Defiance actions are very prone to binding. If you really have to go with CF barrel, then get a Bartlien rather than a Carbon Six. CS makes good barrels, don't get me wrong. Bartlien makes great barrels.
 
OP
SwiftShot

SwiftShot

WKR
Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Messages
474
^^^^ What he said. ^^^^

Of course there is also the fact that you could spend $1500 on a chassis for your current rifle and it would end up shooting worse. Or, you could spend $3500+ on a custom and it won't shoot nearly as good as your current rifle. Those are always the risks.

It really depends on what you are actually going for. And you have to be honest with yourself, which is the hardest thing to do. Do you just want the rifle because it will be something different? Are you expecting better performance? Have you always wanted a custom rifle so that you can say that you have one?

Last thing. If you are going to go full custom, then buy once, cry once. I would honestly not go with either the action or the barrel that you listed for a full custom. Defiance actions are very prone to binding. If you really have to go with CF barrel, then get a Bartlien rather than a Carbon Six. CS makes good barrels, don't get me wrong. Bartlien makes great barrels.
Who would recommend for a custom lightweight action.
 

arrow179

WKR
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Messages
424
Location
Florida
Who would recommend for a custom lightweight action.
What length action? If going 300PRC then has to be long action. If money is no concern then Bat Vampire or Kelbly Nanook would be my top 2 choices. FYI both of these now have a 75 degree bolt option vs standard 90.
 

khuber84

WKR
Joined
Jun 6, 2019
Messages
1,592
Put the Ridgeline barreled action into a proper stock, with a clean good bedding job. The only reason I see to change things up is if you're wanting to run a shorter barrel/supressor, or change cartridges all together.
 
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SwiftShot

SwiftShot

WKR
Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Messages
474
^^^^ What he said. ^^^^

Of course there is also the fact that you could spend $1500 on a chassis for your current rifle and it would end up shooting worse. Or, you could spend $3500+ on a custom and it won't shoot nearly as good as your current rifle. Those are always the risks.

It really depends on what you are actually going for. And you have to be honest with yourself, which is the hardest thing to do. Do you just want the rifle because it will be something different? Are you expecting better performance? Have you always wanted a custom rifle so that you can say that you have one?

Last thing. If you are going to go full custom, then buy once, cry once. I would honestly not go with either the action or the barrel that you listed for a full custom. Defiance actions are very prone to binding. If you really have to go with CF barrel, then get a Bartlien rather than a Carbon Six. CS makes good barrels, don't get me wrong. Bartlien makes great barrels.
I am thinking of a lightweight mountain rifle in 300 PRC. That is what I was thinking about. I could just buy the MDT HNTR 26 stock and put it on this rifle. Try it out for a little while and if I dont like it put the old stock back on it and sell it. Then get the action and barrel
 
Joined
Jun 12, 2019
Messages
1,642
Who would recommend for a custom lightweight action.
What's lightweight mean? Lone Peak Fuzion with alpine cut would be a solid pick and seems like Altus has it in stock in long action with magnum bolt. I know titanium sounds cool but titanium actions tend to not feel as nice during bolt manipulation as steel actions do. If that matters to you.

 

Flyjunky

WKR
Joined
Jun 22, 2020
Messages
1,419
Why spend $4,000 on a new custom when you have a rifle, at least by the one group shown, that shoots as good as a custom would shoot (or better)?

Put your current setup in a new stock and it will most likely continue to shoot well. It’s kind of like the adage….don’t leave elk to go find elk.
 

TaperPin

WKR
Joined
Jul 12, 2023
Messages
3,158
I’m a huge fan of a second accurate rifle - if groups aren’t what should be, shooting the second rifle instantly shows if it’s you, swapping scope instantly shows if it’s that, and if it’s down to be worked on the other rifle is ready to go.

More = better.
 
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