Critique/Help for First Rifle Build

[rolltide05]

Been contemplating for a while now on building my "do-all" eastern rifle build. Mainly utilized for stand hunting whitetails.

This will be my first build and I have zero experience with anything aside from factory produced rifles. Any suggestions or critique is welcomed.

- Tikka or Defiance Anti X Action w/split integrated rail
- Caliber .308, 6.5prc or 7mm-08
- Stainless 18-20" Threaded Barrel (not opposed to carbon, but not seeing a lot of benefits vs. cost)
- Suppressor (have not picked one yet)
- Trigger Tech Trigger
- Either MDT Hnt26 or McMillan Game Hunter w/arca rail and quick detached sling mounts on left side
- Schmitt Bender Polar T96 3-12x54 D7 Illuminated Reticle

 

[brentr9]

Sounds like a great build. What part of south Alabama?

 

[rolltide05]

Live in Mobile. Hunt in Thomasville and Greenville.

 

[wind gypsy]

18">20" if full time suppressed.

I dont see much value in AntiX over tikka for the extra cost spent.

7mm-08 but would prefer 6.5 creed and would prefer 243 or 6 creed over 6.5 for eastern whitetail/hogs/bears.

I'm not particularly fond of hnt26 or the game hunter. What drove you to those choices? I generally like Tikka style mags/bottom metal over AICS for hunting rifles but AI pattern mag and bottom metal options have certainly gotten better for hunting stuff lately.

 

[rolltide05]

18">20" if full time suppressed.

I dont see much value in AntiX over tikka for the extra cost spent.

7mm-08 but would prefer 6.5 creed and would prefer 243 or 6 creed over 6.5 for eastern whitetail/hogs/bears.

I'm not particularly fond of hnt26 or the game hunter. What drove you to those choices? I generally like Tikka style mags/bottom metal over AICS for hunting rifles but AI pattern mag and bottom metal options have certainly gotten better for hunting stuff lately.

The Hnt26 idea came off of a "want". Never been around a chassis setup but looks very interesting and believe I would like its functionality.

I like the thinner forend of the Game Scout. Was also eying the Game Hunter for the higher comb to help with the larger objective.

Any other recommendations are certainly welcomed.

 

[kkp005]

I’d just go with a factory tikka and have it chopped / threaded. Maybe look at Stocks VG or a rokstock.

The factory trigger is fantastic in the tikkas

Any of those 3 caliber choices are great . I’ve got a 6.5prc tikka and 308… both shoot tight little groups.

Honestly for your hunting it’s hard to beat just a 18” 308… Ammo available everywhere!
Don’t over look a tikka in 243 also. I shoot 6creed and it absolutely wrecks southern whitetails…

I’d look at diligent defense enticer Sti or the Jolene S suppressors

Here’s my tikka with an 18” 6creed barrel by preferred barrel blank and stockys VG stock…it’s pretty much perfect for everything I do in TX .

 

[wind gypsy]

The Hnt26 idea came off of a "want". Never been around a chassis setup but looks very interesting and believe I would like its functionality.

I like the thinner forend of the Game Scout. Was also eying the Game Hunter for the higher comb to help with the larger objective.

Any other recommendations are certainly welcomed.

I like the ass end of the game warden LR better than the game hunter, might have the same fore end?

I like general handling and shooting ergos of traditional stocks better than chassis personally. Hnt26 might be pretty decent in that regard with flush mags though. I've never had one (so take feedback with grain of salt) but I've read enough about issues with POI changes due to torque on hand guard/fore end, needs to bed it, and less than robust connection of fore-end to the chassis with small screws that make it less enticing.

 

[omicron1792]

I’m also a Bama boy. Welcome.

Listen to @wind gypsy. He knows his stuff.

I use a chassis on my dedicated night setup. But I prefer traditional stock for stalk or stand hunting.

My newest rig is 18” with supressor. You just don’t need longer to the less than 300 yard shots we take.

I used 6.5prc for last several years, but now use 223 for Alabama whitetails. Drops them like a rock with 77TMK.

A great compromise is a 6 creedmoor. Legal everywhere, 600 yard range, and 108gr will drop anything you hunt in Alabama like a rock.

My favorite supressor is AB raptor with reflex.

 

[keystone112]

I’m guessing you’re going for maximum light transmission with the larger objective scope.

I prefer a bit lower mounted scope when I can.

 

[Long Cut]

Central GA here.

This is the start to my whitetail “build”…
REM 700 SPS Tactical in .243 with a 16.5” bull barrel. YHM K can. Triggertech Special set at 2#.
Came with the Bell & Carlson tactical stock, Weaver rail & Vortex crossfire scope.

I’d opt for a 16.5” barrel in a bull/sendero contour chambered in .243 or 6.5 personally. Especially if keeping suppressed. Everything else sounds G2G to me.

Keep us updated on the build!

 

[8nbait]

If going with a trigger tech, the primary is fine for hunting and will go light enough.
No need to spend extra money for a special or diamond.
I would also go with 6 creed or 243, if you feel you need more the 6.5’s are very good but recoil does increase with the heavier bullets.
My .02