Custom Rifle Journey/Review *Pic Heavy*

Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
9,870
@huntnfool, really enjoyed that write up as I too am contemplating my first custom build, and I have a question for you: Are carbon stocks worth the cost?

Price is a concern for me, I'm focused on building a 280ai on either a Tikka T3x Lite or Savage 110 Lightweight Storm platform, 7mm-08 action and steel blank rebarrel cut to 18" (because according to my smith, the stock 1-9.5 twist won't stabilize 160/162gr factory ammo). For my express purpose of backpack hunting with a suppressor, I just wondered what you think about the value added with a carbon stock?

Carbon itself isn't worth it or not worth it. The question is does the stock weigh and function like you want. There are good stocks of lots of different materials. Lot of carbon stocks out there that suck functionally. Being made of carbon doesn't change that.
 

CBar

FNG
Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Messages
81
Location
Etna, Wyoming
That's fair, I'll probably stick with the OEM Tikka stock, it's served me well on a 300winmag and my .243 for a long time, and put that $$$ towards better optics.
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,321
That's fair, I'll probably stick with the OEM Tikka stock, it's served me well on a 300winmag and my .243 for a long time, and put that $$$ towards better optics.
A reliable scope and reliable rings should absolutely come before a stock upgrade IMO.
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,321
Switched the gun over to a thinner profile #5 contour barrel. 23” finish length. Still in 7-300 NMI. Scoped weight in this configuration is 9.7lbs.

Shot pretty good out at distance in this configuration.
IMG_2131.jpeg
Killed a pig with it also.
IMG_2168.jpeg

Probably switch it over to a slightly heavier barrel and 24” finish length before season at some point. Help with recoil a little bit more. But as you can see in the video, it doesn’t kick too too much.

 
Joined
Oct 27, 2018
Messages
517
Try and 18” because you know we are all wondering what kind of horsepower a stubby barrel would have! Chop down your first barrel you’re using for fireforming.
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,321
I can barely afford to even look at this thread holy rip.
Hahaha understandable 😅. But this is where like 75% of my extra income goes. I have a 15 year old car and 15 year old truck, and only a mortgage for a bill. I don’t have big expensive toys. Just rifles and scopes 🤣🤣.

Hell, for one brand new truck these days, you can get 10 customs rifles and scopes for all of them hahaha.
 

Harvey_NW

WKR
Joined
Feb 13, 2019
Messages
1,982
Location
WA
That's fair, I'll probably stick with the OEM Tikka stock, it's served me well on a 300winmag and my .243 for a long time, and put that $$$ towards better optics.
I would agree with @huntnful on the optic and rings being primary concern, and that you'll be fine with a factory stock in the mean time. I put vertical grips on my Tikka stocks and they shoot great. But if you get to a point where upgrading is an option for a hunting rifle, there is something warm and fuzzy about a well designed carbon stock.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NSI
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
28
He Does a great job of explaining both sides of the argument. I’ve had both carbon and steel barrels and most of the time it comes down to what I can find in stock. But if I had to put my paycheck on a rifle that’s going to shoot I would bank on a steel barrel 10/10 times.
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,321
One of the rifles for the 2024 season is done. 7-300 Norma Mag Improved. Decided to go with a 26” Brux 1-9 twist #6 contour. As the gun sits, without bipod, it’s 10.93lbs. It’ll eventually going into a stock that’s 10oz lighter putting it in the low 10’s. Should be just right as far as weight and recoil management. Build done by High Voltage Armory
IMG_2477.jpeg
 

Harvey_NW

WKR
Joined
Feb 13, 2019
Messages
1,982
Location
WA
One of the rifles for the 2024 season is done. 7-300 Norma Mag Improved. Decided to go with a 26” Brux 1-9 twist #6 contour. As the gun sits, without bipod, it’s 10.93lbs. It’ll eventually going into a stock that’s 10oz lighter putting it in the low 10’s. Should be just right as far as weight and recoil management. Build done by High Voltage Armory
Thing looks sick. So High Voltage Armory is your super secret gunsmith?
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,321
Killed a couple aoudad with the 7-300 NMI.

IMG_3239.jpeg
IMG_3338.jpeg
Then awitched the 7-300 NMI over to this McMillan Nimrod stock. It now weighs exactly 10lbs and I will hunt with it in this configuration for the season.
IMG_3799.jpeg

Then my 6 PRC/ 22 creedmoor was finished up also. I just swap the barrel and bolt between cartridges. Got the 6 PRC shooting good, and then swapped over to the 22 creedmoor and that cartridge has been an absolute blast.
IMG_3851.jpeg
IMG_3950.jpeg
 
Joined
Jun 22, 2019
Messages
366
A 7prc I won last month off a $25 raffle ticket, mesa precision action, manners lrh, proof sendero, trigger tech special, swapped out the SHV for a mark5.
8be84e90ff11ea1ebefbad65f8464e72.png



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,321
A 7prc I won last month off a $25 raffle ticket, mesa precision action, manners lrh, proof sendero, trigger tech special, swapped out the SHV for a mark5.
8be84e90ff11ea1ebefbad65f8464e72.png



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Very nice! That’s a good score on a $25 ticket haha.
 

huntsd

WKR
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
595
Killed a couple aoudad with the 7-300 NMI.

View attachment 717075
View attachment 717076
Then awitched the 7-300 NMI over to this McMillan Nimrod stock. It now weighs exactly 10lbs and I will hunt with it in this configuration for the season.
View attachment 717077

Then my 6 PRC/ 22 creedmoor was finished up also. I just swap the barrel and bolt between cartridges. Got the 6 PRC shooting good, and then swapped over to the 22 creedmoor and that cartridge has been an absolute blast.
View attachment 717078
View attachment 717080
what bipod are you running?
 
Top