Help me with a rifle build

[cole96]

I’m finally getting ready to start on a rifle build, I will be getting Joe collier out of Georgia to build it. But can’t decide between a few things.

Caliber - definitely want either 7mm or 30 cal, really going between 7prc and 28 Nosler heavily. I don’t reload, but like to shoot and know of the 28 barrel life. Not concerned on ammo cost. Have also thought on the 30 nosler. But I live in Alabama so it would be almost exclusively deer with elk every other year. Maybe more. But I do like the extended range capability of the nosler. Open to other caliber suggestions too.

Barrel length - don’t really want to do 26”, between 22&24” really. And undecided between carbon and steel.

Will be doing an AG composites stock.

Most likely a kauger action.

Trigger not sure. I like the trigger tech flat one.

Please help me out. I’ve never done a custom and have debated between this for three months. I’ve got a fierce 22” 7 prc and I like the caliber a lot.

 

[hereinaz]

Stick with 7 PRC and go with a 24” fluted steel if you want a bit more velocity than your current 7 PRC. I’d say get a 20” barrel and thread it, cause you will want a suppressor soon. A 280ai will kill elk to 700+ and a short PRC will do the same.

I wouldn’t go 28 Nosler, ballistically you don’t really get a big return on it. And, your ammo choices for the 7 PRC will be bigger and keep growing.

 

[cole96]

Stick with 7 PRC and go with a 24” fluted steel if you want a bit more velocity than your current 7 PRC. I’d say get a 20” barrel and thread it, cause you will want a suppressor soon. A 280ai will kill elk to 700+ and a short PRC will do the same.

I wouldn’t go 28 Nosler, ballistically you don’t really get a big return on it. And, your ammo choices for the 7 PRC will be bigger and keep growing.

I currently shoot suppressed now. I really don’t want to go down to 20”. What you said is kind of what I’ve been leaning as well. If I ever want more horsepower I’ll just build a 30 caliber of some sort

 

[TaperPin]

I don’t see the benefit to getting a 7prc if you already have one, unless the existing one is to be your backup. I’ve had a pair of 7 rem mags and liked having them both set up identically. At distance wind is often the limiting factor, and the fast 7mm has a slight, but real advantage. Guys are constantly saying they wished their 7 PRC was faster since RL26 is gone for now, when they could simply use a 28 Nosler or STW.

To me the big 7mm makes more sense over the 7prc or a 30 cal mag of some kind - you might kill a pile of deer with it, but I bet this is primarily an elk rifle in your mind.

 

[cole96]

I don’t see the benefit to getting a 7prc if you already have one, unless the existing one is to be your backup. I’ve had a pair of 7 rem mags and liked having them both set up identically. At distance wind is often the limiting factor, and the fast 7mm has a slight, but real advantage. Guys are constantly saying they wished their 7 PRC was faster since RL26 is gone for now, when they could simply use a 28 Nosler or STW.

To me the big 7mm makes more sense over the 7prc or a 30 cal mag of some kind - you might kill a pile of deer with it, but I bet this is primarily an elk rifle in your mind.

You’re right. I’ll obviously kill tons of deer with it. But want it with a heavy focus toward elk. Even if it only kills a few.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I've killed a pile of elk with various 7's they work fine.

 

[B23]

Stick with 7 PRC and go with a 24” fluted steel if you want a bit more velocity than your current 7 PRC. I’d say get a 20” barrel and thread it, cause you will want a suppressor soon. A 280ai will kill elk to 700+ and a short PRC will do the same.

I wouldn’t go 28 Nosler, ballistically you don’t really get a big return on it. And, your ammo choices for the 7 PRC will be bigger and keep growing.

Agree on everything above with the only exception being I'd do a 22in barrel threaded and put a can on it.

 

[hereinaz]

I currently shoot suppressed now. I really don’t want to go down to 20”. What you said is kind of what I’ve been leaning as well. If I ever want more horsepower I’ll just build a 30 caliber of some sort

Having seen elk killed out 1100 yards and Coues deer explode at 730 with my 7ss, it is hard to beat the fast 7s with 180 class bullets. Not to mention baseball sized holes and flying bits of lung on caribou at 100 yards…

The big 300 cal can beat it, but the recoil isn’t worth the squeeze.

Go 24” if you want the speed. I run a 26” with suppressor and it’s long, but not a big deal cause it is on my pack most of the time. I did build a 25SST with 21” barrel to run shorter. It matches the

 

[cole96]

I ended up going with 28 nosler in the following

24” proof barrel
Kauger elite action
Trigger tech trigger
Ag composites alpine hunter
Throated for heavy bullets
Extended mag box

Probably will top it with a leupold mark 5

It should be ready in 2ish months