Lefty custom 300wsm mountain rifle finally finished!

[Deucebump]

Finally finished up my latest custom build for myself today. Im lucky if I get to build myself 1 rifle a year, and been wanting to do this one for a while. Specs…

Chambered in 300WSM
LH Rem 700 trued SA, bolt opened up w/ M-16 extractor, custom knob, Kempfeld fluting
Element MG 4.0 w/ carbon grip n folding carbon stock
Proof 1:9 sendero finished at 21”
Custom built Ti brake
GreTan firing pin assembly
Trigger is an old style 700 trigger w/ bolt lock set at 2.5lbs
Hawkins Hunter DBM mags
Talley 20 moa ultralights
Leupold VX5 HD 3-15x44 CDS windplex
Cerkote Midnight Bronze

Weighs in at 7lbs 15oz all in scoped with mag installed. 100% of the work was done by myself with the exception of the bolt fluting by Kempfeld. Hope to get some weather and time in the next month or so to get on the range!

 

[sdolan617]

Be still my heart... that is one sexy build

 

[Deucebump]

Ha! Thanks man, you know the funny thing about that comment, I sent that pic to some of my buddies and the number one response was “sexy!” Not what I was thinking when I built it, but Ill take it!

 

[Johnc427]

That is a NASTY setup. are you running factory or reloads through it? What bullet do you plan on shooting? I just finished my 20” 300 WSM. Plan on shooting 200.20x, 205 EH or 215 Hybirds

 

[Deucebump]

I will hopefully be shooting reloads with 200 eldx, and RL 26. I have used the same load in 2 other 300wsm rifles I built with the same reamer and both have shot amazing. So I have high hopes for the same results. I may have to mess with powder charge or seating depth, but after I check length to lands and know Im good with the same load I have, Im going to start there. This has a little shorter barrel, so I expect lower velocities, but on my 23 or 24” Obermeyer barrel Im getting 2950, and on my sons Bartlien 23” Im getting 2980.

 

[carlc]

Wanna build another one?

 

[gerry35]

If it shoots as good as it looks you'll be a happy man, congrats!

You answered the question I would have asked as to what you plan on shooting in that 9 twist barrel. What kind of C.O.A.L. do you get in that Hawkins DBM? Probably would appreciate a bit more room with the heavier bullets.

 

[KenLee]

Whatcha gonna kill with that wicked rig?

 

[Deucebump]

CarlC, I PM’d you.

Gerry, I think the max length in the Hawkins mag is 2.960 off the top of my head. If I remember right my current load is around 2.850 or 2.900. I thought about throating this rifle to get max magazine length, but knowing a load for the reamer used, I didnt think I would gain much. But its something I can always go back and do if I feel I will get a good gain from it.

 

[Deucebump]

Whatcha gonna kill with that wicked rig?

Hopefully anything I want! Lol! But my obsession is high country mule deer, or any mule deer for that matter.

 

[JD Jones]

Looks great. I have a black XLR in my cart right now and that green is giving me pause

 

[KenLee]

Hopefully anything I want! Lol! But my obsession is high country mule deer, or any mule deer for that matter.

I just kill lil whitetails and hogs, so I sling 150 gr NBT.

 

[Deucebump]

Cant say what color I would have picked if I would have ordered new from XLR. I found this one used and got a good deal on it and didnt want to wait for a new one. But I do like green.

 

[gerry35]

Please keep us up to date on how it shoots. That's really nice gun and has the bolt on the proper side!

 

[Deucebump]

Ha, yeah Lefties unite! Ill report back after I get some range time, but I dont expect that to be anytime soon.

 

[Johnc427]

Southpaws unite! Mine weighs 7lb, 12 oz with a VX6 3-18x50 and no can. It’s a sweet little rifle.

 

[CRJR45]

Sexy is just how I'd describe it , Nice !

 

[TCUHunter34]

I would turn left handed for this rifle!

 

[Deucebump]

Finally got some decent weather and time, so I have been playing around trying to find a good load. After decent results from a known load but wanting more, I set out today with a Labradar and loads to find the OCW. Shot 1 (3 shot) group with a velocity ES of 5 fps that measured .590, and another group that measured right at .500. Then played with seating depths, and eventually ended up at the same seating depth as the OCW loads with .020 jump. Shot a confirmation group, first 4 were under .750, with #5 just breaking an inch. I know this gun will do better but im dealing with junk nickel plated Winchester brass. After 89 rounds out the barrel, with break in and load development, I decided to call it “good enough”. Already having a lot of brass, I dont feel like spending more money and starting over. Final load…200gr ELD-x, 71.7gr RL 26, @2965 fps. Going to order the CDS dial for that, then go confirm that out to 500, and hopefully stretch it further later this summer.

 

[Deucebump]

Somehow this rifle thread popped up in my feed in a round about way today, and since I just used it on it’s first hunt I thought I would report in. She worked flawless, 1 well placed shot at 486 dropped this great buck in its tracks. (CDS dial was made for 11,500 feet, he was shot at a little over 12,000. Those details matter when getting dials made.)