Ultralight Mountain Rifle Build Help

[Soskop]

Looking to build a superlight mountain hunting rifle and could use some help.

6.5 PRC
Mack Brothers Element or a Falkor LW7 action.
Pork Sword chassis (maybe an MDT HNT26)
Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen K can


The biggest issue I have is that I want an 18" carbon prefit barrel, because I feel that getting a blank and having a gunsmith work it will cost me significantly more.

Was looking at Proof Research because of their military discount, but they don't make prefits for Mack Brothers, and their Falkor prefits are way longer than I want.

So, anyone have an idea on a a solid 18" prefit carbon for either of those actions?

Or, know where I can have one made that won't absolutely destroy my bank account? (I know, I know. Custom build without destroying my wallet is everyone's first genie wish)

Any other input is greatly appreciated!

 

[LightFoot]

Try preferred barrel blanks.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[Soskop]

Try preferred barrel blanks.


>>>——JAKE——>

They didn't have any prefits for Mack Bros. They have some for the Falkor 7even but not the LW7

 

[LightFoot]

They didn't have any prefits for Mack Bros. They have some for the Falkor 7even but not the LW7

I didn’t know Mack bros would take a prefit. PBB will probably chamber and fit the Mack bros for you.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[Soskop]

I didn’t know Mack bros would take a prefit. PBB will probably chamber and fit the Mack bros for you.


>>>——JAKE——>

Huh. Just double checked and they say their previous version didn't, but the new versions take remage prefit barrels but no mention of anything else.

So I guess I need to search for remage prefits

 

[khuber84]

They didn't have any prefits for Mack Bros. They have some for the Falkor 7even but not the LW7

Check with Falkor but believe all their action have same tenon and headspace. If you're concerned about price. I'd honestly do a preferred 750 taperless contour in steel. It'll be the same weight as a carbon(within a few oz) and likely be more forgiving in ammo preference and accuracy. From a guy who's built a lot of rifles(and used to think carbon was the way) I now build everything of a steel blank.

 

[Soskop]

Check with Falkor but believe all their action have same tenon and headspace. If you're concerned about price. I'd honestly do a preferred 750 taperless contour in steel. It'll be the same weight as a carbon(within a few oz) and likely be more forgiving in ammo preference and accuracy. From a guy who's built a lot of rifles(and used to think carbon was the way) I now build everything of a steel blank.

I was leaning towards carbon mostly because it will be subject to quite a bit up here in Alaska, but I also take care of my firearms, so maybe steel is the way to go. I will do some more research on it!

 

[atmat]

I was leaning towards carbon mostly because it will be subject to quite a bit up here in Alaska, but I also take care of my firearms, so maybe steel is the way to go. I will do some more research on it!

There is no benefit to carbon over a stainless barrel. Anecdotally, more people seem to have issues with carbon barrels.

 

[ndlawrence]

There is no benefit to carbon over a stainless barrel. Anecdotally, more people seem to have issues with carbon barrels.

Agreed - I actively avoid carbon now after having a few. I've had some good ones and some bads one - but steel seems to just shoot.

 

[Soskop]

Agreed - I actively avoid carbon now after having a few. I've had some good ones and some bads one - but steel seems to just shoot.

I researched a bit last night and it seems a lot of folks are going that way.

Now just to find a badass super light remage steel barrel! If I am spending the money on this custom build, I'm definitely not going to skimp on a cheap barrel and regret it later

 

[Choot]

I’m in the process of putting together something similar. After doing a lot of reading on here I decided to go with a tikka action over one that’s rem 700 blueprint. If you look at forms recent freeze test the tikka didn’t freeze up and the rem 700 stuff did. That’s worst case and you would probably be fine, but the tikka should deff be more bombproof. Unknown munitions has one that looks sweet if you want something that looks a little fancier

 

[ndlawrence]

I researched a bit last night and it seems a lot of folks are going that way.

Now just to find a badass super light remage steel barrel! If I am spending the money on this custom build, I'm definitely not going to skimp on a cheap barrel and regret it later

Have you thought about doing a Tikka action? I’ve got a pile of R700 builds - 3 in excess of $10k (never again!) - and I’m moving back fully to Tikka /Sako actions. With the UM action mods you can get to 24oz. Ive taken a long expensive journey back to where I started (first custom rifle on Tikka).

 

[Soskop]

I’m in the process of putting together something similar. After doing a lot of reading on here I decided to go with a tikka action over one that’s rem 700 blueprint. If you look at forms recent freeze test the tikka didn’t freeze up and the rem 700 stuff did. That’s worst case and you would probably be fine, but the tikka should deff be more bombproof. Unknown munitions has one that looks sweet if you want something that looks a little fancier

Even after sending a Tikka action to UM to be lightened or getting one from UM, it's still something like 9oz heavier than both the Mack Bros Element and Falkor LW7 action

 

[Soskop]

Have you thought about doing a Tikka action? I’ve got a pile of R700 builds - 3 in excess of $10k (never again!) - and I’m moving back fully to Tikka /Sako actions. With the UM action mods you can get to 24oz. Ive taken a long expensive journey back to where I started (first custom rifle on Tikka).

What was it about the R700 builds that has out you off from them?

 

[khuber84]

[/QUOTE]
My consensus as well.

I researched a bit last night and it seems a lot of folks are going that way.

Now just to find a badass super light remage steel barrel! If I am spending the money on this custom build, I'm definitely not going to skimp on a cheap barrel and regret it later

You talk of not skimping, but then you are going remage. You're going to save 500$ by going steel VS carbon. Have a good smith hand fit the barrel to your action. You'll need to invest in tools and a gauges(if you don't already have) to set the headspace with a barrel nut. So the price difference will not be much.

 

[Soskop]

My consensus as well.
You talk of not skimping, but then you are going remage. You're going to save 500$ by going steel VS carbon. Have a good smith hand fit the barrel to your action. You'll need to invest in tools and a gauges(if you don't already have) to set the headspace with a barrel nut. So the price difference will not be much.
[/QUOTE]
I have access to all of the tools, gauges, vices, etc that I would need, through a very good gunsmith who is a long-time friend and has offered to teach me how to do everything in his shop for extremely little cost to me.

I am definitely leaning towards the steel barrel now after additional research.

 

[ndlawrence]

What was it about the R700 builds that has out you off from them?

Bolts bind, bolt doesn’t lock with safety, trigger design. It took me a while to realize I was paying a lot more to have more issues - when my Tikka actions just work.

 

[Soskop]

Bolts bind, bolt doesn’t lock with safety, trigger design. It took me a while to realize I was paying a lot more to have more issues - when my Tikka actions just work.

I haven't had any issues like that with any of my R700, but this is my first true build, so definitely something to think about

 

[ndlawrence]

I haven't had any issues like that with any of my R700, but this is my first true build, so definitely something to think about

Then build away

 

[Soskop]

Then build away

You have definitely made me think about it though! I am researching everyone's points here and considering all my options.

I haven't purchased anything yet so my options are still wide open!