FTR 308 build

ranger4

Cosidering getting a rifle built for 1000y FTR in 308 with a 32in bull barrel with 1 in 10 twist to shoot the heavy 200g+ berger bullets, As cash is scarse at moment i was considering using a Choate ultimate sniper stock with barnard action along with heavy profile 32in barrel, anyone care to share their views with pros and cons of this build for FTR at 1000y, Thanks.

Cass

The barnard action will not be cheap. It can run between €1,300 to €1,500 depending on features, and where you buy it.

A barrel (Bartlein, Tru-Flite, Krieger, etc) for 32", 1:10, heavy sports taper (pretty much a bull barrel) will cost between €375 - €550.

Trigger will cost between €150 - €300 depending on whether you go for Jewell, Rifle Basix, etc.

Stock will cost approx €350 by the time you pay for it, shipping, and any taxes.


Then the fitting/building. You are looking at €600 minimum for fitting, and bedding then a further €200+ for finishing, trigger installation, crowning, etc.

All in all for the rifle only you are looking at a bill of between €2,700 - €3,500. then add rings, rail, scope, bipod, mat, bag, gear. It's not going to be cheap going for the custom route.



All that aside the design in principle is good. The Choate stock is perfect as Russel Simmonds can attest to. The draw backs with the Barnard action, and bull barrel design, especially in 32" is weight. My rifle, without scope, rings, bipod, etc, came in at 14.5lbs or so. doesn't seem like much considering you have 18.18lbs, but that is a limit and you have to allow for all the accessories (scope, rings, bipod, etc)

The 32" bull barrel is very heavy. At over 7lb depending on brand. The Krieger for example is heavier than Bartlein or tru-flite even though they are in essence the same size. Comes down to metallurgy. Also the Kieger has a long waiting list unless you know someone that can source one quicker. It could be up to a year. Personally i prefer Bartlein. Rifle cut barrels, extremely accurate, and more readily available.

If you go for the 1:10 be aware that it will not fire any bullet smaller than 180gr, at least not accurately. Lighter/smaller bullets are faster, and in the fast twist rate they do not stabilise. The same can be said in getting a 1:13 though.



The build will definitely work, but there are limitations. Mainly the weight and restricting yourself to heavies only. however if you take care when building, consider fluting, keep track of the weight during the build, and choose scopes, rings, rail, bipod carefully you will have a cracking rifle. However it will not be cheap.

If you go full custom and include everything for F-Clas you are looking, on the cheap end, at €5,000. That includes rifle, scope, bipod, rail, rings, bag, mat, cleaning gear, and tools/accessories. On the dearer side add another €1,000 to that. All i would say is consider a factory rifle or second hand rifle first. Then if you like F-class build at a later date. Consider a Savage FTR model 12, or a semi custom/full custom build that someone else has already taken the initial hit on by building it themselves.

ranger4

Cass, Many thanks for your views and info, I currently shoot a blaser Lrs2 in 308 which although performs well at 800y with 185g vlds just hasnt the speed with its short 24inch barrel for competitive shooting at 1000y+, will keep an eye out for any s/h stocks+actions which could be used to build ftr rifle and use my current NF 12x42x56 scope, will also have to watch the weight of the build as you mention, thanks again for info.

Cass

ranger4 wrote: »

..........although performs well at 800y with 185g vlds .........

A fussy bullet. Known to be "awkward" when it comes to seating depths. Ideally suited for a minimum of 1:11 twist, but better suited for 1:10. What is the Blaser?

...... just hasnt the speed with its short 24inch barrel for competitive shooting at 1000y+ .....

No it wouldn't. The heavies will not exceed 2,900 fps. The case will not allow for it. So you are looking at slower muzzle velocities, but a "maintained" speed. Even still to reach, and stay competitive at 1,000 yards you need a longer barrel to maintain the burn, and get the full benefit. In a 24" barrel you'll be limited in terms of speed. No matter the charge used.

...... will keep an eye out for any s/h stocks+actions which could be used to build ftr rifle ......

Have you decided to stay with the Barnard? There are other actions, just as good, for less money. Of course the second hand option will work out cheaper than any new one.

....... and use my current NF 12x42x56 scope, .........

Nightforce are one of the heaviest scopes so if you find weight to be an issue at least you can sell it, and finance a lighter scope. However if you can manage the build around the weight of the scope it saves you a lot of hassle.

ranger4

Cass, Blaser mod LRS2 in 308 is rifle i am shooting at moment which has 1 in 11 twist which seems to prefer the VLD design over the 185 hybrid bullet with my barrel, was hoping to keep the nightforce scope for ftr build so will look to save weight with alloy front rest and carefully weigh other component parts before investing, would i be limited to certain action/barrel configurations with the choate ultimate sniper/target stock.

Cass

If the weight of each component is not on the companies website i would e-mail them and ask before ordering anything.

The average is;

• Bolt & Action - 3lbs
• Barrel - 7lbs
• Scope - 2lb
• Bipod - 1.5lb
• Stock - 4lb
• Rings & rail - 0.5lb

So if you gain on one item is leaves room one the other. So if the Choate stock is 3lb then you have 1lb to allow for the barrel to be heavier, etc.

ranger4

Cass wrote: »

If the weight of each component is not on the companies website i would e-mail them and ask before ordering anything.

The average is;

• Bolt & Action - 3lbs
• Barrel - 7lbs
• Scope - 2lb
• Bipod - 1.5lb
• Stock - 4lb
• Rings & rail - 0.5lb

So if you gain on one item is leaves room one the other. So if the Choate stock is 3lb then you have 1lb to allow for the barrel to be heavier, etc.

Thanks.

ejg

Just made myself a tactical stock with adjustable cheek for my new target/hunting rifle in 308. Weighs 828 grams.
Also planning on making a bipod with an aimed weight of around 300 grams. Early days.
Bipod and stock might the easiest place to save weight. Adjustable recoil pads can also be
horribly heavy, almost as heavy as a stock.
edi

zeissman

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