First Custom Build

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Sneakshot92

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Hi all. I'm looking for advice on my first custom rifle. I'm leaning towards a .25 cal because I have access to a healthy supply of 75 gr Hornady SSP's, 90 gr Sierra Blitzkings, and 100 gr Nosler Partitions. It will be used mainly for coyotes and plinking out to 400 yds, and whitetails out to 250. I'm not looking for a serious barn burner, just a handy little rifle that shoots well.
 
Custom built rifle in .25 caliber... If it's not to be a "serious barn burner", I'd be thinking between .25-35 in a single shot and original .257Roberts in a crankbolt.
 
Custom built rifle in .25 caliber... If it's not to be a "serious barn burner", I'd be thinking between .25-35 in a single shot and original .257Roberts in a crankbolt.

I would only add to Mustanger with a 257AI. 25-35, 257 Rob, or AI will make a great custom!
 
Are you looking for caliber/cartridge advice or build advice?

I have zero .25 cal experience, but I have s custom bolt gun that I spent way too much on a few years ago and have zero regrets
 
Are you looking for caliber/cartridge advice or build advice?

I have zero .25 cal experience, but I have s custom bolt gun that I spent way too much on a few years ago and have zero regrets
A little of both. I know what action I want to use and what scope is going on it. I kinda want it to have a classic look, but the jury is still out on that.
 
For a 25cal with light to midweight bullets, plinking, 400yrds coyotes, 250yrd whitetails, I would build:

• Impact Precision 737R with 223 bolt face
• Bartlein 1:10” Light Palma with 5/8-24 muzzle thread, finished 20”
• TriggerTech Diamond
• McMillan A3-A
• Area419 Arcalok rail
• Harris 6-9” with Area419 mount
• Badger M5 bottom metal
• Seekins/Vortex PMR rings
• Vortex bubble level
• Bushnell LRHSi 4.5-18x44mm G2H
• MK Machine throw lever
• Vortex Defender caps
• TBAC Ultra 7

But maybe that’s just me.
 
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A little of both. I know what action I want to use and what scope is going on it. I kinda want it to have a classic look, but the jury is still out on that.
McMillan/manners or foundation stock of your choosing

Triggertech trigger

6mm variant of your choice with a twist fast enough to use 105 grain bullets for deer and “plinking” but that can also smoke varmints with lighter bullets. A very nice barrel (bartlien / krieger or similar) and a good Smith to chamber it

I might lean 6.5x47 Lapua to get a little better Barrel life and hit a little harder than a 6mm but I haven’t run the numbers
 
Bolt gun. AR's are fun to shoot but not really my thing.

Okay, since we're talking .25cal. crankbolt, I'd stick with the suggestion of the .257Roberts, but not necessarily knocking other suggestions. However, having a tad of experience with a .25-06, I'd throw it in here for an upper end. Just because the books say it'll run 3400fps, that don't mean you have to load barrel burners. I'd be thinking of a slower accuracy node if possible. But this is sort of putting the cart before the horse.

I'm not trying to dissuade OP from doing a custom build, but with a .25-06, someone could get ahold of several off-the-used-rack options and reconfigure to suit. That can be fun too. BTDT.
 
Just neck a .50 BMG down, see if you can hit 5,000 FPS

In all seriousness, if you're not gonna run bullets over 100 grs and aren't after scorching velocities, big cases like the .25-06 and .257 wthby. only mean less efficiency and shorter barrel life.

.257 Roberts would be my first thought, but if you are thinking wildcat, the world is your oyster.

As for the rifle itself, if would be helpful to tell us a little more about your accuracy goals, weight limitations, expected rate of fire, and, of course, budget. If you're just looking for ~MOA in a handy sporter, you'll be money ahead to buy a factory rifle.
 
If you’re going custom may as well make it interesting.

Keeping it in a short action, 25x47 is a hot thing right now. If you go long action and want more pep .25x284

These guys are specializing in .25 cal and cranking out custom high BC bullets. They also carry an inventory of barrels and chamber reamers

https://blackjackbullets.com/?v=7516fd43adaa
 
Hi all. I'm looking for advice on my first custom rifle. I'm leaning towards a .25 cal because I have access to a healthy supply of 75 gr Hornady SSP's, 90 gr Sierra Blitzkings, and 100 gr Nosler Partitions. It will be used mainly for coyotes and plinking out to 400 yds, and whitetails out to 250. I'm not looking for a serious barn burner, just a handy little rifle that shoots well.

Budget?????

While I love coming up with ideas that someone else pays for, it's usually a consideration when I plan on anything custom.
 
Just neck a .50 BMG down, see if you can hit 5,000 FPS

In all seriousness, if you're not gonna run bullets over 100 grs and aren't after scorching velocities, big cases like the .25-06 and .257 wthby. only mean less efficiency and shorter barrel life.

.257 Roberts would be my first thought, but if you are thinking wildcat, the world is your oyster.

As for the rifle itself, if would be helpful to tell us a little more about your accuracy goals, weight limitations, expected rate of fire, and, of course, budget. If you're just looking for ~MOA in a handy sporter, you'll be money ahead to buy a factory rifle.

Sure you can go with a shorter case than .25-06... shorter than .257Roberts... there's the wildcat .25Souper which is either a .243Win. necked up to .257, or a .308Win. necked down to it. Any of those will run bullets from 120grs down. If you later decided you wanted to run the heavier end, you might want the longer case, or not.

Who suggested a .257Weatherby? It burns about 30% more powder to get a lot less extension on the flat part of the trajectory. It costs more to operate, and it kicks harder. Within 400yds, best I understand, it's really not doing anything that can't be done with any other cartridge that's been suggested here.
 
that shoots well
It will be used mainly for coyotes and plinking out to 400 yds, and whitetails out to 250. I'm not looking for a serious barn burner, just a handy little rifle that shoots well.
"A handy little rifle that shoots well" Says it all. For your purposes the .250/3000 Savage was made to order. Not only is it one of the all time classic .25 calibers, but is ideally suited for compact, short action custom rifles. To give you some idea what to plan for, here's a .250 Sav. rifle built around a M-98 Mauser action that was shortened by a full inch to perfectly match the .250 cartridge (Custom gunsmiths love projects like this.) and elegantly stocked with a striking piece of walnut. .. DSC_0560.JPG DSC_0570.JPG DSC_0565.JPG
 
Okay, since we're talking .25cal. crankbolt, I'd stick with the suggestion of the .257Roberts, but not necessarily knocking other suggestions. However, having a tad of experience with a .25-06, I'd throw it in here for an upper end. Just because the books say it'll run 3400fps, that don't mean you have to load barrel burners. I'd be thinking of a slower accuracy node if possible. But this is sort of putting the cart before the horse.

I'm not trying to dissuade OP from doing a custom build, but with a .25-06, someone could get ahold of several off-the-used-rack options and reconfigure to suit. That can be fun too. BTDT.

My supply of 25 cal bullets are leftovers from a friend's failed 25-06 project. I think his barrel had an absurdly low twist rate so he sold the rifle. I wanted that action but I didn't have the money at the time.
 
Just neck a .50 BMG down, see if you can hit 5,000 FPS

In all seriousness, if you're not gonna run bullets over 100 grs and aren't after scorching velocities, big cases like the .25-06 and .257 wthby. only mean less efficiency and shorter barrel life.

.257 Roberts would be my first thought, but if you are thinking wildcat, the world is your oyster.

As for the rifle itself, if would be helpful to tell us a little more about your accuracy goals, weight limitations, expected rate of fire, and, of course, budget. If you're just looking for ~MOA in a handy sporter, you'll be money ahead to buy a factory rifle.

I'm looking to keep the finished weight around 7.25 lbs and .5 MOA accuracy. I've got $750 put aside but can go a bit higher if need be.
 
that shoots well
"A handy little rifle that shoots well" Says it all. For your purposes the .250/3000 Savage was made to order. Not only is it one of the all time classic .25 calibers, but is ideally suited for compact, short action custom rifles. To give you some idea what to plan for, here's a .250 Sav. rifle built around a M-98 Mauser action that was shortened by a full inch to perfectly match the .250 cartridge (Custom gunsmiths love projects like this.) and elegantly stocked with a striking piece of walnut. ..View attachment 855297 View attachment 855298 View attachment 855299

She sure is a pretty rifle.
 
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