Nathan,
I would not start with a 300 WM.
Do you reload?
Is this a fun gun and a hunting/shooting gun or is there a type of competition that you would like to try?
No reason in my opinion to start with an expensive round, shorter throat life, and more recoil.
Especially, for what you want to accomplish.
6.5 Creed is a good option, and will do what you want.
Hornady American Gunner ammo with the 140 BTHP shoots great in about every rig I have tried, if you don't reload. Their match ammo with the 140 grain ELD-M also shoots great and will work awesome for deer/antelope and coyotes/praire dogs.
If you have questions shoot me a email:
ernieemily@yahoo.com
I am NOT a gunsmith, but I know a lot of them, and good number of folks in the industry. I have helped a lot of people getting their first build done.
It doesn't matter what I think is a good build, my job, will be to help you figure out what you really want.
Tallest,
Yes, or close to it.
Really depends on what he wants to do. He sounds like he is brand new at this. I am guessing he is not really sure what to do
If he goes with a Remington action, and not a custom, there could be considerable savings.
Need to be doing price check of what truing (what a gunsmith defines as truing) cost on a Remmy, and see if that is cheaper than just getting a custom action that doesn't require truing.
Even if it costs a bit more, it is better to wait a little longer and "cry once" and get what you really want instead of compromising, and not being satisfied, which ends up cost you more in the long run.
This being the case if the shooter really knows what he wants in a custom rig or in a comp rig (Especially a comp rig)
I have a side business, and I sell high end front rests, and even a bi-pod that is controlled by a joystick, plus rear bags. They are in such demand that I have a waiting list, with no deposit required to get on it. I have had many customers tell me that they had wished they got on the waiting list...They ended up buying a cheaper rest, used it for awhile and had buyers remorse, and then tried a fellow shooter who had one of our rests. Now they have to wait 6-9 months, plus sell their other rest probably for less than what they paid for it, and now buy a new one.
Now the OP's rifle could probably bought over the counter with like a Tikka or a Remington. With most Remington's, a recrown, bedding job and maybe a stock change while you are at it, and you will have a 1/2" MOA rig or better for 3-shot groups. OP doesn't even list what good groups are. (His parameters are below)
About two months I picked up a new Remington 700 barreled action with trigger (Sendero Taper) with a 8T barrel for $450 on sale. If one picked up a Boy'd's stock (under $200 shipped), and have smith bed it, and add a good solid bottomed brake.
Now I have a rifle that will probably shoot better than a lot of people are capable of. Throw in a good bi-pod, and rear field bag, 20 MOA pic rail, Trigger tech trigger, I even have a scope in mind for $500, and I can fulfill the OP's wish list. Let it be a learning rig for him to determine what he likes, then rebarrel when he toasts the throat.
"10-12 lbs max, $2000 to spend, but ideally under $1500, Not including optics, rests, ammo, reloading, etc
Not a bench only rifle. Might need to hunt varmints/deer with it some
Good 100 yd groups/Deer effectiveness to 500 yds/Varmints to 800 yds
Ring steel or shoot targets to 1000 yds
Probably needs a muzzle brake for recoil control.
Thinking 300 WM or maybe 6.5 Creedmoor."
