Savage 11 long range/hunting build =)

[wilkup]

So, I just scored this rifle for $295 OTD at my local GS! I been looking for a deal on a Remington 700 or Savage short action for the past few months with the intention of building it into my own custom precision rifle =) Well, I've finally gotten the essential piece to get things rolling!

Here's what I'm thinking so far and I'd love to get input, advice, opinions from EVERYONE on this.

Stock: Boyds Tacticool
Barrel: ER Shaw Varmint
Bipod: Harris HBLMS 9-13''
Scope: SWFA SS 12x42 mildot reticle and adjustments
Trigger: Rifle Basix SAV-1 (not completely sure I need this yet)
Caliber: Currently the rifle is a 260 Remington, but I'm trying to decide if I stay with this caliber or switch to 7mm-08 and I'm also leaning really hard in the direction of the time-tested, easy-to-find, and economical option, the .308.
Scope Base: EGW 20MOA
Scope Rings: Not sure yet...

 

[taylorce1]

Accutrigger or not? If non-accutrigger then I'd go with a Sharp Shooter Supply (SSS) competition trigger over the Rifle Basix. If it has the accutrigger I'd leave it alone.

The SWFA SS scopes have enough inernal adjustments to get you to 1K yards so no need for a 20 MOA base. I don't see a problem with the stock, but I'd look for a used HS Precision or Stockade. Rings I'd go with Warne QRW they are heavy, but nearly bullet proof. Harris makes a great product, I'd use them in a heartbeat.

Google "Northland Shooter Supply" (NSS) and buy an instock barrel, wait days instead of months for the barrel from Shaw. 6.5 Creedmoor, .260, and .243 would be my top pics with a 1:8 or faster twist for barrels. 6.5 Creedmoor, .260, and .308 would be my top picks if you don't reload. Pick up a new recoil lug from NSS while you're replacing the barrel.

Get a tactical bolt handle and bolt lift kit from Stockade Gunstocks. You can get a recoil lug from them as well if you don't get one from NSS. You can get most of these parts from SSS as well. Don't forget a barrel nut wrench, and you can rent headspace gauges from 4D Reamer rentals unless you want to buy them.

 

[Clark]

I have a similar project coming together right now.

My 1972 Sav 110 223 is a 4.522" between action screws"
My Boyds Tacticool Sav 10 stock p/n 4300603-1G-203 is 4.415"
I will have to cut with the vertical mill 0.107" before I make pillars.

I paid $250 for that old .223 action in Feb 2013 at a gun show.
It came with a stock, barrel, and scope

The barrel cost me $114 in Feb 2002.

The reamer is .250" neck .050" shorter throat.

 

[tobnpr]

Shaw barrel is decent, good value for the $$. But don't expect better than 3/4 minute. Depending on your definition of "precision", this may or may not fit the bill.

Better plan on a full receiver bedding job, and installing pillars in that Boyd's stock. The end result will not be "precision" unless you do so.

Upgrade the recoil lug to one from Holland, or NSS while you're at it...

 

[Txhillbilly]

Wilcup,Do you reload presently or plan to in the future?
That to me,would be the deciding factor on the caliber. Match grade ammo can be found pretty easy for a 243 and 308.
The 260 has a bunch of match grade ammo available,but is higher priced generally,and not everyone carries it in stock. I make all my 260 brass from resizing 243 brass.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is an excellent caliber,but Hornady is about the only factory ammo available.It's excellent ammo,but the brass doesn't last long when reloading. I fire form 22-250 brass for the 6.5 Creedmoor.
The 7mm-08 has a bunch of hunting ammo available,but I haven't seen much Match grade stuff on shelves.

The Shaw barrel will work,but there are a lot of choices for pre-fit Savage barrels,it depends on how much you want to spend.
I bought two Shaw barrels on a group buy last year for a really low price.The 6.5 Creedmoor shoots excellent with a .122" group being the smallest to date. The 7mm-08 doesn't shoot as good,it's best group so far is .464",with most groups being around .750-1.250",but it will serve great as a hunting rifle.

Boyd's makes a good stock,but I would choose a composite stock with an aluminum bedding block already made into it like a Choate Tactical,HS Precission,or Stockade. For the price,the Choate is a great stock,it's just not the prettiest girl at the dance. I have several of them,and they work great.

Like other's have said,if you have the Accutrigger,leave it alone and get used to using it.If you don't have it,get the SSS Competition trigger.