My 700 Budget build

General Firearms Precision Rifle - Bolt Gun
1

I have been wanting a long range stick for quite some time. I have not had the spare cash, or the spousal approval to do what I wanted, up until now.

I have been stockpiling parts for about three years. I had an old 700SPS 308 that had been occupying my closet. I ran across a new PSS takeoff barrel for $70.00, so, that went in the closet. About six months ago, a few of the guys at work did some swapping, and I wound up with an HS PSS stock for nothing…thats what really got the ball rolling.

I have a friend who is getting his smith business off the ground, and I volunteered to be his guinea pig in this project. I had him shorten the PSS barrel to 18", and put it on the SPS action.

I textured, multicam’d and bedded the stock. I am not 100% happy with the paintjob, but I think the next one will be acceptable. I also threaded the bolt handle, and installed a Callahan knob from Midway. Another guy at work shot the barreled action with KG Gunkote, Desert Tan. Again, not 100% happy with the color, but it will make a good base for a multicam job on the barrel and action as well.

Back in the summer, I had bought a dead four wheeler, and rebuilt the engine. I recently sold it for a pretty tidy profit, and used the proceeds to fund my optics. I found an IOR 2.5-10x SFP Illuminated on the Sample List. After much gnashing of teeth and lost sleep, I picked that up. SWFA also had a Ken Farrell Zero-G 0MOA base for the right price. I put the scope in a set of SWFAs Super Sniper rings, and for the money they are quite nice. All in all, SWFA went above and beyond the call, and they have made a customer for life.

Yesterday, I had a chance to shoot it. After zeroing it with a box of American Eagle 150gr FMJ, I shot this group at a hair over 100yds. Wind was minimal, first 5shot group out of a never fired combination measured 0.875. Not fantastic, but with crappy FMJ ammo, a newly assembled gun, I think shes gonna be OK. I will sit down in the upcoming weeks, and really get it dialed in with some GMM, and then start the load building process.

The IOR scope is nice, very nice. I have never had any really nice glass in my life, and this was a hell of a way to start. We had SRT (SWAT) training yesterday, and the snipers went from making fun of me because it wasnt a Leupold, to wanting to know all about it.

What would I change? The Farrell base is tall. Very tall. Even with low rings, its still a tall combination. I dont want to ditch the base, so I think I will just use a cheekrest, and deal with it.

Thought some of yall might enjoy seeing how a broke, 30-something small town cop builds a rifle, while paying bills, kid’s dance and doctors, and life in general. No credit cards were used, everything is paid for. Total bill for this rifle, as it sits, is just a hair over $1300.

Ignore the extra hole, its from the sighting in process.

2

Good for you! :slight_smile: I have always been interesting in doing exactly what you did. Build up a precision rifle slowly, using cash out of pocket and some hard work.

Let us know how she does with the GMM, once you have it broken in.

Stay safe.

3

Nice work. What did you use for the texture?

4

I used a two part epoxy used in the oil field as a thread sealant. It is very similar to Devcon. I also used it to bed the action.

5

Did you by any chance have the barrel set back and rechambered during the build process?
I ask this only because I bought a new PSS several years ago which turned out to have a bad chamber…After this first incident I always have the chambers checked on any of my other builds if I am going to be using a take off barrel.
Personally, I don’t see any real problem with the groups you are getting with the FMJ… can’t wait to see any future writes ups after you get a chance to play with the loads a bit more.

6

No, I didnt. I considered it, but for what I had in the gun, I wanted to see how it would shoot as is. I had my smith set the headspace the best he could, and I rocked it. I figured that if the barrel gave me any issues, I would replace it with a quality aftermarket unit anyway, so why waste money and time?

7

You chronograph the rounds ? I am curious how much muzzle velocity I will lose when I have my 26" barrel cut back to 20".

8

Nice build. I like how it looks and how it shoots.

9

That is a rifle to be proud of.

BTW, I have an IOR 2.5-10 and it is an awesome piece of glass. The glass in the IORs is second to none.

Being a small town cop, it is hard to have really nice toys. BTDT. You have started off with a winner.

10

you, sir, are an inspiration to broke college kids like me.

11

Considering the ammo that was used that rifle is going to shoot well with match ammo.

12

Great Job! I love seeing stuff like this. I knew a guy once that built a budget rifle and went out and shot with his buddy who had a $5K custom rig. The budget gun won! Get behind that rifle and learn it inside and out. It’s a great rig!

13

Nice looking rifle, love the barrel length you went with. good job

14

Nice build…looks great

15

Well, I have already started making changes. The Farrell base, while bulletproof, was just too damn high. I have ordered a LaRue 20MOA base, which is supposed to be one of the lowest out there.

16

That’s a good looking rifle, good shooter too.

17

That is a sharp looking rifle with the short barrel! Congrats! More pics please!

I think all of us are more impressed with your budget $1300 build than some $5000 rifle. There’s something to be said about being practical and humble, while having fun and enjoying your hobby/sport.

18

well thanks now I want one

19

That’s a sweet build!

I’ve been thinking of doing a piece by piece build like this for a while now…Gonna have to pull out some Brownells catalogs and start dog earing pages :smiley:

20

Awesome rifle! Just picked up an sps varmint in 308 and starting the process myself. Truely inspiring