I’m already pretty settled on building a 6.5mm long range bolt rifle.
I’m looking at shooting up to 1200yd with this, so being able to fire 139gr and 140gr loads, if possible mag length, would be ideal.
I’m already very partial to the AI Detachable magazine bottom metal setup, and thumbhole type stocks are my preference (Ideally, a KMW Sentinel stock).
Ideally I’d just pick up a KMW 260 Sentinel, but it sounds like Terry is a bit backed up.
I’m wondering what alternatives would be worth a look, or if another riflesmith could build a similar barreled action to what I want and throw it on a McMillan stock of my choosing.
The last detail is barrel/contour/twist. I’m assuming a 24" 1:8 barrel will do for work at a click or so (I intend to run a suppressor of some sort), but I’m out to lunch on what barrel contour to pursue: should I go with a middle of the road contour and a titanium can to make it easier to hump (plan to do Kenyathlon type events in northern NM and southern Colorado), or run a heavier barrel and use a steel suppressor to make it more comfortable to shoot?
Call Kevin Cram at Montoure County Rifles he has built 3 rifles for me at this point. You can see alot of his work on his web page. The biggest issue you going to have is you dont have the stock yet thats what holds up most builds waiting on the stock or the barrel.
Gander mountain has rem 700s for 375$ right now that makes a great doner action. I dont know anything about AI bottom metal so I cant advise you on COAL that you will be able to run.
I shoot 140g AMAX out of one of my 260 rems and 140g VLD out of the other both have 27" 1-8 RH twist barrels, one form Lilja the other Brux. The Brux barrel is faster.
The Amax is running at 2950 fps with H4350
The VLD is around 2800 with H414
Hope I helped a little
I have also used
Kirby Allen of Allen Precsion Shooting
Other smiths I know but have not worked with are
Nathan Dagly of Strait shot Gunsmithing
Shawn Carlock of Defensive Edge
Then there is always the Hart rifle barrels of NY option they will put a barrel of your choice on your action for 600$ with all the work. Any of the smiths I mentioned will do that as well and then you can order and add the stock when you get it. There is always manners stocks to you can have one of them today with there mag system that takes AI mags.
I second the .260 TRG from Euro Optic recommendation. It uses 10 round mags that sit flush with the stock, they’re amazingly accurate right out of the box, the stock is adjustable in a whole bunch of ways, the trigger is unbelievably good, they’re relatively lightweight, and you can have one in your hands ready to shoot in a couple of days.
I’m shooting a TRG-42 in matches and it’s a great gun.
You got to love the looks from the KMW Sentinel its one nice looking rifle. If you don’t already have a rem 700 action to use. I would skip looking for a rem 700 action I would just buy one of the rem 700 clone actions from one of the benchrest manufactures it will be ready to go right out of the box.
KMW I think sells the sentinel stock separate from time to time maybe you can get on a waiting list for one.
Already on that waiting list, I just need to update that I’m no longer picky about color - I’d rather just have the rifle and spend money painting it than complain about it having the wrong marbled pattern.
I am considering going 26" with a reflex can vise 24" with a normal thread mount unit - I’m assuming that savings would run about par?
That is what I would do just use a SF reflex FH or MB suppressor mount.
If el_chingoton13 is right about GAP having barreled actions I would consider a templar action chambered in what you want see if they will thread it and profile it for a SF reflex mount for you at the same time. If not there are several smiths I would trust just to chamber a barrel to a action.
Add: don’t know if you will save any $$ worth wild amount but you might save some time that would be about it.
Not to get too off topic but what are the advantages of a TRG over something like a Surgeon action custom? I’m looking into a .260 as well. I wish Remington would offer more factory rifle in that chambering, it seems like it would be easy to do.
Some of the benefits of the TRG would be:
3-lug bolt (60 deg. bolt lift)
Side bolt release
Very rigid receiver design
Flush 10 rd box mag
Amazing adjustable trigger
Adjustable stock & chassis (no need for bedding)
It’s been engineered to be both an accurate target rifle and military grade sniper rifle from the ground up. It will give near the performance of a custom rifle out of the box.
I listed the features I would have wanted in a custom build and compared them to the TRG. The 260 run that Euro Optics did was too good to pass up.
Not to mention you can order it and have it in your hands in a matter of days, rather than getting on a list and waiting months for a custom build.
One quick point… when you say “near the performance of a custom rifle” are you talking just about accuracy on paper? I’d gladly take a TRG that shoots .5" at 100 yards over a custom that shoots .3" at 100 yards simply for the fact that in a field setting that tiny accuracy difference is not going to make a difference, though a feature like the TRG’s flush magazines can be a big benefit in some situations.
Guys,
I have the chance to handle/shoot/own quite a few custom guns, including custom precision bolt guns( a personal passion), but its hard to argue with the value and performance you get with the TRG. When I heard about the limited run Eurooptic TRG in .260, I ordered mine immediately. You would be hard pressed to improve on its performance in the .260 chambering. Get one while you can, you will not be disappointed.
