Daydreaming the next rifle build...

[Blkram]

Oh, the dangers of being laid up in a hospital bed, with lots of time to think...

While my 25 CM rebarrel project is waiting on me to be able to up and about again, to take that Browning LH X Bolt All Weather into the gunsmith to have that new 24" Benchmark 5R SS 1:7.5 twist barrel put on...

I have been reading the latest hunting and shooting magazines that have come out since we left for SA in early May.
Again, there was a note in one of the articles by Joseph Von Benedikt about the Hornady 257 AI (Improved) or 257 AII; a fast twist version for shooting those heavier 25 cal bullets.

So I had been thinking this would be a fun build, so that I would have the regular 257 Roberts with the 1:10 barrel for shooting the lighter bullets (110-115 gr). And then have a 257 AII with the 1:7.5 twist barrel for the heavier bullets (128-131 gr), going 100-200 fps faster than those from the 25 CM. A 131 gr at 3000 fps should be a very handy smaller big game cartridge for deer/antelope/sheep. (I would then have the 250AI for 110 gr AccuBonds and the 25 CM for the 128 or 131 gr bullets, and the 257 Roberts with 110-115 gr bullets and the 257 AII for the 128-131 gr bullets.) Because; Why not?!?!
Really hoping the Sierra 131 gr TGk is the winner here!

Definitely going to go with a LH LA, so that I have the magazine box length that I do not have with my 257 Roberts in the SA Sako LH 591.
The question will be which action to build it on?
- a LH Rem 700, or
- a LH Sako AV or 85, or
- a LH Browning X bolt.
And would it better to use a 270 Win as the donor, a 25-06 if I can find one as the donor, or will any LA action be fine (thinking about the feed rail geometry here)?
Thoughts?
Hoping that those of you with more experience with the 257 Roberts AI can weigh in on your experiences.

As for the barrel, if the 25 CM barrel performs well, I will get the same barrel for the 257 AII.

 

[IdahoCTD]

A 25-06, 270, 280, and 30-06 are all basically the same so a donor in any of those will work in a Remington and I would assume the same for Browning and Sako. Another option would be the 6.5x55 AI necked down, cheap Lapua brass.

 

[SJB358]

A 25-06, 270, 280, and 30-06 are all basically the same so a donor in any of those will work in a Remington and I would assume the same for Browning and Sako. Another option would be the 6.5x55 AI necked down, cheap Lapua brass.

Cheap and great brass. With the use of a false shoulder for firing forming it may be a touch short but I don’t see it being a big problem if you stay in front of carbon build up.

 

[Cneelk]

I think of it everyday, looking for a rum action lefty to build a 375 rum, don’t really need 1 but want 1. She buys shoes, purses, clothes and enough make up to decorate the rodeo clowns for the next 10 years in Vegas so I’ll just keep looking for parts for my build.

 

[Blkram]

A 25-06, 270, 280, and 30-06 are all basically the same so a donor in any of those will work in a Remington and I would assume the same for Browning and Sako. Another option would be the 6.5x55 AI necked down, cheap Lapua brass.

While that is interesting, I like the ol' Swede as is...and I have a PRC for that extra couple hundred feet of velocity...and am just having fun exploring the quarterbore some more!

 

[Blkram]

Cheap and great brass. With the use of a false shoulder for firing forming it may be a touch short but I don’t see it being a big problem if you stay in front of carbon build up.

Looking forward to some other brass makers to provide some good 257 AI brass for this project...so it may take a year or more make this one come together. (I hope ADG or Petersen are listening!)
But I am not in a rush, and I will have the new 25 CM to keep mee preoccupied!

 

[Slimfinn]

The question will be which action to build it on?
- a LH Rem 700, or
- a LH Sako AV or 85, or
- a LH Browning X bolt.

Gil, I guess it depends on what you want to do with the rifle, you know the 700 has any aftermarket part you would ever need. I've only had 1 xbolt. But the Sako is my favorite, i like the butterly smooth bolt, the trigger, the safety, and flush detachable magazine.

 

[Blkram]

Gil, I guess it depends on what you want to do with the rifle, you know the 700 has any aftermarket part you would ever need. I've only had 1 xbolt. But the Sako is my favorite, i like the butterly smooth bolt, the trigger, the safety, and flush detachable magazine.

I have custom and semi-custom rifles on all 4 actions listed, and each has it merits. I like them all!
In the end, this will predominantly be a hunting rifle, where as the 25 CM will hunt too, but most often be used for target practice and shooting to longer distances (for me, 500 yards as that is how far I can shoot at my closest local range).

I would like to keep it trim, and in the 5-6 lb finished range, 7- 7.5 lbs with a scope and full magazine, as a stalking/walk around rifle for hunting deer, antelope and/or sheep. Also on the menu, other exotics such as blackbuck, axis deer, fallow buck, and mouflon, and medium sized African antelope.
I should be able to do so with the Remington or Browning, but will need to go to one of the lighter 85s (carbonlight if I can ever find one in a LH!). This will require a lightweight carbon or synthetic stock.

If Browning would just make their X Bolt 2 LH in a Mountain Pro Tungsten in this chambering, with a 24" 1:7.5 twist barrel, I would be all over it!

As for smooth actions, the Sako is usually the smoothest fresh from factory in my experience, but both the Rem and Browning can become quite smooth with time, light lubrication, and break in. My one Rem 700 Classic in 6.5x55 had become so smooth, I could cycle the action with my thumb, without removing my trigger hand from the wrist of the rifle. But I was shooting in excess of 500 rounds a year through that rifle, for several years just target practicing and doing load development.

As for triggers, I do like the factory triggers of all 3 makes, and can have them set at my preferred 3 lb pull. Again, each has its merits.

I like DMs, so the Browning X Bolt and Sako 85 have the advantage here. While the Rem 700 does have a DM option, I prefer the DMs of the other two better. While I like the rotary magazine of the Browning, it is plastic, and Sako can carry 5 rounds vs 4. (I know that I should never need 5 rounds to out an animal down cleanly, but is comfortable to know that you have an extra in reserve, or when you are shooting 5-shot groups at the bench.)

As for the safety, I like the X Bolt about the best, followed by the Sako, and then Remington. (I have never had an issue with the 700's trigger or safety.)

As for the stocks, I do like the X Bolts factory stocks on my All Weather versions the best. Just feels good and balanced in my hands, and mounted to my shoulder. Light, lively and comfortable, from any shooting position. And even in the laminate can still come close to my desired weight of a scoped rifle. While having the look, feel and warmth of wood, with the added stability and moisture resistance from the laminate.
But I have always felt comfortable with just about every version of a Remington stock that I have owned. I will say that I liked the Classic and CDL the best for the wood stocks. I have replaced the wooden and cheap synthetic stocks with laminate stocks mostly because I like the look, feel and performance of a laminate over the regular wood.
i also like the Sako Model 85 Hunter stocks, but they tend to be heavier than the other makers stocks. The Finnlight II is an improvement in weight, but not as much in feel of the stock in bare hands.

And I refer a non adjustable comb...if the stock is designed properly it shouldn't need this. And in my experience all 3 of these rifle can be mounted with 42-44mm objective scopes that only require low or medium rings (1" or 30mm) to provide me with proper cheek weld and eyebox alignment. It also provides cleaner lines, and a snag-free surface that won't get caught by the brush when having to work your way through it during a stalk, or hike to the hunting area. Just me personal preference.

As for fit and finish...Sako ranks at the top with most of their rifles, but I have no real complaints with my X Bolts either. Although the wood and finish is a little softer and picks up experience marks from handling and hunting easier. Depending on the era of the Rem 700, there were bad years and better years. But on a custom rifle, this should be taken care of by selecting better quality components.

Sako is also leader in the quality of the grade of wood on many of their stocks, with more colour, grain, and finish. Browning offers various grades of wood, depending on the model...some of which are very nice, but the regular can be quite plain. Remington did not seem to put out as many rifles in general production that had as nice of wood...unless it came from their custom shop. (Their shotguns usually got the better wood on various models in my opinion.)

Hope that gives some idea as to what I have been thinking on for this build...but it also will come down to the ability to acquire the donor rifle or action for this build. (Hopefully for a reasonable cost!)
Talked to one guy with a LH Sako AV Laminate in 25-06 online today, but he is asking for a premium dollar for his rifle, and does not want to budge on his price. I would pay his asking price if it was a Model 85, but not for an AV.

 

[IdahoCTD]

A complete BDL Remington 700 LA weighs about 2.25lbs without any lightening. Some of the lightest carbon stocks, classic style, weigh 1.5lbs. That is 3.75lbs without a barrel. To make your under 6lbs you have a weight of 2.25lbs for a barrel. That is a pretty light barrel but its doable depending on the length. A aluminum bolt shroud takes over 1oz off of a steel one and heavy bolt fluting can remove a couple ounces.

 

[Blkram]

While I hope to achieve the desired weight for this build, I am prepared to accept a scoped rifle of about 1/2 lb more.
I believe the stock option is going to be the ticket to desired weight of the scoped rifle package, If I can achieve it.

My X Bolt All Weather with the 24" Benchmark 5R SS 1:10 barrel and a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14-x40 B&C scope in one piece Talleys, and a full magazine, in the factory laminated stock weighs 8 lbs 5 oz. And I realize the SA saves a little weight over a LA required for the coming build.
As a comparison, my 270 WSM, also a X Bolt All Weather in the factory laminated stock, and factory 23" barrel, and another VX-3III 4.5-14x40 B&C scope in one piece Talleys, weighs in at 8 lbs 1 oz with a magazine full of ammo. My 6.5 PRC is on a X Bolt Hunter in the factory stock, with a 24" carbon fibre Wilson slim profile barrel, with a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 B&C scope in one piece Talleys,and full magazine weighs in at 8 lbs 2 oz. These are just over a 1/2 lb more than my desired weight for the next build, but would still be acceptable at the end of the day. (Having lost some more weight, I can carry an extra 1/2 lb of rifle weight!
My LH Sako 85 Finnlight II in 338 Federal with a 22" Wilson carbon fibre barrel, Leupold VX-6HD 2-12x42 Illum. B&C reticle in steel Optiloc rings and bases, and a full magazine weighs in at 8 lbs 6 oz; almost a pound heavier than my desired weight. I am in the process of acquiring a Leupold VX-6 3-18x14 Illum Varmint Hunter reticle for this rifle build, but I could reduce weight by approx. 3-6 oz by dropping down to a VX-3 4.5-14x40 B&C reticle scope.
My LH rem 700 in 280 Rem in the LSS stock with a 24" barrel, and mounted with a Leupold VX-3III 3.5-10x40 B&C scope in one piece Talleys, weighs in at 8 lbs 10 oz with a full magazine (BDL style). I never weighed it with the XCR synthetic stock to see the weight difference...but I believe there is weight gain in the laminated stock (just not sure by how much), but a quick check shows that the XCR donor rifle in a LA weighs 7 lbs 6 oz (and they actually chambered it in a 25-06, 270, as well as the 30-06. My 280 started life out as a 30-06. I swapped the 24" barrels and bottom metal with a RH 700 SF Limited in 280, to end up with my LH 700 280 Rem!).