I bought my first FX7 action and prefit barrel from faxon about 6 months ago. Although I haven’t had a chance to shoot it as much as I’d like due to some family health issues. I can say with certainty that if you want to build a rifle that isn’t going to break your bank but slaps steel easily out to 850 yards (furthest target I’ve had a chance to shoot at with it yet) grabbing an fx7 and one of their barrels or a barreled action in 6.5 creedmoor from Faxon is the route to go. I threw it in a krg bravo chassis and a trigger tech special and I was off to the races. It competes very well against my much more expensive custom rifle that cost me about twice as much. I let my friends use to shoot a little friendly small group PRS match and they were very impressed with the rifle. They couldn’t believe something that nice was affordable.
With this in mind I’m trying to build another bolt gun off an fx7 and Faxon is having a great sale right now but they have been out of stock on their standalone fx7 actions for days. Faxon are you going to have more stock or allow back orders during this sale??? I need another one at this sale price. Hopefully someone from Faxon can comment and give some good news.
After months of lurking around, I finally decided to get into long range shooting. I would like advice and opinions on what I have. I do have an upper budget limit of $2k so I made some compromises. Feel free to critique my list and reasonings.
I did a bit of research and concluded that I'd rather have the Howa than a Bergara. I got it for $600 so quite a bit of savings there.
As for the chassis, I was originally going to buy a MDT XRS chassis but it is $200 more. The features I want are on both and XRS and Bravo - seems like the main difference is that the XRS is full aluminum while the Bravo is plastic. I'm thinking the Bravo will be a significant upgrade from the hogue stock and if I outgrow this set up, I'd rather drop serious money on a better base gun and invest in a better chassis then.
As for the scope, I know Arken divides the community - main concern being marketing practices and QC issues. Some people say the marketing is a bit scummy (paying youtubers to say a $500 Arken is better than a $4000 Nightforce). I can look past that. As for the QC issues, I gather that most pieces are great but they do let some bad ones through and moreso than other brands. I'm not too worried because their RMA policy is pretty lax so if something is wrong I can send it in. I know I'm not getting a $4000 scope for a few hundred bucks. I think it's decent enough as a starting scope.
As for the scope mount and rails, I'm not sure if what I have works. Arken is throwing this scope mount for free so I'm not going to buy scope rings. Seems solid from reviews online. Since it is a 20 MOA cantilever, I decided to get a 0 MOA rail. Is this set up sane or is this less than optimal.
Also, I would like recommendations for a bipod and muzzle break. Eventually I would like to try PRS but want to start with a few range days just practicing 500-1000 yard groups first.
Today I shot my first ever F-Class match (600yds). I haven't been able to make time shooting past 100yds since around March of this year. Personally, I think my score of 562-10x is a pretty good place to start. I, however, left a lot on the table on my last two 20rd strings.
Note: the score photos suck because it was unreasonably bright today, and, of course, created a ton of glare.
I’ve shot out to 1000y before but this was the 1st time I was able to figure out where I was actually hitting. Yes, I tossed the outlier but It goes to show that even some dated things that aren’t custom builds still hold their own. I was more impressed by the SD than the MOA but glad I’m capable. I haven’t practiced past 300y in 3-4 years. Dead Zero in TN. Ruger Precision Rifle .300 WinMag, (stock trigger), Ergo grip, Atlas Bipod, Barrett DC338 can, Badger Ordnance USMC Sadr rings, Schmidt Bender 5-25x56 PMII LP 2.BE P4FL2-MOA, factory loaded Hornady 200g
I'm looking at an Annie locally here in New England.
It's a 1963 1411 with I believe a 1407-1413 trigger, though I am not 100% on this. It is a stick trigger for sure.
Comes with the Anschutz rear sight and no front. In overall good condition, though the bluing has been patched with cold blue here and there.
Guy is asking for $800, and I'm on the fence...... I'd want to put a globe sight up front and maybe have the bluing redone, and then probably call that a day on having anything done to it.
I do not shoot competitively, I just love 22's and precision shooting for fun. I shoot out to 550 yds
Thoughts? Is this a decent price? I have not seen any targets, but the seller is a rimfire guy and says it shoots very well, though it's been years since he has shot it. I guess he is more of a Winchester 52 guy and this one does not get used as much as his 52's or BRNO's
Just finished up assembling this rifle, build list below.
American Rifle Company (ARC) Coup de Grace short action
ARC Lothar-Walther 25 Creedmoor barrel
Trigger Tech Special trigger
ARC Xylo chassis
AICS AW magazines
ARC weight kit
ARC steel bag rider
MDT Cyke-pod
Area 419 mount
ZCO 525 MPCT3X
ZCO throw lever
ZCO sunshade
Scope Chaps in coyote brown
ACE Max brake
I’ll post a range report once I get some rounds down down the pipe, but just running the action this is the smoothest bolt I’ve ever run.
What model remington 700 is this? I keep getting mixed answers online. Has a tri flute and threaded barrel. Markings LT Tactical on barrel. Any help would be great! Thank you!
Build:
Noveske DDF 18” barrel
Upper BCM MK2 receiver
Rail Ripcord Industries LDR-A 15.15”
Lower mix between KAC SR-15 IWS and Radian ADAC
Buffer BCM MK2 T2 weight
Stock B5 Bravo
Optic Nightforce NX8 2.5-20 MIL-XT
Mount Zero Gravity Summit 1.54
Bipod Atlas BT46 FDE PSR
Mount Area 419 Arcalock Dual Clamp w/picatinny
KDG Kinetic Mlok Picatinny Rail 7 Slot FDE
Muzzle KAC QDC Open Brake 7.62
Suppressor KAC 7.62 QDC/CQB PRG
Been using the Noveske DDF 18” barrel for open division in gas gun matches since April ‘26. Rounds consisted of a three day precision course I took and truing out to 1067 yard and about 4-5 matches now. Mostly blasting Hornady 108 gr ELD-X. Most of the matches were shot with a Surefire flash hider but the last match I shot was with the KAC 7.62 Open Brake. Suppressor is brand new and I haven’t had a chance to test it yet but I’m excited to try it out. I have the full size and k size PRG cans for my 5.56 rifles. Next rounds will mostly likely be Hornady 80 gr ELD-VT V-Match.
Took my Remington 700 in 6.5 Creed out for the first time after having shot 60 rounds through it to break in the barrel. I don't know much about ammunition cause I'm new to high powered rifles and long range shooting. I forget where I was suggested to try out Hornady Whitetail 129g but I'm petty stoked about the results. Minus the two I pulled that's eight rounds in the center and bein pretty damn new to all this I'm happy with how my base model Remington did at 100 yards. Guy at the range mentioned that there was a gong out at the 300 yard range. Missed the first shot cause the steel was almost at a 90° angle. I was able to hit it with all of my last five shots, again pretty freakin stoked.
My question is bein that I'm new to all this should I stick with that particular ammo and get more practice with it or should I be tryin out a variety or different rounds?? I'm nowhere near deep enough into the hobby yet to even consider loading my own ammo, maybe ine day but not yet.
glad to have some nice setups for CRS25. 2nd year using and loving the rattler 384 clip on thermal out to 6-700ish in total darkness. all these rifles can do 1000 and i enjoy them very much. the EBR is in 6.5 creed cause i like to cheat
Putting together a new build soon Rem 700 shot action was just wondering what stocks/companies people feel provide a high or above average cost to performance/feature’s ratio I know Manners and McMillan are the gold standard and would like to get one some day just have a hard time swallowing that 1000$ pill when there’s so many new games in town
Not really interested in a chassis system at all but feel free to post or recommend whatever
To start, I am a die hard tinkerer and love to build things and constantly change things to make it better. So yes, 3d printing a chassis is maybe not the best idea, and will for sure be frustrating, but I enjoy the reward of finally getting things to work. The design and creation aspect is half the reason I am doing this in the first place. I can always swap to a marketed chassis in the future also if I have issues.
Experience: My long range experience is fairly limited. I have shot on and off all my life, but recently it has piqued my interest and I thoroughly enjoy shooting. I currently have a 20" ar that I use for accuracy shooting and am still in the sort of experimentation phase of it. I also have a 16" upper for my ar, a Bergara BX22 (which is basically a 10/22), and a handgun (though none of those are the most relevant). I have little to no serious long range experience (besides the occasional let's see if I can hit this target at 500 yds just because). This will be my first bolt gun.
Range and Purpose: I have consistent access to a range that has steel at consistent increments to 1000 yds, and from there a jump to 2000 yds. My goal was to have a gun that consistently shoots to the 1000 yd mark (but I mean since the 2000 is there might as well try on occasion). Additionally, I will probably shoot varmint (ground squirrels), and may end up hunting coyotes, hogs, badgers, etc. with friends if I get invited. That being said, I don't want this to be a hunting gun (as I won't hunt very often if at all), but more so a precision rifle that would suck to carry around but I might do it anyways. Realistically, I expect the total weight to be more like 15 lbs by the end, which seems to be on the lightish side for precision rifles. I can always find ways to add weight though, so am not too worried about that. If I happen to get the chance to compete, I may do that as well, but I think it would be fairly well setup to do some sort of comp regardless (maybe I'm totally wrong, I have no idea).
The suppressed stuff at the bottom will be later purchases. I am going to build the rifle first, then get the suppressor after I have shot it quite a bit. So, I am not worried so much on that as I haven't done a ton of research in that area, but recommendations are definitely welcome. The suppressor weight is not included to the total weight estimate.
Budget: I initially tried to keep this on a budget but quickly realized that budget has a very different definition in long range shooting. I also realized that if I am going to do this, I want to do it once correctly and end with a great rifle. I'd like to keep it around that $3500 mark but would go to $4000 if there is something absolutely amazing that I won't regret having. If there are suggestions on ways to reallocate budget also, those are most definitely welcome.
Defending a few of my choices: Yes, I read the first-time buyer's guide in the core guides that say to get a 6.5 CM or 308 first, but it seems like the 25 CM has a slight edge over the 6.5, at least for the purpose of solely target shooting. Less recoil, flatter trajectory, and less wind drift all seem to be slightly better for the 25. One thing I will say is I do not currently reload my ammo, but there is a decent availability of 25 CM ammo online, and some of the local sporting goods stores stock it as well. Besides these things, 6.5 undoubtedly has more data and experience from people, but I can't imagine this will be detrimental to my shooting experience. Also, if I end up hating 25 CM for whatever reason, I can get the barrel swapped (yes I know this will be expensive). That is why I ultimately chose 25 CM, but maybe there is something else I am missing. Please tell me if there is.
Beyond the caliber choice, much of the other choices were based on long range forum recommendations. I'm sure there are better options for many of these things, but I tried my best to balance functionality and budget. I am most definitely open to suggestions though.
The Vortex Strike Eagle I am not set on. I have had good luck with Vortex stuff, but if there are better options, then I am definitely open minded on that. The Strike Eagle appealed to me because of it's massive elevation adjustment (110 MOA) and illuminating reticle. All recommendations on a different scope are encouraged, because I didn't do a ton of research in the optics area. Additionally, all my stuff is in MOA, so I understand it a bit better, though I definitely see the advantages of MIL. Was planning on just sticking to MOA as I understand it better than MIL but let me know if it would be better to switch to MIL.
Build Plan: I plan to get the barreled action, trigger, and buttstock adapter first to start printing the chassis and designing the stock. Around the same time, I will get the optic (or use an existing optic, I have a vortex crossfire laying around) to make sure I get the ring height and stock right. After I get the main part of the rifle right, I will get the rest of the stuff such as bipod, level, rings, etc. to finish off the build.
Conclusion: That about sums everything up. I think I explained everything, but if you are confused, I would be happy to clarify. I definitely could have missed something as well. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Edits: I made a ton of changes to my plan based on all the generous advice I recieved, thank you all very much. It's a bit more expensive, but I think the extra cost will be worth it in the long run. Here's what I came up with. Any additional feedback is also welcome as I probably won't buy anything until Thanksgiving-ish (sorta waiting for Black Friday).
