What is your guys dream rifle that has not yet been made?
I was just thinking of the ultimate back country hunting rifle. I think the best you could get would be a 6.5 Back Country (not yet made) in a 16” Tikka t3x. Of course with the backfire chassis. Light, not a ton of recoil, and enough to take down an elk at a reasonable distance. Assuming it preformed similar to the 6.5 prc with a 24” barrel
I’d want a Sako action, I like it the best for a hunting rifle. And either someone to make great quality prefit for it, or an interchangeable barrel system. When I burn out that 6.5 BC I’d like to just be able to swap barrels or potentially get something like that 223 or 6.5 CM for training purposes.
I’m personally not a big chassis fan, but I don’t know what stock I would use at this point either. But I’d want it to have QD cups, Picatinny, and ARCA
Man this topic could be an absolute rabbit hole.. But i am mainly a hunter who also loves to shoot tiny groups and stretch things way out with mild recoil. with that being said. Im not a huge fan of super light weight rifles.
I know this is a custom build but if its a “dream” rifle. I dont think I would trust really any factory options right now. Also some fun 7mm Cartridges for hand loading. Because I would do long rnage work as well as hunting. I would have to consider the 175 eldx bullet. Also the suppressor I mentioned, is new from Lyman. who normally makes reloading stuff. They also are making a line of Suppressors. And I am super pumped to get hands on with one. I saw them at shot show for just a quick sec. they seem awesome! not to mention… its sub 300$
Let me know what you guys think. what would you change?
I’m thinking:
25 PRC (I’m building one. On paper looks amazing)
Bartlein barrel at 22” in medium varmint contour
Backlight chassis
Aero solus action
Triggertech diamond 2-stage trigger set to 2 lbs
Bergara suppressor
Jim, with all of the suppressors you have why the Bergara suppressor? I would have thought you would look at like a TB Ultra 7 in 6.5. Just curious?
I think that suppressor did an excellent job of reducing recoil.
I am 85% through building my quarter bore:
*25 CM (Still need this barrel: New McGowen ECM barrel, 26")
Ultradyne Picatinny Chassis with folding butt stock (12.5" lop)
Bix n Andy Tac Sport Pro X 2 stage
Aero Solus Action
Scythe Ti (I want the anchor brake)
Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50
My Aero Solus came as a barreld action with a 22" 6.5 CM. I will shoot that for a bit, while I recover paying for the rest of this (I have everything except the 25CM barrel).
I went this route because I can easily turn this into a 300WSM with a new bolt face, barrel and hopefully a new turret from Athlon (I asked, waiting on an answer). 6.5/25CM for range and whitetail hunting. 300WSM for backcountry.
But the Recoil x brake on the end of Scythe it works amazing
I haven’t even begun to dream about building me a “dream rifle,” but my son is building his right now!!!
Terminus Kratos X Action
Bartlein barrel 28” x 1.3” profile
MDT ESS chassis with a folding stock
TriggerTech Diamond single stage trigger
Area 419 rings with diving board
NightForce ATACR 7-35x52 scope
Chambered CIP length in 338 Lapua Magnum
What are y’all’s thoughts about his build?
Love that idea. I’d do similar to you, would love to see the Tikka CTR but lighter weight, carbon fiber barrel/stock.
Is the 25 prc your building based of the 6.5 prc brass or the 7 prc brass as I see both those wildcats out there
About 4 years ago now I had a 257 hillbilly built on arc archimedes action, with an older pac mor barrel on a Bell and Carlson stock with a diamond tech trigger currently in top a tract optics tekoa 4-16 x 40
I’m going to switch the scope out eventually but it shoots so dang good as is.
6.5 prc brass
Jim, would you be comfortable with a 25 PRC for an elk hunt though?
What’s the speed and energy at 100, 200, 300? I know people who have taken a cow with a 243, so if the quarter bore is moving I would think that a cow or smallish or young bull 300 or less would be possible with great shot placement. You’ll have less forgiveness with poor shot placement or bad luck.
Hi guys, first post after just joining. Based in the UK so a dream rifle here may be slightly different to one you would choose.
For the field, I currently use a Sauer 404 with 6.5x55 and .308 barrels……but will be switching the .308 out to either a 7x64 or a 280AI…….but do dream about a .303 Lee Enfield in a Parker Hale sporter stock.
Target wise, think I have it……as I have just had a 6mm BRA built in a MDT LSS-XL chassis. It has a 27 inch UK made by Phoenix, heavy cut barrel on a Tikka action. Threaded 18x1 with a bespoke moderator made by a company here called ‘One less Charlie’ Charlie is slang for a red fox. Scope is a Vortex Viper PST Gen II, in an American Rifle Company M-Brace mount. MDT rail. Swept back bolt handle and bolt shroud by Glade Armory. Tikka 2 stage trigger with uprated trigger spring.
Pictured here in its part time MDT field stock outfit during early barrel fouling and fireforming……
Wow!
A 404 is quite impressive as it is. A 404 in 280 Ackley is more like a unicorn!
No, I wouldn’t pick a 25 prc for elk. I’m imagining it for deer and down. I’d prefer to use a thumper just for elk.
Yup @cchilds it would be a rare beast indeed…..Sauer make a 404 barrel in 7x64 - but the lead time is crazy - lucky to get one this side of October 26…. They do not chamber it in .280 AI, so I would need to get the .308 cut, keep the tenon and thread it and spin on a new barrel. My gunsmith is happy to do that….so having a think about what next.
I’ve always shot elk with either a 300RUM or a 300WBY, always with Barnes bullets. Despite all the discussion here about recoil/accuracy I’m still able to shoot consistently sub moa groups (barely) with both calibers and I’m confident with them within reasonable hunting ranges. There’s no doubt they have a more profound, and more immediate, effect on the bigger stuff than smaller calibers. However, I have shot two bull moose with my 25 Gibbs (essentially a 25/06 improved) and it was very effective. Still wouldn’t choose it for an elk hunt.
