Hello, I’m new to this community and new to building a hunting rifle so hopefully you can help guide me a bit. I’ve been looking at combining a MDT HNT26 chassis (or Jim’s newly announced chassis) with a Proof barrel, Tikka or Defiance action, triggertech trigger (not sure on model), and a suppressor. Less concerned about the scope for this post. I’ve considered the MDT LSS Gen3 with a tactical forend but don’t like the idea of a cold rail on my hands (not sure how real that is). I’m wanting to balance low recoil with the ability to occasionally take elk to 500 yards, mostly whitetail under 200 yards. I see the Weatherby 307 Alpine MDT is pretty much the gun but I’m not sure how their action and barrels are, plus I kind of wanted the satisfaction of bringing something together. Any recommendations on barrel and action and where to buy them from? Separate or combined, etc. Any other things I should consider like length of barrel beyond the normal 22”? I really appreciate the help and am excited to learn!
I’d love $3.5k but realize it’s probably closer to $6k with suppressor and maybe leupold VX5 or something. If you have suggestions on where to maybe save a few bucks, I’d be open to the ideas.
I’m in the same boat - although I still have to decide between .280AI and 6.8Western (I change my mind about twice a day)
I looked at the Alpine - it’s very good, but not quite at the same level as a custom action. The barrels are not single-point cut. I read somewhere that they’re button-cut. How much difference does that actually make? I think we’re into the range where a 20-25% improvement is going to cost you double, might be worth it, might not. You can buy the 307 action, both naked and barreled - and then drop it into the chassis of your choice. Get the naked one and end up with a single-point cut carbon barrel like the proof or Carbon 6. But I’d probably get the Begara Premier instead if I wasn’t worried about having a 90-degree throw (which they both have - just like most of the other actions) It’s just a better action.
The problem is that things add up really fast. If you have a Tikka action, check out Oregon Mountain Rifle Co. ($1700) I would definitely get the Recoil Lug option, (and you may have to at least skim bed the action. And for me, I’d want the bottom metal too. I’d call them to find out if they do any blueprinting on the action. I suspect they might, but maybe not.
If you figure $880 (Sportsman’s Warehouse)for a T3x Super Lite Stainless 6.5PRC). and about 800 -1000 for a Carbon Barrel ( it’s actually cheaper to buy the barreled action - and saves you time. I ran the following query in Grok - try it: List the Top 10 carbon fiber barrels pre-fit for Tikka T3x in 6.5PRC, include price
You’ll see that prices run about 800-1100 for barrels. Proof is at the top end of that list.
If you’re curious about what it looks like to blueprint a Tikka, there’s an excellent video on YouTube
If what you like about the Tikka action is the smooth, short throw, you might consider looking at the Terminus Apollo Lite/Ti ($1575). It’s also a 60-degree throw, and the roller in the back of the bolt apparently does a very good job of keeping the lift reasonably light (heavy lift being a somewhat common issue with 3-lug actions. Sadly, it’s only a bit cheaper than the OMR Tikka Barreled action - but without the barrel. Probably about the same price as a Defiant.
You can get a Zermatt tl3, proof prefit, triggertec special, and fixed hnt26 for around 3500. Origin action will save 4 to 5 hundred. Pick your silencer, scope and rings for total.
Add the folder for about 350 more. I have this setup and love it. I have 2 different bolt faces, 3 different pre-fit barrels from 300 wsm, 6.5 prc, and 6.5 creed ( may add a 7 saum) and 2 different classis systems and I love the flexibility. I can go from <9 lbs with scope to 14 lbs for nrl hunter comp in about 10 minutes. This allowed me to invest in one quality scope across all configurations in stead of multiple gun / scope options. Some won’t like this but for me it’s fun and easy to switch things around as needed. And as I also rezero whenever I go to the range it is not a big deal for caliber change .
Thanks for the info! Regardless if I choose Zermatt or Defiance action, do you recommend buying each part (barrel, action, trigger, etc) from their respective company site including the Proof prefit barrel? Or, do you have any site recommendations I should consider ordering from? I’m not sure on scope yet but have a few on the list (leupold VX5HD, nightforce NX8, vortex razor, other recos?). I really want to nail down where to buy everything because I’m sure there are hidden gem sites. Is this setup something I can put together myself or do I need a gunsmith for the barrel/action/chassis? I appreciate all the thoughts!!
I am really curious about the new nightforce nx6. I have a nx8 that I like but I think the 6x would be more forgiving. I currently also have the zeiss lrp s3 (2), vortex gen3, and kahles 3x28i. They are all great optics. I have been wanting to try some on your list but I do hear good things about the athlon.
You have a lot of action options. I like the flexibility of quick change bolt heads for minimal cost i use the internet, see who has what in stock and price shop. Go with something that takes pre fit barrels and uses a Remington 700 footprint and you have tons of options. The action is the gun so that will be shipped to a FFL. Everything else can ship direct. I have had very good results with proof prefit barrels, both steel and carbon. Don’t forget a barrel vice at less than $100, go / nogo gauge per caliber, torque wrench and action wrench. Very simple to assemble .