My 700 Budget build

[patrol120]

I have been wanting a long range stick for quite some time. I have not had the spare cash, or the spousal approval to do what I wanted, up until now.

I have been stockpiling parts for about three years. I had an old 700SPS 308 that had been occupying my closet. I ran across a new PSS takeoff barrel for $70.00, so, that went in the closet. About six months ago, a few of the guys at work did some swapping, and I wound up with an HS PSS stock for nothing...thats what really got the ball rolling.

I have a friend who is getting his smith business off the ground, and I volunteered to be his guinea pig in this project. I had him shorten the PSS barrel to 18", and put it on the SPS action.

I textured, multicam'd and bedded the stock. I am not 100% happy with the paintjob, but I think the next one will be acceptable. I also threaded the bolt handle, and installed a Callahan knob from Midway. Another guy at work shot the barreled action with KG Gunkote, Desert Tan. Again, not 100% happy with the color, but it will make a good base for a multicam job on the barrel and action as well.

Back in the summer, I had bought a dead four wheeler, and rebuilt the engine. I recently sold it for a pretty tidy profit, and used the proceeds to fund my optics. I found an IOR 2.5-10x SFP Illuminated on the Sample List. After much gnashing of teeth and lost sleep, I picked that up. SWFA also had a Ken Farrell Zero-G 0MOA base for the right price. I put the scope in a set of SWFAs Super Sniper rings, and for the money they are quite nice. All in all, SWFA went above and beyond the call, and they have made a customer for life.

Yesterday, I had a chance to shoot it. After zeroing it with a box of American Eagle 150gr FMJ, I shot this group at a hair over 100yds. Wind was minimal, first 5shot group out of a never fired combination measured 0.875. Not fantastic, but with crappy FMJ ammo, a newly assembled gun, I think shes gonna be OK. I will sit down in the upcoming weeks, and really get it dialed in with some GMM, and then start the load building process.

The IOR scope is nice, very nice. I have never had any really nice glass in my life, and this was a hell of a way to start. We had SRT (SWAT) training yesterday, and the snipers went from making fun of me because it wasnt a Leupold, to wanting to know all about it.

What would I change? The Farrell base is tall. Very tall. Even with low rings, its still a tall combination. I dont want to ditch the base, so I think I will just use a cheekrest, and deal with it.

Thought some of yall might enjoy seeing how a broke, 30-something small town cop builds a rifle, while paying bills, kid's dance and doctors, and life in general. No credit cards were used, everything is paid for. Total bill for this rifle, as it sits, is just a hair over $1300.







Ignore the extra hole, its from the sighting in process.

[SeriousStudent]

Good for you! I have always been interesting in doing exactly what you did. Build up a precision rifle slowly, using cash out of pocket and some hard work.

Let us know how she does with the GMM, once you have it broken in.

Stay safe.

[G27RR]

Nice work. What did you use for the texture?

[patrol120]

I used a two part epoxy used in the oil field as a thread sealant. It is very similar to Devcon. I also used it to bed the action.

[rat31465]

Did you by any chance have the barrel set back and rechambered during the build process?
I ask this only because I bought a new PSS several years ago which turned out to have a bad chamber....After this first incident I always have the chambers checked on any of my other builds if I am going to be using a take off barrel.
Personally, I don't see any real problem with the groups you are getting with the FMJ... can't wait to see any future writes ups after you get a chance to play with the loads a bit more.

[patrol120]

Did you by any chance have the barrel set back and rechambered during the build process?
I ask this only because I bought a new PSS several years ago which turned out to have a bad chamber....After this first incident I always have the chambers checked on any of my other builds if I am going to be using a take off barrel.
Personally, I don't see any real problem with the groups you are getting with the FMJ... can't wait to see any future writes ups after you get a chance to play with the loads a bit more.

No, I didnt. I considered it, but for what I had in the gun, I wanted to see how it would shoot as is. I had my smith set the headspace the best he could, and I rocked it. I figured that if the barrel gave me any issues, I would replace it with a quality aftermarket unit anyway, so why waste money and time?

[7 RING]

You chronograph the rounds ? I am curious how much muzzle velocity I will lose when I have my 26" barrel cut back to 20".

[Alpha Sierra]

Nice build. I like how it looks and how it shoots.

[Lost River]

That is a rifle to be proud of.

BTW, I have an IOR 2.5-10 and it is an awesome piece of glass. The glass in the IORs is second to none.

Being a small town cop, it is hard to have really nice toys. BTDT. You have started off with a winner.

[jared91]

you, sir, are an inspiration to broke college kids like me.