I want to build a custom some day. I have a Long Action Remington Donor of 3006. I dont want a 3006. What can I build? I dont reload and probably never will. What is the most impressive round I could build?
I understand stock choices. What brand barrel? I dont need the most expensive just a good above average barrel. What else do I need, not including stock or trigger? I would like a 22" barrel.

Is this for hunting or shooting?

I'm guessing this is a hunting rifle with a 22' barrel? If so, what do you intend to kill with this thing?

Lilja barrel, I would probably go .280 since not loading.

Hunting rifle.
I was thinking about a 2506????

I hunt your normal TX animal.

So a couple of things about a custom. If you aren't going to reload, and you want an "exotic" round of some kind you're going to be paying some serious cash to a custom ammunition manufacture.

I would strongly urge you to look at reloading if you do have a custom rifle built. In my mind it almost defeats the purpose of having a custom barrel if you'll just shoot factory ammo,but thats just my opinion

That said, here's what I think:

1. If you want to keep it local (to Texas anyway) I advise you to look at Shilen Barrels. They are located in Ennis, Texas. I've been to their shop, and had a buddy who's put several rifles through them. They make top notch barrels for a relatively moderate price. They will even chamber a barrel for a specific round (I.E. you want a 30-06 to shoot a 30cal 180gr Barnes TSX seated at 3.40 OAL and thats all it will ever shoot)

BMD is correct, Lilja, Hart, Shilen and Kreiger are among the top names in custom barrel makers. It's pretty hard to get a "bad" barrel from them. Most custom barrels will shoot everything pretty good, they just shoot tuned loads REALLY well.

2. It's not about the round being impressive. It's what you want to kill or shoot with it. Let us know what you plan to do, and we can make recommendations.

That said you could use the following cartriges in a LA .470 boltfaced gun. Some of these might require modification to the action to keep rounds in the magazine.

220 Swift
6mm Rem
240 Weatherby Mag
257 Roberts
25-06 Rem
257 Weatherby
6.5x55 Swedish
270 Win
7x57 Mauser
7x64 Brenneke
280 Rem
30/06 Springfield
8mm Mauser
338/06 A Square
35 Whelen.
225 Winchester
22/250 Remingtion
6mm Norma BR
243 Win
250 Savage
260 Rem
6.5/284 Norma
7/08 Rem
284 win
300 Savage
308 Win
338 Federal
35 Rem
358 Winchester

Remington long action - not custom but they work

Krieger barrel in a #5 contour - It's what wins most of the matches

Jewell trigger - Simply the best trigger out there

McMillan stock - Nice strong stocks

Wrap it all up in a 6.5x284 cartridge and you will have one fine rifle. If you need a gunsmith I highly recommend this guy in Wheeler Texas as he is one of the best.

http://www.bryantcustom.com/

30-378 is right about the triggers. Jewell is the BEST you can get in a 700 action. I've got a cousin who has a Kepplinger set trigger for one of his 700's and it's a close second.

Regarding a factory loaded cartridge for shooting White tail. I hate to say it, but I'd be looking at a 270 or 30-06 simply because you can find so many different types of quality loads on the shelf of any store. You'll be paying good money for them, but the ammo makers make more quality ammo for the guns people have.

If you were reloading, or paying a custom shop to load you rounds, I'd say something different, but it is what it is.

Wanting something medium grained and fast. No 270 or 3006.

dang redneck, you must be working some overtime!

Nah, just planning not anytime soon.

338 Federal Cal....Non Magnum

http://www.chuckhawks.com/338_federal_first_look.htm

280 Rem Ack Imp would be a nice custom

6.5x284 would be fast and flat

I vote 260 Rem

Based on what you've posted, sounds to me like the 25-06 would be your huckleberry.

I agree that the 25-06, or possibly the .257 Weatherby would be fast, flat, and you could buy over the counter ammo pretty easily although not cheap. Yo would have a decent range of bullet weight with the 25-06, not as much with the Weatherby. And .257 Weatherby are expensive!

Out of the calibers listed above by Mike M. I would go with the 6.5 x .284. Good round that is really doing well at the long range competitions. Some of the bigger ammo companies are starting to make ammo for this round.

All this being said, without hand loading, you will never see the full potential of the custom rifle. You dont have to reload yourself, i bet you probably know someone that reloads. Buy all the components, and throw them a few bucks for their time and develope a load that your rifle really likes.

Just re-read this again, another thing to consider is if you want a "flat shooting or long range" gun, get a longer barrel. You're going to be dropping a LOT of velocity by shooting from a 22".

Yep 24" is way to go.

i would go with a 25.06 w/ 26" barrel. plenty of speed and good choices of factory rounds. i think you already have a 270wsm, so this would complement nicely. if you reloaded, then the .24-06 would be a good choice (someone has it on here)