So, local Smith is doing a fundraiser for a good cause. I bought a ticket (1 of 100) and I have since been trying to think what I would have built should I win..... raffle is for a custom rifle built on a rem 700 action. Can be long action can be short action, can be standard or magnum bolt face. Barrel conture and length are limitless. Stock is up for discussion as well.

Currently I Carry 243, 6.5x55, 270 win, 30-30, and 300 win mag all in rifles that I am satisfied with. No need to replace anything. My initial thought was a fairly heavy profile centerfire 22 with a twist fast enough to stabilize some heavy for caliber bullets, but I’m undecided. Probably a mute point with a 1/100 chance but it’s fun to think and talk about. Have also thought about a relatively short barreled 7mm-08 in a chassis with adjustable length of pull as a do all family gun that my 5ft 3in wife could shoot and my daughters can grow into later down the road.....

Anywho, what would you have built, why, and what would be your end goal? Food for thought that is fun to imagine!

^^ Great choice!! 22-250, 22 Creedmoor, 22-243 Win, etc, pushing a 75-90 grain ,224" bullet. All good choices!!

Fast twist 22 cal sounds fun, good luck

you have pretty much all the bases covered and your battery is similar to mine, although I have no .243 and do have a .22-250.


If I were building a rifle...….I would build a very lightweight mountain gun in 7mm-08 OR .325 wsm / .338 Federal.

Really thought about this.... light as possible 7-08 or 280 rem, but it honestly wouldn’t get much work with my current life style and family situation. Me and a couple other firefighters will be heading to co. Next year for elk and mulies, but I’ll probably carry the 300 win mag for that.

What are your thoughts on the 22 Creedmoor, will it become commercialy available? Kinda leaning towards a 22-250 as it’s fast enough and ammo can be bought off the shelf in a pinch.

a .300 win mag is a great elk round and I built my lightweight .300 in large part for mountain hunting.


but if your .300 win is of the heavy variety it will become an anchor.


A lot of mountain guides are carrying ultralight weight Kimbers in .280 AI's.

you might find you like mountain hunting

Fast 22 wouldn't be solid, but I'd go 700 LA in either .280AI or, if it will hold it, 28 Nosler.

Current 300 is light enough and shoots well. All things considered I am the weak link... trigger is good weight is light and optics are adequate.

Just for the fun of it...22 eargesplitten loudenboomer. Look it up!

The fast twist centerfire 22 sounds like fun.

A 24” 7-08 is what I would do though.

I'd opt for a compact little 7x57, since you already have the 6.5x55. They'd be a great pair together.

one idea would be a model 700 in a standard caliber stainless steel action with a nice XX claro Walnut stock

If it is for the wife and girls to enjoy, .224 Valkyrie.

Personally I think a 338 would look nice on that list. Never owned a 338 and I'm not sure why, it's a work horse caliber. For me personally I'd build an 8 mm Rem Mag.

You talking 338 win mag? It’s a possibility for sure... logically it it fits in the collection but I’m not sure I will ever go on a hunt where I’m under gunned with the 300 win mag...

Really no “need” but always wanted a really pretty 25-06...

I've got 2 - 300 Weatherby's and I still want a 338 but would prefer the 8 mm Rem and I'll probably never hunt with the damn thing.

Must be Ben at back 40 firearms in Athens