Jason and I talked a while back about building a demo rifle to guide with at the ranch. After some discussion about typical hunting distances, species on the ranch, and bullet performance we landed on 7 PRC. Our High Fence is pretty thick but there are plenty of openings where 400-500 yards shots are possible. Animals range in size from Blackbucks all the way up to Blue Wildebeest. We talked about every bullet under the sun but right now we are leaning towards the Berger 175 Elite Hunter. I have experience with the 195 in a 28 Nosler and it's done great so I expect the 175 will be also. The goal with this rifle is to obviously show off JGs capabilities but also for us to be able to educate customers about what is possible for them to be able to do with a rifle like this. I've guided with guys that show up with a 3-9 scope and are afraid to shoot passed a feeder, which is ok as long as they are honest with their confidence and range capabilities. Up until now I've also had several use my 7-08 AI and taken animals up to an elk cow with it and everything went down with some authority. However, with Blue Wildbeest and Oryx I'd rather have a little more knock down in my loaner rifle than a 7-08 AI. So more Horsepower was the goal.

So currently we (really Jason) is racing against season starting and a certain shipping entity whom shall remain nameless "lost the action" so that was a setback.

Build List:

ACTION: Curtis Customs Helix Hybrid action
BARREL: Bartlein 7mm 1:8 twist #4 carbon, 20", 5/8-24 threaded
STOCK: AG Composites "Alpine Hunter" carbon fiber stock
TRIGGER: Trigger Tech "Special" Straight Shoe
BOTTOM METAL: Hawkins Hunter, detachable flush mount mag
RINGS: Nightforce Ultralight
SCOPE: Nightforce NX8 2.5-20 F-1, Mil-C reticle

AMMO: Factory Reming...........just kidding. ADG Brass, Federal 215M Primers, H-1000 Powder, Berger 175 grain Elite Hunter

Current pictures are below. Stock is getting bedded in the next 30 minutes. Will update as it happens.

Great components!! Can't wait to see range reports!!!!

Very Nice!

Congrats! It'll be a shooter for sure.

Good line up. I have done several builds with that bottom metal by now, and I really like it. It's quiet, feeds great right out of the box, and none of my clients have wanted to go back to BDL afterwards. You will enjoy this rig

Gonna be a beauty

That dog gonna hunt…

Waiting on bedding to dry for the full 24 hours.

I'm anxious to make it a complete rifle and then weigh it. It should be less than 7 pounds.

Looks great

That's a sweet rig! Can't wait to see the range report.

Sexy

Bedding done. All the parts weigh 6 pounds 13 ounces. Should balance superbly.

Very nice.

Very nice. Are you putting a brake on it? With a rifle that light I bet the 7PRC will kick pretty good.

Heck no. Suppressor.

heck yeah! It will be a pleasure to shoot. I built a 28 Nos for a guy that was half a pound heavier with the same stock. With a suppressor, it behaves like a 308.

A surpressor will help a ton too. Without anything on the barrel I bet it thumps.

I haven’t seen one in person but they make suppressors with a brake on the end of it. They are moderately louder than a normal suppressor but really tame the recoil. A lot of PRS guys are starting to use them.

My 10 year old will shoot this. I think I will be ok. Thanks though.

I am glad to hear it. You don't have to be a dick I was just trying to help.

I wasn’t trying to be. My 10 year old will actually shoot this. With my can on it.

Waiting on Cerakote.

Cool. It looks like an amazing rifle and I am sure he will love it.

I really like light rifles and try to make my hunting rifles as light as possible but I am kind of a wimp when it comes to recoil.