Custom LongSpoon Build thread... 5.75lbs! 375WSM! Ouch!
 

I'm pretty excited about this, and I'd like to share, so I'll post the progress as it goes. Talking to the guy building it, its going to take about 5 months or so, so bear with me.

I got a smoking deal on the donor rifle today, a brand new Kimber Montana 8400 in 300WSM. I had one of these before, but realized it didn't really fill a niche for me, so I sold it about 3 months ago. Originally I got it as a do-it-all rifle, but other rifles ended up taking it's place; a Whitworth 375H&H for moose and bear, another lighter Kimber Montana in .308 for caribou/sheep/smaller critters, and various other fun rifles.

Then I came across this too good to pass up deal, but I didn't really want another, so I came up with the idea for exactly what I wanted to make it into and talked it over with the builder.

The goal is for the bare rifle to weigh well under 6 pounds, and maybe 6.5 pounds full up with a scope. It will be rebarreled in the wildcat 375 WSM cartridge, basically a 300 or 325WSM necked up to 375. Here is the plan...

- Lilja #3 or #4 fluted barrel cut to 20" (stock barrel is 24")
- Custom chamber in 375/300WSM
- Kimber Montanas already come with arguably the strongest/lightest synthetic (carbon/kevlar) stock available, so that wont change
- Action job
- Barrel bedded and free floated
- random lightweight doodads (trigger guard, bolt handle)
- Possibly installing express/iron sights (not sure)
- Talley rings (rings dependent on exrpess sights or not)
- Leupold VX-3 2.5-8 with CDS dial
- Cerakoted metal
- Painted Stock
- and I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff

Pics of the starting point...


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1417339869.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1417339891.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1417339916.jpg

Sound like a great build but why bother with the "- Possibly installing express/iron sights (not sure)"?

Keep her clean and simple IMO. If you find you need the sights then have them installed later.

A 2 inch thick recoil cushion?

this will be a thread to watch...

The project sounds fun.

I'd keep the barrel at 24"

I'm torn on the sights. I want to keep it clean and light (and cheaper), but I'd also hate to wish I had them if something happens to my scope. The rifle will be used in pretty remote mountainous areas with bears and such.

It will also be used in thick brush/alder trees and from an ATV, so the shorter barrel will not only make it lighter, but much easier to carry around, and carry through the trees.

Basically, I'm looking to create a lightweight "guide rifle."

Get a VCOG or TARS...most of the durability of an ACOG and variable mag

Interesting that you would want a spoon so light with a round that has some recoil. Just makes it harder to get back on target, but that is just me. I don't hunt

A VCOG is five times the price of the scope above, and when it's mounted will weigh a pound extra. Also, an optic made for an AR, isn't the best fit on a hunting rifle.

I have looked into the Leupold MK4 series, which may be an option, but for now, it's the VX3 2.5-8 Leupold. That's the standard for lightweight mountain rifles.

It must be hard pouring the black powder in the muzzle with a hole that small.......oh wait it uses bullets huh?

I don't think it will be much worse than the factory 300WSM, and the only time I noticed that recoil was the range, I didn't notice it in the field. My 375H&H is known to move itself pretty good, but it may as well have been a BB gun when the moose walked out of the trees.

Recoil on the bench is no fun, but when you're shooting at an animal, recoil is not as much of an issue. A lot of large game hunting happens in the cold, so you're typically geared up with thick jackets and such. The adrenaline taps are open and I'm so focused on the shot I don't feel any recoil from my .30-06.

btw, if you're doing it right, theres no need to get 'back on target'. Kill them with the first shot. Follow up shots on a running animals have very low success rates.

Custom LongSpoon Build thread... 5.75lbs! 375WSM! Ouch!
 

it is a bolt action. i imagine pausing to work the bolt handle would get you off target as well.



you talking getting back on target for a follow up shot? or seeing the impact?