Giving my first rifle a makeover

[KingOfTagSoup]

Well it's the off season around here so naturally it's time for another rifle project. This one will have some sentimental value. When I first started hunting as a kid my Dad gifted me with my first rifle, a standard Ruger American in.308. I took several critters with it but in recent years it has mostly remained in the safe. For this year I am going to give it a make over and get it back into the field for deer season. For starters, I will have Carbon Six rebarrel it to 6mm creedmoor. The trigger will be upgraded and the tupperware stock with be replaced. At this point I'm leaning towards the Magpul Hunter Lite stock as it's reasonably light and has a more vertical grip than a traditional stock. I've considered the Ultradyne chassis but I'm not sure I would enjoy the metal in extreme cold. I will be shooting suppressed and handloading. For those who shoot/hunt 6mm creedmoor, is 18 inches too short for the barrel? Also for those who hunt with chassis, do you find the cold metal to be obnoxious or not a big deal?

 

[Sheltowee]

Man, if you can swing it leave your first rifle as-is and buy a new one to customize. You'll appreciate keeping the original intact some day.

Good call on the Carbon Six barrel. I was hesitant about them at first but have been blown away by one of their barrels on a .25-6.5PRC. You might think about buying the cheapest Tikka you can find (Optics Planet has them for $600 right now) and stripping everything down but the action to start your build. I've had four rifles built that way.

 

[hunter49]

Agree with above.

If you due all that. It's a completely different rifle. What's the point.

Wish I could get my first shotgun back. Tried for years, still pissed about that one.