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.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I will be shooting suppressed and handloading. For those who shoot/hunt 6mm creedmoor, is 18 inches too short for the barrel?

No, that's exactly what my primary hunting rifle is, 18" 6 Creedmoor that is always suppressed. Ideal length is somewhat dependent on can you're going to use IMO. 18" is about the most i want for a 7" front of muzzle can. I'll have a Unknown OG 6.5 soon that is only 4" in front of muzzle and with that can I could live with another 2-3" of barrel length i think.

Hunting ammo is 109 ELDm or 106 TAP 2nds at about 2850 FPS.

I look at my first gun, a synthetic 870 express 12 ga as having some sentimental value but it hasn't been shot in probably 15 years because it kind of sucks. So It just sits in the back of the safe and gets wiped down every handful of years so it doesn't rust away.. I dont see why making it something you'd enjoy more is a negative.

Also- I know its more expensive but i'd look at MDT timber core or KRG bravo over that magpul stock.

Also x2 - A tikka 243 with an 8 twist is functionally the same as a 6 creedmoor and you could get the whole rifle for a little more than the price of a carbon barrel and you'd have a better action and no need for a trigger upgrade. Might need to pay for a chop/thread though depending on what barrel length it comes with.

 

[howl]

Don't do it. Keep it as is for keepsakes and get something else for the 6mm.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Don't do it. Keep it as is for keepsakes and get something else for the 6mm.

Yeah, get yourself a closeout Tikka T3X for the action and then rebarrel it (if it doesn’t shoot lights out as OEM).

 

[Jnasa]

I feel like that is a significant expense to upgrade your American. With all those changes not much leaving it your “first rifle”.

If it was me I’d keep your first rifle for a backup and to break out occasionally. Take the money you would spend and pick up something different. It’s up to you though.