an idea for a new woods gun

[Freezer]

I just finished my research and crunched the numbers. I really like the idea of this rifle. Even in the military, the AR platform never really turned me on, its a tool, nothing more. It has no practical hunting application in Pa. That said this bullpup idea really has me intrigued. The weight will be just over 5 lbs, 28 inches OAL with a LOP of 13.25 inches. The snag is the cost, $1800 by the time I pull the trigger. If I could find an affordable action this would be a lot more affordable. Bear Creek will not sell just the action. BCA uses a heavy barrel that I will need to have turned. Their upper weighs 6.5 lbs. Their hand guard weights more than 18 oz. that will be scrap also. A light composite hand guard costs $368.

As much as I want this rifle.......

https://reapweaponries.com/product/scy/

https://reapweaponries.com/product-cate ... ts/page/2/

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/65-gre ... upper.html

https://www.smokecomposites.com/hand-guards

I have the composite receiver but may need a new trigger group to get what I want. I still will need the 5 round mags,s cope, scope mount, sling, dies, and comparator case.

I really like this concept but.....

[CPJ 2.0]

As to the bear creek upper, chop the hand guard in half or less, and you are now close to the weight of the carbon fiber one. Cost is free ninety nine. Mill off the useless for your purpose pic rail, save more weight.
Chop the barrel to 16” instead of turning it, and I’d wager it would be cheaper and lighter than turning the whole thing.
Ditch the bullpup idea, that’s gonna add weight also. You’ll be in the same weight range with less cost, the only downside is length.

[CPJ 2.0]

“A light 1.5 x 5 scout scope or 2x7 and it will be about 4 pounds 4 ounces”


You sure it would end up that light? The bull pup dingus is 2 pounds by itself.

[CPJ 2.0]

Also, the weight listed on the BC website is BS.

This one, that’s an m4 profile 16” weighs the same 6.5 pounds as the 20” bull.


https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/65-gre ... upper.html

[Freezer]

That has been my opinion! When I started researching this project they didn't have their weight listed. After I requested the weights ,they started to list them but, I believe it is BS. The M4 barre is 16 inches, that will be too short making the OAL less than 26 inches. I will need a 20 inch barrel and that should be approx 27 inches. BCA doesn't respond to email or answer their phones. I can only hope their customer service is better. There are two other companies offering bolt action uppers but that are very expensive. There are two other bullpup stock options but both are heavier, less compact and have a LOP of 15 inches.

[CPJ 2.0]

So you can easily do a straight pull by using a regular side charging upper. Add whatever barrel and hand guard you please.

[sakodude]

https://www.howausa.com/howa-super-lite/

Save yourself a lot of trouble. A 4Lb 3oz rifle that's only a little longer than a bullpup.

[shotgunshooter3]

https://www.howausa.com/howa-super-lite/

Save yourself a lot of trouble. A 4Lb 3oz rifle that's only a little longer than a bullpup.

I would go this route as well. Sub 5#, with a smaller 1-4, 1-6, or 2.-7 optic and lighter rings I bet you could keep the optics package below 2#. $1K MSRP, so street price I bet you could easily keep the whole thing below $1400 and under 7#. Admittedly though, half the fun is planning the project.

[GrapeApe]

https://www.howausa.com/howa-super-lite/

Save yourself a lot of trouble. A 4Lb 3oz rifle that's only a little longer than a bullpup.

Only one thing I see wrong with that rifle, and that's the "one off" action size

This new offering has a unique Howa Action build that is in between the popular Howa Mini Action and standard Short Action platform.

[shotgunshooter3]

https://www.howausa.com/howa-super-lite/

Save yourself a lot of trouble. A 4Lb 3oz rifle that's only a little longer than a bullpup.

Only one thing I see wrong with that rifle, and that's the "one off" action size

This new offering has a unique Howa Action build that is in between the popular Howa Mini Action and standard Short Action platform.

I didn't notice that at first, good catch. For me personally, a unique size like that is a detractor, but I wonder how much it really matters for the average buyer who's just going to buy the gun, scope it, and shoot it.

I have noticed that "schmedium" or "schlong" (sorry not sorry) actions that are specifically tailored to intermediately sized cartridges such as 6.5 PRC seem to be gaining popularity in the boutique action market. I personally prefer the utility of the standard sizing.

[sakodude]

https://www.howausa.com/howa-super-lite/

Save yourself a lot of trouble. A 4Lb 3oz rifle that's only a little longer than a bullpup.

Only one thing I see wrong with that rifle, and that's the "one off" action size

This new offering has a unique Howa Action build that is in between the popular Howa Mini Action and standard Short Action platform.

I did see that but for me anyway, it's a non issue. It would live in it's factory configuration. Can't really see a reason to consider re stocking it and that's the only reason that comes to mind where the action length could be an issue. Of course I'm probably missing something
I actually held one of these a couple weeks ago at the shop. Dang if you couldn't lug that around the woods all day and not hardly notice it!

[sakodude]

With Tally light weight rings, 2.3oz and the leupold 2-7, 11.1 oz plus a light weight mount your under 6 Lb's all in. Dang, I'm talking myself into one of these

[GrapeApe]

With Tally light weight rings, 2.3oz and the leupold 2-7, 11.1 oz plus a light weight mount your under 6 Lb's all in. Dang, I'm talking myself into one of these

Bud's has the 20" in 6.5Cr in a camo stock for a cash price of $935.49 It's 4# 7oz

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_inf ... tion+rifle

[sakodude]

That's pretty close to what the LGS had one for. I'd probably opt for the gray stock and 308 or maybe 7-08 if I got one.

[Elk Creek]

That's pretty close to what the LGS had one for. I'd probably opt for the gray stock and 308 or maybe 7-08 if I got one.

That 6 arc howa mini is still picking at my brain…..

[shotgunshooter3]

That's pretty close to what the LGS had one for. I'd probably opt for the gray stock and 308 or maybe 7-08 if I got one.

That 6 arc howa mini is still picking at my brain…..

The cartridge has my interest, but only in an AR. If it's in a bolt gun I personally would rather just use my .243. I'm one of those guys that Bigslug complains about constantly that likes my cartridges fitting in standardized, accessible platforms.

[Freezer]

Thank you! You guys are my head hurt....I have a lot to think about, I have plenty of aspirin. This is an interesting rabbit hole, GB has the synthetic walnut finish rifle for $600 to $650! Rings about $40. IIRC there was a sling that was called the Safari sling. This may meet my needs.

Thank you!

[Freezer]

I found the Safari sling I was talking about.

https://www.redi-mag.com/product/safari-sling/

[CPJ 2.0]

I found the Safari sling I was talking about.

https://www.redi-mag.com/product/safari-sling/

I’ve got one. I like it. Beats a regular sling for actual hunting.

[Freezer]

OK the game is a foot! BCA is selling their bolt action upper without a barrel or hand guard. I can get it for about $180. Now I need a barrel! I'm not sure I want one of theirs or something better. If I buy their's I'll have to pay to have it turned so I might as well find a custom barrel. It will 20" and OAL will be 27". Now, 6 Arc or 6.5 Grindel? This will be a deer gun and maybe coyote. I was thinking a 1:7 twist for heavier bullets.

What say ye?

[Chiro1989]

Do you reload? Then 6 Arc, otherwise get the Grendel

[CPJ 2.0]

OK the game is a foot! BCA is selling their bolt action upper without a barrel or hand guard. I can get it for about $180. Now I need a barrel! I'm not sure I want one of theirs or something better. If I buy their's I'll have to pay to have it turned so I might as well find a custom barrel. It will 20" and OAL will be 27". Now, 6 Arc or 6.5 Grindel? This will be a deer gun and maybe coyote. I was thinking a 1:7 twist for heavier bullets.

What say ye?

What bolt face do they offer in the bolt action upper? Grendel is its own, and I THINK ARC is also. Meaning not .223.

[CPJ 2.0]

The other issue is going to be any barrel is going to be drilled for the gas hole. You will need to plug up your gas hole. No one wants gas blowing out of their gas hole and into their face.

[GrapeApe]

The ARC and Grendel use the same bolt. They're both based on the 220 Russian/7.62x39.
Concerning the gas vent, A gas block, turned sideways, should block it off

[Freezer]

I'm just starting the search for a custom barrel, To buy a BCA barrel and have it turned would be at least $200, for a little more I might get a better barrel.
I do hand load. I'm thinking I could get a little more speed/better trajectory from the 6 Arc.

I would rather have the gas ports plugged, the name of the game is weight, the lighter the better.