I was exploring the Remington site and took a look in their custom shop. The Alaskan Wilderness Rifle really caught my eye.

Does anyone own one of these? Are they worth the money they are asking for them? Remington's suggested retail is $1600.

I hope to be able to afford my 338 by next hunting season and it MAY be one of my options.

you can have one built of better quality that will fit you and finished how you want for less or same $.......
woofer

They are a nice rifle-- I know of one for sale NIB in a 375 if you have any interest.

Thanks for your time

"DOG"

NO new Remington is worth $1600, 600, 450, or $300 for that matter, NONE. You far better off buying a used Remington, and going from there.

Thanks guys.

Interesting. Where's the remington crowd to defend the remies?

[ 07-10-2003, 22:58: Message edited by: boilerroom ]

I'd buy a used 700, and use the extra ca$h that you would of spent on the AWR to buy better quality barrel, stock, trigger, etc.

Boilerroom- to me the factory/custom one will do just fine--personally I feel there are no flies on it.
If and I say if you would want to go another route that would be to find a used action,have a smith of good reputation hang the tube-tune the trigger-bed the action and of course buy a good handle in the mean time to go with it.

With the people that I work with here is roughly what your costs would be-it would give you a rifle that would shoot quite well (I would expect consistently in the .5 range-capable of less if you were).

Say you have 350 in the action
Stock is gonna be==300
barrel and hung on it==500 (including any inletting and also squaring up the action)
Bedding==75 or more
trigger tuning==50

So you'll be at about 1300-1400 after you are all done I'd roughly calculate.

I went this route years ago-I also put on a 3 position safety, and a Jewell trigger. I use a magnum 700 and it is on its 8th tube. I shoot the rifle a fair bit you could say and I have a ton bit of confidence in it.

This is the way I'd lean to as opposed to going with one from the custom shop-but that is just me.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

If you buy a new one you are going to have to spend another 75 or so to get rid of that stupid key lock.

I have a AWR in 300 win mag. that I like alot. I picked it up used, in pristine condition for $950, which is not a bad value for a custom shop 700 action, good barrel and mcmillian stock. My experience is that there are some good deals with the 300+ mags in the used market as people realize they don't use it as much as they thought, or the recoil is too much.

The street price for a new AWR is closer to $1350-1400. Still, the used option is worth checking into. Sites like Gunsamerica.com will give you an idea of what is out there if you are patient. If you use common sense and a bit of caution, you buy with manageble risks via the internet.

Good luck.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/

I'm pretty sure you can order a Rem 700 AWR new for around $1200-$1300, not $1600. I have talked to a few guys that own them and they all like them very much. I've come to the conclusion that if you don't want to do any work on your gun this would be a great option.. However if you want to try some gunsmithing things you could build or have built a good semi custom for around $1200-$1300 also. I would reccomend checking out the 24hour site under custom guns and my post which is titled "custom on a budget" I got some great advice and can't wait to start working on mine. Good Luck

Boilerroom, By the time you take our exchange rate into account it could be quite a bit more than $1600. The AWR is a nice rifle but if I was to spend that much for one rifle (how can you tell I like Savage? ), I would probably look at an equivalent model in Sako or more likely a Weatherby .340. Just my two cents anyway. Have fun wrestling with your decision.

I wouldn't spend that much for the awr but would certainly take the awr before any weatherby.

Stubblejumper,

quote:

---

I wouldn't spend that much for the awr but would certainly take the awr before any weatherby.

---

Or you could do like I did and buy the .338 in the Savage stainless synthetic for about a third of that and pocket the difference.

Boy this gets tougher and tougher.

I found a great deal on a Sako TRG in 338 Lapua and made a post on here comparing it with the 338 rum. I was almost convinced that the 338 rum in a Sendarro was the way to go then I seen the AWR. A little lighter and better quality I would think. I also have considered the Weatherby stainless in 340.

I have lots of time to restle with this because it will be spring before I afford rifle and scope. I was hoping sooner but oh well.

I just hope they don't come out with another super 338 in some fancy what ever you call it becuase then I'll be really lost.

I've had an AWR in 300 Wby. In addition, I've sold about 1 dozen of them, and had several friends that had them. My observations:

They balance very well. You'll love the stock and the light contour barrel.

The teflon finish is very good for several reasons--no glare, weather resistant, etc.

They are light (but that results in a rather punishing recoil in the heavier calibers).

I've not seen one yet that would shoot from the factory. I think this is because they are not bedded in any way (at least they weren't 2 years ago). The best accuracy I've seen out-of-box is about 2 1/2 moa in the magnum cartridges. With a good pillar bedding job and handloading, I could get near 1 moa from mine. Most of the others' I knew of responded well to a good bedding job. It's hard to tell a customer that their $1200 'custom-shop' rifle is gonna need some work before it'll hit a coke can at 100 yards, though...

Boilerroom

A lightwieght 338 Ultra will be very difficult to shoot accurately. I think any ranging abilities the hot cartridge will give you will be lost in field accuracy. The standard bdl Ultra Mag rifle comes in at a 8 1/4 - 8 1/2 pounds scoped.
Quite frankly the AWR will beat the crap out of you.
I think the standard gun is as light as you want it.

My opinion, but I think that you should budget the extra money for a good quality, tough scope.

Have fun and good luck!

Jamie

My 338x8mmremmag weighs just over 9 lbs with scope and I am able to shoot it quite accurately.I myself would not want a lighter 338ultra mag though.

X-man

I would hope that a good break/port would bring it down some. There is a 1lbs difference between that and the sendero. A good break and recoil pad and the fact that I'm 240 might help.

I would like to shoot the 338 rum to see what all the fussin is about. I have shot the 340 weatherby and while it kicked pretty good, I think I can handle more.

I would avoid the use of a muzzle brake as the increase in noise and muzzle blast is dramatic.You would have to have ear protection even when hunting.

boilerroom
Before you buy the Remington, take a look at the Synthetic model of the Blaser R-93.
They work and shoot real good right out of the box.

I have shot several sendero's in various chamberings and all were quite accurate.You may want to reconsider a sendero.

Boilerroom

A muzzel brake brings recoil levels down to 30-06 or less. One of my hunting partners has a custom 338 Ultra with a Vais brake. He claims it is much quieter than the brake we have been using( I think Holland) and that recoil is reduced further yet. It's over $400 bucks so he can keep it.

Four or five of us with 338 Ultras are comming up to hunt your way in November. Our guns weigh from 8 1/4 to 9 1/2 pounds. The guy with the 81/4 pounder has the fancy brake. He will admit to you that he built the gun too light.

My buds will gladly help you destroy your
shoulder and develope a flinch.

The recoil is not that bad but after 30 or 40 rounds from sitting, prone, and offhand you WILL start to flinch. The 8 pounder has a quick snap to it that makes the flinches come sooner!

I would have to agree with Stubblejumper. The Sendero makes alot of sense considering the country you live in. And damn do those Senderos shoot!

Let me know if you are interested. I think we are comming Nov.01.

Jamie

X-man

I may take you up on that offer. Nov 1st seems a week early though. Would you believe that I'm heading south to hunt on the 6th Thats o.k cause I'm back up here for the 11th. We call it the tour du deer.

It's funny that this thread turned into pretty much my 338rum thread and ends up with the same conclusion. Sendero.

I still can't believe the deal on that TRG. Just wish that the Lapua wasnt such a pain in the ass to own on this side of the ocean.

It's still the best deal I've heard of yet.

X-man. PM sent.

Well

I have owned one AWR and APR. I had touble with them and doesn't think the quality is on par with the price I can't belive that remmy has boosted their quality during the last years

Get a old sako action/rifle and fit it with a synthetic stock and a barrel. Two of my favorite 338's have both been sako for some damn reason
A good sako can be found for less than 600$, they you got 1000$ for playing with custom work, barrel stock etc.

P.S stay away from the blasers

/ JOHAN

[ 07-12-2003, 18:33: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

boilerroom, I own 2 AWR's one is in 375 H&H the other is 7 SAUM. I bought the 7 new and liked it so much I bought the 375 used. I have no complaints on either rifle. I reload all of my ammuntion and both will shoot .5 moa if I do my part. I can also say that both of mine came bedded from the factory. The fit and finish on both is excellent. I'm in the market for another in 338 myself. That should tell you how pleased I am with them.

Boilerroom

I re-read my post and it didn't sound very helpful. Sorry about my sense of humor. My post makes my freinds and I sound like redneck assholes. While the former may be a little true the latter is not.

My friends are great guys and would place no expectations on your shooting ability or whatever. Some of us can shoot, and all of us are still learning.

There is nothing quite like being the first guy to try a new calibre or gun. We've all paid dearly in this regard at one time or another

I would enjoy being some help!

Jamie

how about a 338-06 TI or a 338-284 on a short TI? that would be a sweeeeet rig! or you could also go the 338rsaum or wsm. rebore a rsaum for $125 or so. rebarrel for $300-400. have a very nice flyweight for same $$
just my .02
WOOFER

X-man

Don't worry. Your talking in a langauge I understand.

Boilerroom,

I had the same dilemma as you do now. I decided on the .340 wby in the Accumark model. What it came down to for me was shootability. I wanted the Rem AWR in .338 RUM but I thought the weight of it might be a bit too light. But as I've learned I like a bipod alot more than shooting sticks so the bipod puts on alot of weight..So my rig is heavy! The accumark is as heavy as the Sendero. For me I liked the stock fit on the Accumark better. So it was an easy decision. Sounds like your sold on a fast .338 and I don't blame you, I love mine. So if I were you I'd just decide whether you want some weight or lightweight...To better my situation I'm sending mine off to Christensen arms to have them shave my barrel and install a carbon fiber wrap. I noticed on there sight you can get a Rem Sendero (any factory caliber) with the carbon wrapped barrel for $1500..that could be an idea for you as well.. Good luck

It all boils down to what YOU like and yes, recommendations from all of us tend to cloud the issue! But, just to balance some of the posts here, just put a remington and a weatherby side by side. The AWRis roughly the same price as an Accumark. THe RUMS don't offer any appreciably improvement over extant magnums at the expense of more powder and ammo that's hard to find. There are many folks wh love their 700s and the fact that they continue to sell means a whole lot. Personally I don't care for them. Look for form fit and finish. Take a good hard look at the AWR's bolt handle for example, it's brazed on... Remingtons are wonderfully accurate rifles, but accuracy alone does not a hunting rifle make. jorge

Jorge-My 300ultramags produce 125fps to 150fps more than my 300wby with the same bullets.Brass and components are equally easy to locate for both where I live.I really don't care about using a bit of extra powder if it gives me more velocity.If using less powder was a priority I would use a 308win instead of any magnum.As far as accuracy is concerned I will not use a rifle that is not accurate and functional and I certainly will not pay extra money for a fancy looking rifle over an accurate rifle.

[ 07-18-2003, 18:56: Message edited by: stubblejumper ]

The .300 RUM and .30-378 WBY. rifles I've tried have been too obnoxious for my taste. I've found the .300 Win. Mag., .300 H&H, and .300 WBY. cartridges to be a lot more user-friendly, and these cartridges represent my ideal middle-of-the road .30s. I'm not willing to put up with the greater recoil, muzzle blast, and a short barrel life of the ultra-large .300s.

Besides, my pet .300 Win. Mag. has done it all for me on game up to 2000 lbs. and up to 500 yards away without fuss, frustration, or disappointment, so why do I need anything else?

AD

Never doubted the velocity SJ. I only alluded to the article published in handloader a while back. I don't mind the extra powder either, otherwise I wouldn't be shooting a 300 Weatherby. My contention with the RUM is the rifle maker. I don't like glued on bolt handles, small extractors and overall poor fit. I know 700s are for the most part accurate shooters, but like I've posted elsewhere, accuracy alone does not a good hunting rifle make. All four of my Weatherbys are superbly accurate in addition to a level of quality Remingtons can't even beging to attain. And one more confession to make; ever since I was a little kid, I fell prey to the Weatherby mystique. I love the way their rifles look ( aside from the superb accuracy, remember they are the ONLY rifle maker that guarantees accuracy)and feel. I know you love your Remingtons and that's fine, but I just don't like them for the aforementioend reasons. jorge

Jorge-Contrary to what you may think weatherby is not the only company to guarantee accuracy.Tikka rifles are not shipped until they shoot 1" groups at the factory.Remington won't ship many of their custom shop guns until they shoot proof groups within standards which in the case of my 40xbks was a five shot 1/2" group.Several makers of semi custom rifles also have accuracy guarantees.H-S Precision has a 1/2" guarantee on their rifles.When you look at it the weatherby guarantee is 1-1/2" for three shots which is the poorest of those I have mentioned.The 40xb and the H-S Precision do cost a bit more than most weatherby's but 1/2" is only 33% of weatherby's guarantee.Tikka's are actually much cheaper with a guarantee that is 66% that of weatherby's.
For the record my hunting rifles are built on 700 actions but they are lapped and trued with sako extractors installed.They have match grade barrels and are pillar bedded into mcmillan stocks.When I receive them they are far better finished that any factory weatherby you can buy and the components such as stock and barrel are much better as well.They average 1/2" groups which again is 33% of weatherby's guarantee.I paid $2500 canadian for my rifles while a factory accumark costs $2150 canadian in 30-378 and a lazermark retails for $2400 canadian.Not a lot of difference for a 1/2" rifle versus one guaranteed for 1-1/2".

[ 07-18-2003, 23:12: Message edited by: stubblejumper ]

SJ: well I learned somethihg from your post and that is the main reason I visit here. That Tikka rifles guarantee the 1" accuracy. I have no doubt your rifles are wonderfully worked weapons and you do sound like you know what you are talking about. Just remember the premise of he question and I think it was for a "storebought rifle" and there, I think the Weatherby Accumark is the better buy. AS far as the 1.5" accuracy goes, you are right in that on paper is not very impressive, but I've yet to own a Weatherby ( I have four) that are not sub-minute rifles out of the box. And like I said before, I'm a sucker for those "tackily-sexy" Weatherbys! No hard feelings. jorge

Actually boilerroom asked about the remington custom shop rifles but did not specify that his rifle must be factory produced.And you jorge gave the prime reason that weatherby sells so many of their overpriced rifles when you stated that you were a "sucker" for them.When I was much younger and easily influenced by fancy looks and colorful advertising as well as their reputation I too was lured into buying two mark fives.I was however very disappointed as neither was any more accurate than my much cheaper 700's and in fact some of the 700's were much more accurate.I don't mind paying top dollar but I expect top quality and top performance when doing so and weatherby didn't deliver.With the price of a weatherby so close to that of a custom rifle I just can't justify not paying the bit of extra cash for a much superior custom built product.

[ 07-19-2003, 22:24: Message edited by: stubblejumper ]

If it comes down to money for accuracy then the deal I can get on the Sako TRG 338 Lapua is the way to go. It has a 4.5x14 Leupold, comes with dies and brass for $1600 can.

I know the Lapua is a pain to own in N.America but with the money saved it would be a long time before it caught up with me.

I was only considering store bought but stubble brings up some pretty good points. It's something I've never explored before.

boilerroom-Have a look at www.prairiegunworks.com They have built two 300ultramags for me and do fine work for a reasonable price.They are also canadian so they can ship directly to you.