Hello all,
I feel like documenting a new build I am working on.

I recently came across a 700 PSS and acquired it for next to nothing.

It came equipped with a Bushnell Banner 6-18x50 scope, Leupold base and dovetail rings, 12-25 harris bipod and a Blackhawk sling. The factory stock is an HS Precision with BDL floor plate. The barreled action is the parkerized one that is OD green from the factory. It has a 26" varmint contour heavy barrel. The original LEO owner had the the trigger worked down to about 2.5lbs and had the action true'd and lapped.

Seemed like a great start to a rifle I have always wanted. However, I just couldn't get over the fit of the HS stock. Somehow it just didn't fit right. It didn't seem to pull straight and I couldn't seem to find a comfortable cheek weld. I thought about making a Kydex rest but really didn't want to drill the beautiful HS stock. I ended up using some neoprene rubber and a cheap Allen elastic shell holder. Much better but, it still didn't fix the pull length. I looked into the options for adjusting the LOP. I wasn't really happy with my options. So, I got to thinking....

And thinking led me to these ideas.

1. Need to find a suitable stock replacement that fit me and stayed within the light tactical / LRP philosophy.

2. The Bushnell Banner line of scopes have never really impressed me. 6x is a bit high of a low end mag for me. I want a scope with 3-4x low end for potential hunting and observation ability and while I'm at it why not find one with adjustable turrets. I also prefer a mil-dot reticle for hold overs.

3. The harris bipod is far to tall for any shooting i am going to do and doesn't collapse small enough for brush trekking.

4. I would really like to add a rail for scope mounting options and depending on what I get for a scope replacement I may need new rings.

5. I dislike loading through the ejection port. While this is not a major issue for me I have always enjoyed mag fed rifles. I will see what my options are but will most likely pass as in-letting and DBM's are generally extremely expensive and I don't have the exta budget.

So, while researching new items I listed what i already had for sale. Bipod, scope, bases and rings, stock.

I figurd I would bank the money and use it to increase my dismall budget for rebuilding.

I was able to bank just over $400 to use towards the build. In order to sell the stock I needed to include the BDL bottom metal.

This left me with a predicament. Either buy an ADL setup or replace the BDL metal. OR... Go with a DBM setup.

UGH, I guess I bite the bullet and splurge for the DBM and cry only once. So I made a call to PT&G. They have quality DBM's for low prices so I wanted to see what they could offer. Turns out they have a BDL bolt in kit that uses AI single stack mags. Best part is that the DBM and mag was only going to cost me less than 160 shipped to my door with no need for in-letting! BINGO!

Now to find a stock. Choate makes a tactical stock that fits me to a T. Purchase price $210 shipped to my door. Not bad. In-letted for BDL floor plates with a full length v-block and aluminum for end. Also has A5 ergonomics which I love.

I have been asked why I didn't get the M5 bottom metal kit that uses the newer AI double stack mags and the choate stock that comes In-letted for M5 metal. Well quite frankly, I wanted to keep the option of reverting to BDL bottom metal for resale purposes.

So, new stock and DBM sourced and on its way. Time to find a new scope. At this point I haven't gotten into any of my budget. Awesome.

Primary Arms

A product line that has been hit or miss in the highly affordable entry level game. They have proven they can provide low cost high quality products but you have to be real picky with what you select.

Because I splurged on the DBM I hurt my wallet a bit in this department. I was originally going to get the 4-14x44 FFP scope but I need to save a few bucks so I researched them a bit more.

I found the 4-16x 44 for $160 shipped to my door.

This offers glass quality unrivaled under 500 bucks and a feature set that is manageable for sure.

1/4 MOA turrets, mil reticle, side parallax, and a 30mm tube.

I am not going to go into a full review but let's just say I don't think you'll find a better deal under $500 bucks except for the FFP scope they offer.

I also got an EGW 15 MOA base. $45

I mulled over rings for far to long. I still don't have the rings I want but for now the cheap UTG max strength rings will do. $18. They will get lapped. I will eventually replace them with a set of EGW or TPS rings down the road.

When I can finally afford the vortex scope I want I will move this scope and ring combo over to one of my other rifles.

So,

425-210 = 215-157 = 58-45 = 13-18 =-5-160 = -165.

So far the rebuild for this low budget build has cost me $165 bucks.

But.... I sold a paintball marker and added another 350 bucks to the bank leaving me at 350-165 =$185 plus in the account. That made my wife and I happy.

So with the bank being positive without using any family dollars I decided to buy an air brush and a choate standard height cheek riser. $29 bucks total.

I almost forgot the KRG bolt lift SV I added. Rock solid piece of kit for $35.

The cheek riser was needed because the low UTG rings are still a bit to high for me. I am going to be changing those out sooner rather than later as they are not low enough.

The airbrush is going with the Cerakote station I am building in the basement as I do some refinishing on the side for people local to me.

Wow, that was quite a post. Sounds like you have a game plan anyways. Make sure you post up some pictures when you get it all done...sure it will be nice.

Here is a quick shot of it being mocked up for fitment. DBM hadn't arrived yet.

Nice large bolt knob.

Here is another mock up photo. Scope is taped up for paint work.

Here is a quick shot of some paint work in progress. At this point a blend still has to be done and the OD green, army green and dark brown have to be applied.

Wow, looks great. Did you use stencils? Is that gonna be a six-color camo?

That looks awesome dude!