Modify a Remington 541-S. To be or not to be?

R

ram1

Guest
I want to begin benchrest shooting and have a Remington 541-S. Is this worth making into a custom rifle. If so, I will first purchase a Jewell Triger, assuming that they make one for this rifle. Second, I will need to put a new barrel on it, HB match grade. I don't what kind of barrel yet. Other than that an aside from user error, would this rifle be competitive? What else does the rifle need? This will be my first custom job and competition.
 
Now, wait a minute george in KY, some of the 541"S's" that I've seen are fully up to BR Competition Grade right out of the box, especially in the Sporter Classes. It was the "T's" that didn't cut it quite so much.

Of course, depending on how the gun has been treated, you may need to rebarrel it. But, then again, it may not be necessary. If you're planning on shooting it as a Sporter, first make sure you have some top-grade ammo, then sit down at a bench to determine just how well she shoots as-is, then decide.

Of course, if you are planning on going into an Unlimited Class straight away, you probably would be better off getting a different action, such as a 40X, Annie 54, Suhl, or full blown custom rig.

Dave Shattuck
 
The barrel that it came with is in good shape. The rifle has been cared for very well. But it is not a heavy barrel. I do need to put a match grade heavel barrel on it...right? Also, what type of custom trigger can I buy that would give me a 2oz pull?
 
Save the 541-S as is, nice squirrel gun, and get a 40X if you aspire to go into BR shooting. You could probably sell the 541-S and buy a CMP 40X and the money be pretty close. the I agree with George on this one. I have a 541-S that shoots well but it wouldn't have a chance at a sporter match today. They might have been something way back when, but when sporters are shooting 249's and 250's every match they just won't get the job done today.
Look at the scores that were shot at teh recent IR5050 sporter Nationals at Kettlefoot.

Jewell doesn't make a trigger to fit a 541. Canjar used to make one that fit a 788 Remington that could be fitted to a 541. Canjar is now out of business, I hear.
 
Regarding putting a heavy barrel on the 541S, if you are thinking about shooting it in the Sporter Class, keep in mind that there is a 7.5lb weight limit, which includes scope, rings and mounts. You can certainly fit a better sporter weight barrel on it, the receiver will likely have to be threaded. A gunsmith should be able to improve the trigger but probably not get it down to 2 oz, which most BR rifle have.

As to whether it will be competitive, as Kent points out the top scores in the Sporter Class are the same as in the 10.5 or 13.5 lb class - sometimes they're even higher. But "competitve" is a relative term, it depends on what the other shooters in your area are shooting and whether you would be happy with being in the top 1/3 or would actually like to win once in a while.

Your best bet is to wait until this winter when many shooters will be selling some good shooting rifles inorder to pay for their new projects, where they hope to end up with a even better shooting rifle. Sometimes they do and sometimes they end up regretting selling a good rifle. That could be your gain.
 
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