29 replies to this topic

[Desert Fox]

Here's my friend Frank latest build. I named it the Black Widow. It's an old German made Voere Shikar action, rechambered for you guess it, 280 Ackley Improved per my recommendation. The rifle has 26" Krieger, 9 twist in no. 5 contour. Stock is Richard Micro-fit Thumbhole. The rifle was built by my friend Leroy Venson. Waiting for Nosler Brass to arrive so that load development can begin. Enjoy!

[BullsEye]

Very nice. I'm sure she will shoot as good as she looks if not better.

[SlobRay]

Beautiful, I'm not sure if I would shoot it or put it on the wall as a decoration.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Good looking Rifle! Looking forward to the range results.

[homemade]

looks pretty

[.22guy]

Wow, beautiful rifle! Looking forward to the range report!

[Bennie]

Beautiful rifle! Yes be sure and post range results.

[andy1621]

Nice lookin' rifle!!!

[jawbreaker]

That is a sweet looking rifle, I just ordered some of that same laminate for calls.

[whatjeffhunts]

Thats a purdy rifle.

[CA Desert Dog]

That is one sexy looking rifle. It looks like it will shoot the eye out of a ladybug at 300-yards. Looking forward to the range report.

[Desert Fox]

Thanks Gentlemen.Reloading component arrived yesterday. Time to find load for the Black Widow.

[packhorse9]

Very nice, do you know how long he waited for the stock, i've had one on order for 3 minths. thanks dave

[homemade]

Ya I need to order one of those stocks as soon as I can decide what kind of wood I want I would like to get a blank and have someone make me a nice stock for my 260.

[Desert Fox]

Very nice, do you know how long he waited for the stock, i've had one on order for 3 minths. thanks dave

Not long at all. My buddy Leroy Vinson does a lot of work using Richard Stocks. He visit Richard shop regularly. He got me my stock for my 6.5-284 in less than two weeks.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

DF? How heavy are those Laminated stocks? Im contemplating something for the SPS, but Dont want to add alot of weight.

[Lang]

I have two of Richards Stocks. I don't think they are any heavier than factory wood. One of mine is on an XP-100 that frankly could use more weight,the other replaced a Mauser Stock and I think the weight difference was negligible.

[Desert Fox]

DF? How heavy are those Laminated stocks? Im contemplating something for the SPS, but Dont want to add alot of weight.

It's not heavy at all.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Thanks for the info on the stocks.. I may get one for a summer project.

[Thumper Dunker]

Realy cool rifle looks like a real shooter.

[Shoot-it]

So is that basically a pumped up 7mm rem mag Case?Good looking rifle are you going to have the barrel ported to?Richards stocks has a sale going on right now 20 % off off stocks in stock.

[Desert Fox]

280 parent case is the 30-06. The Ackley version has the reduced body taper and a 40 degree shoulder. The round is very efficient that ballistic wise, it nipped in the heels of 7MM Remington magnum.

[Desert Fox]

Time to find out what this 280 Ackley Hoopla is all about.Left to right150 grain Sierra Gameking140 grain Barnes TTSX139 grain Hornady SST140 grain Berger Hunting VLD 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip

[XR100]

Well, we've seen some pictures of some lovely ammo and a very nice rifle, when do we get a look at the targets and a report on accuracy?

[Desert Fox]

If weather permit, It'll be tomorrow. We can't make it last week due to prior commitment. My buddy Frank was just as anxious to see how his rifle will perform LOL.

[Desert Fox]

As promised, here's the initial result of our range session last Sunday with the Black Widow. I loaded 10 round each using 5 different bullets. I used 54 grain of IMR 4350 for all the 140's and 53 grain for the 150's. I choose this particular powder since it works well with my 280 in the past. Nosler Reloading Manual number 4 recommends a maximum of 55 grain for the 140's. This has 84 percent loading density and a velocity of around 2987 fps. I had Frank did the shooting while I manned the spotting scope and watched the velocity reading from the Beta Chrony. I set the target initially at 50 yards just to see what kind of grouping I'm gonna get. Here's what the group looks like at 50 yardsFirst 3 shot with 150 grain Nosler BT. I re-tightened the action screw after Frank shot this group.I told Frank to try the Berger next. 3 bullet cloverleaf at 5 oclock the 2 in the center was shot later on to bring the reticle to center.I cleaned the rifle and then had Frank shoot the 139 grain Hornady SST next. here's the result.We then move to 140 grain Barnes TTSX. Frank fired a total of 6 rounds and not sure what happen here. Two sets of one holer and two was out of the group. Back to the Berger 140 VLD's and on to 110 yards. I had Frank shoot this four shot group with the last four Berger load at 110 yards. Someone took a shot at our target, which pissed me off, after we finished shooting this group. The range was jam packed today.Observation:Kenny Jarrets said that 3150 fps for 140's is the norm for this cartridge. I'm getting 2900+ but still a grain less than max. I will get there, but I'm not gonna do it with the 4350. The 280 was crying for a slow burning powder. I will try Reloader 25, a 7828 or maybe H1000 next time and I pretty sure I'll get my velocity. Also the rifle have shown preference for a secant ogive bullet rather than the tangent, as you can see from the grouping I get from Hornady and the Berger. Maybe I have to play with the setting depth a bit more with those bullet. This is still too early in my load development to come to the conclusion. Overall though, the rifle will shoot.

[rude robert]

Either way that is not too bad, what range did you go too? I'd like to see how your loads are at 100 yrds with the other loads

[Desert Fox]

RR, Frank and I will be at West End gun club tomorrow. We will be there early, around 6:30 - 7 am. If you want to join, you're more than welcome. It get busy there on weekend so I go early and leave as soon as the crowd arrive.

[Desert Fox]

Just got back from the range with my buddy Frank. As I alluded to in my last post-The 280 was crying for a slower burning powder. I did a little research on Reloader 25 for 280 Ackley application, and what I found out was that, the consensus out there for people who have used Reloader 25 on the 140 grainer is between 65 to 67 grain. Frank want's me to stick with Barnes and Berger, which had shown promising result during our last session. So I went ahead and assembled 3 sets of 5 loads in half grain increment starting with 65, 65.5, 66 respectively. The load density of these loads were between 93-95%, which leave me no wiggle room for seating the bullet. I can seat the Berger slightly compressed with no problem. Barnes on the other hand had run out of room... it maxed out to 64 grains. So I went ahead and assembled 3 set of 5, starting from 63, 63.5 and 64 grain.Here's the result. Frank did the shooting while I manned the Chronograph and the spotting scope.First 3 shot group with Berger 140 VLD's at 110 yards. Velocity averaging 3065 fps.After seeing the number on the Chrono, I told Frank to forget about 65.5 and go right ahead and shoot the 66.0 grain loads. Here's the result. He put 5 shot on this target. The velocity was around 3125 fps. No signs of pressure whatsoever.We move on to Barnes. I told Frank let start with 63 grain loads. Here's the result. First 3 shot at 110 yards. Average velocity 3080 fps.I told Frank, go ahead and use the 64 grainer and see what kind of velocity we gonna get. Well the Chrono start acting up and it kept showing error, so we were unable to get a velocity reading on this one. Here's 5 shot group@110 yards.Frank then shoot the Barnes 63.5 grain load after we cool the barrel and here's the result. The first 4 shot clustered together and Frank pulled the last one out.Conclusion: I believe I found the load for the Black Widow. I can squeeze another grain of powder more for the Berger to get to my velocity goal of 3200 fps plus, which is attainable. Barnes on the other hand can be loaded up to 64.5 grain, and can be done using a neck size brass and probably can gain another 35 to 40 fps more in velocity or, switch to a slightly faster burning powder to get to the desired velocity. Frank however was still unsure what bullet to use. I told him, it doesn't matter which bullet you choose. You can fed this rifle with anything and it'll shoot.

[HOG]

you've got a great combination.