30 replies to this topic

[Desert Fox]

Well, It's time for another build. The rifle will be use purely for 300 and 600 meter competition. No other cartridge can be more ideal than the 6MM BR.

My gunsmith friend Jim Gruning and I went and had breakfast last Saturday and spent the rest of the morning sorting through his collection of reamers and discussing rifle smithing in general. I've always enjoy this talk with Jim and I could tell that he does it too. I try not to take up so much of his precious time since he is a one man shop, but Jim always enjoy my company and there's always interesting topic to talk about.

Jim has two 6BR reamer on hand. One throated for 75 to 85 grain bullet and another for the 105 VLD's. He is also ordering one for another customer that is throated for 108 VLD Berger. He showed me the dummy round that the customer provided him and I like it. I told Jim I'm fine with either reamer, although I might go ahead and have him use the 105 reamer.. Berger has 105 Hybrid that has higher BC than the 108. Besides, I might try to use the 95 grain VLD also, sacrificing BC for higher velocity. We will see. DF

Here's the partial list of component for Jim to get started.[/color]

Remington 700
Brux medium palma deep fluted 6MM 8.5 twist barrrel
Rifle Basix Trigger
Tubbs Oversized lug
Stock is still under consideration
Scope will be another Nightforce

[chuckocaster]

Will you adopt me? I love geeking out with my Smith, but he too is a one man shop... So I try to be succinct when I go.

[Kephers]

nice!

[Bennie]

That is a nice build.

[Desert Fox]

I might make this a dual purpose rifle. 6BR is an excellent varmint chambering. Besides, I have lots of 87 grain V-Max that just taking space.

[chuckocaster]

Time to put them to good use!

[Rob]

DF...your description of the trigger is hard to understand....nothing about your selections is ever "basic".
Thus my question...you are using a "Rifle Basic Trigger"?
Is ths something very special or do you guys go to work on the basic Remington 700 trigger system on your own?
I am always grateful for your information...and I want to be adopted too!

[GSH]

I think it is a Rifle Basix trigger.

[Desert Fox]

Rob, Rifle Basix is a brand of trigger, not a tuned factory trigger. Sorry about the misspell.

GSH, Thanks for the correction.

[GSH]

The search button on the old computer does wonders, lol

[Desert Fox]

Well, the stock is on it's way. It will be here next week. It's the new McMillan Tactical A-TH in molded camo.

 

http://www.mcmfamily...ck-list.php#ath

[ehd]

that should be nice.

[chuckocaster]

I cannot wait to see this rifle, you have some nice guns!!!

[Desert Fox]

Got the stock today. Love the ergonomics.

 

[chuckocaster]

Very sweet! I dig the pattern.

[Desert Fox]

Just waiting for the barreled action so that I can bed it to the stock. The smith told me that it might be ready by the end of the week. 

 

[chuckocaster]

Yay!!!

[Desert Fox]

Load development will follow shortly.

[Desert Fox]

Well there's a unexpected delay in the delivery of the barreled action. All the necessary component are here so I took some note. 

 

Bullet: 

 

105 grain - 6MM Berger Target Match VLD

OAL:  1.221"

Diameter:  .243"

Weight:  104.9 grain

G7 BC:  .251 

 

105 Grain - 6MM Hornady A-Max

OAL:   1.228"

Diameter:  .243"

Weight:  104.7 grain

G7 BC:  .248

 

6BR Lapua Brass

OAL:  1.554"

Weight:  126.3 grain

Neck Diameter:  .266"

Neck Wall Thickness:  .0129"

 

 

Varget will be the powder of choice and the Primer will be Remington 7.5 Benchrest.

[Desert Fox]

Well, she's almost there. All i have to do is bed the stock and Durakote the barreled action.

 

[chuckocaster]

WOW!!!! I can't wait to see some group pix!

[Shoot-it]

I was going to ask what the stock looked like but i see you posted it that sure is a weird round short and thick with a long bullet it looks like.

Nice build i like the stock.

[ShooterJohn]

Your garage is too clean!  I'm not sure I trust someone with a garage that looks like that.

[Desert Fox]

LOL, You haven't seen half of it. 

[Desert Fox]

[Desert Fox]

She just gave me a glimpse of things to come. This was just preliminary load development, fire forming and barrel break in. With a better scope and prepped fire formed brass, she will tighten things up.

I found out that 29.8 to 30.1 grain of Reloader 15 is the sweet spot for this rifle. 30.2 is over max with 105 grain Berger VLD's. Velocity for 29.8 grain load is around 2875 fps and with 30.1 grain at 2910 fps. Load some Hornady 105 A-Max to try this weekend. I switched primer too using 205 Federal Match this time and see if I can tighten up the standard deviation. I also pulled out the Nikon Tactical scope (10X is way too small of a magnification for benchwork on this 55 year old eye) and temporarily mounted my old Burris 8-32 Signature Benchrest scope. I'm still mulling on what scope to get to complement this rifle. I budgeted for NXS MOAR reticle but leaning towards either ATACR MOAR or the Competition. 

Anyway, here's some picture from last weekend range session.

 

 

Here's several shot groups during fireforming and barrel break in. Next range session will tighten things up. 

[chuckocaster]

Even with the flyers those groups are nothing to sneeze at. I understand tho, I was having an off day while sighting in my AR. Most people would've been elated with my groups if they had shot them. But I know both the rifle and I can do better. I did console myself by whacking four squirrels with four shots at distances ranging from 80-155 yards.

[Desert Fox]

I'm not worried with this preliminary result... the barrel is not broken yet. This rifle will shoot bug holes once I finalize the load. The rifle has a nice balance to it even with a 30" barrel and light enough too for field use.

[chuckocaster]

I'm not worried with this preliminary result... the barrel is not broken yet...

Well, if you break the barrel it won't shoot ANY groups...

I keed I keed!

[novaman64]

Whats the finished barrel length on this?  Nice round, those 6mm's have awesome ballistics, I miss my 260!