Any new rifle Builds to show off?

classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
31 messages Options
12
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
Hi All


With all these great scores and groups being shot at the Nationals at Batemans Bay and records being broken around the country. I would love to see and hear more about the winning rifles. Do you think its the same rifles winning as 10 years ago or are newer better rigs at the pointy end now?
I would love to hear and see any new rifle builds that have been undertaken in the last couple of years. What Action, Barrel, Stock did you go with and who built the rifle for you?
How long did it take to build and is it performing like you wanted?

Looking forward to your comments,


Dave
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Anthony Hall
Administrator
Hi David,

Equipment and calibres used is a good question.  I have knocked together a ranked leader board showing the equipment details that I have from the Nationals, it is a good start.

Centrefire_Equipment_Ranked.pdf

Cheers

Anthony
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
Thanks Anthony,


That is a great start, I can see the 6mm and its variants are really dominating the Light gun. Would love more info on Action, barrels and gunsmiths.

Keep em coming guys,


Dave
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Stuart Pethy
This post was updated on .
Hi Dave
i used my LG 6BRX in the HG also as i can't afford a heavy gun atm
it has been great since i started using it , mine is a Stolle Panda dual port, Jewell trigger 2oz, McMillan f class stock, Krieger 28inch 1;7.5 twist HV barrel .237, with .120FB running 105gr hybrids or serria 107gr mk with 2208.
i have a new barrel (re-chambered 6BRA barrel that i couldn't get working only 700 rounds on it) in 6BRX with a EC tuner fitted to test (never used a tuner before) and will be testing 2209 in barrel with 103gr copperheads, 105gr hybrids and 107gr smk to see how it goes , will be interesting and will post up results here
oh and Dave Kerr gunsmith
cheers
Pethy

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Shane C
This post was updated on .
In reply to this post by David Dundas
Playing around with a build at the moment.

So decided to play around with Anthony's info...

Percentage of caliber used (118 scores entered for HG/LG)

66%  6mm
14%  6.5mm
11% Other...
 8% .30cal



nat_stats.xlsx








Please excuse any errors as it is post night shift...
HEAT MIRAGE DEFINITION: When the fly wont stay still... making swatting it very difficult.
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Stuart Pethy
thanks cool Shane
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
In reply to this post by Stuart Pethy
Hi Stuart

That rifle is very impressive indeed. I noted you mention the 1:7.5 barrel twist, is that something new? I thought everyone was running a 1:8 twist for the 6mm and variants, but I am just leaning and maybe you have found better bullet stability with the higher twist. It may also allow you to run a heavies bullet then a 105, would like to hear your thoughts on it.

Turners - I have tried 4 or 5 different types on Rimfire rifles including Harrels, Loweys, and Huntsman using the "Purdy" tuning method. I have never found them to be beneficial and just feel I wasted time and ammo trying to Tune. Others swear by them and others add tubes to the end of the tuner in the hope of find a winning combination.
On my FWB 2700 (Feinwerbau) I just put on the factory bloop tube and then gun shoots very well, it was the rifle used by Tony Ryan who came 3rd and shot his screamer patch. Ed McGrann shot it at Wagga and also finished 3rd and shot the highest scoring target - neither shoot had every shot the rifle before the match!
Kathy's rifle has a home made tunner which has never been adjusted, just sits there! The rifle has a Hall action which is very light and easy to use and a Broughton 4c barrel which must be a hummer as its won many events.
Most important, the tuner gets a lot of crap build up over time and should be removed and cleaned separately. Good time to clean the rifle crown as well.

Cheers

Dave Dundas
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Stuart Pethy
yeah Dave we all used to use 1:8 twist barrels but then Berger adjusted their recommended twist rate for the 105gr hybrids to a 1:7.5 twist recommended, so i and other use a 1:7.5 twist if we are going to use hybrids just to make sure even though they still shoot great in a 1:8.. just covering my ass

as for tuner some swear by them some don't, i'm only really trying one out for my own mind as i've never had one or used it, EC tuner say to fit in a certain spot and carry out load test as per normal, powder then seating and once that is done start to adjust tuner ..but time will tell
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Michael Bell
Administrator
Hi David,
You are indeed entering an area rich in feeling and opinion.
There are many different acions available & it's likely there won't be any meaningful difference in accuracy between one or the other. For me it's about how they cycle & again it's likey there won't be a lot of difference between one or the other.
In the heavy gun at our recent nationals I shot a BRX using a Shilen DGA action which was made by Hall who was in a business arrangement with Shilen at the time. This action is about 50 years old and I love it for a variety of reasons. It certainly cycles beautifully but it has a lot of sentimental value as it was my late fathers .222 fox rifle which I have had modified for target shooting.
The stock is a Kelbly 1M & was the first benchrest stock I purchased. I have a bit of a fetish for the Bill Shehane ST 1000 shaped stock & I know that Rob V from Griffith can knock up quality stocks but most gunsmiths should be able to source something for you....I think Russ LaMatrie has a stock maker in tow at the moment also??

If you live in Sydney you'll have Matty Paroz nearby who  has a wealth of experience & will be able to get you into a Barnard which cycle better than anything I have ever tried (I don't own one but have played with a few). Matty will also be able to get you into a Borden which are also a quality bit of kit.
Luke Easter from ProCal, negotiated with Hall just recently to have my  rimfire action made. He must be an old bloke now but is still working so if you have some attachment to Hall actions (as per your rimfire) you might be able to get one hand crafted.

Personally I love the idea of left feed, right eject which most action makers provide. I probably would struggle to go back to the old feed from the right style but plenty of good shooters do it!
I guess it most likely comes down to what's available at the time...you wouldn't go wrong with a Stolle, Stiller, Borden, Bat or Barnard.
Like most shooters I've played with a few barrel brands..Lilja, Krieger, Bartlein & Brux & I have a Broughton on the way. There are others around that shoot well including the Aussie made Maddco but it kind of depends on what's about. Toss a coin & go with it. A 1:8 twist would most likely be more readily available & most bullets will stabilise in it.

The most important decision will be caliber.
If you're new to the whole reloading thing I would strongly advise  keeping it simple & go with the "plain Jane" 6MM BR.
If I had my time over I would have certainly gone down that path initially rather than dive in the deep end with the BRX which requires case forming & a lot of trouble for what could be little or even NO advantage. You've seen the equipment list....there were a lot of big scores shot with the BR!!

I reckon the best advice would be to strike up a relationship with a gunsmith & start talking.

Regards,
Belly
Michael Bell
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
Thanks Stuart and Belly

Some really good info and tips there.

I agree with regard to the Action type, I love a smooth action and any from the top manufactures should suffice with regard to tollerances etc. If you are going custom then it might as well be the best you can find or the best recommended.

Kathy loves her Rimfire Hall, its a right bolt left port that she prefers (not me) and very light bolt with a smooth action - makes a good combination. I have shot all my life with a right bolt right port so hard for me to change.


Cheers


Dave
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
This post was updated on .
Just ordered a complete new build for Kathy!

Been so bored with this lockdown that i have spent the last couple of weeks reading old threads on here and elsewhere.  So much to learn but all my Fly shooting friends have been so helpful that I was confident enough to put our toe in the water of the 500m FLY.
Kath and I attended the Nationals in Canberra this year and it was great to be able to have a close look at all the different rifles and talk to different shooters about their gear and setup. We borrowed a rifle and ammo (6mmBR) from John Harris to see what it was like as we have never shot anything bigger than a .22, Jacko even let me have a shot of his Borden 6mmDX to see what its like - We had a great day and lots of fun so it got us to this point.
I noticed this bright Pink laminated rifle on the bench next to us (hard to miss) so I took a closer look in between details, its based on a new Borden BRMMF action and owned by Gunsmith Warren Gardiner (Wazza). The fit and finish of the stockaction work was outstanding and the rifle looked as good as any of the many rifles on the line. Over the course of the day Wazza was happy to answer my many "Noob" questions and I learnt more about what he might be able to do for us.

Photo's will follow as the build is completed, but here are the basic details.

Borden Rimrock BRMMF 6mmBR with a No turn neck, dual port.
Hart 1:8 twist barrel
Jewell Trigger
20 moa rail
Purple laminated stock with all the trimmings.
Pillar beaded etc
Weight: 16.9lbs approx
Gunsmith: Warren from Shoot Ya Load

So no fireforming and no neck turning for me just yet as there is so much to learn about the rest of bullet\case preparation
and then we have to learn how to shoot the longer distance.
With the ranges closed for a while, if I can get to the range in Nov\Dec and work on some loads then we will be able to start 2021 in Feb next year at Batemans Bay.

Very excited and just wanted to share with you,

Hope you are all doing well,

Dave
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Les Fraser
Administrator
hey Dave what neck are you going to run in the BR also if you want you can send me your first lot of cases and i will prep them for you to get you going. You may or may not have the tools to do it so just giving you the opportunity to get it done first time round.

All the best stay safe
Les
shooting well is more a mental control of your thoughts than just pulling the trigger........
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
Thanks Les,

Hopefully I can call on a couple of my Sydney Fly shoot mates to help me work up a load and they should be able to point me in the right direction to atleast get me starter. I am sure I will have plenty of questions just on the basics, on the more advanced stuff that you and the others on the forum can be a guide from what they have experienced.
I might start a new thread with the start of my questions.

Cheers

Dave
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Glen Aarsen
Hi Dave
Given I'm in Sydney, and pretty close to you, I'm happy to share and help in any way I can, as many others have done for me. I have learnt a lot from Les, Dave G, Belly, Tim, Jacko, Matt P, Tyson, Nick and the list goes on an on, the one thing that comes to mind, you never stop learning. I'll send a message to Kathy and we can organise a call or 10. Cheers Glen
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
Hi Glen,


I have been pestering those guys for over 12 months and all there help and suggestions has made me confident enough to purchase a rifle. While its being built I am looking to acquire all the other bits and pieces, some items are as hard to get as toilet paper so will start to get some bits as I see them in stock.

Been thru so many scopes, rest and bags over the year that I could fill a rubbish bin with some of the crap I purchased, don't want to do the same with reloading gear or buy thousands of the "wrong" bullet type.
If everyone is as bored as me then they might like to chime in on what has worked for them. Might not work for me, but very interesting on what people tested and how they arrived at what they use today - often its a journey!

I sent you a PM and would love to catch up at the range when the rifle is complete.

Cheers

Dave
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Michael Bell
Administrator
G'day David,
I've often bragged to people that I'm lucky in that I don't get bored or lonely, which is generally the truth, however, this Covid situation is testing my theory in a big way!....so ...what to do?
I was so disgusted in my efforts with the finish on my rimfire stock that I was almost to embarrassed to take the thing out in public!!
With time up my sleeve I got stuck right into it with the sander & came up with something half acceptable....especially for an unhandy idiot like me!
Pic attached,
Regards,
Belly





Michael Bell
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Rob V
Hi Belly..
How are the Delta scopes ,, They look interesting and seem to represent good value for money.. Although I have never looked through one...
Cheers Rob..
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
In reply to this post by Michael Bell
Geat Belly,

I think everyone should have atleast one timber stock in the collection. They are likes flames of a fire, you just keep looking at it and of course there are never two exactly the same. Looks nice!

Keep them coming guys,

Cheers


Dave
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

Michael Bell
Administrator
In reply to this post by Rob V
G'day Rob,
You hit the nail on the head....it's good value for money!
It was a bit of an impulse buy which is not like me but I thought it would be ok on a PRS rifle  ( which I will probably never build) because the reticle is perfect for that.
It's a tad on the heavy side being a frag over a BR Nightforce so be careful if you're thinking light rifle but the vision and functions are fine.
In my opinion the parallax adjustment is a bit touchy but just a matter of getting used to it.

Regards,
Belly
Michael Bell
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Any new rifle Builds to show off?

David Dundas
All

Wazza for Shoot Ya Load has already got the timber for the stock from Finland and has been busy on his CNC machine over the last few weeks.
This light gun will be Kathy's so she picked the colour of the stock, here favourite!  Don't think I have ever seen a purple stock anywhere so it will be a standout.
The stock colour will come to life once the clear coat goes on it.

Stock build


Cheers


Dave
12