My first rifle build -- A long range precision 260 rem

[Onewolf]

Why? Almost one year ago I got interested in long range precision/match shooting and since I had _no_ rifle experience I chose to purchase a Savage LRP 260 because it seemed like it would be a great rifle to learn the basics of long range shooting with. After shooting it a bunch with the local long range club (500-1000 yards) and learning how to do my own ammo load development I decided it was time to start theorizing about building a rifle for my specific requirements. For instance the LRP 260 is great for shooting prone, but no so great (not balanced) for shooting off-hand as we often do in our local club matches.

Components:


Savage Target Repeater Action (from donor rifle I bought from Jim/Northland)
SS barrel nut and lug from Northland
McGowen SS Shilen LV7 profile barrel, 1:8 twist, 24" + muzzle brake
Manners MCS-T5 (dead flat black) stock
Harris S-BRM 6-9" bipod
EGW 20MOA HD scope mount
Burris Extreme Tactical 30mm low rings
SWFA 12x42 mil-quad scope
SSS 9 rd mags


I just put it together this afternoon. As expected I am going to need to adjust/time the muzzle brake to get the (side) ports situated properly. I just hate to loosen the muzzle brake for the first time which will expose the seam with the barrel. :)

I hope to shoot it this weekend at the 'short' 300m range.

Thanks for all the advice I received on this site (both direct questions and background research).

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[JW]

Very nice
I would shoot it before moving the brake just to see how it does
You might find that it shoots very well as is
Jack

[Onewolf]

The problem with the current muzzle brake position is that it has ports facing downward which will be problematical when shooting prone from the dry cow/scrub pasture we call our 'long range'. "Bang" = big cloud of dirt/dust/weeds. :)

[rattfink]

That is hot! Nice choices on everything. I really like the LRP action.

[teebirdhyzer]

very nice looking rifle there. Let us know how that bad boy shoots.

[moecarama]

Daaaaaaaaaang! that's nice makes me wanna build one;)

[stangfish]

Nice rifle. You could always retime the brake and get the ports where they belong. You might get lucky swapping bolt heads...if you have a few laying around.

[223 4 me]

Congrats on a job Well Done! I love it...

[Onewolf]

Took it out to the range this morning to test basic functionality and get an approx zero. I had a mixture of leftover rounds I had made for the Savage LRP. Functionally the rifle performed flawlessly. Accuracy wise it was not great after I got it basically zeroed. I think my 'standard' SMK 142 load was setting the bullet out too far for the new rifle because they were very tight to get chambered. Whereas the SMK 140 rounds chambered very easily.

Now it's time to time the muzzle brake properly and make some rounds to start load testing.

When I first got to the rifle range this morning I though I was on the set of Duck Dynasty.... :)

Edit: Forgot to mention that the rifle was incredibly comfortable (perfect?) to sit behind on the bench. Hopefully it's that comfortable when I go prone with it.

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[paperkite]

Have you thought about a barrell tuner for it ? Though at those distances it may be moot .. and the brake maybe all you need but you never know until you put a ton of lead through it . Anyway keep us posted !

[stangfish]

You know. I never have seen a barrel tuner at any long range F/class competitions. Do they work?

[paperkite]

check out this article :http://www.benchrestspecialties.com/barrel_tuners.htm
and rim fire info here : http://www.varmintal.com/a22lr.htm
video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhRIebOY4Jk
video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEBMlfhlxYg this one will give you a look at the barrel flex towards the end ...
see also here for 6mmbr :http://6mmbr.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=808222

one of the fellows on another forum for rim fire tried heat shrink tubing to calm down the barrel and he picked up an 1/8 of an inch at 100 yds. I have heat shrink on both my varmint rifle 22 Hn Savage 340e and my target Savage BTVSS 22 LR. When I first started with sub sonic on the 22LR I was getting .8- 1.0 inch groups and now get .6- .8 grps at 50 yds and .7 to .9 in groups at 100 . Although not throughly consistant yet I am working on getting better now that the 22 LR supply has calmed down a bit . on the Savage 340e I consistantly shoot a 1/4 tighter groups using my hand load on either Lil Gun or 4198 and now looking at Varget to see if I can get this down even tighter . This is at 100 yrds and I get 2 inch group at 200 yrds , where before it was more like 3-4 inch groups .... There are a few you tube vids that show the shaking a rifle and scope go thru and it is amazing that much movement takes place ... it is no wonder the bullets go soaring off into the wild blue sometimes ... about like the " Big Units" high fast ball a few years back ...

[stangfish]

Oh, in 22LR i have seen it a BUNCH.
As for centerfire long range, I just don't see it. Ever.

Look at these rifles or do a search.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Long+Range+Rifle+rifle&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=long+range+rifle+rifle&sc=8-22&sp=-1&sk=
Look real close at those vids where the whole gun is shakinging and the barrel is flexing. The bullet is gone gone. There is a vibration node ahead of the bullet but it is very small in amplitude compared to what you visably see.

[paperkite]

a quote from 2006 from Accurateshootersforum.
Seems some of these guys use tuners in F class and work well for them .

"Hi i have 2 Stillar tuners and in F Class Open here in Australia i just shot a 100 at 300 yards, 99 at 500 yards and 98 at 600 yards the tuners do work verry well. oh the rifle was a 6mm Dasher 297 out of 300 won the day. I also have one on a 284 they are awsome i can dial a group from under .5" at 300 yards to ofer 2" by turning the tuner. I have developed a similar design to utilise the 1 1/2" cut of a new barrel with 4 weights to cater for different bisciplines. Ger a Stillar tuner before they all get sold out as Jerry told me when they are all gone there will be no more.

Cheers Bill
Australia

[Pete K.]

The problem with the current muzzle brake position is that it has ports facing downward which will be problematical when shooting prone from the dry cow/scrub pasture we call our 'long range'. "Bang" = big cloud of dirt/dust/weeds. :)

How about a nice shooting mat or something just heavy enough not to blow away? Carpeted car mat? Something easy enough to carry around. Carpeted car mat with a nylon rope carry handle through two drilled holes with knots at the ends??? Just thinking here that's all. You could put a spoting scope on it with ammo etc.

Pete K.

[Onewolf]

I used a SS crush washer to time the muzzle brake properly. It's not as 'pretty', but it's functional. I'll probably take the muzzle brake off anyway once the thread cap is delivered. Somehow the thread cap on the barrel order 'got lost' when the barrel was made. McGowen is currently working on the thread cap that was specified when the barrel was ordered. The only reason I got the muzzle brake was because I wanted the barrel to be threaded for when I get a suppressor and I figured I would go ahead and get the muzzle brake just to play with.

BTW, I've had it at the range twice now but I haven't started any real load development. I'm just using a slightly detuned powder load than I had developed with the Savage LRP. I have learned that I have to set back the shoulders on the Lapua fired brass a little farther with this rifle than the LRP. Initially I was getting 2/3 rounds touching and then the 3rd/4th would be an inch or so off. However the last group I shot this afternoon was a 9 shot group under 1" at 100 yards.

The Manners T5 stock is so much easier for me to get comfortable compared to the 'stock' Savage HS stock on the LRP.

[Onewolf]

We have a long range practice/qualification session scheduled for Saturday morning so I will have a chance to see how the rifle does out to 1000 yds. I'm psyched!

[paperkite]

We have a long range practice/qualification session scheduled for Saturday morning so I will have a chance to see how the rifle does out to 1000 yds. I'm psyched!

Good luck on Sat. Let us know how it goes ...

[derrelw]

I love that stock, very nice looking rig.

[Onewolf]

I qualified out to 1000 yards this morning, but it was not pretty. The new gun does not have the consistent precision of my LRP 260 but I have done ZERO load testing with the new gun yet. I'm sure with some load development and action bedding/etc it will eventually shoot as well as the LRP.

This was the first long range practice where someone brought a 50BMG. It's a beast and no fun to be set up next to on the shooting line:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI6GweQKgiA

After the long range practice I took the LRP to the 100yd range to zero it and it shot LIGHTS OUT. After zeroing I shot this 7 shot group (0.470") at 100 yds.


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