My 2nd Savage 6.8 SPC II rifle

[brasse]

Bought a 6.8 SPC barrel from a gentlemen on this forum. Assembled it two weeks ago, finally got to shoot it today.
Before shooting this I was going to have the barrel cut down to 18 inches. Now I don't think so, why mess with good!

Specs are:
24" stainless Douglas barrel in 6.8 SPC II (I reamed out the throat to SPC II specs) sporter profile
Model 16 stainless Savage receiver
SSS stainless fluted bolt
223 bolt head modified for 6.8 case
Savage stainless large round bolt handle
Savage model 14 walnut stock with Monte Carlo cheek piece (Numrich)
Savage polished stainless hardware, DBM, Bottom and trigger guard
$59 Simmons 4-18x50 scope (I have more bulls eyes at 200 yards with this scope than any other)

Big question is can this used Douglas barrel shoot? You be the judge.
Targets at 100 yards, 90 degrees, 7 mph wind from 180.
Bullets Hornady 110 V-Max

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/DouglswSavageMC_zps7a465fde.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/DouglswSavageMC_zps7a465fde.jpg.html)

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/DouglswSavageDBM_SS3_zps5d6f7ca8.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/DouglswSavageDBM_SS3_zps5d6f7ca8.jpg.html)

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/DouglswSavageDBM_FlutedBolt2_zps037488d6.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/DouglswSavageDBM_FlutedBolt2_zps037488d6.jpg.html)

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/Douglas100Yards110VMax9_15_13_zpsd405dfaf.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/Douglas100Yards110VMax9_15_13_zpsd405dfaf.jpg.html )

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/Douglas100Yards110VMax9_15_13a_zps9329fd15.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/Douglas100Yards110VMax9_15_13a_zps9329fd15.jpg.htm l)

[Firefighter]

I love those "Classic Builds" , nice work, and nice workhorse and shooter rifle= Enjoy:p

[brasse]

Finally have the rifle 99% finished. Still need to bed the receiver, and change the bolt handle. Right now it weighs 6 pounds 15.5 ounces with scope and magazine, no bullets. Just added the 4.05 ounce Limbsaver pad. Recoil is low, half a 243.

I shot it today to zero in the Weaver 2-10x38 scope. Using Hornady 110 V-Max as they are easy to get. It used to shoot 0.5 to 0.75 groups at 100 yards when the barrel was 24 inches. Barrel now 18 inches, I shot 2 round groups each touching the other bullet, say 0.25 inch groups.

The target shown started at 25 yards, you can see the black dots where I moved the scope in to point of aim. Moved out to 100 yards, first 2 rounds touching high, adjusted and next two rounds also touching. I think that is good enough for a under 7 pound hunting rifle.

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/Targer1_10_14a_zps56ea6119.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/Targer1_10_14a_zps56ea6119.jpg.html)

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/Savage_scope7pounds2_zps2020c2ac.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/Savage_scope7pounds2_zps2020c2ac.jpg.html)

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/Savage_scope7pounds1_zpsf761e4ee.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/Savage_scope7pounds1_zpsf761e4ee.jpg.html)

Photo of the Sig Sauer at the Clark County shooting range. Shot Show next week!!!!
http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/SigSauerTent_zpsc8015ef2.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/SigSauerTent_zpsc8015ef2.jpg.html)

[Hotolds442]

That is a very sweet looking shooting stick! Nice job!,

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Nice looking build. Good job! Got one question.
What's your reasoning for reaming the SPC chamber to SPC II? I know the AR fans are big on the SPC II but what have you gained by going to the SPC II? All you've got different is the longer throat?
My SPC barrel shoots bug holes and I'am able to jam my bullets into the lands because of the shorter throat. Not as easy with the SPC II.
Got to be something I've missed and can't quite figure it out. Inquiring minds want to know. Enlighten me as well as others please and thanks, Mike.

[ShawneeB]

Nice looking Savage, shooter too :)

[Hotolds442]

Not to derail the post, but.....

Remington screwed the pooch when they submitted the 6.8SPC chamber specs to SAAMI. Shooting hotter loads in a SAAMI chamber can cause pressure issues due to the leade being too short.
SAAMI incorrectly identifies 4-groove rifling as the standard. Most manufacturers use 6-groove -- increase in pressure results.Twist rate matters. The SAAMI 1:10 is too fast for hotter loads. 1:11 or 1:12 is generally preferred to get the most performance out of the 6.8SPC

These factors combined cause pressure issues which has led to most ammo manufacturers having to load down their 6.8 rounds. Silver State Armory offers a "Combat Load" for those who have the right kind of rifle, but you have to call them and talk to Art about your rifle's specs before he'll sell it to you. He doesn't want you blowing up your rifle with ammo that it can't handle.
Mild loads for a 6.8 SPCII may be dangerous in a SAAMI spec'd rifle.

Going with the SPC II allows you to get the maximum performance out of the cartridge.

If you go to 68forums.com (http://68forums.com), you will find a wealth of info that will answer your questions and help you get the most performance out of your 6.8SPC.

/hijack

[dk17hmr]

Very nice. I have 3 6.8spc's right now 2 AR's and a Ruger bolt action. What a great little cartridge. Every time I use one of them for hunting I cant help be think how it preforms way better than it should.

[BBS70]

I have a RRA AR in 6.8 and simply love it.
Wish I could find more brass for it.

[Hotolds442]

I have a RRA AR in 6.8 and simply love it.
Wish I could find more brass for it.
Keep an eye out here: https://www.lwrci.com/p-327-once-fired-brass-casings.aspx
6.8 shows up here often.

[brasse]

The easy part of converting a SPC chamber to 6.8 SPC II is the reamer is a 5 minute process.

I know Nor Cal Mikie loves his rifle without SPC II, but so far I have only shot factory ammo. And some of the ammo is "tactical", I feel better with the chamber able to withstand higher pressures.

I am happy my lightweight rifle shoots so well. As good as or better than my 10.8 pounds Savage 6.8 SPC II with the red/black blind thumbhole Boyd's stock and 20 inch stainless Black Hole Weaponary barrel with PRI brake.

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/RifleComplete_zps796f23d1.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/RifleComplete_zps796f23d1.jpg.html)
http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/brasse/SingleShot68SPC_zps49f2304e.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/brasse/media/SingleShot68SPC_zps49f2304e.jpg.html)

[ShowMeShooter]

Nice looking rigs, pretty interesting cartridge too.
Being a .270 win shooter already, this might be a nice little round for my boys to hunt with:thumb:

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Let me say, I don't "love" my SPC rather than the SPC II, it's just what I went with from the start. First off, I don't hunt unless it's paper.
Not into high pressure loads. Mid range and long brass is what I'am after as well as bugholes.
Never considered going to the SPC II chamber. Longer throat would defeat why I went with the shorter chamber. I jam everything except my gas guns.
I have noticed one thing while working up loads. With the few examples I've tried, no difference between a jam and jump on the target. More testing due to be sure.

brasse:
You mentioned shoulder problems and wanting less recoil? If that's the case, wouldn't the SPC II higher pressure loads not be the best idea in that case? Just curious how you rationalize that, Mike.

[brasse]

Come on, no one can tell the difference between the recoil from a SPC and a SPC II rifle. Not many center fire rifles shoot with less recoil then a 6.8 SPC II.

More than a 223 or 556, more than a 204, but just about everything else has more recoil.

I CAN NOT shoot a 308, unless it has a BIG ASS Bernie Cooley muzzle brake on it. My Savage 10TR actually shoots softer than all my 6.8s, truly amazing.

[Nor Cal Mikie]

As long as it works for you, THAT'S what counts. And as you mentioned, recoil is next to nothing. I built mind to see how it would work on a bolt action. Turned out to be a real winner!

[KC223]

sweet rig there sir

[buxman66]

Shoot, that's gun porn there! Nice weapon.