Can't wipe the smile off my face

[Aussea]

Finally got a chance to take the new rifle out to the range today.

It is a special experience to take a box full of parts and create someting like this on your first attempt


http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Marcus_Thrift/Savage.jpg

Then to create a batch of handloads for a rifle you have never fired in a cartridge you have no experience with - and do this

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Marcus_Thrift/3ef8e719e1f5a3166e4deb83c29dbf88.jpg

May not impress some, but the person that matters most certainly was.

Big thanks to Jim at NSS and all those here on the SS forums for your help and advice

[drybean]

Looks Great
more info on your build please

drybean

[bootsmcguire]

Very Nice

[Aussea]

Savage SA Varmint action
Criterion 28" 260 Rem Match BBL
Bell & Carlson A5 Medalist Tactical Adj Stock
Millet 4-16 TRS1
Versa-Pod 7-9 Bipod
Accu-Shot BT13 monopod

Group was at 100, 36 deg, 5-10 variable wind

Load it seemed to like the best

Rem brass
Wolf LR primer
Horn. AMAX 140gr
H4350 42-42.5 gr
COAL 2.850

[1.618]

Heh heh very nice! Wait until you get 'er broke in and dialled in!

[jonbearman]

If you have any 123 sierra matchkings or the 120 mk's try them and see it shine.I basically have the same barrel and it will shoot the 140 class bullets well but the 120 class do even better.

[Aussea]

I don't have any of those - do have some 120 BT & AMAX's that will be interesting to try.

The angle of the photo wasn't the greatest. Of the 10 rounds, I can count 7 in the main group, the last two of the group I pulled (range had a 'cold' before I finished and I must have changed my position). I either really shanked 1 or it is hiding in among the main group.

Hard to complain about 7-8 inside an inch (with shade) on a new rifle, with untried handloads, on a cold windy day - thus the title of the thread.

There are things that I could do better. The BT13 is too tall for the bipod, had to sit the bipod on top of a plastic parts box to get a line on the target. Will switch it to the BT12 I have on another so I can get a better grab on the bench. Wind had the target moving a bit, need to get a little better trigger discipline.

All in all, a most favorable experience. It wasn't cheap or always easy project - but it certainly pays off when everything comes together.

[Idahokid]

Very cool to be able to build and shoot your own creation.Congrats.