Savage Target Rifle Build

[DeadEyeDeadly]

I'm a new member, and I've started putting together my first ground-up rifle build. Here's the bits & pieces list:


Savage Target Action – Left Port
McGowen 28” Stainless Barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor
Laminated Thumbhole Stock from Richard's Microfit Stocks
Weaver T-36 Scope utilizing Burris Signature Zee Rings


Pics of stock modifications so far:


http://http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/StockBarrelChannelWidened_zps559aaae3.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/StockBarrelChannelWidened_zps559aaae3.jpg.html)

Widening of the barrel channel


http://http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/StockWithCaps-RoughSanded_zps38107395.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/StockWithCaps-RoughSanded_zps38107395.jpg.html)

Maple caps attached & rough sanded.

I'll add more pics as progress is made.

[cowtownup]

Right on....

[drybean]

Looking good

[DeadEyeDeadly]

Action/Barrel Epoxy Bedded


I used Loctite Marine epoxy (which is normally white) tinted with pigment to bed my stock. Paste wax was applied to the action and barrel to serve as a release agent. I used mold making clay as dams to contain the epoxy as it was compressed to fill the bedding voids.




http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/EpoxyStockBedding_zpsf04b5191.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/EpoxyStockBedding_zpsf04b5191.jpg.html)

[Lightflight]

Looking great.

[2scars]

Man, the Maple caps are gonna be very cool. Will definitely be keeping up with this one.

[Hallbilly]

Good job.
Nice to see someone doing his/(Her?) own thing.

[DeadEyeDeadly]

Polyurethaned Stock

Here's pics of my stock with five coats of polyurethane applied. I used Rust-oleum semi-gloss polyurethane tinted with Bullard Metallic Pigment (Orchid), which I acquired on the internet from OutKast Fishing Tackle. After the finish has cured for at least a full day, I'll buff it out with extra fine steel wool before mounting the barreled action.


http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/PolyurethanedStock002_zps1949752e.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/PolyurethanedStock002_zps1949752e.jpg.html)


http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/PolyurethanedStock004_zps9f1ac763.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/PolyurethanedStock004_zps9f1ac763.jpg.html)

[snowgetter1]

Looking real good.

[DeadEyeDeadly]

Ready for Barrel Break-In


Overall weight with McGowen 6.5 Creedmoor barrel in Douglas #9 contour comes to ~ 15 pounds. The old bathroom scales gave me readings from 14-16 pounds, even by weighing myself holding the rifle.
Weather permitting, I hope to break-in the barrel next week.


http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/RifleAssembled001_zpsf70c1ac1.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/RifleAssembled001_zpsf70c1ac1.jpg.html)




http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/RifleAssembled008_zps7bf087c0.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/RifleAssembled008_zps7bf087c0.jpg.html)

[drybean]

Outstanding!!!

[cowtownup]

Absolutely.... Good luck with the initial outting!!!

[DeadEyeDeadly]

I managed to break-in the barrel despite temperatures in the 40's and winds gusting to 35 MPH, as the itch to test this rifle was too great to wait. Initial windage was 12 inches to the left and 2 inches high at 100 yards. I got a crick in my neck because the scope needs to come back just a tad, so I placed a Weaver extension base on order. I also want to get a .010 Eccentric (offset) insert for the Burris scope ring to bring the Weaver T-36 closer to center of windage adjustment, but everywhere I found that carries them so far are “Out of Stock”. So, I placed them on back order at two places.

I've loaded some 107 grain Sierra Match BTHP bullets, as well as some Hornady 100 and 120 grain AMax bullets to begin load testing when the weather is more favorable.

[DrThunder88]

Well done!

[Nor Cal Mikie]

And who says Richard's Micro-Fit Stocks are junk? Turned out real good!! One question. Are your pillars below the surface of the bedding? (just wondering) May be an issue if the bedding ever compresses.
Still a nice looking job.

[DeadEyeDeadly]

Thanks to all you guys for the compliments!
The Richard's Micro Fit Stock was a very good fit for the action, and required only the removal of a small amount of laminate in the bolt release area to attain proper operation.The barrel channel requires extensive work for heavy barrels.
The pillars are below the bedding surface of the action. The Loctite Marine epoxy is rated at 3,000 PSI, so I predict that there will be very little compression happening over time.


For anyone interested, here's a brief description of my action bedding procedure ( refer to the pic for details):


I constructed my bedding tool from 1 inch PVC pipe which is just slightly smaller in diameter than the Target Action. I placed the tool with coarse grit sand paper secured with tape into the action channel and rotated the handle from side-to-side. I added more layers of sand paper in progressive steps to widen the channel to the desired size.
I formed my shims into semi circles and super glued them into the channel. When the barreled action is bolted into the stock and the excess Marine epoxy is squeezed out, there is minimal mess, as it is very viscous. After the action epoxy was cured, I repeated the procedure for the barrel pad minus any shims (the action pad provided the proper clearance).


http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/ActionBeddingStuff_zps845c02ea.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/ActionBeddingStuff_zps845c02ea.jpg.html)

[ivanpros]

Excellent! What did you use as a release agent? Was it difficult to remove?

[DeadEyeDeadly]

I used automotive paste wax as the release agent. Two applications is enough, but the first coat needs to cure for about an hour before the second is applied, then lightly buff.
I slid nylon reinforcing strapping between the stock and barrel, placed my 'Smack' Jig over the barrel (the side rails are supported by the stock, the 'Smack' Zone cross member sits ~ 3/8” above the top of the barrel), suspended the whole conglomeration by the strapping, then smacked the 'Smack' Zone with about an 18” piece of 2X4 - - the stock pops off quite easily! See pic . . .



http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag260/BLAZELSBraz/ReleaseMethodStuff_zpsc1023231.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/BLAZELSBraz/media/ReleaseMethodStuff_zpsc1023231.jpg.html)

[dcloco]

Very nice! Cannot wait until you wring this out without the 35 mph W word!

[olddav]

I love the "Smack Jig", going to have to build me one of those.