.243 Model 10 rebuild to .260 Rem step-by-step

[scooterf79]

Looks sharp! Definitely keeping up with this thread. Totally agree with the contrasting colors, looks really good!
Scooter

[BarrelNuts]

Thanks Scooter; this far most frustrating part of the project has been waiting for materials to come in. Getting itchy for a range day!

[scooterf79]

I agree wholeheartedly! Lol....on my first build I had to wait about 20 weeks for my barrel, drove me nuts! But all the waiting was very well worth it especially range day!
Scooter

[BarrelNuts]

Yup... tomorrow I have my .260 dies and shell holder, can #2 of duracoat, some brass, and a box of 129gr. Accubond LR's that should be waiting on the porch when I come home from work. Problem is that I'm still pondering what glass to put on it so I'll have rifle done, ammo loaded, and still be trying to figure out what scope I want. Well, allow me to rephrase... what scope that fits the budget that I want.

[scooterf79]

I understand that too! What kinda work ya gonna be doin with it? Target, critters etc....and what type of budget are you trying to stay in. I just went through this on my new remage conversion.
Scooter

[BarrelNuts]

Mixed bag... It will be my "ground blind on long fire breaks" rifle for deer season but plan on seeing how far I can make steel plates go ding too. I'm trying to keep the glass under $1,000 and I know there are a ton of options in that range... narrowed down to Leupold, Vortex, Sightron .... Vortex is currently leading the pack, looked through a VX-III and a PST and for my eyes couldn't notice a difference in the quality of the glass; and with Vortex's military discount program the PST is well within the budget.

[scooterf79]

Ahh...i see, sounds like some very good options. I picked up a burris veracity 4-20x50, a couple weeks ago for the remage build and just looking through it I really like it. You maybe interested in it. Its FFP, zero stop turret, 30mm tube...and such. It in the 800 range but I found it at gunsinc for about 625. Just another option to add to the headache lol. My head was starting to hurt after looking for scopes.....very daunting task in my opinion.
Scooter

[BarrelNuts]

Oh gee thanks... Just added another possibility to the list. Seems the more I talk to folks about glass the more complicated my situation becomes rather than less. Optics are such a touchy subject and everyone has different eyes and experiences and it's almost like the ONLY scope to own is the scope I own because it's extra super awesome and if you don't like my scope you are dumb...

[BarrelNuts]

Final duracoat application done today on barrel, action, bottom metal, and touch up on the barrel nut. With the amount of coating I've done on all the metal parts I shouldn't have to worry about rust or chipping for the next 300 years. Going to let everything hang overnight and tomorrow afternoon should be putting everything back together for the final assembly. For those following on the scope/glass decision; decided to go with the Vortex PST 6-24x50. Talked to quite a few folks who own them as well as looking through several different models and quality/features for the price; especially with their factory direct mil/LEO discount just couldn't be beaten. Down side is... going to take a while to get it in. Which means probably no range day with the new "toy" for a while but plenty of time to get several different loads done for testing when everything is done.

[BarrelNuts]

All the parts are together... everything went really smoothly except a few spots on the barrel nut where the wrench nicked the duracoat off... all in all looks pretty good except that. Let me know what everyone thinks!

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah181/mpstover1/IMG_0411_zpse0bss6jb.jpg
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah181/mpstover1/8d06cf26-b6ba-4a36-a9a5-a3f9f10e5e1b_zpswbwamazh.jpg
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah181/mpstover1/IMG_0417_zpszqgza3ge.jpg
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah181/mpstover1/IMG_0413_zpsctcldoke.jpg

[BarrelNuts]

Some more pics...

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah181/mpstover1/IMG_0415_zpsdqzjrrg3.jpg
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah181/mpstover1/IMG_0412_zpsc348qwbi.jpg
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah181/mpstover1/IMG_0416_zpshpbsr1nt.jpg

[Steel Rain]

Looks Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[BarrelNuts]

Thanks... just have to touch up that spot where the barrel nut wrench chipped off some of the duracoat on the nut... tried to coat everything taken apart to get all the nooks and crannies... everything but the threads and the inside of the action where the bolt lugs engage the integral lugs is coated; also left the bolt handle and bolt head natural to provide some contrast. Just going to have to put one last coating on it with it all together to cover up the boo-boo. Real crappy part is I'm still undecided and will likely have to wait a while on the glass before I can see how it shoots but... thinking I've got a winner here.