Toys.

[fgw_in_fla]

As I learn how to use my new camera I'll continue to take pics of the toys I built since the summer. What happened to my old camera, you may ask? Well, it worked fine right up until the wife dropped in the lagoon at Disney Island when she took the granddaughter on a Disney cruise for doing well in school. Funny how salt water really screw up electronics...

Anyway, here's a couple I finished load work up on and ready to stretch their legs on a longer range.

This is a 300 Win Mag with a 26" X-Caliber barrel Jim Apache made for me. Barrel is .950" at the muzzle. Action is a 110 Savage I picked from someone here. Scope is a Vortex (as usual) PST 6-25x50.
The stock is Choate from CDI. It's one of their package deals they sell complete with their bottom metal.
Bipod is Harris. Various assorted other goodies and countless hours of tinkering the get the action to cycle silky smooth.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shooting%20feb%201%20005.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shooting%20feb%201%20005.jpg.html)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shooting%20feb%201%20006.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shooting%20feb%201%20006.jpg.html)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shooting%20feb%201%20007.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shooting%20feb%201%20007.jpg.html)

A word about the Choate stock.
When I first got it, I hated it. I had to wonder what kind of schmuck would put sling studs on BOTH sides of the stock without being able to remove one side & plug the hole.
The longer I looked at it, it started to grow on me. A little like a fungus at first. After shooting it for a few hours I really began to like it. Very comfortable. Remarkably comfortable.

Then came a little load work up. The 300WM's I built were for 200gr bullets or heavier. On a whim I decided to try some Vihta N570 and found the barrel liked it.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shooting%20feb%201%20001.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shooting%20feb%201%20001.jpg.html)
This was the 3rd fine tuning session. I'm pretty impressed with the N570 powder and the 200gr SGK's seem to be a good combo.

Here's one I put together from stuff I had in the shop. The stock & PT&G bottom metal is from the 1st 300wm project I did back during the summer. The recoil split the stock (even with it pillared & bedded) so I pulled it apart and tossed it in the corner. After scoring a nice 25-06 barrel from Jim Apache, I decided to put this one together AFTER I reinforced to stock.
So far it's working out:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shooting%20feb%201%20009.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shooting%20feb%201%20009.jpg.html)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shooting%20feb%201%20010.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shooting%20feb%201%20010.jpg.html)
The scope is a Vortex Viper 6-20x44 I picked up on sale from Midway several months ago. Not sure it it'll be staying on this rifle as it was originally intended for a spare scope.
All the usual other stuff and a whole lotta tinkering to make it user friendly. This one the 'lil woman will be using.

Load work up is coming along well:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shooting%20feb%201%20002.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shooting%20feb%201%20002.jpg.html)

These are 2 of 6 I built since around August / September of last year. As free time became more available I filled it with rifle projects. There's a couple more 300WM's, a couple 30-06's and a couple 308's that I'll post as I continue to learn about my new camera.


Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Jim of "Apache Gun Works, Irrigation and Custom Subaru Exhaust Systems" for tolerating me as I must've ordered triplicate in all the barrels he made for me. I just couldn't seem to find one I liked and ended up using the first one he made.

Thanks to Dennis of Accurate Barrel for the great deals on some of the barrels and for promptly getting them shipped to me. There was one or two he took with him to Apache Gun Works & Plumbing Supply, had it threaded and sent it the next day. Truly a great guy to deal with.

Special thanks to Dean "Stretched Primer Pocket" Scope Eye. He was extremely helpful getting me aimed in the right direction when it came to loading for the magnums. His guidance helped me break a few old habits. He's also been providing me lots of great info with the 338 Edge project I'm working on.

Next Installment: 30-06 & 308 Win. (pending I remember how to get the photos out of the camera & into the computer.

[drybean]

Looking good !!!!!!!!!!!!

[fgw_in_fla]

Looking good !!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Jim.

Wait'll you see some of the others especially my "woods gun" - a 308 done up in a camo paint job. My first camo paint job. Living here in the swamps of Florida it's pretty easy to camo paint something to blend in.
A can of Aluma Hyde in each hand, aim, spray vigorously and wait for the overspray to settle...

[scooterf79]

Good pics, awesome rifles and awesome groups.....good write-up!
I have to agree with your comments on all 3 of those guys....great to deal with and do great work. Cant wait to see the next installment.
Scooter!

[Bolthead]

Great looking guns !

[Russmerle]

You have some shooters!

[Dennis]

Beautiful rifles and 200 yard target groups.

Dennis

[fgw_in_fla]

Beautiful rifles and 200 yard target groups.

Dennis

Ya know Dennis, when I brought those targets back to the firing line to look them over I thought to myself, Yeah, it is better to be lucky than good...

[Bolthead]

I didn't notice that those were 200 yd. shots. Very impressive.

[Cranesvillehunter]

Awesome!

[foxx]

Wow. Too cool.

[Linedog]

Beautiful guns , man I would like to visit your shop .

[SNORTHRUP1]

Both are sharp looking rifles.

[Hotolds442]

Beautiful guns , man I would like to visit your shop .
His wife says you can visit the shop. But you have to kidnap him.
And no, she's not paying any ransom.....

[fgw_in_fla]

His wife says you can visit the shop. But you have to kidnap him.
And no, she's not paying any ransom.....

How about leave me behind & kidnap my 'ol lady instead.

And you guys would like my shop.
Detached building, 26'x26' with a bathroom w/ stall shower, kitchen with stove, oven, fridge, microwave, etc., big screen TV on one wall that I never watch. All the comforts of home.

The bad part is we're probably going to put this place up for sale within the next year or so and move to north Fla. We just bought 20 acres of prime hunting ground and it too has a detached building (24'x30) that will become my new playhouse. It doesn't have all the creature comforts of this place but I reckon it will over time.
One of the benefits of being a retired general contractor....

[fgw_in_fla]

While I'm in the neighborhood, here's a few pics of my most recent creation and my home away from home.
338 Edge:
28" X-Caliber barrel from Dennis at Accurate Barrel, cut by Jim at Apache Gun & Plumbing Supply
10x50 Sightron SIII
H&S Precision stock w/ CDI bottom stuff
Harris bipod
blah, blah, bla.....
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20007.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20007.jpg.html)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20008.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20008.jpg.html)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20010.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20010.jpg.html)
For you guys that aren't familiar with the 338 Edge:
Left to right: .308, 30.06, 300 Win Mag, 338 Edge
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20009.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20009.jpg.html)
Shop / hideout:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20003.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20003.jpg.html)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20002.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20002.jpg.html)
The "Back Room" - A secure room for important stuff:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20004.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20004.jpg.html)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20005.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20005.jpg.html)
The Powder Cabinet:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/fgwinfla/shop%20338%20edge%20006.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/fgwinfla/media/shop%20338%20edge%20006.jpg.html)
I like to keep enough powder and of different types so I won't have to worry about the next "shortage"

And, that's kinda sorta it for now. I still have a few other toys I'd like to put pics up for y'all to critique one of these days. In between trying to dial in that 338, travelling, shooting, hunting, fishing, yard work - hey, I'm a pretty busy guy. Can't do it all in one day.

And remember, be careful taking load info from Dean / scope eye. He's been trying to convince me it's OK to fill the case of a 338 Edge with H-1000, tap it on the bench top a few times, refill to the brim and press the bullet in.
With a hammer and punch.

[Linedog]

Just got back home to Ontario after 2 months in Fort Myers , should have visited you then . Impressive work you do , I could have learned at lot .

[fgw_in_fla]

Just got back home to Ontario after 2 months in Fort Myers , should have visited you then . Impressive work you do , I could have learned at lot .

I just had a couple guys over from Ohio I know from an AK47 forum I hang out on. You should've dropped me a line if you were in the area.
If nothing else, we could have had a few laughs.

Keep it in mind if there's ever a next time.

[Hotolds442]

Frank, is there a build thread for that Edge? Need.More.Input.

[fgw_in_fla]

No build thread on that. It was one of those "I think I'll build a 338 Edge today" decisions.
Jim at Apache mentioned it, Deano suggested it and I toyed with the idea for about a day and decided to do it.

Dennis at Accurate had an X-Caliber barrel in stock and I bought a 110 action from Devin at Sin Arms. Nuthin' fancy.
Jim at Apache cut it to 28" and threaded it for a shoulder saving muzzle break.
Deano walked me thru the do's & don'ts of reloading for it. Most of my load work ups have been with Sierra 250 MK's & GK's and retumbo or H-1000. Still working on dialing it in.

I will say if it wasn't for the 5 port break I probably wouldn't own that particular caliber. Watching a 250 hit the berm at 200yds looks like somebody launched a cement block at 3000fps.