Couple of ELR builds (pic heavy)
Introduction
So I'm in the process of building 2 extreme long range target rifles, one for myself and one for my dad. I recently moved to SC where I have access to steel out to 1,500+ yards in 200 yard intervals, and really started to get into precision shooting since then. I just wanted to start a thread where I can consolidate any and all pictures, progress, and information, as well as a sort of documentation for how the rifles are being built.
Background
Obviously, the following is an extremely brief account of the last year and a half or so, but offers a brief storyline of where I started and how I got to where I am. Around this time last year, I purchased my first bolt action rifle. I've never been hunting, so there was never really much point in having one. I came across (what I thought) was a pretty good deal on a Winchester Model 70, chambered in 7mm rem mag. It was bare bones; synthetic stock, sporter barrel, and a cheapy 3-9 scope on it. I put a Caldwell bipod on it because i thought it was cool, and left it at that:
Rifle #1
http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0d4505c1.jpg
Around the same time, I was in the process of moving to SC for work. I had taken a liking to precision target shooting (more so than clays and handguns), and decided that it was time to invest a little more into some more serious equipment. After much research and deliberation, I traded the Model 70 in at the local Cabela's (even made a few bucks on it) and settled on a Savage 110 FCP HS Precision chambered in .300 win mag and a Vortex Viper 6-24x50 PST scope. I've always had a love for "tacticool" rifles and big magnum cartridges, and I'm not ashamed to admit that. I decided that this was a good place to start and would serve me well for what I was looking to do:
Rifle #2
http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...pskqyclkpy.jpg
Not long after that, the mod bug started to bite. I loved the rifle and scope setup, but I still wanted more. I had the muzzle threaded and installed a brake to help with recoil reduction. I also sent the stock out to CA to have a KMW Loggerhead adjustable cheek piece installed:
http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...psiwhdmlrv.jpg
http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...psubdgdpiu.jpg
It was around that time that I found SCOTG and got a membership, giving me access to steel silhouettes out to 1500 yards. This was my first time shooting anything other than paper, and my first hit at 400 yards had me hooked. Up until that point, I had been shooting strictly factory ammo, and I decided that if I were to get serious about this long range precision thing, that I would have to start reloading my own. I went out and bought an RCBS rock chucker kit and started teaching myself the basics of reloading.
Basically, with the help of the internet (the major DO's and DO NOT's), some trial and error, and help from a good friend that I met at the range, my hard work finally started to pay off:
http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...psb0usmqrv.jpg
Once I had a firm grasp on loading, I decided that I wanted to up my game even more, and decided that I was ready to step into the realm of the .338 Lapua Mag and super high end optics. I sold off the .300 win, my dies, and all the brass that I had for it and purchased the same rifle chambered in .338 Lapua. I won't post any more pictures up because it looked the same as the .300 FCP HSP, but with a big ass DBM. TACTICOOL!!
Rifle #3
I also sold off the Viper and bought a new Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56 EBR-2C in mil/mil. I knew that if I was going to be serious about long range shooting, having the equipment to do it would be that much easier. I justified this purchase with a promise to myself that I'd do my homework the same way I did with reloading, and become proficient with LR shooting (reading dope charts, dialing elevation & wind, trajectory validation, etc.). Don't have any pictures, of the scope, but will post some when I get home, that thing is a BEAST.
I shot that for a few months, heading to the SCDNR range and SCOTG just about every week. And thanks to my newfound proficiency with reloading, I was able to shoot about 50 rounds per range session without eating me out of house and home. However, being able to shoot a high powered cartridge such as the Lapua that often does not bode well for barrel life. I began to see accuracy suffer, and decided that it was time for a re-barrel and new chassis, which brings us to this point.
I will update the thread with build sheets for both rifles and progress as I go.
