Build vs. Factory?

[6brshooter]

Looking at getting a 260/6.5creedmoor for LR steel. I Like the price of forester BR dies for the 260 and the lapua brass that is available then redding$ and hornady brass of the 6.5C. I also have a bunch of H4831sc that I beleive would work better in the 260 then 6.5C. Still on the fence about caliber so a nudge in either way would help. Originally thought about buying a 12 LRP and skim bedding it and calling it good, but got to thinking the DBM is not a big deal compared to internal box. Also this rifle would be fired from the prone 90-95% of the time with the rest from a bench, a more vertical grip stock, like an HS VG target or BC medalist would be better then the traditional open grip stock on the 12LRP. I like that type of stock for all around use(sitting, kneeling, offhand), but prefer a vertical grip for prone accuracy work. Option 2 is finding a savage/stevens action from NSS combine that with one of his shilen select match 260 barrels and get a HS stock from stocky's, bed it and gas on. I think I know the answer already but what route will "probably" yeild the most accuracy?

[243LPR]

My LRP is sub-moa out to 200 so far. Don't know about your funds,but I couldn't have built one for what this cost. I'm happy with mine.

[6brshooter]

I have found the LRP in 260 for 900 and 6.5C for 940. If I built one I would use a model 10 stripped action from NSS for 350.00, do a little magic to the accu-trigger, run a shilen select match in 260 (339.00) and an oversized recoil lug (27.00). For a stock it would either be a B&C medalist (215.00) or a HS Precision vertical grip target (340.00). Basically 900ish for a factory barrel that might shoot .5moa at 100 but for sure get bigger at range or hedge my bet with a "match" barrel that might not shoot better at 100 but will almost always hold the that consisitancy at range for 930.00-1050 depending on the stock. I have had a bunch of factory barrels that shot 3/8 and 1/2" groups at 100 but turned into 1-1.5+ MOA at 500 in calm weather. That to me is the benefit of a true match barrel. Plus of the last three savages I have bought 2 are real accurate, a 24" threaded model 10 5R in HS stock and a predator 243. I bought a Target model 12 f-class in 6 br in the spring that was a real turd, 3 powders and 6 diff bullets got me 3/4-1/2" from bedded stock. Swapped to a criterion and now is in the .3s with vlds at 100. I would have bet anything that the target action 6br would easily tune up better then a 243 or 308 out of just a regular action but it sure didn't.

[teebirdhyzer]

Kind of a tangent off of something you mentioned in your last post. I am still fairly new to the long range stuff, and I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around how a rifle can shoot well at 100yds, but then have twice to 3 times the accuracy at long range in the same conditions. You mentioned that a match grade barrel will often not show this trend. What characteristics cause this kind of thing to occur?

[ellobo]

Teebird, there was a rash of posts about this awhile back. I think the general consensus was that the long bullets used did not propersly stabilize until they had some distance on them. Wether they shot well at 100 yds or not they seem to do better at distance greater than 100 yds. Bullet size seems to be the criteria.

El Lobo

[GaCop]

Kind of a tangent off of something you mentioned in your last post. I am still fairly new to the long range stuff, and I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around how a rifle can shoot well at 100yds, but then have twice to 3 times the accuracy at long range in the same conditions. You mentioned that a match grade barrel will often not show this trend. What characteristics cause this kind of thing to occur?

Most times, little errors in technique or loads doesn't show up at 100 yards but become glaringly apparent at the longer ranges.

[hound53]

Definitely build over factory, and just to throw another kink into it have you considered the 260AI ?

[6brshooter]

I don't buy the vld bullets not being stabilized at 100 but magically come together at longer range. I am talking about a decent factory barrel that shoots good at 100 but just does not hold that accuracy at range. I think some the degradation of accuracy is caused by a rough factory bore that damages a bullet. This damage does not affect100 yd accuracy , but does impact accuracy at range .

[barrel-nut]

I don't buy the vld bullets not being stabilized at 100 but magically come together at longer range. I am talking about a decent factory barrel that shoots good at 100 but just does not hold that accuracy at range. I think some the degradation of accuracy is caused by a rough factory bore that damages a bullet. This damage does not affect100 yd accuracy , but does impact accuracy at range .

+1
I can't explain it, but I've seen it too. Glad you brought it up. Now I know it's not just my own experience, maybe I'm not crazy after all! Because it sure defies logic, but it does happen. Then there are the ones that shoot the same size group at 100 and 200??? Head scratchers.

[Blue Avenger]

cant say a specific bullet dose it, but loads that shoot 600 well, can very well shoot 100 like crap!

[hound53]

I don't buy the vld bullets not being stabilized at 100 but magically come together at longer range. I am talking about a decent factory barrel that shoots good at 100 but just does not hold that accuracy at range. I think some the degradation of accuracy is caused by a rough factory bore that damages a bullet. This damage does not affect100 yd accuracy , but does impact accuracy at range .

one of the guys at the range a couple of weeks ago could not get a load that would group worth a darn at 100 from his 7mm mag, took it down to the 800 mark and nailed 8 inch steel plate 5 out of 5

[6brshooter]

Are the model10 actions cnc machined like the target actions? Really leaning towards completed build.

[nsaqam]

I'd build every time if only to be able to correlate mag box constraints, intended bullet, OAL, and chamber throating.

[1jonzmith]

I recently bought a Target action from Northland SS. I am well pleased, as Jim said I would be. The receiver and bolt lugs are hand lapped. The machine work, fit and finish are excellent and Jim's price is very competitive...Call him for a quote. My Target Accu-Trigger came set for 1 pound and 2 oz. Purrfect!

HTH,

John

[243LPR]

You're not comparing apples to apples if you're using a M10 action compared to a "Target Action" in terms of cost.

[6brshooter]

Not comparing in terms of cost,but performance . I have several 10 &12 builds that regularly outshoot target actions. Sub moa is not my requirement, sub 1/2 moa is. Just don't see factory tube getting it done as often as a match barrel.

[243LPR]

Sounds like you answered your own question. :)