First build for me. What a great resource this site is. I knew I wanted a long range target rig to try to hang with my buddies and their custom action, cut rifled, McMillan stocked, Nightforce scoped outfits, but I didn't have $4k to drop on a new gun (and stay married). I lurked here for a while then eventually joined and got some great advice on caliber and components from other members. I wanted something that would reach out, but be pleasant to shoot without a brake.

I had already hit every pawn shop within 40 miles looking for a donor rifle. Only a couple of short actions available, and they were overpriced. Finally settled on a very nice model 111 in .270 with a laminate stock, CF, top release, Accutrigger and crappy scope for $275.

Now, what chambering? Thought about a .243 AI, but didn't want to deal with fireforming, then it came down to a .260 Rem or a 6.5X55 Swede. I was still on the fence when I called Jim at Northwest Shooters Supply, about ordering a barrel and it turned out he had a Criterion 6.5X55 barrel in stock but not a .260. Perfect! an old cartridge for this old guy.

Here is the donor riffle: Almost too nice to break apart. Can't bring myself to sell the stock and barrel.



Ordered the Criterion 26 inch varmint contour barrel, SS barrel nut, SS recoil lug, action wrench, nut wrench, and lighter Accutrigger spring from Jim at NSS. Jim ROCKS!



Really sweated getting the factory barrel off, but it wasn't bad at all, though the action wrench barely fit in my vise (90 degrees from this). Ready for the new barrel.



A thing of beauty.



Ordered a Forster "go" gage and decided to make my own "no go". One layer of Scotch giftwrap tape on the base added .002 to the go gage. Perfect.



This thing needs a stock!



Settled on a Choate tactical stock. Inexpensive choices are limited for long actions with heavy barrels unless you want to bed and/or open the barrel channel. Happy with the Choate though. Also sporting a Weaver Tactical 20 minute base. Couldn't find an EGW. Like the Weaver though.




Now for a scope. I'd settled on a Vortex Viper HS-T in 6-24X50. Chose to buy it locally so I could have it mounted/lapped/boresighted. Unfortunately he didn't have one in MOA reticle like I wanted, so he cut me a nice deal and I "settled" for a PST 6-24X50. There went the budget...

I couldn't wait to shoot it, so out to the range today right after getting the scope mounted. Spent more time cleaning the bore than shooting it seemed.



Shooting the cheap box of factory ammo for break-in was nothing too special, though the last 3 shot group was less than 1 MOA. I worked up a few mild handloads with IMR4350 and 140SMK's though, and the results are promising! Sub .5 MOA on break-in day (and the one on the right was a fouler).



I can't wait to work up some loads!

A big thanks to the whole community here for all the help. I'll post some more targets as I develop loads and some final pics once I get the new trigger guard, bolt handle and maybe paint the stock.