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I’ve all the time been amazed at how a lot cash folks will spend on a rifle that may barely shoot one-inch teams at 100 yards. There are just a few issues that matter to me when selecting a rifle: that it shoots effectively, has a easy motion, and has a very good set off. Final 12 months, I made a decision to take a stab at constructing an ultra-accurate precision rifle for an inexpensive worth.
Choose Your Motion
I’ve loads of inventory rifles from producers that may shoot round half an inch at 100 yards or a contact higher, however I needed to see how rather more accuracy I might get with a precision rifle construct. I used to be not keen on spending some huge cash to take action.
My favourite motion in the marketplace is the Tikka. These actions, with their 70-degree throw and buttery easy cycle, are a pleasure to function and shoot and include a very good adjustable set off. I’ve additionally discovered virtually all Tikka rifles to be very correct out of the field, with just a few dangerous ones right here and there. Mountain Tactical additionally makes a set off spring for Tikka rifles that may enhance the already nice inventory set off for simply $10. I set my Tikka triggers to interrupt at 1½ lbs.
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I discovered a used Tikka T3x Roughtech chambered in 6.5 PRC for $700. The blued barrel it got here with had slightly rust and didn’t shoot effectively, even with handloads. This didn’t hassle me, as I used to be planning to interchange it with a customized barrel anyway. After a whole lot of analysis, I made a decision to go along with PBB (Most well-liked Barrel Blanks) for the barrel.
Select a Barrel Producer
One of many causes I selected PBB, aside from the great accuracy evaluations from different shooters, was that they provided a contour that might shave slightly weight off the inventory barrel, despite the fact that the PBB barrel had a barely greater diameter. PBB calls this their taperless contour, and it’s provided in 900, 850, 810, and 750 diameters.
The quantity represents the diameter, with the 750 being a ¾ inch barrel (.750 inches) that tapers down instantly after the chamber. Most barrels regularly taper from the chamber to the muzzle, with the muzzle being the smallest in diameter. Nevertheless, PBB taperless contour instantly tapers the barrel to .750 inches straight after the chamber.
This technique shaves a whole lot of weight, and the barrel can find yourself being lighter than different barrels with a smaller diameter. Since this was going to be my do all of it rifle, together with backpack looking, preserving the load to a minimal was a excessive precedence. The one purpose I’d shoot a 6.5 PRC over a 6.5 Creedmoor is for extra velocity, so I selected a 24-inch barrel. Because it was provided, I went with spiral fluting as deep as PBB would minimize them to save lots of on weight (PBB estimated it could save round 6-8 oz). I additionally opted for a variable shoulder barrel in order that I might management setting the headspace.
Barrel Price
The barrel begins at $470, however the worth will increase with added options. Right here’s what I had completed to mine:
• Barrel nut: $40
• Spiral fluting: $100
•½ x 28 thread: $80
• Wrench: $20
• Hand lapping: $65
Throw in Idaho tax plus insured delivery, and I used to be taking a look at near $850. For an extra $150, PBB will connect the barrel to your motion after you ship it to them. I waited for a Black Friday sale and was capable of order the barrel for round $700. It took 12 weeks to reach, as said on the PBB web site for customized orders. I used to be now into my setup for $1,400. After giving my good friend at Erickson Precision Machine a Go/No-Go gauge set in 6.5 PRC in alternate for him mating the barrel onto the motion, I used to be prepared to begin taking pictures my new precision rifle construct.
Constructing a Load for Your Precision Rifle
Start with Manufacturing unit Ammo
I started the break-in course of with manufacturing unit Hornady Precision Hunter ammo. The teams with the manufacturing unit ammo had been unimpressive, measuring round ¾ of an inch. This didn’t deflate my enthusiasm, as I had solely purchased the ammunition for the break-in course of and to make use of the brass for reloading. I’m an enormous fan of Hornady’s 143 gr. ELDX bullet, having used it extensively in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Develop a Customized Load
I made a decision to stay with the 143 gr. bullet for my 6.5 PRC load and commenced the irritating means of creating a load. I instantly went for optimum seating size, as that was the place the earlier barrel had carried out finest. My first bolt cycle revealed that I used to be seating the bullet with the bolt. The outcomes had been horrendous, with teams averaging round 1 inch.
The guide known as for a 2.950 C.O.L., so I attempted that subsequent. The outcomes had been instantly higher, and I began getting half-inch teams. Customized barrels have tighter tolerances than the manufacturing unit barrels I used to be used to. After extra trial and error with seating depth and powder expenses, I used to be taking pictures higher than I ever had earlier than.
Throughout this trial, I shot a .387-inch group, tinkered slightly extra, obtained a .361-inch group, tinkered some extra, and with a C.O.L. of two.950 and a powder cost of 58 grains of H-1000, I managed to shoot a .170-inch group. I used to be ecstatic! Whereas utilizing Hornady brass I discovered it very troublesome to repeat the group after reloading the brass a number of occasions.
After this, I lastly bit the bullet (pun meant) and purchased 200 items of Lapua brass. After slight changes to accommodate the brand new brass, I shot a fair higher group! This group was actually one gap, and I discovered it very arduous to measure precisely. A good friend I belief measured the group, and we settled on a measurement of .017 inches.
Brass Issues for Your Precision Rifle Construct Load
The Lapua brass favored barely much less powder at 57.8 grains and a barely longer bullet seat at 2.952. The load averaged 2963 FPS. I might get extra velocity out of the gun, however accuracy is extra vital to me. That is by far probably the most correct gun I’ve ever owned. I don’t contemplate myself a masterful reloader, however I used to be capable of obtain a one-hole group after some trial and error. I do know shooters who spend two to 3 occasions as a lot on a gun that doesn’t shoot practically as effectively.
Though I constructed this precision rifle for looking, I’d have full confidence coming into it right into a PRS-style match. If solely I had a limiteless inventory of H-1000, I undoubtedly would! Customized barrel producers provide any model of barrel you possibly can want in your particular taking pictures wants. In the event you’re planning on sending plenty of rounds downrange in a brief period of time, I’d recommend a heavier barrel for competitors taking pictures.
Exhausting Work Does Pay Off
After the precision rifle construct and handload had been full, it was time to attempt the rifle on one thing aside from paper. I had a depredation cow elk tag that might be good for its first take a look at. My buddy and I made a decision to make it further difficult by bringing our sons, who had a mixed age of seven.
Elk Hunt
We discovered the elk at first gentle, making their method as much as their bedding space. We tried to chop the gap, however little youngsters can solely go so quick and keep so quiet. When the elk started disappearing round a nook right into a deep draw, I advised my good friend he wanted to shoot. He checked out me and mentioned, “go forward” as he didn’t really feel assured. I ranged the final cow in sight at 580 yards, dialed the elevation, put the crosshairs on her coronary heart, and squeezed the set off. She took one step and disappeared out of sight after the shot. I heard the affect of the bullet and knew it was a very good hit.
After we reached her, she had gone 30 yards straight downhill. The bullet had impacted precisely the place I had aimed, touring by means of her coronary heart and out the other shoulder. The accuracy of this gun is unbelievable. Since then, I’ve shot a number of animals with it, and so long as the remainder is stable, the bullet hits precisely the place you need it to. I usually shoot metal targets out to 1,000 yards—it’s virtually boring!
Learn Extra: CVA Cascade Varmint Hunter Assessment
Precision Rifle Construct Conclusion
Having constructed a precision rifle that constantly shoots teams underneath 1 / 4 of an inch does a couple of issues to you as a shooter. First and most significantly, that you must provide you with higher excuses whenever you miss, understanding it’s not the rifle’s fault. My new go-to is, “There should have been wind I couldn’t see on the market.” Human error is the one issue that may’t be canceled out. Secondly, I’m now continually looking out for affordable rifles with actions I like.
I’ve seen customized barrels screwed onto all kinds of actions, they usually all shoot amazingly. I’m satisfied it’s the barrel that makes the rifle correct, not the motion. Most significantly, you don’t should spend a ridiculous amount of cash to have a gun that shoots quarter-inch teams or smaller—which is nice since you’ll want to purchase reloading provides!
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