Decided to build my 1st custom. Advice?

[ratbuster]

I'm not sure what I'd get for velocity. I think it might go 3200 due to my 26" of barrel. But we'll see. Future barrel will likely be a 20 Pr/Tactical.

If you are going to run the VT that hot with the 55's then you could bump all those other numbers I gave you 200 fps as well but brass life would be short.

 

[Evan]

I'm going to chase the accuracy on this one. It's my first serious rifle, and I'm going to do my best to get to the ones! If that takes backing 200fps off the max speed, that's what I will do! If it's too windy out, I'll use my 6.5 creedmoor.

Out of curiosity, has anyone burned out a 20VT barrel under normal circumstances (not pushing the ragged edge of speed)?

 

[ratbuster]

I'm going to chase the accuracy on this one. It's my first serious rifle, and I'm going to do my best to get to the ones! If that takes backing 200fps off the max speed, that's what I will do! If it's too windy out, I'll use my 6.5 creedmoor.

Out of curiosity, has anyone burned out a 20VT barrel under normal circumstances (not pushing the ragged edge of speed)?

At 300 yards you won't be giving up any wind performance. The VT barrel should go 4000 plus rounds

 

[Hammer47]

Hi everyone! I've decided that I want to take the plunge and commission my first custom rifle and was hoping for some advice! Almost everyone learns something important with a big purchase like this. Little things that they wish they had done, mistakes or happy accidents that came from their build. I'd really appreciate any wisdom you can share!

Backstory: I bought a RPR in 6.5 creedmoor, got super lucky, and won the factory gun lottery; it's very accurate.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/how-to-train-advise-me-on-how-to-get-better-faster.3954107/
But in the process I discovered that I don't much care for walking to distant targets and have been having a blast shooting at ~300yards. Well I don't much need to be shooting anything near as heavy duty as a 6.5 creedmoor for that (which I view as a 1300yrd round) This spawned this idea:
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/221-fireball-and-69gn-class-of-bullets.3956949/
A 221 fireball shooting very affordable 69gn class of match bullets! Minimal powder, less noise and recoil and cost, and really attractive ballistics to my eye. I like working with the wind, but I want to clearly see my bullet holes to judge the next shots because I largely shoot alone. I think the 300-400 yard range is what the middle-high end scopes can clearly resolve in most conditions (Vortex GE and similar) and it is the most comfortable distance I've found for shooting at my favorite spot. The wind pushes things around, but groups remain under 2inches, so the target I carry out can be reasonably small and still have a lot of dots (less trips to the target), etc.

How important is it to choose a gunsmith near you? I'm in Colorado, a bit north of Denver and the only big-name gunsmith I know of in Colorado is Greg Tannel. I'd be happy to work with him, and I could go visit him in person, but it also seems like he is a very busy guy. Suggestions?

Here's what I'm interested in building:

• BAT S, RB, DP, 1.4 Octagon with integral lug and 20MOA picatinny rail.
• 1:9 twist 22 barrel finished at perhaps 30" with a MTU or similar contour. No real brand preference (gunsmiths's choice?) 221 Fireball throated for dummy rounds I'll make.
• Jewell or Bix'n'Andy (gunsmith's choice?) set somewhere sub 6oz.
• I'll fit and finish my own stock. I enjoy working with wood, and strongly prefer it for guns, so it'll be a lovely piece of hardwood or a laminate if I decide the hardwood is too expensive. I'm thinking of something pretty traditional in shape. It will likely wear a bipod and be used with a rear bag although I've been considering moving to a rest and more benchrest style stock.

GO BACK IT'S AN AMBUSH.

 

[natdscott]

• 1:9 twist 22 barrel finished at perhaps 30" with a MTU or similar contour. No real brand preference (gunsmiths's choice?) 221 Fireball throated for dummy rounds I'll make.

Wisdom? I can't speak to my wisdom... but I will say: Take the barrel much more seriously.

There are lots of ways to approach things, I know, and "it takes all kinds", but when I send a list and/or a box full of parts to a smith, I know almost EXACTLY what I want done, up-to-and-including sending a reamer with the blank.

The action? Meh. Some differences, to be sure, but I think they get more attention than they deserve relative to some other factors.

 

[jamesdmock]

Hi everyone! I've decided that I want to take the plunge and commission my first custom rifle and was hoping for some advice! Almost everyone learns something important with a big purchase like this. Little things that they wish they had done, mistakes or happy accidents that came from their build. I'd really appreciate any wisdom you can share!

Backstory: I bought a RPR in 6.5 creedmoor, got super lucky, and won the factory gun lottery; it's very accurate.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/how-to-train-advise-me-on-how-to-get-better-faster.3954107/
But in the process I discovered that I don't much care for walking to distant targets and have been having a blast shooting at ~300yards. Well I don't much need to be shooting anything near as heavy duty as a 6.5 creedmoor for that (which I view as a 1300yrd round) This spawned this idea:
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/221-fireball-and-69gn-class-of-bullets.3956949/
A 221 fireball shooting very affordable 69gn class of match bullets! Minimal powder, less noise and recoil and cost, and really attractive ballistics to my eye. I like working with the wind, but I want to clearly see my bullet holes to judge the next shots because I largely shoot alone. I think the 300-400 yard range is what the middle-high end scopes can clearly resolve in most conditions (Vortex GE and similar) and it is the most comfortable distance I've found for shooting at my favorite spot. The wind pushes things around, but groups remain under 2inches, so the target I carry out can be reasonably small and still have a lot of dots (less trips to the target), etc.

How important is it to choose a gunsmith near you? I'm in Colorado, a bit north of Denver and the only big-name gunsmith I know of in Colorado is Greg Tannel. I'd be happy to work with him, and I could go visit him in person, but it also seems like he is a very busy guy. Suggestions?

Here's what I'm interested in building:

• BAT S, RB, DP, 1.4 Octagon with integral lug and 20MOA picatinny rail.
• 1:9 twist 22 barrel finished at perhaps 30" with a MTU or similar contour. No real brand preference (gunsmiths's choice?) 221 Fireball throated for dummy rounds I'll make.
• Jewell or Bix'n'Andy (gunsmith's choice?) set somewhere sub 6oz.
• I'll fit and finish my own stock. I enjoy working with wood, and strongly prefer it for guns, so it'll be a lovely piece of hardwood or a laminate if I decide the hardwood is too expensive. I'm thinking of something pretty traditional in shape. It will likely wear a bipod and be used with a rear bag although I've been considering moving to a rest and more benchrest style stock.

My advice (hard earned) is to find a gunsmith (BR quality) and trust what he tells you. He probably has a great deal more experience than you and should guide you in the right direction. James