Two rifles, which to choose

[Archis]

Good job!

It is very addictive. We have the Mo state match coming up. Load some rounds and come join. Over those 2 days you will learn more than you could imagine.

Arrgh! I'll be out of town that weekend for work. If it were the following weekend I'd be there in a heartbeat. Thanks for the offer and I'll keep an eye out for other events down there for sure!

 

[Jdne5b]

Nebraska state on August 27.

 

[walt willis]

I'll be shooting my first F-Class match this Saturday (3x500yds) at Mill Creek. I've been working up loads for two rifles and would like some input on which would be a better choice. Loose points because barrel gets hot and starts throwing shots sooner or loose points due to bad wind calls?

Rifle 1: Ruger Precision Rifle

• .243 Win, 1:7.7 twist, 26" CrMo factory barrel (tapers to .75" at crown)
• 115 DTAC's over 44.8gn H1000, 2850fps, ES=11, SD=7
• Lapua cartridge case
• 6-24x50 Vortex HS-T
• Weight: 14lbs 8oz

Rifle 2: Savage 6.5x47 Lapua

• 6.5x47 Lapua, 1:8 twist, 26" SS Shilen barrel (tapers to .875" at crown)
• 123 SMK over 35.5gn AA4064, 2785fps, ES=10, SD=4
• Lapua cartirdige case
• 6-24x50 Vortex PST
• Weight: 13lbs 10oz

I'm trying to weight the +'s and -'s of each setup and which to focus on for the upcoming match.

A couple of caveats first. I only recently decided to get into the sport and I'm trying to acquire halfway decent hardware without going for the cheapest thing on the shelf. I know I'll be shooting in the F-Open class and I'm grossly under weight on both rifles. Not much I can do about that. At most I think I could add a pound or two of lead shot into the forearm or stock of the Savage but that's about it. I'll be shooting from a Gen 3 Sinclair bipod rather than a front rest and will be using a rabbit ear rear bag. I have a cheapo front rest I use on the bench but both rifles tend to roll around in it and I've been getting better results from the bipod. Both rifles will regularly put 5 rounds into a .6MOA group, with occasional groups @ .4MOA. Trigger pull is similar for both, right at 2lbs, the RPR has a little more creep than the Savage.

There's really not a whole lot of daylight between them so my question comes down to what is the better trade off? Barrel heat or B.C.? The 6.5x47 Lapua is a stiffer barrel and typically takes more rounds to get to a point where heat is an issue. The .243 Win on the other hand shoots higher B.C. bullets nearly 100fps faster than the 6.5x47, equating to around 3" less wind drift at 500yds (with a full 10mph crosswind, which might be a reality).

With everything else on the brain trying to get ready for the match, I keep going around in circles

In the end, it'll be fun to shoot and I hope to learn a lot from the more experienced shooters. I'm certainly not going into this hoping to place, I just want to want to show up and appear competent. Thanks!

#1 Test your group size and keep a record of all practice days at the range!
#2 Clean and treat your barrel with NuFinish car Polish to see if it helps keep a cool tool.
#3 Observe and review your records of the gun temperature.
#4 Check to see if the bore is cleaner after the use of NuFinish.
#5 Be sure to thank me for the tip! Remember to first super clean the bore first!
Got this tip from a gold metal guy and had to try it myself...Yes, I was very surprised too.

 

[Jdne5b]

I prefer Menzerna Power Lock over Nufinish, but to each their own.

 

[sfinn]

I prefer Menzerna Power Lock over Nufinish, but to each their own.

Jdne5b, Does this work similar to moly lapped bore, in that it reduces heat and prolongs barrel life?

 

[Jdne5b]

Barrels? No.. I was talking about car polish.

Jdne5b, Does this work similar to moly lapped bore, in that it reduces heat and prolongs barrel life?

 

[300 RUM]

#1 Test your group size and keep a record of all practice days at the range!
#2 Clean and treat your barrel with NuFinish car Polish to see if it helps keep a cool tool.
#3 Observe and review your records of the gun temperature.
#4 Check to see if the bore is cleaner after the use of NuFinish.
#5 Be sure to thank me for the tip! Remember to first super clean the bore first!
Got this tip from a gold metal guy and had to try it myself...Yes, I was very surprised too.

WTF.
?

 

[walt willis]

WTF.
?

I know that it sounds nuts, but I felt that I should try it as it can from a world class shooter.
I was surprised at how it did not even foul the bore with copper or burnt powder.
I would like some feedback after you try this on your weapon.
I still have a hard time understanding how it works.

 

[wapiti25]

I would go with the Shilen barrel, I have never liked Ruger's. The 6.5X47L is a very good case. Wish you had a load for Bergers.