New 6BR build

[markT]

I met with prairie dogging buddy for lunch last week and got the bug for a new rifle. I asked him what should I build. Knowing what I currently have..He said, 6BR of course.. I decided to buy a Rem 700 SS action / single shot and ordered a McGowen Remage this morning.
I went with a 1:12 twist for a 65 gr. Vmax..I'm so excited, but 8 week delivery on the bbl. Can't wait.

 

[17VLD]

Sounds like a great project.Dont forget to try the 87 V-Max,great b.c. of .400 and should reach out to 1000 yards pretty easy.
Matt

 

[markT]

Yes sir 17, I have two 6BR's currently shooting the 87 gr Vmax's.. they are fantastic..
The 243 I was using 65 gr Vmax for pdogs was taken "out of service" ( started deer hunting) I now have lot of 65 gr Vmax's in inventory so hopefully that new 1:12 McGowen bbl will "like the 65 gr. Vmax's..

 

[Clark]

I have built (3) 6mmBR rifles on Savage 99 and Rem 700 and Rem 700 actions.
For prairie dogs, I would try to keep the scoped rifle at 12 pounds or less.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Be sure and do it with a zero freebore, that will let you go 55-75 on bullets. You will love it. I like the 60 grain sierra hp, benchrest level accuracy.

 

[markT]

Alex, I ordered a "remage" bbl from McGowen.. they, nor I mentioned anything about "zero freebore."
Is this something in the ordering process that was overlooked? Should I contact the mfg and request this? Is this any additional cost?
Thank you, mark

 

[Chuckhunter]

Mark the freebore will be determined by the reamer used. Contact your smith and he can tell you how much, if any freebore his reamer has.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yes, the light bullets like to be in the lands to shoot best in my experience. A zero fb is a must for the 55s

 

[urbanrifleman]

Yes, the light bullets like to be in the lands to shoot best in my experience. A zero fb is a must for the 55s

Is there a way to determine your freebore from measuring the dummy round finding the lands? On an existing rifle of unknown freebore of course... Thanks for any help on this!!!

 

[urbanrifleman]

Be sure and do it with a zero freebore, that will let you go 55-75 on bullets. You will love it. I like the 60 grain sierra hp, benchrest level accuracy.

Will do. I also have been testing the Sierra 70 HP. I was told it also has BR accuracy.

 

[4xforfun]

For prairie dogs, I would try to keep the scoped rifle at 12 pounds or less.

Why?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Is there a way to determine your freebore from measuring the dummy round finding the lands? On an existing rifle of unknown freebore of course... Thanks for any help on this!!!

Well if your freebore is much over zero the 55s will fall out of the neck before they touch. The 60 sierra will tolerate a .060 fb and the 65 vmax a little more. But id start with a zero to give you the choice

 

[urbanrifleman]

Well if your freebore is much over zero the 55s will fall out of the neck before they touch. The 60 sierra will tolerate a .060 fb and the 65 vmax a little more. But id start with a zero to give you the choice

Are you actually jamming the little ones?

 

[Clark]

Why?

So it is easier to carry.

 

[markT]

For prairie dogs I never carry a firearm more than 100'. I shoot from a bench..I want the rifle heavy to tame the recoil. Don't we do this because we like to watch the reaction from very fast "varmint" bullet?

 

[markT]

I called the friendly folks at McGowen and asked the question about freebore. They said they mfg to SAAMI specs and if I wanted something different I would have to supply the reamer.. so.. not sure what that particular spec is.. any thoughts from the folks with experience?

 

[Webster]

Alex, I ordered a "remage" bbl from McGowen.. they, nor I mentioned anything about "zero freebore."
Is this something in the ordering process that was overlooked? Should I contact the mfg and request this? Is this any additional cost?
Thank you, mark

I have a 6BRX 0.030" freebore. The 58 & 65 gr bullets are half way in the neck when they touch. Same thing with my 6BR forget what the freebore was. I wish they would engrave freebore and twist on the barrel. It was not on the receipt either.

 

[markT]

I ended up dealing with Northland Shooting Supply and went with Criterion 1:14 TW.. They have a. 093" freebore. I talked with a gun smith in FL and he said I would be fine.. so we shall see..

 

[GrocMax]

I'm going to have to disagree with Mr. Wheeler on a zero FB being an absolute must for a varminter.
CIP spec .093" FB works good for 55-75's. More boiler room and mine shoots every light bullet I've put in it very good except the FB tipped 55 varmageddon. 58vmax 3800+ FPS shoots extremely well. You only have about 1/3 of the neck used at a light jam but its a shooter. 70g flat base varmageddon its getting close to the neck shoulder junction at jam. Add in a faster twist rate barrel and its splat time, don't be afraid of using an 8 twist.

 

[Webster]

I ended up dealing with Northland Shooting Supply and went with Criterion 1:14 TW.. They have a. 093" freebore. I talked with a gun smith in FL and he said I would be fine.. so we shall see..

.093" freebore is way too much for 65 gr bullets. Maybe your gunsmith only has a reamer for 105 gr bullets, that's what most guys shoot with a 6BR. He doesn't want to buy another reamer and add $200 to the cost of your barrel. I have .030" freebore it's OK but I wish I had less.