BAT Vampire PRC switch barrel

[OmegaRed]

New build done by @WSMNUT. The stars aligned and all the parts came in short order. Zack had this done well before his original estimated timeline and it turned out awesome. I got through breaking in both barrels and have shot some 120 Berger BT's out of the 6.5 barrel, which shot about .8" for 10 shots being cleaned in between each series (off of a bipod). This was also over 2 grains of powder from shot 1-10.

Then went on to shoot this 3 shot group on the final 3 bullets of the day. No load workup done - .020 off and 50gr of N560. This load is well short on velocity (2800), but I was mainly looking to shoot up some odds and ends bullets and be easy on the brass until it's broken in. The main reason I had the 6.5 made was to get some seat time without burning up the 300 barrel, so shooting steel won't know the difference for the time being.

BAT Vampire LA Mag BF (.550)
300PRC #5 Brux 9tw 24"
6.5 PRC #5 Brux 8tw 26"
McMillan Game Hunter - carbon shell, enhanced edge fill "Carbon Ambush"
Jewel with top safety
Hawkins BDL
Wyatts CFE Box
Nightforce Ultralight - Medium (1" Height) - 30mm - were in the mail when the photo was taken
NX8 4-32
7.6 lbs bare rifle with the 300 barrel.

I'll be working up some "real" loads on the 6.5 with 140 ELD-M and 140 VLD-H soon and some 215 hybrids for the 300. I only have a small amount of Retumbo and a few lbs of H1000 at the moment. I'll update this thread as we go.

 

[Bc'z]

New build done by @WSMNUT. The stars aligned and all the parts came in short order. Zack had this done well before his original estimated timeline and it turned out awesome. I got through breaking in both barrels and have shot some 120 Berger BT's out of the 6.5 barrel, which shot about .8" for 10 shots being cleaned in between each series (off of a bipod). This was also over 2 grains of powder from shot 1-10.

Then went on to shoot this 3 shot group on the final 3 bullets of the day. No load workup done - .020 off and 50gr of N560. This load is well short on velocity (2800), but I was mainly looking to shoot up some odds and ends bullets and be easy on the brass until it's broken in. The main reason I had the 6.5 made was to get some seat time without burning up the 300 barrel, so shooting steel won't know the difference for the time being.

BAT Vampire LA Mag BF (.550)
300PRC #5 Brux 9tw 24"
6.5 PRC #5 Brux 8tw 26"
McMillan Game Hunter - carbon shell, enhanced edge fill "Carbon Ambush"
Jewel with top safety
Hawkins BDL
Wyatts CFE Box
Nightforce Ultralight - Medium (1" Height) - 30mm - were in the mail when the photo was taken
NX8 4-32
7.6 lbs bare rifle with the 300 barrel.

I'll be working up some "real" loads on the 6.5 with 140 ELD-M and 140 VLD-H soon and some 215 hybrids for the 300. I only have a small amount of Retumbo and a few lbs of H1000 at the moment. I'll update this thread as we go.

Thats awesome on so many levels.
Zack builds a great rifle!
His turn around is 2nd to none, he had 2 done for me in under a month last year.
I'll be showing this to my buddy thats wanting Zack to build an all carbon fiber rifle for hunting.

 

[ford32]

Nice, I can't wait to have Zack do some work for me. These are true skills displayed

 

[Bill Norris]

New build done by @WSMNUT. The stars aligned and all the parts came in short order. Zack had this done well before his original estimated timeline and it turned out awesome. I got through breaking in both barrels and have shot some 120 Berger BT's out of the 6.5 barrel, which shot about .8" for 10 shots being cleaned in between each series (off of a bipod). This was also over 2 grains of powder from shot 1-10.

Then went on to shoot this 3 shot group on the final 3 bullets of the day. No load workup done - .020 off and 50gr of N560. This load is well short on velocity (2800), but I was mainly looking to shoot up some odds and ends bullets and be easy on the brass until it's broken in. The main reason I had the 6.5 made was to get some seat time without burning up the 300 barrel, so shooting steel won't know the difference for the time being.

BAT Vampire LA Mag BF (.550)
300PRC #5 Brux 9tw 24"
6.5 PRC #5 Brux 8tw 26"
McMillan Game Hunter - carbon shell, enhanced edge fill "Carbon Ambush"
Jewel with top safety
Hawkins BDL
Wyatts CFE Box
Nightforce Ultralight - Medium (1" Height) - 30mm - were in the mail when the photo was taken
NX8 4-32
7.6 lbs bare rifle with the 300 barrel.

I'll be working up some "real" loads on the 6.5 with 140 ELD-M and 140 VLD-H soon and some 215 hybrids for the 300. I only have a small amount of Retumbo and a few lbs of H1000 at the moment. I'll update this thread as we go.

Thats awesome on so many levels.
Zack builds a great rifle!
His turn around is 2nd to none, he had 2 done for me in under a month last year.
I'll be showing this to my buddy thats wanting Zack to build an all carbon fiber rifle for hunting.

This is what normally happens when Zack builds a rifle. He is working on my eighth build now and all the previous seven have been fantastic shooters. BTW, I just broke my record about an hour ago with my 30BR (Zack build) with this 5-shot group @ 100 yds. Lapua brass 115 gr. Bergers 34.7 gr. H-4198 Fed. 205M seated @ .009 Jam. Caliper was zeroed on a .308 bullet before measuring. No tuner/brake on this rifle.

 

[Ranger188]

Got two coming from Zack also.

 

[Bill Norris]

Got two coming from Zack also.

Let us know how they shoot when u get them please Sir.

 

[Bill Norris]

Zack's guns just plain shoot. And the notoriety is spreading in this area without question.

I've been shown some things he does to give attention to popular models of stocks which improve their abilities - specifically in dealing with torque issues - and the level of indicating he does with his chamber work. I'm not going to explain those things any further as that his part of his overall product and some of the things that sets him apart.

If he isn't too busy yet give him a call. You won't get a more accurate rifle anywhere else. I don't know if he actually finished my last one before I had him start on my next one.

WOW ! U sound like me now Bro.

 

[Bc'z]

Zack's guns just plain shoot. And the notoriety is spreading in this area without question.

I've been shown some things he does to give attention to popular models of stocks which improve their abilities - specifically in dealing with torque issues - and the level of indicating he does with his chamber work. I'm not going to explain those things any further as that his part of his overall product and some of the things that sets him apart.

If he isn't too busy yet give him a call. You won't get a more accurate rifle anywhere else. I don't know if he actually finished my last one before I had him start on my next one.

Funny how that works.
Barely through 1 build and on to the next.

I totally forgot about the wife's 6br getting done, probably cuz he keeps me so busy painting stocks for everyone.

I believe tomorrow I'll go to the range and enjoy some of that Old Dominion craftsmanship.

 

[Bc'z]

WOW ! U sound like me now Bro.

Rick paints his, just saying

 

[OmegaRed]

Zack's guns just plain shoot. And the notoriety is spreading in this area without question.

I've been shown some things he does to give attention to popular models of stocks which improve their abilities - specifically in dealing with torque issues - and the level of indicating he does with his chamber work. I'm not going to explain those things any further as that his part of his overall product and some of the things that sets him apart.

If he isn't too busy yet give him a call. You won't get a more accurate rifle anywhere else. I don't know if he actually finished my last one before I had him start on my next one.

I'm thinking I'm going to have him start on a smokeless ML sometime in the near future. Just haven't had enough time to figure out what I want.

 

[Bill Norris]

Haha, maybe a Bill Norris "Light"

If I was on build #8 my wife would refer me for counseling and I'd probably have to agree with her that I would need it. Or worse, leave me and take 4 of them with her.

One old timer I met when I first started this game referred to himself as a "recovering benchrest shooter." It might be a different game for each of us, but it is the same slope. Hard not to want just one more nice one though.

Zack's rifles are very habit forming. But, I guess we could be addicted to a lot worse. LOL.

 

[Bc'z]

I'm thinking I'm going to have him start on a smokeless ML sometime in the near future. Just haven't had enough time to figure out what I want.

Is this build for hunting or PRS?

 

[OmegaRed]

Is this build for hunting or PRS?

Wanted a do-all NA hunting rifle that was packable and light enough to run a big scope that wouldn't limit me for long range steel. Also wanted to be able to use a suppressor without lugging around a 20 lb rifle.

Swapping a scope out could get this to around 8.5lbs if necessary. Good balance between weight and shootability while still being able to stretch it out should the need arise. Getting lower than that and recoil starts to become an issue for me.

 

[Bc'z]

Wanted a do-all NA hunting rifle that was packable and light enough to run a big scope that wouldn't limit me for long range steel. Also wanted to be able to use a suppressor without lugging around a 20 lb rifle.

Swapping a scope out could get this to around 8.5lbs if necessary. Good balance between weight and shootability while still being able to stretch it out should the need arise. Getting lower than that and recoil starts to become an issue for me.

Well it definitely looks like it is gonna do what you need.
That rifle is a hammer for sure.
Looks good too!!
Keep us posted on the load development.

 

[OmegaRed]

Did some pressure workup with a different powder while shooting some steel.

Had 12x Berger 130s that finished out the rest of my supply and some Hornady 140eldm. Grass was way overgrown and it was tough to see the plates, but got some ballpark come ups out to 600 in the process.

Did just score some Retumbo and a few pounds of H1000 from a localish forum member (thanks Frank!) so I'm hoping to screw on the 300 barrel tomorrow and shoot some ladders. 60 degrees forecasted from the 30 today so gotta make it count.

 

[Dos XX]

What powder were you using with the 130's? Were they 130 Hybrids?

 

[OmegaRed]

What powder were you using with the 130's? Where they 130 Hybrids?

130 VLD - trying Superformance for no other reason than I have a jug with no immediate use. Hit light bolt lift at 54.5 gr seated .020 off

 

[Bc'z]

Did some pressure workup with a different powder while shooting some steel.

Had 12x Berger 130s that finished out the rest of my supply and some Hornady 140eldm. Grass was way overgrown and it was tough to see the plates, but got some ballpark come ups out to 600 in the process.

Did just score some Retumbo and a few pounds of H1000 from a localish forum member (thanks Frank!) so I'm hoping to screw on the 300 barrel tomorrow and shoot some ladders. 60 degrees forecasted from the 30 today so gotta make it count.

View attachment 1321866

Did ya get a chance to test out the .30?

 

[OmegaRed]

Did ya get a chance to test out the .30?

No, 30mph winds so figures it wasn't worth the time. The 300 is screwed on waiting for a nice day!

 

[OmegaRed]

Got out to shoot yesterday. Nice few days melted the snow, but that just means water in my part of the world. Had to put on hip waders to go out and set a target...lots of steps getting back and forth. By the end of the session, I was tired out. We have a put and take pheasant hunt planned tomorrow on this property, no clue how that's gonna happen.



I was limited by water getting past 450yds, so I set my target and we were off. Today I had the 300PRC barrel on, doing a pressure ladder for Retumbo and H1000. Today was shot off of a NEO.

Targets show charges and velocity. Other notables:
215 Hybrid at .020 off
Retumbo from 77gr-81gr in half grain increments
Virgin ADG brass



I didn't have any dope to get this on paper, so I took a guess, fired one and connected. Cranked up some and set off on my string. Took 25 minutes for each of these ladders, popped a barrelcool in every few to let the barrel cool.




I gave it some more elevation on the H1000 ladder, which was from 74gr - 77gr. The camera got too hot and shut off, so using it for anything other than pressure testing was useless. I will say that speed on H1000 seems very slow, but it does chart in a more predictable way (about 30fps per .5gr), where Retumbo charted all over. No pressure in either of these loads, where I would think the 81gr of Retumbo has to be close to or exceeding. I'm not trying to trash new brass but it's apparent Retumbo is a no go for this combo.

Next up I think I'll load up some of the 1x fired brass with H1000 and concentrate in the 78-80 region and see how it shoots. May also try some different primers and see if that trends in the right direction.