6 Dasher Varmint Build

[Gary Wiant]

I'm in the process of having my first custom rifle built for varmint hunting ( mainly long range groundhog hunting ) I'm having it built by Dustin Swartfager from SO Custom Rifles in Knox, PA.

A little back ground. I bought my son a Remington 700 LS about 4 or 5 years ago in .243 it never really was very accurate and this was before I was reloading so it became a safe Queen, when I started reloading we started working up loads. It still didn't shoot well, so I took it to Dustin to have him look it over. He found that the barrel was pitted, he honed it out and said, I should consider having it rebarreled in the future, and recommended a 6 Dasher, I initially was thinking a 6 SLR but eventually went with his recommendation.

We have been waiting for a couple months for the barrel to show up but it is finally here, and Dustin is getting started on it.

This is the 700 LS that we are starting with.

The barrel is a Brux #3 contour with a 1-8 twist that will finish at 26" plus the break.

Here are a couple photos of the beginning of the machine work, hopefully I can describe the process.

Here is the new barrel and the stock receiver that has been removed so it can be "squared up"

This photo with the dial indicators is setting up to recut the thread to the new centerline of the bolt raceway. They cut the lugs and square the receiver face in the same setup.

This photo is the setup to thread the bolt handle.

I'll update this as I receive photos from Dustin. I definitely recommend that if you need any work done or a custom rifle built contact SO Custom Rifles & Sportsmans Outfitters at 1-814-797-5253

Thanks, I'm excited to get the rifle finished but a little bummed because right now I'm recovering from shoulder surgery and won't be cleared to shoot for a while.

 

[VaRandy]

You said you were building it as a Long Range Groundhog rifle. It looks like a walk around short range gh rifle so I guess the question is what type of shooting will you be doing and what distances can you get opportunities.

 

[Gary Wiant]

What part sounds like a short range? & it's going to end up weighing between 8 & 9# with a 26" barrel isn't going to be super easy to carry around.
It's pretty easy to shoot out to 700-800 yards and further at some fields. We typically set up a shooting pod ( Caldwell field pod Maginum ) and set on a camp chair and wait on one to pop up.

 

[Barlow]

Good luck on your build. You will love that rifle. Keep us posted. Barlow

 

[Gary Wiant]

Thank you Barlow I will do that

 

[mikeinct]

I like that rig..What bullet are you planning to shoot ?? groundhogs with at 7 to 800 yds.?? Are you looking for accuracy or Whoomph factor ??..Mike in ct

 

[Gary Wiant]

105 - 107 range. I wanted to build something you can't get in a factory rifle that could buck the wind better than my .204, 22-250 & .220 Swift. I've had several days on the long fields where the wind pushed me around a bit. I'm not going to eat the ground hogs just help the farmers so a little bang factor for some videos will at the least be fun to watch.

 

[Gary Wiant]

And the accuracy of the Dasher won't hurt either

 

[mikeinct]

I used to run the 87 Vmax in a ten twist 243W..My 6mmBR also a ten twist likes the 88grain Berger Flat base...My buddy has a 9 twist 243 & he gets great results with the Berger 95 grain hunting bullet..I use the 105 Berger Hybrid & sorted 105gr H Amax..3 diff barrels all one in eight twist rate...Some of those barrels prefer the Sierra 107 ..Please keep us posted as to the effectiveness of these..At longer ranges the 105's hit hard enough but no real Whoophh Factor..That is why I mentioned the 95 grain Berger hunting bullet..good luck, mike in ct

 

[Gary Wiant]

Mikeinkt -I will once I get the gun & im allowed to shoot right handed I'm sure I'll try several different bullets & weights. Hopefully I can find some sample bags of 6mm bullets. I may be wrong but I wouldn't think I could go lighter than high 80's with 1:8 twist

 

[mikeinct]

Mikeinkt -I will once I get the gun & im allowed to shoot right handed I'm sure I'll try several different bullets & weights. Hopefully I can find some sample bags of 6mm bullets. I may be wrong but I wouldn't think I could go lighter than high 80's with 1:8 twist

I don't think you would want to fool around with the lighter weights for caliber...That twist rate is for the heavier bullets...Some barrels will shoot the lighter weights no problem...But you want Distance stability & I'm hoping for you Whoomph...Man I love hearing that thu-wack sound..Grin Mike in Ct

 

[Gary Wiant]

Woodchuck Wacker & VA Randy - I asked The manager at SO about the comment this was a short range rifle & he said not to worry about it he just shot 1/3 MOA at 1000 with a sporter 300 WM. As long as my rest is good it will be plenty good enough for gh.

Mikeinct - thanks for the info.

 

[VaRandy]

My question involved several concerns for a "long range Groundhog hunting". The first is that it is obviously a Sporter that has a shorter round fore grip which is not conducive to the best connection to a rest. Also no, raised cheek piece normally needed to keep you behind the scope without straining muscles.

I suspect that it will do quite well for the distances you have.

 

[Gary Wiant]

Yeah I understand about using the original Rem 700 stock but I wanted to use the original stock even though it's going to have to be modified for the barrel & new bottom metal it was the first rifle that I bought for my son so it has a little sentimental value to using it.

 

[Gary Wiant]

Here is the photo update for today, the bolt being fluted

 

[Gary Wiant]

After some discussion with Dustin, I'm going to order a Boyds varmint thumbhole stock, ( he said that my LS stock may be the nicest factory stock he has ever seen, so im going to eventually build another custom rifle ) now I'm just not sure which color I want. Coyote, Forest, Nutmeg or Pepper. Once I decide on a stock color then I decide on a cerakote color
Does anyone have photos they would share of laminated stocks that I could use to make up my mind? Especially with light grey, fde & black cerakote.

If you would prefer to email the photos my email is vgu7446@gmail.com

Thanks

 

[stork]

Your build is similar to when I built mine.
Blueprinted xp100 action
26" 1-10 Hart throated for the 87 vmax and chambered for Lapua brass, no turn neck.
Absolutely loves RE15, CCI 450's.
Al

 

[Gary Wiant]

Sounds great AL, I can't wait to see how it shoots

 

[xswanted]

You said you were building it as a Long Range Groundhog rifle. It looks like a walk around short range gh rifle so I guess the question is what type of shooting will you be doing and what distances can you get opportunities.

How does it look like anything? It's not done yet.

Not to mention is there a certain weight a rifle needs to be to be considered a "long range" rig??

 

[ridgeway]

Looks good Gary...PM me if you need the perfect scope for on top? (NF 12-42 BR)