Benchrest rifle -- considering a new build

[BlueWater]

Am thinking about building a decent bench target rifle. I am not nearly so "up" on the various rifle components makers as many on this forum are, so I'm looking for some guidance on what to consider.

Some background:

1. I'm no gunsmith. Nothing like it. Need a competent, quality gunsmith for the build. In the United States.
2. Prefer the 6.5mm Creedmoor caliber's pros/cons, recoil, basic ballistics. Like the fact that a variety of off-the-shelf reloading components exist, and that I can easily reload for it. But I might consider a decent 6mm caliber, though I do not have experience with these (other than .243 Win).
3. Will be shooting from 200-1000yds. Want it to be consistently accurate at all ranges, if I do my part.
4. Won't be for competition. Rather, it's just for the pleasure of accurate target shooting. Might eventually dabble in the local competitions, but that'll mostly be for the social aspect.

Looking for something like this, give or take:

1. Action -- left bolt, right port, a "Rem 700" footprint for compatibility, highly accurate tolerances. Say, something like Kelbly's F-Class Panda, or something similar.
2. Barrel -- Krieger, Bartlein or similar match barrel; cut rifled; "heavy" target (or straight) contour; 1:7" twist, if doing 6.5 Creedmoor, for solid stability with heavier bullets out to 1000yds.
3. Chambering -- 6.5mm Creedmoor. Match chamber well-suited for, say, the Hornady ELD-M 147gr or 140gr bullet, Lapua brass. Possibly a decent 6mm caliber, but no experience with these (beyond .243 Win).
4. Trigger -- Jewell, likely the BR variant; for a Rem700 footprint action.
5. Stock -- prefer a thumbhole type stock (but not set on this); somewhat smaller grip size (smaller hands); shorter LOP; wider foreend; flat benchrest-type foreend and butt end. Competently bedded and fitted. Something like the Kelbly 1M Adjustable stock might suit, though it's not thumbhole.
6. Cost of build -- would love to keep under US $3000, though under US $4000 is fine. So long as requirements are met, and the quality and tolerances are there.
7. Scope -- plus scope, of course, beyond this build.
8. Rest/bags -- something like Grizzly's Bald Eagle BE1006, with Edgewood "The Edge" front and Tracker rear bags.

Questions:

1. Actions -- Are there some different actions I should be considering? (Left bolt, right port.)
2. Stocks -- Are there some different stocks I should be considering?
3. Gunsmiths for the build -- Who would you recommend to competently handle such a build, and why?
4. Any other suggestions or guidance you might offer?

 

[R.Morehouse]

I suggest you save a few bucks and buy one already built from a site member. Keep your eyes open and ask questions on different chamberings. I would suggest a 6mm for those distances with the smallest being the 6BRA.......But that's just my opinion and I am sure you will get a lot of sound advise.
Get custom dies preferably made off the reamer if possible......

Regards
Rick

 

[BlueWater]

I suggest you save a few bucks and buy one already built from a site member. Keep your eyes open and ask questions on different chamberings.

That's certainly an option.

What I'm asking about is the different rifle components and what I should be looking for. I'm relatively unfamiliar with the different makers' offerings, other than the few dozen different rifles I've seen forum members have here.

Looking for suggestions on various actions that might suit, stocks that might work, and recommended gunsmiths who could do this sort of build blindfolded.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Look at a 6 Dasher. easy to tune. very competitive out to 1000 yds.
Call Dan Dowling, Palisade, CO. He developed the cartridge. 970 210-3042
Dan can help you pick out Action, Barrel and stock.

 

[Dub]

Going to list a 6.5x47 in the classified shortly

 

[JEFFPPC]

Am thinking about building a decent bench target rifle. I am not nearly so "up" on the various rifle components makers as many on this forum are, so I'm looking for some guidance on what to consider.

Some background:

1. I'm no gunsmith. Nothing like it. Need a competent, quality gunsmith for the build. In the United States.
2. Prefer the 6.5mm Creedmoor caliber's pros/cons, recoil, basic ballistics. Like the fact that a variety of off-the-shelf reloading components exist, and that I can easily reload for it. But I might consider a decent 6mm caliber, though I do not have experience with these (other than .243 Win).
3. Will be shooting from 200-1000yds. Want it to be consistently accurate at all ranges, if I do my part.
4. Won't be for competition. Rather, it's just for the pleasure of accurate target shooting. Might eventually dabble in the local competitions, but that'll mostly be for the social aspect.

Looking for something like this, give or take:

1. Action -- left bolt, right port, a "Rem 700" footprint for compatibility, highly accurate tolerances. Say, something like Kelbly's F-Class Panda, or something similar.
2. Barrel -- Krieger, Bartlein or similar match barrel; cut rifled; "heavy" target (or straight) contour; 1:7" twist, if doing 6.5 Creedmoor, for solid stability with heavier bullets out to 1000yds.
3. Chambering -- 6.5mm Creedmoor. Match chamber well-suited for, say, the Hornady ELD-M 147gr or 140gr bullet, Lapua brass. Possibly a decent 6mm caliber, but no experience with these (beyond .243 Win).
4. Trigger -- Jewell, likely the BR variant; for a Rem700 footprint action.
5. Stock -- prefer a thumbhole type stock (but not set on this); somewhat smaller grip size (smaller hands); shorter LOP; wider foreend; flat benchrest-type foreend and butt end. Competently bedded and fitted. Something like the Kelbly 1M Adjustable stock might suit, though it's not thumbhole.
6. Cost of build -- would love to keep under US $3000, though under US $4000 is fine. So log as requirements are met, and the quality and tolerances are there.
7. Scope -- plus scope, of course, beyond this build.
8. Rest/bags -- something like Grizzly's Bald Eagle BE1006, with Edgewood "The Edge" front and Tracker rear bags.

Questions:

1. Actions -- Are there some different actions I should be considering? (Left bolt, right port.)
2. Stocks -- Are there some different stocks I should be considering?
3. Gunsmiths for the build -- Who would you recommend to competently handle such a build, and why?
4. Any other suggestions or guidance you might offer?

I agree 100% with Mr Morehouse. Although I have been a 6BRX guy for many years and do not wish to change, if I were to start over it would be the 6BRA. Its easy to make cases and gives the ballistics you will want in a 6mm for your needs. Shoot it for a season as is, learning. Second year rebarrel, and have fun. I would pick a rifle built by a know smith, preferably one with in driving distance if possible. If you want to build new to be competitive and do not need fancy wood or frills I suggest Kelbly rifles in Ohio. Excellent reputation and great service.

 

[HTSmith]

Hey a few thoughts from a non-expert.

• I'm a big Panda fan and the Kelbly's are top notch, however it is nowhere near a rem700 footprint.
• I wouldn't worry much about the grip of the stock as you don't need to be holding onto it anyway for precision work
• I'd suggest a 6mm caliber. Further, the plain ole 6BR. Its really easy to get great results with it.
• A used rifle could be great place to start. I advertised on here for a LH Panda a few months ago and was able to get one for a good price from a great guy. Also, for bench and belly work a RBRP works just fine for a Lefty. If you do buy used make sure and get good pictures of the bolt face and locking lugs. Also don't ascribe much or any value to the barrel.

Maybe this will help some.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

A Dasher just won the IBS 1000yd match at Deep Creek, MT

 

[BlueWater]

Hey a few thoughts from a non-expert.

• I'm a big Panda fan and the Kelbly's are top notch, however it is nowhere near a rem700 footprint.

Didn't mean to suggest by "footprint" that the Kelbly Panda would be the same basic size on the stock as a Rem 700. Meant that it'd support Rem 700 compatible triggers, really. (Probably shouldn't have phrased that as "footprint.")

 

[BlueWater]

Hey a few thoughts from a non-expert.

• A used rifle could be great place to start. I advertised on here for a LH Panda a few months ago and was able to get one for a good price from a great guy. Also, for bench and belly work a RBRP works just fine for a Lefty. If you do buy used ...

One downside to going used is: Being a lefty, I'd much prefer a left bolt, right port arrangement. While possible to find something decent pre-owned, that'll really shrink down the available pool of potential sales that'll meet this need. I'm open to it. It's just not nearly as likely as, say, a "normal" right/right setup.

But I've already got a rifle and it's capable of going out to 600yds easily, even 1000yds, if I do my part. If I do this, it'll be a second rifle and would be my go-to for longer distances. It'd be my first "custom" action that I've ever started with.

Never intending on being competitive, nor doing competitions, even my existing 6mm Creedmoor could suffice. It's got decent accuracy. It'll get to 1000yds. I've already got the reloading gear and components for several years' worth of shooting.

At this point, it's about identifying a range of actions and range of stocks that would suit this sort of build. (I'm not nearly as familiar with the different makers and models of equipment as most on this forum are. Hence this thread asking for ideas on those questions.)

 

[HTSmith]

Understand--may as well have it like you want it. Life is short. In the last 12 months I've bought one left bolt, dual port Panda and one left bolt, right port Panda off this forum. You never know what's out there. BAT's seem to be the most popular now. I get building something you already have components for in this time of shortage--but you might be surprised at how well a 6BR are one of its improved offspring (Dasher, BRA, BRX, etc) can shoot especially with custom bullets. My Dasher does just as well with H4350 as it does with Varget. Many also use R16. Just a thought, assuming you have powder in that range.

 

[JEFFPPC]

An ignored fact......cartridges do not win...shooters and preperation determine who wins.

 

[BlueWater]

... but you might be surprised at how well a 6BR are one of its improved offspring (Dasher, BRA, BRX, etc) can shoot especially with custom bullets. My Dasher does just as well with H4350 as it does with Varget. Many also use R16. Just a thought, assuming you have powder in that range.

Caliber's a secondary consideration for me, at this point. Primary is selection of appropriate rifle components (action, barrel, trigger, stock), plus the gunsmith/builder to put it all together.

Cruddy time to be looking for a new build. That'll likely take a year, given how most equipment and gunsmiths' backlogs and timelines are going, these days. I can certainly piece it together, item by item. So long as I find a competent, effective gunsmith who can take those parts and blow magic dust on it.

I'll have to think about the various calibers. I'll likely stick with 6.5 Creedmoor unless I find good reason to change. Focusing on equipment selection, for now.

Which brings me back to decent gunsmiths. Don't know of any "good" ones for benchrest-type setups. Haven't yet asked Kelbly or Borden (or similar) whether they'll do an entire work-up of a whole rifle based on custom specs, though I'm assuming they would. Open to any decent gunsmith recommendations in the region of, say, Indianapolis + 500mi. I'll drive out to the shop, if the right gunsmith's that close to me.

An ignored fact......cartridges do not win...shooters and preperation determine who wins.

Yup. Am working on me and my skills and technique, at this point. This rifle build would be icing on the cake. Have wanted an ultra-smooth, lefty-oriented rifle for awhile. Caliber's secondary, for me.

 

[BlueWater]

So back to the original questions:

Questions:

1. Actions -- Are there some different actions I should be considering? (Left bolt, right port. So far, have found Kelbly F-Class Panda and the Borden Rimrock line as offering left bolt / right port as a design option.)
2. Stocks -- Are there some different stocks I should be considering?
3. Gunsmiths for the build -- Who would you recommend to competently handle such a build, and why?
4. Any other suggestions or guidance you might offer?

Again, let's skip caliber here. And let's assume this will never be used for competition; that it's crafted well and is accurate is plenty good.

 

[243Lapua]

You can't skip caliber. I have a 6ppc for short range BR. And a 6.5 x 47 for 1000 yards. Components are plentiful. My top Smith for me have been Mr. Bryant and Speedy.

 

[BlueWater]

You can't skip caliber. I have a 6ppc for short range BR. And a 6.5 x 47 for 1000 yards. Components are plentiful. My top Smith for me have been Mr. Bryant and Speedy.

Am not skipping caliber, per se. Of course, one must decide on the caliber as part of selection of a gun to do.

But I want to focus on recommendations for competent gunsmiths for this sort of gun, not to debate calibers. And I want to get suggestions from the well of knowledge as to options for "quality" actions and stocks that people have experience with to a degree far beyond what I myself have. (I simply don't know the various actions and stocks that exist, out there, that people have good experience with.)

"Mr. Bryant" and "Speedy" -- gunsmiths who are also members of this forum, you mean?

 

[243Lapua]

Yes. Mike Bryant and Thomas Gonzalez are members on this forum

Bryant Customs and SG&Y.

 

[newbieshooter]

2021 IBS 1K Nationals

Thanks for all the coverage. Anybody take a picture of the winner and top shooters?

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