BLACKBIRD barrel break-in--375 Cheytac Benchrest

[birdog]

This has been a project running almost 3 years. I bought a Stiller TAC 408 action through George Coleman, Shell Shocked Rifles, Mt Vernon, Ky. in the spring of 2014. I kept looking for a barrel to show up for sale somewhere, but 375 barrels just don't spring up. In 2015 I stopped by Southern Precision Rifle and Greg Young, Bugholes, ordered me a Bartlein 1.450 No Taper 36 inch barrel. In 30 days I had my barrel. Now the search for a stock to support such a heavy beast began. I happened to talk to Sam Hall about a Maxi-tracker and he said he had a barrel block Scoville off-set stock that I might like. Bugholes mated barrel and action. Tim Hewitt and Tracy Milsap both worked on fitting the Stiller action to the stock.



I finally put a Jewell trigger in her last week and assembled the BLACKBIRD. Now I need a 375 cleaning jag and a bore guide. Found them at the Reloader's Bench, Mt. Juliet, Tn.
George Coleman milled me out a custom case bump gauge and I am set for break-in.
The action has a 40 MOA rail on it. I figured out a combination of rings that would let me get on paper at 100 yards. I wanted to get on at 100 yards to see how it grouped and get some chrono #'s.
Monday I bore sighted and I was on paper with first shot. Recoil was very nice cushioned by the 40 lb weight of the rifle.
The 2nd and 3rd shot were 1/2 inch apart.






I was pleased and next I thoroughly cleaned the barrel again and then set up the Magneto Chrono. Shot one - 3060 Shot two - 3083 Shot three - 3083
SD 12. The three shot group was half inch.



Shayne Haliburton shot the last two shots of the day. Shot 7 - 3142 fps Shot 8 - 3160 fps.
The barrel seems to be getting faster with each shot. Barrel lift was very easy and no marks on face of brass. Next time out I will be going loooong.

Turn volume up and listen to echo from hills

Shayne Halliburton shooting shots 7 and 8

 

[tclaunch]

I`d have to say that was well worth the wait!!! I bet Brian will be back soon...Lol

 

[Phil]

SAVAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[george]

nice ! i see 2 miles in your future ! fly blackbird !

 

[cmillard]

are those barrett adjustable rings?

 

[thekriebles]

Congrats on the build! I would love to have a personal shooting range and view at my home like you have... spectacular!!

 

[Eddie Harren]

Please keep us updated on the brass and how it holds up.

 

[dkhunt14]

Please keep us updated on the brass and how it holds up.

Eddie from what I have seen from other people, some brands hold up and some dont. Brands seem to be hard and soft. I believe it was TTI brand that held up. My buddy is running 300 Sierras in a 338-408 at 3300 and the brass is holding up. Matt

 

[rickiesrevenge]

That's pretty sweet! Someday I'd love to have a cannon like that.

Aaron

 

[birdog]

are those barrett adjustable rings?

The pics at the back porch range are Burris Signature Zee Rings with the inserts. I had to use minus 20 MOA to get on paper at 100 yd.

The other pics at the DOME are Barrett 20/30 moa 34mm rings. I was a long way from getting on paper with them so I switched to Burris zee rings so as to see what kind of groups I was getting at 100.

I will be putting the Barrett's back on when I go LOOOOONG.

 

[JamesnTN]

The pics at the back porch range are Burris Signature Zee Rings with the inserts. I had to use minus 20 MOA to get on paper at 100 yd.

The other pics at the DOME are Barrett 20/30 moa 34mm rings. I was a long way from getting on paper with them so I switched to Burris zee rings so as to see what kind of groups I was getting at 100.

I will be putting the Barrett's back on when I go LOOOOONG.

Randy with 40 moa rail and the 20/30 Moa rings at 20 on the ring setting you'll be right around a 1400 yard zero.

 

[birdog]

Randy with 40 moa rail and the 20/30 Moa rings at 20 on the ring setting you'll be right around a 1400 yard zero.

OK. Thanks James.
With 120 in scope that should get me out where I want to be. Not if I can just hit something "out yonder"!!!!

 

[simo hayha]

sweeeeet

 

[Richard Jones]

Added a Harrell's brake as well?

Great build, thanks for sharing.

 

[birdog]

Added a Harrell's brake as well?

Great build, thanks for sharing.

Actually Tim Hewitt had to make the brake in his shop. Harrell's did not have one big enough for the
1.450 inch muzzle of this barrel. I really want a clam shell on her if I can find one or get one made for it.

 

[cmillard]

I initially thought about getting the barrett rings for my .408 but ended up getting the badger unimount with 20 moa taper. I think I might still get the barrett rings though and put the badger rings on my f-open rifle

 

[Drop Port]

Actually Tim Hewitt had to make the brake in his shop. Harrell's did not have one big enough for the
1.450 inch muzzle of this barrel. I really want a clam shell on her if I can find one or get one made for it.

Check American Precision Arms (APA) the XXX Bastard goes up to 1.450 in a blended or Gen II with a jam nut self timing.

 

[rpierce]

My round 5 port magnum is a side discharge and is 1.5 diameter. It could be turned down flush with your barrel for a seamless appearance. The first port is 90 degrees to direct the blast away from the shooter. The proceeding ports are angled to further reduce recoil. It is designed specifically for the chey tac cartridges. It will damper the recoil down to nothing. I have a customer who sent me a video of a kid shooting his 375 cheytac improved in a 17 lb rifle and had no issues with recoil. My website doesn't have the round version on it yet but if you call in the order I could do it. 125 shipped.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

This rifle would really look fine standing in my gun room...

 

[birdog]

Today I loaded ten rounds and went to the 1428 yard line. Previously I have only shot 8 times at 100 yards. No load work-up yet. I had a 18 inch plate out there. Every shot was so close I thought for sure the next shot would score. Only one shot I did not see splash from and I saw the plate shake but I hit either the hanger or the rebar stand holding the plate. Splash was very easy to see.















Danny Huffines shot his Sako TRG 338 today for the first time.