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Building my First FTR - Which Action (Kelby Panda, Borden BRM, Eminence FTR)

GunnyUSMC

I am building my first dedicated FTR rifle. My daughter has been using a low-end rifle I built for her in .223Rem. She has been improving nicely and recently won her first club match with a 589 16x at 600yd. I want to help her continue making progress by building a .308 with top quality components.

I have heard nothing but good things about the following actions: Kelby Panda, Borden BRM, Eminence FTR

Any thoughts?

Also wondering about

- Barrels: Bartlein, Brux, Kreiger, Blake Barrel
- Twist: 10, 11
- Bullet: I was planning on the Berger 200.20x but open to suggestions
- Stock: I want a wood stock and to that end was planning on a Dima FTR
- Trigger: ? (she is currently using a Triggertech Diamond)
 
GunnyUSMC said:
I am building my first dedicated FTR rifle. My daughter has been using a low-end rifle I built for her in .223Rem. She has been improving nicely and recently won her first club match with a 589 16x at 600yd. I want to help her continue making progress by building a .308 with top quality components.

I have heard nothing but good things about the following actions: Kelby Panda, Borden BRM, Eminence FTR

Any thoughts?

Also wondering about

- Barrels: Bartlein, Brux, Kreiger, Blake Barrel
- Twist: 10, 11
- Bullet: I was planning on the Berger 200.20x but open to suggestions
- Stock: I want a wood stock and to that end was planning on a Dima FTR
- Trigger: ? (she is currently using a Triggertech Diamond)
Click to expand...
I'd go 10 twist on the barrel if planning on shooting 200gr bullets 11 twist will only be marginally stable.
Stock I would lead with Southwest Action Works, Jason Avila, Xring, nothing against Dima they're nice just not American made.
 
20x can be tricky to tune. If you're shooting midrange, personally, I would stick with 185's.

10 twist barrel from one of the big 3.

Action: BAT VR in single shot config,. Borden BRM, or an Eminence.


Don't get suckered into buying what the PRS guys use. Use what the guys winning BR/FTR are using.
 
IMO definitely go with a Bat or the Eminence. Can’t go wrong with either of those two. I shoot Bartleins because that’s what I started with and don’t want to change now. Probably go with a 10 twist depending on your elevation (not that 11’s won’t work…). I’m an open shooter but I’d shoot the 200.20x. Contact Dennis Ray for a stock (Southwest action works). I shoot Bix triggers. Some need minor polishing work to make them perfect but I love them and have no desire to change. I hear the flavios are great too. Hope that helps.
 
I'd recommend any of the big name barrels you can get. 185s might be better for tuning a completely new build. Consider adding a R.A.D. to the stock. 308 recoil is very different than 223. Don't overlook the rear bag when you get a new stock, your current one may not work great. The Sidhe triggers are darn nice!
 
LVLAaron said:
20x can be tricky to tune. If you're shooting midrange, personally, I would stick with 185's.

10 twist barrel from one of the big 3.

Action: BAT VR in single shot config,. Borden BRM, or an Eminence.


Don't get suckered into buying what the PRS guys use. Use what the guys winning BR/FTR are using.
Click to expand...
185s are way easier to tune and especially for 600 yds they will do very well. I put together 2 dedicated F class rifles several years ago and the big name obvious choices were out of stock with wait times 6-18 months. Being impatient I bought 2 Zermatt TL3 SA single shot actions. I run 284, 6BRA, 308 and 223 with them. Trigger Tech Diamond triggers. Have cleaned lots of targets at 600 with high X counts. 1K is a wee bit tougher.....

Yeah, they are primarily PRS actions but have really worked for me and no crazy wait times.
 
Kelbly Panda Action, Bartlein 1:10 barrel 30” HV or HP contour, 308 F-TR reamer, lapua brass, stock up on Berger 185 Jugs, buy a 500 count of 200.20x and start working on a tune for when she is ready to shoot a LR match.

Trigger tech diamond set to 4oz.

Take away all obstacles and let her go for it.

I recommend Jason Avilla for the stock. His F-T/R stock is fantastic for the money. Go light and install a RAD so the 200.20x dont push her around a bunch.

Vortex Golden eagle for weight savings.
 
noahburleson1 said:
IMO definitely go with a Bat or the Eminence. Can’t go wrong with either of those two. I shoot Bartleins because that’s what I started with and don’t want to change now. Probably go with a 10 twist depending on your elevation (not that 11’s won’t work…). I’m an open shooter but I’d shoot the 200.20x. Contact Dennis Ray for a stock (Southwest action works). I shoot Bix triggers. Some need minor polishing work to make them perfect but I love them and have no desire to change. I hear the flavios are great too. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
One of these?20250121_192116.jpg
 
Last edited:
Kelbly, Borden, Defiance (maybe on D…not sure under the “new“ ownership). BAT is great for Open and BR I think they are beautiful, but unless they have made a light version they weigh a ton. The weight limit is a thing in FTR.
30 inch 1:10. Been that way since 2013 when people switches to the 200s.I’ve been able to run HVs (or heavier) on all ov my rigs. I’ve shot winning scores with several manufacturers. Not too picky about who makes it.

20x it’s been the F-TR standard since about 2017. I haven’t been shooting for about 18 months but unless there are a bunch of people moving to the 208 about 99% of the field uses the 20x. At mid range you can use a lighter bullet like the 185 or eve the 155s, but If it’s a dedicated mid range gun I’d build a 223 and run 90s.

Seb Joypod

Pick a stock you like (and you can get)

NIghtforce Comp or Vortex Golden Eagle.

BnA trigger
 
wow! Thanks for all great feedback. I have been doing a lot of research trying to find the right balance between performance and cost. After doing this, i realized that this will not be my last build. Gotta save some $$ for the next one and will likely go all out for that one, but this one should be a very good performer. Here is what I am going with on this initial build:

Action: Kelby FClass Panda
Barrel: 30" Krieger 1:10
Stock: Dima FTR (i like the southwest action works in my future)
Trigger: Bix N Andy Competition Trigger
Scope: Vortex Golden Eagle
Bipod: Phoenix Precision

Did some weight estimates and these components should get me to right at 17lbs

I like the advice on starting with the 185 and working my way up to the 200.20x

One more question.... I currently load .308 for my M14 but i suspect that my current Redding sizing die might not be optimum for the FTR build. Any suggestions on a good .308 sizing die? I use the LEWilson inline seating die with the K&M arbor press.

Thanks
 
Sumtoc said:
185s are way easier to tune and especially for 600 yds they will do very well. I put together 2 dedicated F class rifles several years ago and the big name obvious choices were out of stock with wait times 6-18 months. Being impatient I bought 2 Zermatt TL3 SA single shot actions. I run 284, 6BRA, 308 and 223 with them. Trigger Tech Diamond triggers. Have cleaned lots of targets at 600 with high X counts. 1K is a wee bit tougher.....
Click to expand...
Sounds familiar... i wanted to build my first bolt gun as a learning experience. The goal was to build a good gun as cheaply as possible without needing a gunsmith. I went with a .223 build for my daughter based on the Zermatt Origin action, Criterion 28" bull barrel with barrel nut chambered in .223match, MDT XRS chassis, and Triggertech Diamond trigger. As mentioned earlier, we went with the Vortex Golden Eagle and Phoenix Precision bipod. I started my loads with the Berger 80gr and moved to the Berger 85.5gr using CFE223 and getting a pretty consistent MV around 2845fps. I have not been able to get the SD and ES where i want and may have to change my powder.

As my loads improved, so did my daughter's score. Now she consistently shoots in the mid 580s with her last match resulting in a win at 600yds with a score of 589/16x.

I figured that if she can perform like this with a low-end build like this, this new dedicated build can help her to the next level.
 
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