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

[Jdne5b]

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

The Redding will probably work fine if it’s a bushing die. You may want a small base die though, just kind of depends on reamer and brass.

If you just like “nice” stuff, Micron, SAC or the Cortina die would work well also. I like the micron but started using a SAC and it’s really good also.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

The Redding will probably work fine if it’s a bushing die. You may want a small base die though, just kind of depends on reamer and brass.

If you just like “nice” stuff, Micron, SAC or the Cortina die would work well also. I like the micron but started using a SAC and it’s really good also.

I learned something new regarding small base sizing die vs standard. I have a Type S for reloading ammo for my M14. I cant remember if it was a small base die or not.

I like "nice" stuff but $800 for a Micron.... WOW!!! Makes the Cortina dies look cheap

 

[Jdne5b]

I learned something new regarding small base sizing die vs standard. I have a Type S for reloading ammo for my M14. I cant remember if it was a small base die or not.

I like "nice" stuff but $800 for a Micron.... WOW!!! Makes the Cortina dies look cheap

Microns are not $800

Micron Precision Series - Bushing Sizer Die, 308 Win

Enhance your reloading precision with the Micron Precision Series Bushing Sizer Die in 308 Win caliber. Expertly crafted for consistent neck sizing, this die elevates your ammunition performance. Explore Bullet Central's premium reloading tools for unmatched shooting accuracy.

bulletcentral.com

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Interesting... This is the link that came up for me. Granted these are sets of Micron dies going for $850

Micron Precision | Insite Arms

insitearms.com

 

[LVLAaron]

Micron Precision Series - Bushing Sizer Die, 308 Win

Enhance your reloading precision with the Micron Precision Series Bushing Sizer Die in 308 Win caliber. Expertly crafted for consistent neck sizing, this die elevates your ammunition performance. Explore Bullet Central's premium reloading tools for unmatched shooting accuracy.

bulletcentral.com

 

[Jdne5b]

Interesting... This is the link that came up for me. Granted these are sets of Micron dies going for $850

Micron Precision | Insite Arms

insitearms.com

They aren’t in the USA.

 

[Sumtoc]

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.

I was very distracted by "poor" SD and ES results with my new FTR 223. I had just finished my first 6BRA barrel which was insanely accurate/consistent , had very good numbers, and was very easy to tune. So it was frustrating to not see similar results with my new 223.

A search here will uncover lots of posts with shooters' experiences chasing those better 223 numbers. Don't recall that anyone ever succeeded. Some had better results than others, but those seemed coincidental. Various theories as to why it's so difficult with the 223, but with all the experience and knowledge here and after some testing I stopped stressing about it and started trusting results downrange.

I did a lot of testing at 300 and 600 yards with the new barreled action in an open stock using a mechanical front rest and heavy rear bunny ear bag. (I wanted to test the barrel and load, not my rifle handling skills.) The day I shot that 200-17 at 600 (mild conditions) my ES and SD were not good at all. So I got over it and began trusting the rifle and load. Any bad results had to be the shooter, not the gun or load. You may want to try similar testing. In the end it's the target that matters.

I don't think chasing numbers with different rifle builds or loads will produce the results you are looking for. More time behind a reliable system you really trust will matter most IMO........

Now there is nothing wrong with building a new system. I have done it many time over the years. You really just want one that is reliable and consistent. Once you've removed those variables it's best to shoot more often focusing on reading and responding to wind changes.

Sorry for the long post. We live in NW FL and there is 8" of snow on the ground so I'm kinda trapped.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I don't think chasing numbers with different rifle builds or loads will produce the results you are looking for. More time behind a reliable system you really trust will matter most IMO........

Now there is nothing wrong with building a new system. I have done it many time over the years. You really just want one that is reliable and consistent. Once you've removed those variables it's best to shoot more often focusing on reading and responding to wind changes.

Sorry for the long post. We live in NW FL and there is 8" of snow on the ground so I'm kinda trapped.

Sumtoc, I totally agree. If i were to limit our FTR activities to 600yds, i probably would not be so keen on the new build. We want to go to 1000yds and a .308 is the next logical step so why not do it right. We also are involved in ELR (light class) and have a fresh .338Edge build for that.

I am a cyber analyst by trade and love data with which to look for trends. While I am not stressed about the ES, but in my never ending pursuit of perfection (i know i will never achieve it but it is fun trying), i am trying different things. In my case, i think there is one logical area that i have not yet explored. That is simply increasing my neck tension. The thinking is that CFE223 needs a little more time to burn the powder before the bullet is released. I will be testing that theory in the next few weeks to see if there is any improvement. It seems that everyone recommends Varget because of its consistency over CFE223. At the time, CFE223 was all I could find and that is why I went there.

I am in SC (Charleston area) and we didnt get a lot of snow but did get a good amount of ice. I will take snow over ice any day.

Stay Safe

 

[Sumtoc]

Sumtoc, I totally agree. If i were to limit our FTR activities to 600yds, i probably would not be so keen on the new build. We want to go to 1000yds and a .308 is the next logical step so why not do it right. We also are involved in ELR (light class) and have a fresh .338Edge build for that.

I am a cyber analyst by trade and love data with which to look for trends. While I am not stressed about the ES, but in my never ending pursuit of perfection (i know i will never achieve it but it is fun trying), i am trying different things. In my case, i think there is one logical area that i have not yet explored. That is simply increasing my neck tension. The thinking is that CFE223 needs a little more time to burn the powder before the bullet is released. I will be testing that theory in the next few weeks to see if there is any improvement. It seems that everyone recommends Varget because of its consistency over CFE223. At the time, CFE223 was all I could find and that is why I went there.

I am in SC (Charleston area) and we didnt get a lot of snow but did get a good amount of ice. I will take snow over ice any day.

Stay Safe

Yeah, I also shot that action with a 308 barrel for FTR. As I mentioned earlier the Berger 185s are the ticket. I used Varget and ran them to about 2725. Not real fast but consistently small. 308 at 1K is tough, lots of folks do it though. I was at a match a couple of years ago with my new 284 and a woman (visiting the area I believe) shot an FTR 308 beside me on the same relay. My results were Ok, not great. But she shot one relay with a score of 190-12. She dropped those 10 points in a crossfire on my target which was an X. Pretty impressive. I recall that her first name was Kim.

Re: the 223 I've had good results with N-140 you might try that.

 

[Robin Retzloff]

Pierce action won SWN this year.

 

[ogre1911]

Kauger BR II or BR III are usually in stock and will cut your wait time if you’re not waiting on a stock or barrel.

All comp models have the Alex Wheeler updated fire control.

Difficult to find a bad review on these.

 

[Terry]

I build FTR and F Open rifles on Kauger Arms BR actions, with Brux Barrels. I have both in stock.