I am looking to get my first 6BR rifle. I am trying to decide between getting a custom rifle built or buying a Remington custom shop 40XB in 6BR.For the custom build i was thinking a Barnard action with magazine and trueflight barrel,havent decided on a stock or trigger, also what size neck chamber should i get for no neck turning of cases.i will be using Lapua brass. Any suggestions or comments would be appriciated.
Decision between custom 6BR and REM 40XB
- Thread starter rick06
- Start date
Rick,
What type of shooting will you be doing with this gun? There is a LOT of discussion about custom vs factory. If you are trying to eliminate every variable in your shooting the custom will trump the factory every time. This is not to say that the factory can't be brought up to custom tolerances for trueness, but you will have to have it worked over, and in the end is just isn't cost effective.
I haven't had my hands on a barnard yet, but if they are like any of the other customs out there you will be starting from the best possible platform to extract every bit of accuracy from your gun.
I don't mean to say that the 40x can't do it, but if you are going to build a gun for serious competition as the ads say 'buy the best and cry once'. There will always be that creeping bit of doubt in your mind 'could I have shot better...'
Mike
What type of shooting will you be doing with this gun? There is a LOT of discussion about custom vs factory. If you are trying to eliminate every variable in your shooting the custom will trump the factory every time. This is not to say that the factory can't be brought up to custom tolerances for trueness, but you will have to have it worked over, and in the end is just isn't cost effective.
I haven't had my hands on a barnard yet, but if they are like any of the other customs out there you will be starting from the best possible platform to extract every bit of accuracy from your gun.
I don't mean to say that the 40x can't do it, but if you are going to build a gun for serious competition as the ads say 'buy the best and cry once'. There will always be that creeping bit of doubt in your mind 'could I have shot better...'
Mike
hi mike,
i will be shooting varmints and the occasional deer and would like to have a go at competition target shooting.i sent off for a quote from the Remington custom shop but haven't received a reply yet.i have limited accesss to good gunsmiths and custom parts as i live in Australia.if i get a rem custom rifle would it still need to have work done to it.
rick.
i will be shooting varmints and the occasional deer and would like to have a go at competition target shooting.i sent off for a quote from the Remington custom shop but haven't received a reply yet.i have limited accesss to good gunsmiths and custom parts as i live in Australia.if i get a rem custom rifle would it still need to have work done to it.
rick.
Rick,
You haven't mentioned what type of shooting your planning on but if you went trueflite & barnard you should have yourself a pretty good rig. Both are made here in New Zealand with obviously a fantastic reputation if overseas countries now buying most of their production. I'm having a trueflite barrel fitted as we speak to one of my rifles, they are a great company to deal with. i haven't dealt with Barnard before but have many friends that use their actions with great success.
I prefer a custom build as you get what you want not what the factory decides you shoould have. good luck.
You haven't mentioned what type of shooting your planning on but if you went trueflite & barnard you should have yourself a pretty good rig. Both are made here in New Zealand with obviously a fantastic reputation if overseas countries now buying most of their production. I'm having a trueflite barrel fitted as we speak to one of my rifles, they are a great company to deal with. i haven't dealt with Barnard before but have many friends that use their actions with great success.
I prefer a custom build as you get what you want not what the factory decides you shoould have. good luck.
You will be able to build two customs for the price of a custom shop Remington......and the Remington will NOT even be competitive. I have,had...son has it now) a custom shop 700 in 300 RUM and had to spend $$$$ at the local smith to overcome feeding, bedding, ejection, and crown problems.
I got it new at a good price because someone ordered it and stiffed the dealer....and the 300 RUM's were initially available from the Custom shop only.And I have an affinity for ADL's.
The caliber stamping on the barrel has got to be seen...what a joke.
The best part of the rifle is the Mcmillian stock, and it is a consistent MOA 3 shot performer.
The rifle is 10 years old, and Remington quality has gotten even worse. Forget Remington,especially a 40XB.
I got it new at a good price because someone ordered it and stiffed the dealer....and the 300 RUM's were initially available from the Custom shop only.And I have an affinity for ADL's.
The caliber stamping on the barrel has got to be seen...what a joke.
The best part of the rifle is the Mcmillian stock, and it is a consistent MOA 3 shot performer.
The rifle is 10 years old, and Remington quality has gotten even worse. Forget Remington,especially a 40XB.
I guess it is politically correct to bash Remington! I have a Remington 40XB in 6mm BR Remington and have been very satisfied with it and its performance. As I write this I can look up and see a target with five five-shot one-hole groups on it. With my shooting ability,not the best)it was an exceptionally good day. 
If you ever shot a custom action you wuld never ask this question....they are so smooth to open and shut it is like working the door on a Cadalac then 29 Dodge...if the Remingtons culd do it on a regualr basis the competitors wuld be usin em....
Most folks have never used one so they naturally say the old Rem 700/721/722/40x etc. do just fine...and ooo yea they shoot nice groups,sometimes) but the ability to function quickly and smoothly during an event makes the difference....and you are gonn have MORE money in a CUSTOM rem....call Kelblys in Ohio and they can export any and all parts direcly to you..no hastle...Roger
Most folks have never used one so they naturally say the old Rem 700/721/722/40x etc. do just fine...and ooo yea they shoot nice groups,sometimes) but the ability to function quickly and smoothly during an event makes the difference....and you are gonn have MORE money in a CUSTOM rem....call Kelblys in Ohio and they can export any and all parts direcly to you..no hastle...Roger
I shot a Rem 40x in our last match. The bolt opening was horrendous compared to my Vipers. I have massaged the cocking piece handoff so that the bolt closing is very nice but the bolt opening is still terrible. I would have to hold onto the forend to keep the rifle from twisting in the front bag.
On the Vipers you can just about flip the bolt open with the side of your trigger finger.
On the Vipers you can just about flip the bolt open with the side of your trigger finger.
I would stick to the guys down under. Get a Barnard or CG Inch action. What kind of competitive shooting? Few guns are suitable for target work and hunting. No deer stalkers are target rifles. What kind of varmints? P-dogs, dingo's, kangaroo's?
I've talked to a lot of new shooters that want to do something along this line, and the only thing I've come up with is a switch barrel F-T/R kind of rig. A heavy barrel 308 and a lighter barrel in a 6mm whacker cartridge.
6mmBR is a very poor feeder from a magazine.
I've talked to a lot of new shooters that want to do something along this line, and the only thing I've come up with is a switch barrel F-T/R kind of rig. A heavy barrel 308 and a lighter barrel in a 6mm whacker cartridge.
6mmBR is a very poor feeder from a magazine.
dmickey-
PC? In fact polar opposite...just stating a true anecdotal account of my experience with a recent Remington Custom Shop product.
I have owned dozens of Remingtons in the last 45 years,and all my factory rifles that I still own are Remington.
Those that have been purchased in the last 10 years have been progressively deficient requiring more rework to get them to Remingtons quality benchmark of 20 years ago.
The worst part about the situation is Remingtons attitude when confronted with warranty repair.
I did not harp on the last disaster I purchased as the thread was germane to Custom Shop products.
It truly is a shame what has happened at Remington, the same company that once employed Mike Walker and Jim Stekl, both shooters who were accuracy guru's.
I am glad you have a great shooting 40X.
PC? In fact polar opposite...just stating a true anecdotal account of my experience with a recent Remington Custom Shop product.
I have owned dozens of Remingtons in the last 45 years,and all my factory rifles that I still own are Remington.
Those that have been purchased in the last 10 years have been progressively deficient requiring more rework to get them to Remingtons quality benchmark of 20 years ago.
The worst part about the situation is Remingtons attitude when confronted with warranty repair.
I did not harp on the last disaster I purchased as the thread was germane to Custom Shop products.
It truly is a shame what has happened at Remington, the same company that once employed Mike Walker and Jim Stekl, both shooters who were accuracy guru's.
I am glad you have a great shooting 40X.
If this rifles isnt going to be used 100% of the time for comps, a trued rem 700 is all you need. I havent figured out where all the talk is, that a trued rem 700 is just as expensive as a custom action. I am glad that i dont use there smith. You can buy a rem 700 action for 400 bucks with a trigger. A custom even a base is going to run you 900 plus a trigger. My smith charges 125 bucks to true the action, and they are smooth!!! Ask Mason, he has worked them. Anyway, the way i see it you can have a darn nice action with a nice trigger for 650 bucks after shipping to your smith. Buy a decent barrel and have it chambered by someone that knows the ropes. Thats the most important thing anyway. Now Dont get me wrong. I have a couple custom actions and they are very nice, and a joy to own. What ever route you decide to go, dont change your idea about the 6br. Thats one heck of a chambering. I almost dont want to shoot anything but my BR's. Good luck and remember this is how i see it!! Lee
There is more to accurizing the 700 than lapping bolt lugs and chasing threads in order to get it to it's max potential.
If your trying to approach the form, and fit of a custom action the following issues must be addressed:
.many times simple lapping of the lugs is not going to do,they must be machined along with the recesses in the receiver
.threads should be recut if necessary using a fixture that ensures concentricity to the bolt raceway
.firing pin may require bushing
.firing pin spring may need to be changed
.timing issues probably have to be addressed
.bolt body should get bushed to minimize bias put on the casehead from the ejector...or upgrade to a tighter fitting PTG bolt body.
.recoil lug should be ground flat
.receiver face must be machined flat.
.ejector spring may need to be replaced to a weaker spring
All this and you have probably exceeded the price of a custom action without the smoothness, strength,I can't run my loads in the 700 anywhere near my Bat) or the re-sale value benefits.
If your trying to approach the form, and fit of a custom action the following issues must be addressed:
.many times simple lapping of the lugs is not going to do,they must be machined along with the recesses in the receiver
.threads should be recut if necessary using a fixture that ensures concentricity to the bolt raceway
.firing pin may require bushing
.firing pin spring may need to be changed
.timing issues probably have to be addressed
.bolt body should get bushed to minimize bias put on the casehead from the ejector...or upgrade to a tighter fitting PTG bolt body.
.recoil lug should be ground flat
.receiver face must be machined flat.
.ejector spring may need to be replaced to a weaker spring
All this and you have probably exceeded the price of a custom action without the smoothness, strength,I can't run my loads in the 700 anywhere near my Bat) or the re-sale value benefits.
The expense of custom actions has been seriously overstated regarding 700 clones. Check the prices,for US based shooters at least) on one of Jerry Stillers actions and then figure the cost of that off the shelf 700 action with a full blueprint. And then figure that the factory action still won't be quite as good.
Yeah, over the last 40+ years I've accurized/blueprinted.customized a lot of factory iron and for the main part,except when trying something a little too far out there) they've all been excellent shooters. Then I decided I wanted something just the way I wanted it regardless. Folks, there is a difference between 'good enough' and 'best' and it's noticable from the first group fired during break-in/load developement.
What it amounts to os my better blueprinted factory based rifles group down to 1/4 moa on a fairly regular basis, if the custom groups over 1/4 moa I've screwed up missing the wind or have pulled a shot.
Yeah, over the last 40+ years I've accurized/blueprinted.customized a lot of factory iron and for the main part,except when trying something a little too far out there) they've all been excellent shooters. Then I decided I wanted something just the way I wanted it regardless. Folks, there is a difference between 'good enough' and 'best' and it's noticable from the first group fired during break-in/load developement.
What it amounts to os my better blueprinted factory based rifles group down to 1/4 moa on a fairly regular basis, if the custom groups over 1/4 moa I've screwed up missing the wind or have pulled a shot.
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