Help building F/O rifle. Have Savage action and some ideas

[AKShooter]

Hello

Avid shooter and finally have taken the plunge and want to shoot a handful of F Class matches we have in AK. Because of the few options I have I want to utilize a standard pre accutrigger tactical action I have. The shoots we have are all at 300, 500 and 600. Mainly doing this for fun but do want a rig I have a chance to be competitive

I've really been looking at the Mystic rig here on the site. I like the idea of the barrel block with my action, and have access to have one machined, thoughts

Caliber, actually thinking of the 260, mainly because I have more experience using it, but really open to ideas

Barrel, here I'm wondering contour and length. I'd like to keep rifle total weight to 18 or so. So I can also shoot F/TR with bipod

Glass. Thinking weaver or sightron fixed 36 for cost and reviews

Thoughts or any help would be appreciated

 

[Immike]

Hey there, I'm afraid you must decide - open or ftr. There is no decent middle ground for both. FTR is 223 & 308 only, on bipod. Mike

 

[lal357]

i agree with mike i to tried using a 308 for both at my home range it was not a problem since 300 yds is the fatherest we shoot but when i went to other ranges i found i was at a disadvantage. thier are more calibers that can do it easier then the 308 for me i went with the 6.5 creedmoor and it is an on going project. good luck

 

[Cody Richardson]

If its only out to 600 yards why not a 6BR or a improved version. I shoot with a sling not fclass but you can't beat the 6BR up to 600 and the improved versions are awesome at 1,000. Excellent brass available(lapua) great barrel life and Cheap to feed too!

 

[Steve Blair]

If its only out to 600 yards why not a 6BR or a improved version. I shoot with a sling not fclass but you can't beat the 6BR up to 600 and the improved versions are awesome at 1,000. Excellent brass available(lapua) great barrel life and Cheap to feed too!

[br]
Only in mild wind. F-Class is not benchrest and waiting for pit service means shooting through conditions. I shot a 198-9X first relay with a 6BR, but not after the wind arrived. Even with 200 fps more velocity than a 6BR, they are still at a significant disadvantage to 7mm or caliber .30 rifles shooting heavy bullets. Given the OP's range constraints, I agree that a 6BR or variant would be a fine choice.

 

[XTR]

If you are going to shoot F-TR you are limited to 308 or 223, if you build something else it doesn't matter what it weighs or what bipod you choose, you are shooting in F-Open. So either make an 18 lb gun to shoot TR or make a 22 lb gun to shoot Open, but go one way or the other.


If you like the 260 it would be a good choice, comparatively cheap to load for and shoot. The Long Range TN State F Open champion this yr shot a 260. If you can drive it it can run but you are at a handicap compared to the fast heavy 7s at long range.

If not the 260 then I would build one of the 7mms. You could do a straight 284 win, or a 7-08 and get into something that's got good barrel life and would be very competitive at 600 or less (and the 284 is very competitive at 1000). In an open gun I'd probably get a 284Win. I bet you could push 162 Amax over 2900. Guys claim to get 2800 in 7-08 on the interwebs so with the bigger boiler and a long throat you'd be able to drive them fast. That would be fun to shoot. Hell, if you really can get 2800 out of a 7-08 with the 162s I'd probably go that way.

 

[6BRinNZ]

If you went with one of the 6's, you can keep the weight down to FTR requirements without being at a disadvantage - you could then cross into FTR if you wanted..stick with the .308 bolt face and so long as you can make weight you will have a versatile rig....for up to 600 yards.

 

[Cody Richardson]

If its only out to 600 yards why not a 6BR or a improved version. I shoot with a sling not fclass but you can't beat the 6BR up to 600 and the improved versions are awesome at 1,000. Excellent brass available(lapua) great barrel life and Cheap to feed too!

[br]
Only in mild wind. F-Class is not benchrest and waiting for pit service means shooting through conditions. I shot a 198-9X first relay with a 6BR, but not after the wind arrived. Even with 200 fps more velocity than a 6BR, they are still at a significant disadvantage to 7mm or caliber .30 rifles shooting heavy bullets. Given the OP's range constraints, I agree that a 6BR or variant would be a fine choice.

Completely forgot to mention wind. Thank you Steve. Luckily our 1K range is blessed with little wind so my little 105 hybrids don't get blow around much. Agreed though if ever get around to building a any/any rifle a high BC 6.5 or 7mm would be the way to go. For F-Open a straight .284 can certainly do the job.

 

[AKShooter]

Agreed with the wind. That's what really has me chasing the high BC 6.5's.

I will run some Calcs though

Currently looking at a barrel blank. Anyone have suggestions for a smith that does savage prefits. In relatively short turnaround.

Lastly, what's the general thought on barrel blocks. Looking at putting a 7 pound barrel supported on a sporter action. From that standpoint it made sense. But what's general thought??

 

[mattri]

Talk to Jim at Northland Shooting Supply 763 682 4296 he is very knowledgeable and has an excellent selection of high quality barrels.

 

[AKShooter]

Thanks guys, my bad on the FO vs FTR. Re-read rules. New at this Still running numbers and reading more on this site, or should say re-reading. The shilen I was talking about was from Jim Still need to call him to see whats available. My minimum for this build is bull and 28. Still really looking hard at the 6.5's. the lapua is a contender too.

Barrels blocks, anyone use them? I ask just because it seems like a lot of barrel to cantilever off a sporter cut action. Vs a designed target action. I could bed say the first three or four inches and in my mind that would help, but may put uneven pressure on the barrel. Thoughts

I'll look more into the 6mm's too

Thanks

 

[Dgd6mm]

Jim at Northland is a great place to go for a pre-fit. The only thing is the throat will more then likely be a little short for long bullets. You can always have the freebore extended.

 

[Nomad47]

Jim at Northland is a great place to go for a pre-fit. The only thing is the throat will more then likely be a little short for long bullets. You can always have the freebore extended.

And you can extend the freebore yourself. I bought a 6mm throat reamer and have lengthened the throat on three Savage pre-fits.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Bill, that is true, I forgot about the simple things.

 

[AKShooter]

Well for an update, went with the 260 shilen select 28 bull from Jim. Partly since he had it in stock and partly since I have the gauges and some dies. Guess also too I want to use the collet lee die. And lapua is making 260 now. Figure it's a decent start

I'll get it barreled up, start looking at stocks and barrel blocks. I've built a few stocks and have a duplicator. So we will see, start researching that and look at some rests. I do like idea of block. But I'll research more

 

[Dgd6mm]

Widden block?

 

[AKShooter]

I actually have a widen block here at the house, I finally bit the bullet and wanted a custom action and barrel for a hunting rig. (My main passion) I'm having benchmark put together my 7saum with their barrel and a stiller action. The block will speed inletting, I fabricated a stock for it using mold and vacuum bagging processes. Carbon was my main fiber used I'm happy with it.

Planning on going the same route with this. You can do a lot with a factory stock, bondo and basswood. From there I take a one off mold (don't do this for a living hence the one off, cheap and fast). But in my mind the v block does not help supporting barrel. I have some block aluminum coming. So I'll see how it goes. Back to wondering about stresses you put in a sporter cut action with a 8 pound barrel. I have a laminate thumb hole I will try too.

I'll post some pics of some of my stocks. Actually on vacation so it will be next week

 

[TrxR]

Will the whidden block work with the Stevens 200 actions?

 

[AKShooter]

TrxR. I do believe the block will work for Stevens. Just give them a call. Customer service was excellent. Think single shot is your only option

 

[TrxR]

Single shot is what I want . So I assume you would remove the blind mag from the action and glue in a single shot follower?

AKShooter: what Savage action are you using?