Help with first 6mm BR build please

[Hugh204]

I've got a Savage 30-06 that I want to re-barrel into a 6mm BR. I plan to use it as a heavy barrel single shot so not worried about feeding. Will put a benchrest stock and a good trigger on it later assuming I get a barrel that is accurate.

Any advice or previous comments you can steer me towards for this project?

First I'm looking for best barrel options (I'm in Saskatchewan Canada which might limit access to some options).

Secondly I would like confirmation that the 6mmBR is the right choice.

I've got a 204 benchrest for gopher and short range targets. I have a 22-250 and a 25-06 (sporter barrels) for coyote (all Savages).

This gun will be primarily for targets from 200 to 1,000 and for gophers at 250 and beyond. I want best accuracy possible, easy to reload, lowest heat and recoil.

 

[Terry]

6BR is a great choice! You can get a 6BR barrel from Jim Briggs. Jim is a good guy. I have bought barrels, actions, and stocks from him.

Terry

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/board,64.0.html

 

[k80skeet]

I second the choice of the 6mmBR and Jim Briggs of Northland Shooter Supply. I have bought a lot of barrel,actions and complete guns from Jim Briggs and he is a great guy to do business with and his prices are better than anyone Else's. Just go to the link above then go to Northland Shooters Supply go to information and call him on the phone. He is a one man band and doesn't get to his e-mails very often. But he is easy to reach by phone.

 

[Hugh204]

Thanks Terry and Skeet. Challenge I have being in Canada is I don't think U.S. firms can ship to individuals in Canada. I think I can get a gun shop here to import one though. Makes things a little more challenging. There are some guys up here that will build barrels. I'm wondering if its better to get one made here, custom build and shipped out of the U.S. or even getting one direct from Savage (I assume they are available and I can get them through my gunsmith. I'm impressed with the 204 barrel on my mod 12 LRPV). Any experience with factory drop ins like Savage?

Also curious what kind of accuracy you think might be possible from a factory Savage action that hasn't been blue printed.

I'm also wondering what to spend on a stock. I would like to be able to shoots in the 3's and 4's at 100 yards. Think I can get away with a couple hundred dollar stock or do I have to spend alot more?

So many questions!

 

[NorCalMikie]

3s and 4s at 100? Maybe on a "real bad" day. :
Expect a lot of groups that you can cover with a dime. 8) And that's on a Savage action that hasn't been touched. ;D
The built in accuracy is what makes the 6BR the caliber to go to.
Almost any barrel will work. Pick the bullet you plan to shoot and have the barrel chambered with the shortest throat so you can jam your bullets. (the throat will only get longer)
See if you can find one on your side of the border or, someone that can import to you. Shilen, Pac Nor, etc. Someone should be able to supply a barrel without too much trouble.

 

[Hugh204]

Mikie - Covering with a dime wouldn't be a bad day at all! Hope this all works out. Whats your thoughts on barrel length? I want to shoot 500 yard targets but I'd like to keep the barrel as short as possible for fooling around gopher hunting.

Oh, and how much do I need to spend on a stock??

 

[NorCalMikie]

Barrel length? Good question. Same with which stock to go with. Depends on who you ask. I get my barrels 26" to 28" long. Never tried anything shorter but thast's just me.
My guess is anything longer that 20" would be good for a pack gun. Straight taper or Heavy Varmint contour would be better for cutting down barrel whip?
With a longer barrel, you can set it back and re chamber as needed after you shoot a "BUNCH" of rounds.
As far as a stock, you like wood (laminated) or plastic?
If you plan to hunt with it, you don't want to be worrying about banging it up. Laying in the dirt with your rig resting on a rock isn't the best thing for a "pretty" stock. Laminated wood looks good but can get gouged up pretty easy in rough conditions where a glass/composit stock may hold up better?
Boyd's has some good stocks for your application. Not too much $$ to invest either. Stocky's stocks may be in line with what you're after. Both of these outfits make stocks that are pretty much ready to go. And are available in pretty short order. No six month wait. Again you may be dealing with an import so check out the stock makers and see who may be able to ship you one that you want. Boyd's stocks can be had in the $100.00 range. Stocky's are a little more.
Someone else may have a better idea of what barrel length would fit you application. IMHO, you can't go wrong with the 6BR. And an 8 twist would be my first choice. That way you can shoot just about any weight bullet. I start off with lighter bullets and go heavier as the throat gets longer. I don't think I've seen anyone that's shot out a 6 BR barrel.

 

[Josh11]

Choate has good cheap stocks. They have the that looks like the McMillan style and then they have the varmint/sniper stocks. Around $200 or so. Just depends on how much you want to spend. Good luck. I started out with a Savage for F Class in 6br and loved it. Now I got a BAT with a Bartline in 6BRX. But I still wish I had the Savage. Very good gun for the money and was able to shoot 3" groups all day at 600. Not too sure why I got rid of it besides wanting a BAT.

 

[Hugh204]

Outstanding info guys - thanks.

One last question and then I'll shut up!

Talk to me about gophers and the 6mmBR at 300 yards - shooting either the 70 grain varmint bullets or the 105 size target bullets. How will they compare to my 204 shooting 35 grain Bergers for explosiveness? Or should I say "will I still have fun?" 8)

 

[MarkS]

The 70 gr Blitzking will blow them up. The 105, not as much.

Mark Schronce

 

[ttfreestyle]

Jim at nothlander also has take off HS precision stocks with alum bedding blocks for a good price as well. They work well with a bipod setup(not flat forearms)..

 

[JLM]

I have a Stockade praire dog hunter stock. I got the out of the mold - finish it yourself stock. I think they are $235. I had a rail mounted to the bottom of it. The stock was fine just the way I received it. I sanded it a little and painted it - done. I mean like maybe 10 minutes of sanding. Just the mold seams. Still has mold seams. I use it and it gets scratched. So I just touch it up. I used krylon. Also added texture to the grip areas with marine tex. Easy. I've handled mcmillans - it's no mcmillan. I had stockade mount a barrel and bed the action in the stock. Extremely happy with everything.

The rifle is a 6br with an 8 twist. I shoot 107 smk's about 2900fps. On ground hawgs here in PA if you hit them just right they'll catch some air. Usually just a pretty big hole through them. Really doesn't matter the distance. Shot them everywhere from 40 yards out to 600. I'd think the 70 grainers you're talking about will be explosive.

I'd really like to try a mcmillan stock. I won a Savage precision carbine (PC) .308 in a gun raffle ($2 ticket). I might get a mcmillan for that if I see a special on the site. The PC is an accustock rifle and I've read that some of the accustock actions are different so I'll have to see.

Yo - for the money the stockade stock is hard to beat.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[NorCalMikie]

"I have a 22.250, 25.06 and a 30.06. All Savages)?"
Any one of them can be turned into a 6 BR by spinning on the barrel of your choice. That would give you a real good chance to see what you think of the 6BR. You can think about stocks later.
Depending on availability and who you get the barrel from, you could be shooting a 6BR for "around" $300.00 +or- a few $$ ? 8)
Not counting brass and bullets.

 

[Tack243]

6BR is a great choice! You can get a 6BR barrel from Jim Briggs. Jim is a good guy. I have bought barrels, actions, and stocks from him.

Terry

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/board,64.0.html

Give Myistic Precision.com a try Jerry is a great guy and specializes in Savage.
Cheers

 

[jonbearman]

If you build this rifle from a savage and just want to add a new barrel and try it out for accuracy,it isnt fair to the barrel if you dont set it in a good rigid stock which is bedded and freefloated(remember to free float the rear tang of the reciever as well). The next thing to do is at the very least add an sss or riflebasix sav-2 trigger.If you dont do these things,then checking to see if your barrel is accurate can cause baldness after you tear out all your hair.

 

[Hugh204]

Well, I ordered a 6mm BR from though our local gun shop. They get them from a guy who builds barrels here in Saskatchewan. I went 8 twist. I'm going to put it on my 30-06 just cuz I don't plan on using it in the foreseeable future. My 25-06 is too fun to shoot and I figure coyote season runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 so I really can't take the 22-250 apart (shoots ridiculous little groups).

Jonbearman's point about baldness scared the crap out of me so I felt compelled to order a McMillan stock for it too. If you told me it was dangerous to use an accutrigger, I'd almost have to order a new trigger...

One more question I remember some discussion a while back about making sure the guy who makes the barrel doesn't make the chamber too big/loose such that it impacts accuracy (letting the lawyer design the gun). But then I also read you want the chamber deep enough you can seat a long bullet out far enough to still have room for powder. Any guidance or advise??