My First Real Bench Rest Build

[rkittine]

Well, with the help and mentoring of Greg, one of the members here, I am now the proud owner of my first truly custom bench rest rifle. My intent is to learn how to shoot it at 200 / 300 yards and then try for 600 / 1,000.

It showed up today after a few days on UPS trucks from Georgia.

Polished Jim Borden Rim Rock BRM Action - RB/LP/RE .308 Bolt Face, Extractor and Eject Port to accommodate up to 6.5x284.
Jewel Trigger blueprinted and timed by Jim Borden and set to 2 ounces. (This should be a real learning experience )
Borden Polished DoveTail Bases
Borden Polished Trigger Guard
Polishes Kreiger 1:8 - 28 1/2" Heavy Varmint Contour Barrel
6.5x47 Lapua, No Turn Neck and Free Bore for 120 grain Projectiles (Probably 130s when there is some throat wear)
African Obeche Walnut Tracker Stock
Kelbly Two Screw (Per side) Rings
Nightforce 12x42 Bench Rest Scope
Total Rifle weight is 5 ounces shy of 17 pounds.
Chambered, Polished, Rings Lapped, Assembled and Finished by Doyle Anglin
Plano Wheeled Case (39 pounds all in)

I have Brass, Factory Lapua 123 grain loaded ammo, powder and projectiles, an annealer and most of the other reloading gear, but no bore guide, cleaning rod or other cleaning equipment, so it is off to Bob White's on Thursday to get enough stuff to clean up after shooting the first time so I can send the reamer print and some fired cases to Whidden for some custom dies. Have to find some appropriate filler for my rear bag also, though my front bag for the Grizzly Slingshot Rest came filled.

But, then looking at it, I am not sure if it is not too pretty to shoot! 8)

(The real reason is I doubt if I can ever be good enough to wring out what this rifle is capable with. )

Bob

 

[dogdude]

That's a ''hot rod'' you've got there Bob!! Defiantly shoot it!! I'm new to the 6.5x47 also, this weekend I'm going to a Prairie Dog Match (1-2-3-400 meters) with virgin brass! We will see what happens.

 

[rkittine]

I should be ready to try it this weekend. Next will be to review Tony's chapter on cleaning prior to shooting.

Bob

 

[bdale]

Is that Doyle Anglin the Guy who does Bill Shehane stock work, lives in Georgia some where ???

 

[rkittine]

That is the one. He is working on a tactical .308 for me at the moment, that is expected to ship in about two weeks.

Bob

 

[bdale]

Do you have contact info??>>PM

 

[GT Accuracy]

you are going to love that Borden Action!!!!

 

[rkittine]

Happy to send you Doyle's contact information after he finishes this other gun for me! 8)

Just kidding, Check you PMs.

Bob

 

[CaptainMal]

Wonderful build from what I read and can see.

Let us know how it shoots.

 

[rkittine]

If I can get all my cleaning items on Friday from Bob White, then I intend to shoot it next Monday. Got some advise on break in, so not sure how it will shoot, probably much better than I am capable of. Hopefully Bob will have the right targets for me to work with too. No real Benchrest shooters at my local club.

Bob

 

[R.Morehouse]

Grab a pack of those practice BR targets from Sinclair. There are 20 on a sheet. I know there are a ton of free targets out there to print up but I think these are nice....

 

[rkittine]

I will see what Bob White has in Stock and if he does not have enough, I will order some. I assume they are different for different yardages. I will start at 100 yards, confirm that it is on paper and then site it in at 200 as I doubt that I will shoot over 300 yards until next season starts.

I am thinking about shooting in Bob's winter league.

Bob

 

[joshb]

That's a real spiffy looking gun. I'm drooling. Great components. Can't wait to see the targets. Christmas came early for you! Enjoy!

 

[lablover27]

She sure is pretty Bob...One day...One day I want one as well...LOL

BTW, how do you like that front rest..saw the sale at Griz at may get one

Thank you

Joe

 

[rkittine]

I was really surprised at how inexpensive the Grizzly Rest is and how nice it is built. Greg, My mentor recommended it rather than the expense and long weight for the SEB. I bought a pair of different (Square and Contour) front Bags from them , which came filled and ready to go and then bought a really nice rear bag from a guy on this site and now am trying to figure out what to fill it with as it was not filled. Worse comes to worse, I will use regular sand. Monday is my target date to shoot it as I work on the weekends.

Bob

 

[lablover27]

I was really surprised at how inexpensive the Grizzly Rest is and how nice it is built. Greg, My mentor recommended it rather than the expense and long weight for the SEB. I bought a pair of different (Square and Contour) front Bags from them , which came filled and ready to go and then bought a really nice rear bag from a guy on this site and now am trying to figure out what to fill it with as it was not filled. Worse comes to worse, I will use regular sand. Monday is my target date to shoot it as I work on the weekends.

Bob

Thanks Bob, I think I need to break down and get one at that cost! Just deciding which one is the hard part. Hope your range day goes well

Joe

 

[rkittine]

They have it in two materials. The Iron one is considerably more expensive and costs more to ship due to its weight, but the weight is the advantage. The aluminum one is only $165.00 I think.

Bob

 

[rkittine]

Just got back from The Shooters Corner and 2 hours of chat with Bob White. I am getting closer to being ready. All my Shotgun Cleaning stuff is staying with the shotguns and my new 24" Range bag is getting the new stuff I got from Bob today.
Large Ballistol Light Weight Oil
Barrel Break In Oil
Large C-4 BoreTech Solvent
Large Butch's Bore Shine
6.5 mm Bore Guide
Dewey 44" Rod for 6/6.5 mm with Jag and Brush Adapter
Action Grease Syringe
Pro Chamber Cleaning Tool Set
6.5mm Bronze Cleaning Brushes
Muzzle Mate Brush and Patch Catcher
Large Bag of 1 3/4" Patches
10 pounds of Heavy Sand for the back bag
100 - 200 Yard Targets

Just need a can of Brake Cleaner for cleaning the solvent out of the Bronze brushes and some nylon brushes as he was out of them in 6.5mm and I am ready to go.

With all this stuff, now I have to shoot it.

Bob