Awhile back I posted a thread about a lightweight chassis build for a hunting rig. My goal was 8 pounds but once I actually started looking at different configurations in my price range I realized pretty quick that wasn’t going to happen. I ended up at 10.2#. Everything considered I’m happy with it. Went with a MDT LSS chassis, MDT CCS buttstock, GG&G bipod (had it laying around), seekins rings, Vortex PST Gen2 3-15x44 scope. Probably could have cut a little weight on the rings and optic but I’d rather not skimp on that area. Got a lot of stuff on sale around Black Friday so I managed to keep it under $1300 (everything included). Haven’t brought it out to the range yet, waiting on brass and this cold front to move on by. I wanted to thank everyone who offered me input!
My Howa 1500 mini action 6.5 Grendel build
- Thread starter Kramerica
- Start date
Awhile back I posted a thread about a lightweight chassis build for a hunting rig. My goal was 8 pounds but once I actually started looking at different configurations in my price range I realized pretty quick that wasn’t going to happen. I ended up at 10.2#. Everything considered I’m happy with it. Went with a MDT LSS chassis, MDT CCS buttstock, GG&G bipod (had it laying around), seekins rings, Vortex PST Gen2 3-15x44 scope. Probably could have cut a little weight on the rings and optic but I’d rather not skimp on that area. Got a lot of stuff on sale around Black Friday so I managed to keep it under $1300 (everything included). Haven’t brought it out to the range yet, waiting on brass and this cold front to move on by. I wanted to thank everyone who offered me input!
It is not hard to build a light weight rig but everything has to be chosen towards that goal. Each compromise just seems to pull the project exponentiallyaway from the designed target weight! You will almost never build a "tactical" looking bolt gun with bipod, hi cap detable magazine, large optics, bases and rings and come in on target. Even harder if the bottom metal is built from steel and is thick and heavy duty. This is especialy true when people try to build anything in the 6lbs. to 7.5lbs. range. THings add up fast!
Usually my builds get hampered by my "great deals"! I will end up getting fantastic deals on things that are not ideal for the project. So barrels that are match grade from famous high end makers that are either thinner or thicker than I want or stocks that are not the ideal profile for the project or wrong material etc....
Imagine your looking for a match grade 30 cal barrel in a #3 or #4 profile in 4150 in 1:12 twist but you get a deal on #1 Brux 1:8 twist 30cal in SS for $99. Then you are getting ready to order an exhibition grade Maple Stock for said action and you run across the exact stock and specifications but in AAA Walnut that someone else backed out of for 1/2 price. Before you know it you still have a fantastic rifle built with fantastic parts and materials but not remotely to plan.
Being a father of 3 sons one just graduated college and 2 getting ready to go off to college. I can not turn down a great deal for something I know I need!
I like the build!I like the counter tops too!
That was my plan, I was going to try some nosler 120BT and Sierra 130 game changers at mag length and see how they group.
Thanks! Cut the trees, Milled the boards and built them myself, good winter project.
I was thinking about same build but with the LSS-XL chassis. I prefer a longer rail for added flexibility to resting the gun out window of blind or on bags.
Nicely done cabinets...always better when you do it from scratch. Is that ponderosa pine? I think the Mallard salt & pepper stand is clear winner!
Nicely done cabinets...always better when you do it from scratch. Is that ponderosa pine? I think the Mallard salt & pepper stand is clear winner!
Wow, congratulations !. I am a big fan of the mini Actions. I have three. Talley lightweight rings are the bomb and affordable. Best scope value I've ever got was leopold freedom 6-18, thirty millimeter. It's small and light and perfect in every way. Did you stay with the factory barrel ? I am switching my 6.5 factory barrel to 6mm grendel. You also are going to need a( rifle basics) 1-lb trigger from Brownells.
Lone Hunter
Silver $$ Contributor
I use 8208 with the heavier Bullets and H335 with the lighter bullets. I'm running the Hornady 123 gr ELD M with good results. The Sierra 85 gr shoots excellent also.
The 100 grain Lapua scenar is the bullet i prefer, they are long like the 130 game changer but they go fast and super accurate. I got them for $295/ 1000. That's a pretty low price.
Yes I started with the factory barrel, I’m going to run it as is and see how it goes. Trigger went down to 3# I like mine at 2-2.5#. I’ll probably just keep it as it is for now
Good morning,
Do you mind taking a picture of the underside of the mag well where the mag release lever is? and posting it here? I'd like to see how much it sticks out. To see if accidental engagement of the lever is a possibility and dumping the mag at the worst possible time i.e. hunting. thank you
I can when I get home, I can assure you that won’t be a problem. The release lever on that MDT LSS is forward of the mag (towards muzzle) and kind of tucked up in, it’s not the easiest spot to get to if your prone or at a bench behind the rifle. I don’t think it’d even be a problem if you were running it on barricades, but yes I’ll post one.
My Ruger Predator likes 335 for the 107 TMK's and 8208 xbr for the 123's ,,,full charges.
Mine liked the 130 game changes better then the 120’s. Average 3/4 moa at 25.7 gn. I think I’ll stick with that bullet and work up the scale to see if I can get it to 1/2 moa.
The problem of accidentally dumping a mag can be fixed easy. Everyone just cuts the lever down by 50% or so. It works very good at fixing the problem.
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