This is my new custom F-Class rifle (my first).
BAT MB action, RP/RE, Sako extractor, integral 20moa rail, integral recoil lug
Broughton Barrel, 1:8 twist, canted land, 28"
Precision Rifle and Tool Low Boy F-class stock
Nightforce 12-42BR NP-DD, BAT rings
Jewell trigger
Chambered in 6mm BRX, .265 neck, throated for Berger 105 hybrids
Metal work and bedding by Stan Ware of SGR Rifles, Westbrook, MN
Stock Finish by Tony Larson, Wyoming, MN
The story is kinda fun, I thought I would jot it down...
Two years ago, I won free tuition to Darrel Holland's long range shooting school in Oregon (which I highly recommend). Never being a target or competitive shooter previously (an avid hunter), I learned a ton and enjoyed myself immensely, so much so that I wanted to continue to shoot at longer ranges.
I found that my local club (the Elk River Sportsman’s club) had a 600 yard range and an F-class league that shot once a week. This sounded perfect to me so I joined the club, bought a Savage f-class rifle in 6.5x284, and started shooting. My first scores were in the high 180s. With a lot of help and a lot of mistakes, I was able to learn a ton in the last year and a half to average in the mid 190s.
Early last summer I pretty quickly decided that I wanted to build a full on custom, ordered the BAT action, barrel, and stock, and waited for things to arrive. Finally in February, everything had showed up and I delivered all the parts to Stan Ware for the metal work and bedding. Stan had done 3 (hunting) rifles for me previously and always impressed me with his knowledge, attention to detail, and precision. On top of this Stan is one helluva guy. A finer gentleman you would be hard to find.
In the middle of June, I picked the rifle up and brought it to Tony Larson to finish the stock. Tony is also a fine gentleman who builds benchrest stocks and was a high level benchrest competitor for the past 50 years. I don’t know exactly what he uses, but it’s a two part chemical resistant epoxy that he puts on with 7 coats and polishes. A beautiful smooth finish.
Last week, I finally had my rifle done, and spent the next few days turning brass (to fit the tight neck and form a false shoulder), fireforming 100+ pieces of brass (lost 4) and breaking the rifle in. Even during fireforming at 100 yards, with dropped charges, this rifle was shooting amazingly small bug hole groups.
Yesterday morning I went to the range early to escape the heat (it was already 90 degrees and windy at 9am) and shot two 300 yd ladders from 31gr to 34gr of Varget (jumping .020). Both ladders pointed to 33.3gr, as being on the top of a tight vertical window and showing no pressure signs (33.6 and 34.0 were mildly compressed loads).
After making up 60 rds for the evening’s match and cleaning my barrel, I returned to the club later that afternoon to foul the barrel and run some through the chronograph. I was getting about 3020fps with a very good ES and SD.
The evening’s 600 yd match (2 x 20rds for score, 3 relays) was incredibly hot (98+ degrees, high humidity), and started very windy. I was on third relay and shot last. Thankfully, by the time I shot, shade had enveloped the firing line and the wind had laid down quite a bit.
Having never shot this rifle further than 300, I made a safety side elevation guess. My first two sighters were an 8-9. Somebody even cross-fired on my target before I got started. Uh-oh.
Luckily I adjusted and started hitting X’s. I ended up scoring a 200-19x, followed by a 200-11x. I am told that the former score is a club record. To say I am pleased (and more than a little bit astonished) is a huge understatement. I've still got a lot to learn, but this rifle sure does make things easier.
I’d like to publicly thank all those folks who helped along the way: Stan, Tony, Ray, Matt, Scott, Mike, Adam, Leo, Darrel, Ernie, the general 6mmbr.com forum (you guys are great), and the control tower (my wife).
-nosualc
ps - I know the card says 300, but it was 600yds. I blame Scott (effendude).
BAT MB action, RP/RE, Sako extractor, integral 20moa rail, integral recoil lug
Broughton Barrel, 1:8 twist, canted land, 28"
Precision Rifle and Tool Low Boy F-class stock
Nightforce 12-42BR NP-DD, BAT rings
Jewell trigger
Chambered in 6mm BRX, .265 neck, throated for Berger 105 hybrids
Metal work and bedding by Stan Ware of SGR Rifles, Westbrook, MN
Stock Finish by Tony Larson, Wyoming, MN
The story is kinda fun, I thought I would jot it down...
Two years ago, I won free tuition to Darrel Holland's long range shooting school in Oregon (which I highly recommend). Never being a target or competitive shooter previously (an avid hunter), I learned a ton and enjoyed myself immensely, so much so that I wanted to continue to shoot at longer ranges.
I found that my local club (the Elk River Sportsman’s club) had a 600 yard range and an F-class league that shot once a week. This sounded perfect to me so I joined the club, bought a Savage f-class rifle in 6.5x284, and started shooting. My first scores were in the high 180s. With a lot of help and a lot of mistakes, I was able to learn a ton in the last year and a half to average in the mid 190s.
Early last summer I pretty quickly decided that I wanted to build a full on custom, ordered the BAT action, barrel, and stock, and waited for things to arrive. Finally in February, everything had showed up and I delivered all the parts to Stan Ware for the metal work and bedding. Stan had done 3 (hunting) rifles for me previously and always impressed me with his knowledge, attention to detail, and precision. On top of this Stan is one helluva guy. A finer gentleman you would be hard to find.
In the middle of June, I picked the rifle up and brought it to Tony Larson to finish the stock. Tony is also a fine gentleman who builds benchrest stocks and was a high level benchrest competitor for the past 50 years. I don’t know exactly what he uses, but it’s a two part chemical resistant epoxy that he puts on with 7 coats and polishes. A beautiful smooth finish.
Last week, I finally had my rifle done, and spent the next few days turning brass (to fit the tight neck and form a false shoulder), fireforming 100+ pieces of brass (lost 4) and breaking the rifle in. Even during fireforming at 100 yards, with dropped charges, this rifle was shooting amazingly small bug hole groups.
Yesterday morning I went to the range early to escape the heat (it was already 90 degrees and windy at 9am) and shot two 300 yd ladders from 31gr to 34gr of Varget (jumping .020). Both ladders pointed to 33.3gr, as being on the top of a tight vertical window and showing no pressure signs (33.6 and 34.0 were mildly compressed loads).
After making up 60 rds for the evening’s match and cleaning my barrel, I returned to the club later that afternoon to foul the barrel and run some through the chronograph. I was getting about 3020fps with a very good ES and SD.
The evening’s 600 yd match (2 x 20rds for score, 3 relays) was incredibly hot (98+ degrees, high humidity), and started very windy. I was on third relay and shot last. Thankfully, by the time I shot, shade had enveloped the firing line and the wind had laid down quite a bit.
Having never shot this rifle further than 300, I made a safety side elevation guess. My first two sighters were an 8-9. Somebody even cross-fired on my target before I got started. Uh-oh.
Luckily I adjusted and started hitting X’s. I ended up scoring a 200-19x, followed by a 200-11x. I am told that the former score is a club record. To say I am pleased (and more than a little bit astonished) is a huge understatement. I've still got a lot to learn, but this rifle sure does make things easier.
I’d like to publicly thank all those folks who helped along the way: Stan, Tony, Ray, Matt, Scott, Mike, Adam, Leo, Darrel, Ernie, the general 6mmbr.com forum (you guys are great), and the control tower (my wife).
-nosualc
ps - I know the card says 300, but it was 600yds. I blame Scott (effendude).
WD
)
