Okay folks, I called Dan and scheduled some time with him today to get the particulars on his rifle and load.
Dan was shooting a
BAT DS action, left bolt with a right load port and left eject (left handed dual port).
Jewell benchrest trigger
Old (likely really old) Spencer 15 twist, 6 groove, LV barrel. Dan bought this barrel at an estate sale.
The stock was new but second hand also. Dan was looking for a stock during the great stock shortage of 2022 (that continues through today) and a good friend on the front range of Colorado said he would part with one he had. It is an early production Kelbly made Meredith stock that was inletted for something besides a BAT DS! Frankinstock is what it was dubbed by the seller, and it stuck!!
See the pictures below of the fill work Dan performed on this Frankinstock.
As you can see, there was substantial fill used on this stock. Dan said the hole drilled for the action screw was as near to perfect as it could be, so rather than redrill the hole, he used it and filled in the oversized inletting.
The scope is a 42 power Nightforce mounted in Harrells 30mm offset rings attop their dovetail bases.
Mike Ezell
@gunsandgunsmithing tuner, the light weight model for short range BR.
Front rest is a SEB NEO with a Lenzi top and bag.
Rear bag is a Lenzi.
Load information
6mm PPC
Dan was using VV N-133 in the 29 grain area. Dan throws his charges with a regular powder thrower, old school, no scale for him!
Bullets were 65gr Gentners
Federal 205m primers (because he is out of regular 205's and this is what he could find).
Lapua 220 Russian brass.
I forgot to ask which reamer he used but I can say I have had a zillion conversations with Dan on reamers and he mostly shoots a .015 FB reamer, however he just bought a zero FB reamer with a different leade angle....... not sure which he used.
Keep in mind that Dan is a 1939 model, still kicking our buts at benchrest matches and still building fantastic rifles.
Dan on right with Match Director Tom Stiner on the left.
I asked Dan about shooting that group, he said it was the second target of the day and they start at 200 on day two at the Landsend Benchrest Club. Dan said he only cleans after a yardage so no need to foul the bore, and on this target he shot one sighter. The mirage was looking like just a bunch of mice feet and he was liking what he seen so he went for it. After three, he was wondering if he was even hitting the target as he could not see the detail that well and could not discern a difference in the target. After four shots he said to himself, WTH but he said he did not slow down either. Dan said although he did not shoot fast, he kept things moving right along.
Questions holler
CW
edited to correct spelling and grammar.
CW
