New custom 6mmBr

[twinfallsidaho]

Hello everyone. I am a new member to the site. Jim Boatright is making me a 6mmBr with a Nesika K action, a Shehane Tracker obeche wood stock, and a Krieger heavy varmint,#17) barrel with a 1:10 twist. I am planning on shooting 90-95g bullets. I have been struggling with the optimum barrel length for shooting out to 600 yards. It seems to me the best barrel length is between 24" and 25". Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.
Thanks, Kirk

 

[jb1000br]

You are obviously building a BR gun, why handicap yourself with a short barrel?

are you after a cetain weight?

600yd BR, varmint or what? need more info

JB

 

[Forum Boss]

Jim has some strong opinions about the superiority of short, fat barrels. With a 90gr bullet, a 25" barrel will probably give you plenty of velocity. Personally, I'd start at a minimum of 26" finished length. You can always cut the barrel but you can't make it grow!

Yes, the shorter barrel will be stiffer, but you can compensate for this by using a larger diameter contour. Krieger can custom contour your bbl anyway you want it. But if you plan to shoot short-range BR with the gun, you need to conform to IBS and NBRSA rules, which means HV taper max.

 

[twinfallsidaho]

I am just getting into benchrest. I have been obsessed with accuracy for years but I have just recently begun educating myself. I am not sure that I will compete in benchrest. I hope I do, but to start out I will be shooting only against myself and a few friends. I am hoping to optimize accuracy out to 600 yards.

The stock I am using is a "tracker varmint". It has a 2.25" forend that extends proximally 6" for benchrest or you can use the detacable swivel to attach a Harris bipod for field use. I know this is unconventional but I was wanting to give it a try and use the rifle for benchrest and varmint hunting.

I have had some difficulty figuring out barrel stiffness vs barrel length for shooting out to 600 yards. It seems a little more straight forward at 300-400 yards or out farther than 600 yards, but barrel length for 500-600 yards seems more controversial.

Thanks for any insight, Kirk

 

[jb1000br]

Mod--who is Jim??????


you can make weight with a 30" tube so why not go 30" to get the velocity?

my 6.5 is a 17 contour.

just a thought--fatter barrels have tighter nodes and therefore are harder to keep in tune theoretically.

I think that may be why my 6.5 is so damn picky!!

my 6br, is a little thinner than a 10MTU kreiger at the muzzle

is a broughton 7.4 contour :1.2 for 6" then taper to .914 at 28"

maybe it will be easier totune than my 6.5...we shall see

JB

 

[ReedG]

Well, Kirk, you've made me envious! My friend has a Boatright .308 built on a M700 action and it is the finest custom rifle I've ever seen. He topped it with a NightForce scope and the whole package is about my annual income. But it shoots little bugholes. Enjoy!

 

[Forum Boss]

Mod--who is Jim??????
Just a thought--fatter barrels have tighter nodes and therefore are harder to keep in tune theoretically.

I think that may be why my 6.5 is so damn picky!! My 6br, is a little thinner than a 10MTU kreiger at the muzzle. Is a broughton 7.4 contour :1.2 for 6" then taper to .914 at 28"
JB

Jim = James Boatright. Tighter nodes for fat barrels maybe--but they are much stiffer to begin with, and Boatright believes that the oscillation frequency is so high with a short, fat tube that you basically don't have to worry about barrel vibration, if the barrel is supported adequately. See: http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/page/page/1377264.htm

Broughton will contour as you want. They've added some new contours to their web site: http://www.rifle-barrels.com/barrel.html

I would go with 1.25" at the shoulder, and then pick a muzzle diam that lets you make weight. My barrel is similar to this: #7.75 HVY Varmint 28", 1.250 - 0.940", 5.0" straight, 28" fin, 30" blank, 7.6 lbs

 

[AckleyImproved]

Hi

I've just gone through all the hassle on what bits n pieces to use for my 6mmBr. Being my first, this forum was excellent on helping me with issues in the hardware department. Thanks again everybody.

I'll tell you what I went with
Action- Stiller Viper right bolt/left port
Stock- Shehane Tracker ST1000 TH,thumbhole
Barrel- Hart 28" Max. Heavy Varmint 1:8 twist
Trigger- Jewell
Scope- Nightforce 12-42x56 NF NP-R2.

This rifle will be used for 500m Fly Shoot and may even dabble with the 1000yd stuff!

If you got any questions with anything, send me a message. I may be able to help you with the new to 6mm Br thing cause I have swapped from one thing to another heaps of times. I've settled on what I think will be excellent after the forum help!

Next thing.... you'll have your rifle way before me... Bloody importing papers to get bits to Australia!

Bye
Ackley Improved

 

[twinfallsidaho]

Thanks for all the advise and information. I am going to go with a 26" barrel. I appreciate the help. I will let you all know how it turns out. I won't get the rifle until late Feb or early March.
Thanks again, Kirk

 

[MikeWilkerson]

Jim indeed has his opinions on barrel lengths and so on,trust me I built his rifles for 6 yrs). As with any shop, it is sensible to find out who is actually going to build that rifle for you. The 308 that was mentioned in fact was built by me. Since I have left Boatright Custom Guns, a different smith will handle your project. Boatright is the owner not the rifle builder. I'm pleased to have worked with many satisfied customers during my tenure with Boatright. I'm sure we all hope his operation continues to maintain a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

 

[Dubya]

Comment for Mike Wilkerson.

Boatright Custom Rifles is the name of "JIMS" company. You were an employee of his doing work for him,,must have been ok for 6 yrs.) so if any credit is due it's due to him. When you produce rifles under your name then you have the right to expect credit for your work, not until then.

Dubya

 

[MikeWilkerson]

If that is the case then I stand corrected. I am happy that we had so many happy customers while I was his smith and I infact wish him the best of luck with whoever does his work.

 

[PanHead]

I have been reading this thread and it has struck a nerve with me. The hole who is the better rifle builder and who should get the credit thing just rubs me the wrong way. When you have to have major surgery do you give the hospital or the doctor credit? I am not sure about you but I would give it to the doctor. A hospital can not heal you. The doctor can. When you see a very nice restored 57 Chevy, do you give Chevrolet the credit or the man that restored the car.

Now with this said to give some background on me. I called Boatright to have a rifle built. As the deal went on and the more questions that I had the more I found myself talking to Mike. With the easy transaction and the quality work that Mike put in the rifle I will give him the credit. Now I am sure that Jim is a competent rifle builder, but I will have to say in my deal he was just a name on the wall. Mike built what I have to say is the best gun I have ever fired.

OK i am going to get off my soap box. But I can say that Mike will build my next gun if he is still the the rifle building business after leaving Boatright.

 

[outlawdb]

I would have to agree that the man how builds the rifle should get the credit. As for Mike, he is an excelent smith. He is now with Indian Arms in Jonesboro AR. building rifles under his name. I have an action he trued and sleeved, while with Jim, and will be shipping it to him with a new Broughton 5C barrel to build my next 6BR. As for barrel lenght I think the closer to 30" the better. DB

 

[Dubya]

Looks like Mike has some loyal followers, which is great.
Good luck in your new workplace and much success. Dubya.

 

[rifleman]

Hello all,
My name is Michael Crain, and I will be the fellow that is building the rifles for Jim Boatright.I trained under Mike Wilkerson for a year and a half and I feel comfortable saying that I will keep up the excellant work that BCG has put out for quite some time.I look forward to speaking with all who will speak to me and I hope to see you at some of the benchrest shoots next year.If you liked the rifles built by BCG in the past, then please give us a consideration for you next dream rifle.You will not be dissapointed.

 

[SF340Driver]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this extremely informative site so my opinions don't carry much weight, but I have a rem 700 221 fireball being built by Mike Crain at BCGI right now. I have spoke with Mike Wilkerson as well as Jim Boatright about the project and I have found them both very competent and professional. I have not had the chance to talk to Mr. Crain as of yet, though I have the utmost confidence that he is just as competent and professional. I was not aware that Mike Wilkerson was leaving BCGI and I hope there was no bad blood with his departure. I wish him the best with his new endeavor. Be assured that I will leave a post on the new rifle,I am sure it will be spectacular) once it is completed. I expect it to be back by mid February and fully intend to freeze my you know what off:crazy: here in MN breaking it in.:wave:

Greg