New Guy Wanting to Start Slow

[robmints]

Hi all, I'm looking for some help. I like to shoot paper and would like to shoot some groundhogs, both from as far away as I can. Also like the small calibers and am thinking about a 6mm norma. But I don't want to jump right in and spend a bunch of money. So my first plan was to buy a new or used (used very difficult to find so far) a Stevens 200 in .243, basix trigger, 4200 scope, and send it off to Krieger to barrel and machine, and get some local help with bedding, setting up the trigger and scope. The question is have I lost my mind, or should I try something else all together?

This will be my first and only centerfire rifle.

I like the 6mm norma because it is a little different, has a reputation for distance accuracy, lowish recoil, and enough power to kill when that is it's use.

Thank you all for the help, this forum has so much information it has already been of help. But I don't know enough to even begin to know what I don't know.

 

[cmillard]

why not just order a remington 40x chambered in 6BR with an 8" twist. you'll be good to go. in the end, you would spend about the same as you did on the savage build.

 

[tiny68]

Do you reload? If not, the 6mm BR Norma (6BR to us guys) is not your choice. If you wanting to start out cheap and have something you can grow into, consider a Savage VLP in a 223. You can get the 1:9 twist and shoot the 69 grain bullets very well. Swap barrel, upgrade the trigger and stock if you choose in the future. Best part is with a little studying you can swap the barrels yourself and buy a Savage pre-fit custom barrel (like a Shilen) for around $300. All I would do is a skim bed and start shooting with a Savage VLP. However, once you start shooting custom hand lapped barrels, cleaning factory barrels just its fun anymore....

Luck in your choice, Tim

 

[JLM]

What's your budget and on what equipment?

+1 for Tim's response I think he's spot on.

If you don't reload I think you're choice is only 308 or 223 otherwise it's $pendy to go to the range. Not that hand loading is free, but it doesn't take long to pay off a basic reloading kit.

I say 308 and 223 because that's about the only thing around here you can find on the shelf or at least fairly cheap. So I agree if recoil is an issue then 223 is your choice.

Right now my favorite rifle is my 6br. I started with a savage target action and topped it off with an elite 4200. I like it very much.

Since this is your first rifle I'm not sure jumping into anything custom is the way to go, although, it is nice. For now any stock rig will do. Shoot out the barrel. Along the way maybe add a better trigger, dable in bedding the action, upgrade the stock. Then when it's time get a new barrel and the action trued. At this time you'll be experienced enough to see the light.

There can be a lot of cheerleading for a Savage vs Remington vs Whatever in the end the best thing to do is go handle the rifles and see which one YOU like and what feels great and just floats your boat. Cause if you want to shoot groundhawgs FAR away you're gonna need a gun that makes YOU feel comfortable. I like my Savage because it's a little different.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

If you follow-up on the 'FIRST',,, you really shouldn't say 'ONLY'!! This 'paper-punchn' and 'critter bustn' can really get into your blood. It is really a lot of fun.
And then, when you learn what you're doing in the reloading arena (hope to get there some day) it really turns into a challenge. Trying to make a better piece of ammunition every time you reload is really an ongoing effort.
You've come to this site, so you are off to a good start!! There is truly a wealth of information here. Take advantage of it.
If you have any questions just shoot me an e-mail and I will try to help or at least point you in the right direction.
Good shootn to ya.

Barry

 

[MarkS]

robmints,

Tiny, has hit it, but I would start with a 6BR Savage target action with the stock of your choice. They will shoot great. If you can fine a used one in another cal, you will have a good stock, good trigger, and good action. You could get a barrel like Tim said. If start with a lesser set up and have to replace most everything, you will have more money in it.

I got a used older M12 in 204 and added a 223 barrel. This gun had been trued, bedded, and SSS trigger. Used is the way to go, if you can find one.

Mark Schronce

 

[robmints]

Thank you all very much. I have access to reload, complete with supplies and instruction, I supply the desire, brass, and bullets.

But you guys are confusing me (not real tough to do) I tried to look for the best fit to switch to 6mm and it seems like .243/.308 brass determines the action the norma size would fit best in, and the .243 is a tiny bit closer to the correct length. Why the .223 action recommendations as a base?

My budget is variable depending on how much time it took to put together. For instance, buy a rifle and put a scope from a 22 i have on it and use it, the as birthdays and Christmas' come buy another scope then trigger then barrel. OR buy better components like a Target action, nice stock, scope, barrel but with this method I won't shoot a round for a year or so.

The thought was to get something complete that I could use as is, acquire parts & build, then use as a 6mm. Then if I wanted something more, return to original configuration and sell, or sell as a 6mm if I wanted all new (different) parts. That is kind of what I mean by slow. Sorry to be so frugal but the paycheck is being stretched in more than a few directions, as usual.

When I look for used, what should I be looking for .223 or .243? I liked the Savage because of the barrel being able to be changed by someone who has the skill but does not necessarily need to be a gunsmith.

As far as buying a new 6mm br norma, who makes them? I could not find anything under $1000+.

 

[tiny68]

If you want a factory 6BR, Savage makes a couple of options. Here is one on Guns America.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/919460455/Guns/Rifles/Savage-Rifles/Accutrigger-Models/SAVAGE_M_12_LRPV_6MM_BR_NORMA.htm

I have seen them for less than a $1000 in my local stores.

In terms of actions - Your 243 is likely a short action. There are two basic lengths. A short action or a long action. You also have to consider the boltface. Savage offers the advantage of being able to switch the bolthead to go to a 223/204 size boltface for about $50. The 6BR will work fine with the 243 boltface. I actually have 3 long actions and a couple of Target Actions. I use the long actions for every thing from a 223 to a 308 and everything in between. However, I shoot all of them with a follower installed and don't worry about try to feed from the magazine. If you are comfort with taking off on reloading, then the 6BR is a great round. The advantage of the 223 is the availability of cheap brass and bullets plus the factory ammo option.

Tim

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

Here's a good sounding deal from RUSS HAYDON.
http://www.benchrest.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?db=aaafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=8835&query=retrieval

 

[NRV]

robmints,
I was in your shoes not too long ago. I bought a Savage 243, and really liked it. It shot good, and helped me learn to shoot and reload beyond the average deer hunter. I killed a fair amount of groundhogs and paper with it, all the while I was accumulating the things I needed to turn it into a 6BR. I, too, am on a budget, and it took about a year for me to be ready to change it over. The barrel I bought was actually a used Lothar Walther prefit that was listed in the classifieds on this site.

If you buy a 243, then you will already have an action that is ready to go with no modifications when the time comes, and you will also have the 6mm bullets you need on hand.

I have no regrets about my choices and have learned a huge amount from the folks here. Also, I wouldn't want to take a year off waiting to get the money. That's trigger time that you can't get back.

I hope this may help some,
Michael

 

[MarkS]

robmints,

Tim covered the boltface and action. Sould like you are going to build as you go. I have done that and am doing that now with my Savage.
Like Michael said, I would look for a used or new Savage with as much equipment as you can keep. You should be able find a action, stock, tirgger, that will work. You want to get a short action, single shot or with mag. Any action is good, mine is the older flat back action. The new target would be my pick, but they will cost more.
Then you can watch the boards for 6BR barrels, there are 3 or 4 on the now.

Mark Schronce

 

[rain164845]

Just to throw another opinion into the ring, your original plan sounds great.

Joe

 

[robmints]

Hi all. Just wanted to let you know I ended up with a 700adl varmint 22-250 to start with. The Stevens 200 I looked at in Gander Mtn. had a terrible fit (action-barrel assy.) in the stock and the barrel looked kind of like a straw sticking out. I'm sure they are very nice but it just did not appeal to me.

See you guys and gals next year when the gun fund builds back up. Thank you very much for your help.