NRA course rifle...

[Robar]

Gentlemen & ladies,if there are any here)...I'm looking into a building an NRA match rifle, and I need suggestions on a caliber. The gun is gonna be mag-fed. The action is undecided. The bolt face is gonna be in .473,.308/.30-06). I was thinking of a caliber in 6mm, and I was looking VERY hard at the 6x47. Any feedback on this cartridge? I know the 6.5x47 is "coming", but I'm already having a .260AI built right now, and I don't want another 6.5 rifle. OR...Should I just scrap the the whole idea and go with the 6.5x55 or 6.5xc?

 

[fnnm1]

Tubb rifle in 6XC. All red.

 

[Asa_Yam]

Unless you're willing to pay for custom dies, stick with a more established round. I'm not aware of anyone producing 6.5XC dies on anything short of a custom basis, and the 6x47 Swiss is in a similar situation. 6XC dies aren't cheap,they work well), and you have to fireform the brass - but this can be done during practice, or offhand stages. Actually, I once fireformed cases during a 1000 yard match, and the accuracy was acceptable - sub 10-ring elevation.

Still, you can just pick a caliber, and go with it. In a .473" bolt face, there are lots of good choices. The raw accuracy of the round may be a bit less important, as position and windage errors are likely to give you far more problems with wild shots.

Reliability of the chosen cartridge is a big concern. Depending on the parent case, feeding may be problematic. For example, inserting 5 or more .22-250 profile cases in a .308 pattern magazine has resulted feed jams or loose rounds in some rifles. You will probably have fewer feed problems with cases conforming to .308 Winchester body taper, and shoulder angles shallower than 35 degrees. With the correct setup, even the 6BR will feed, though most of the reliable systems involve using a single stack magazine.

Speaking of magazines,detachable box type), these can be problematic. Reliable systems aren't that easy to find, and can be pricey when you find them. Most commercially available magazine systems may not hold the required 5 rounds, or are cumbersome to use. M14 mag conversions of Remington 700s require machining and welding on the receiver. Get it wrong, and you might end up pitching the receiver.

Existing rifle systems - where you don't have to fiddle with magazines or adaptors to get 'em to work:
- The remaining Tikka 595s from McLane Tilton,www.mtguns.com) are very smooth actions. The factory trigger is fine as is, though reports indicate that the Barnard Trigger that Mac sells is much nicer. Most users are quite happy with thier rifles, and the price is reasonable - under $1500.
- If you can afford one, and are prepared to wait, TUBB 2000s are another good choice. The magazine is a dual stack, and is the same unit as found in Knight's SR-25. I'm not sure if the magazines for the DPMS semiauto will fit, but I suspect they might.
- MAK Systems' "tubegun",www.tubegun.net) is another approach. It uses a sleeved Remington 700 as the core of the rifle. The repeater model uses Accuracy International magazines. AI mags have been used successfully in other Remington 700 mag conversions as well.
* NOTE: Spare magazines for all the rifles listed above are usually over $50 each.

Hpe this helps, and good luck!

 

[Robar]

Thanks Asa...I actually WAS leaning toward one of the MT Tikkas. I'd really like a cartidge I don't have to fire form, and the two Sweede rounds, I suspect, would load just fine from the Tikka's mags.

 

[Asa_Yam]

Don't let the fireforming put you off. The 6-250 that Mac offers is a good cartridge. As noted, the 6XC is actually plenty accurate even when fireforming, and there now is factory brass available,weither or not the quality meets people's expectations is another matter).

I'm not sure a 6.5x55 Swede will feed from the magazine of a 595, as IIRC, these are short actions,.308 Winchester length rounds). The Swede is slightly longer, almost 30-06 length, I think.