This project started out before I was involved with F-Class shooting or even a member on this forum. I was looking for the most accurate factory gun I could find and with a little research stumbled onto the 6mmBR cartridge. This was an entirely new prospect for me. 6mmBR.com gave me the appropriate background and feedback to make the decision to go with this wise caliber. After searching around I decided on the new Savage LRPV repeater in 6mmBR Norma. It seemed the smartest choice for my budget and needs which were primarily target shooting but wanting the gun to have a higher capacity of rounds for hunting purposes if needed. At the time it was one of the newest guns out and I could not locate a gun shop that carried one or even find many articles online at the time for that particular rifle. I think I literally bought the first one in that chambering in the state of NY. Slowly but surly I located the needed help.
The original gun came with the 26” non fluted 1-12 twist barrel which could only stabilize rounds under 85 grains. I found this out the hard and expensive way. No factory round would perform in the gun not even the Lapua 90gr ammo. Now it was time to buy dies and do some reloading. This was a learning curve in itself. I had been reloading for over 20 years but not to the tolerances or expectations that this project deserved. Questions led to solutions and slowly I made my decisions. I went with a Wilson neck die with a .268 TINI Redding bushing, Wilson Stainless steel Micrometer Seating die, and a Redding Body die. Brass choice was obviously Lapua but I also experimented with Norma brass with fair results.
Original results with the 68gr Berger FB bullets resulted in ragged one hole groups at 100 yds. But I was unable to shoot the heavier long range bullets so desired by others. After 1000 rds and at least 10 bullet choices through the original stock barrel with my best results being with the Berger 80gr. bullets, 30.0 grains of Varget and CCI BR4’s I decided to buy a new barrel.
Again, after much research and discussion much of which this forum helped me with I purchased a new Shilen Select Match large-shank pre-fit barrel in the same chambering only this time with a 1-8 twist to replace the old one. I built a barrel vise and action wrench not knowing how difficult the job would or would not be. A fellow forum member here lent me his go and no-go gauges necessary to complete the job. The first time you do one of these takes you twice as long as the second time but it was time well spent learning. From here I proceeded to score very well on local 300yd F-Class matches. My gun got little to no recognition before matches and it was only after the targets were scored and in hand that others asked “what are you shooting”. In fact I was shooting a semi custom Savage with 105 Lapua bullets and 30.2gr of Varget with CCI BR4’s. I had tried the Federal primers and many other bullet-powder combinations including RL-15 but this combination seemed to work the best at all ranges and conditions.
The new 1-8 twist barrel with little to no headspace could shoot a 2” 5 shot group at 600 yds every other time I went to the range. Yes I know this is exceptional shooting but it was being done none the less in front of shooters with the more popular Bat actions (which I would love to own if I had the money), expensive front rests, scopes etc. Anyway, it started making a statement. I would remove the detachable 3rd magazine and use the action as a “drop port” action. The rounds exit from the bottom and make a neat little pile of bass beneath the rifle. This is something I still feel is unique to this unintentional design. As a target gun I did not use the box magazine but felt it was needed in an otherwise all around use gun. There is something about knowing you can pick up a gun with more than one bullet in it if needed that has always appealed to me.
After a while I knew I had to upgrade the gun and scope due to its intrinsic ability to perform. I fitted it with a new Sightron 50x 60mm scope. I made a custom SS grooved bolt knob and welded it to the existing bolt handle. The barreled action was turned and polished on a lathe to remove the factory “Warning” label provided by Savage on the target action. It was finished at 1000 grit for a nice shine. The highlight came when the stock done by Michael Davies was fitted to the barreled action. The paint scheme concept with the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag logo and “We the People” logo was my own but the layout, scale, and artistic creation was all Mr. Davies which I could not be happier with. It is a testimony to our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and a tribute to those who fought so bravely during the American Revolution to gain us our independence.
Hope you enjoy
Jeremy
The original gun came with the 26” non fluted 1-12 twist barrel which could only stabilize rounds under 85 grains. I found this out the hard and expensive way. No factory round would perform in the gun not even the Lapua 90gr ammo. Now it was time to buy dies and do some reloading. This was a learning curve in itself. I had been reloading for over 20 years but not to the tolerances or expectations that this project deserved. Questions led to solutions and slowly I made my decisions. I went with a Wilson neck die with a .268 TINI Redding bushing, Wilson Stainless steel Micrometer Seating die, and a Redding Body die. Brass choice was obviously Lapua but I also experimented with Norma brass with fair results.
Original results with the 68gr Berger FB bullets resulted in ragged one hole groups at 100 yds. But I was unable to shoot the heavier long range bullets so desired by others. After 1000 rds and at least 10 bullet choices through the original stock barrel with my best results being with the Berger 80gr. bullets, 30.0 grains of Varget and CCI BR4’s I decided to buy a new barrel.
Again, after much research and discussion much of which this forum helped me with I purchased a new Shilen Select Match large-shank pre-fit barrel in the same chambering only this time with a 1-8 twist to replace the old one. I built a barrel vise and action wrench not knowing how difficult the job would or would not be. A fellow forum member here lent me his go and no-go gauges necessary to complete the job. The first time you do one of these takes you twice as long as the second time but it was time well spent learning. From here I proceeded to score very well on local 300yd F-Class matches. My gun got little to no recognition before matches and it was only after the targets were scored and in hand that others asked “what are you shooting”. In fact I was shooting a semi custom Savage with 105 Lapua bullets and 30.2gr of Varget with CCI BR4’s. I had tried the Federal primers and many other bullet-powder combinations including RL-15 but this combination seemed to work the best at all ranges and conditions.
The new 1-8 twist barrel with little to no headspace could shoot a 2” 5 shot group at 600 yds every other time I went to the range. Yes I know this is exceptional shooting but it was being done none the less in front of shooters with the more popular Bat actions (which I would love to own if I had the money), expensive front rests, scopes etc. Anyway, it started making a statement. I would remove the detachable 3rd magazine and use the action as a “drop port” action. The rounds exit from the bottom and make a neat little pile of bass beneath the rifle. This is something I still feel is unique to this unintentional design. As a target gun I did not use the box magazine but felt it was needed in an otherwise all around use gun. There is something about knowing you can pick up a gun with more than one bullet in it if needed that has always appealed to me.
After a while I knew I had to upgrade the gun and scope due to its intrinsic ability to perform. I fitted it with a new Sightron 50x 60mm scope. I made a custom SS grooved bolt knob and welded it to the existing bolt handle. The barreled action was turned and polished on a lathe to remove the factory “Warning” label provided by Savage on the target action. It was finished at 1000 grit for a nice shine. The highlight came when the stock done by Michael Davies was fitted to the barreled action. The paint scheme concept with the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag logo and “We the People” logo was my own but the layout, scale, and artistic creation was all Mr. Davies which I could not be happier with. It is a testimony to our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and a tribute to those who fought so bravely during the American Revolution to gain us our independence.
Hope you enjoy
Jeremy
