prone shooters beware...

[WRMorrison]

...I'm coming for ya!! ;D

Here's my latest pride and joy; and it only took my selling 75% of my collection to be able to fund it.... Here's the rundown of parts for those interested:

Stock: Eliseo RTS http://www.competitionshootingstuff.com/id26.html According to CSS (the manufacturer), this stock is currently being tested by OTF Quantico. It's practically infinitely adjustable, and mine is for the short action R700.

Receiver/Bolt: Standard Rem. 700 short action. It started life as a bare-bones .243 ADL youth model that I picked up on the cheap from WM (closeout, $325 + tax).

Barrel: Krieger 30" (actually finished out at 30.25" measured from the bolt face), S.S., 6.5mm, 1:8 twist, standard Palma contour.

Front/Rear Sight Bases: Phoenix Precision http://www.creedmoorsports.com/store/product.php?productid=889165&cat=545&page=1
http://www.creedmoorsports.com/store/product.php?productid=889707&cat=360&page=1
I chose the rear sight to be in service rifle clicks so that it's what I'm used to using.

Front sight: Gehmann adjustable iris http://www.creedmoorsports.com/store/product.php?productid=889558&cat=547&page=1

Rear sight: Gehmann adjustable iris http://www.champchoice.com/prod-GEHMANN_IRIS__0_5___3_0_MM_-780.aspx

Mags: 10 round short action AICS http://www.triadtactical.com/Accuracy-International-Chassis-System-Short-Action-10-round-magazine.html

Handstop: http://www.champchoice.com/prod-CHAMPION_S_CHOICE_JUMBO_FORE_END_HAND_STOP-1128.aspx

The front sight has an anti-glare tube on the front for the sunny days at the range. The sling was made by a local guy (can't remember his name, but he sells good stuff at the Washington's Birthday Match and probably others).

After purchasing the R700, I promptly took it over to a friend's house and he removed the barrel for me. Then, I dropped the receiver and bolt off with Allen Elliot to have it chambered in .260 Remington; throated for use with 142gr. SMK's loaded to mag length. While in Mr. Elliot's hands, I also had him perform the works on the action/bolt to include: squaring the front of the receiver, truing the lugs and lapping them, chasing the threads, bushing the firing pin, clean up the face of the bolt, and square the lugs on the bolt too. After MUCH research and questioning folks in the know, this is a VERY exciting cartridge.
http://demigodllc.com/articles/the-case-for-260-remington/

Anyway, on to the pics:

This rifle was actually setup for bipod use, and it came with three rails that attach to the forearm. I took the rails off for now, as I don't plan to use them anytime soon. I needed to be able to use a hand stop, but the forearm wasn't slotted for one....so I slotted it myself.

The stock has a "bag-rider" bar on it for shooting with a rear bag, or it can be moved vertically for use as a rear handle.

Sights:

Action pic: The RTS came with an extended knob, so I ground down the old one and epoxied it on. I'm sticking with the stock A2 grip since that's what I'm used to.

All tucked neatly inside a new Boyt case. It was only marginally cheaper than an equivalent Pelican, but built just as solid with the same foam. But as an added bonus, it's slightly larger than it's Pelican brother, and I needed every little bit to get this monster to fit inside. I still have to take off the stock to get it to fit, but it's not really a problem; it's meant to be quick-detach.

Now to get it all to the range and work up a nice load... 8) This is my first comp rifle outside of my XTC rifle, so I'm REALLY excited.

-WRM

 

[cmillard]

very nice rifle! i like the color too--it is the same as my mcree's precision stock that is on my 6BR.

 

[Steve Blair]

Very nice, indeed. Good case work. I will follow your lead on that.

I went a little different route but much along the same lines. When I stopped into Gary's shop and saw the metallic emerald green powder coat, I chose that. All the pieces are here except for the receiver and barrels. Jim Borden has the barrels and is awaiting one reamer from PT&G. So, here is the parts list.

Eliseo RTM with both lowers, hand stop, 3" forend adapter, rear bag rider and walnut grip
Borden Tube Gun action, long repeater
CG X-Treme trigger
Bartlein .308 Win MTU 31", 10" twist chambered with Clark Fay Palma Reamer
Brux .284 Win MTU 30", 9" twist chambered with PT&G .313 neck X .220 throat reamer
Phoenix rear sight
Gehmann 510 rear iris
Phoenix front sight, 22mm
Gehmann 520 front iris, 2.4-4.4
Phoenix front sunshade
AI long and short mags

When using the .284 Win barrel, the mag and throat allow seating Berger 180 VLDs to ~3.20. When using the .308 barrel, throat and mag restrict seating to ~2.85. I am not recoil averse, so both barrels were chosen to shoot heavy bullets. Pictures when finished.

A visit to Creedmoor Sports got me fitted for a new jacket. My old 10x purchased in 1981 is about dead. I also picked up a Ron Brown sling and Creedmoor mat and glove. If I can do the case work as nicely as Mr. Morrison, I'll be set.

 

[WRMorrison]

Thanks Cole! And Steve, I'd definitely be interested in seeing the pics when it's finished. Which coat did you end up getting? I was lucky enough to win a Creedmoor Hardback in cordura a year or so ago at the Creedmoor Cup match. MILES ahead of the cloth coat I was using...lol...wearing the hardback is like leaning against a fence post in the offhand.

-WRM

 

[navyrad8r]

going the same way too. Check went to Gary on friday, also doing a .260 but Gary is going to make it an RTS "target". the rail blocks come off as well as the monopod in the butt stock. He then puts a "normal" but assembly on it and cuts the rail for the hand stop. not sure if i am going XTC or just laying down on the job fot this one. but i am just as excited!!! Good luck to everyone this summer.

 

[GermanS1]

Very nice rifle! I think the sling maker you're referring to is Lee McKinney, he does nice work and Allen's gunsmithing will make you very happy once you start shooting it, he really knows his stuff.

We have the Arizona Mid Range State Championship in a couple of weeks, get a zero on the rifle and come on out for some prone fun. The program and entry form is on www.desertsharpshooters.com it's only $25 for two days of Registered competition, can't beat that deal! We start each day with a 600 yard team match which willlet you get a good zero, then we shoot 600, 500, 300.

Beautiful rifle, I look forward to seeing it in person!

 

[WRMorrison]

Very nice rifle! I think the sling maker you're referring to is Lee McKinney, he does nice work and Allen's gunsmithing will make you very happy once you start shooting it, he really knows his stuff.

We have the Arizona Mid Range State Championship in a couple of weeks, get a zero on the rifle and come on out for some prone fun. The program and entry form is on www.desertsharpshooters.com it's only $25 for two days of Registered competition, can't beat that deal! We start each day with a 600 yard team match which willlet you get a good zero, then we shoot 600, 500, 300.

Beautiful rifle, I look forward to seeing it in person!

Thanks German! I plan on shooting both days at the match; gotta get my entry form/fees off in the mail tomorrow. I was up 'till 2AM the night I got my sights/handstop in the mail reading your article "Adjusting the Tubegun Stock" http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/11/equipment-adjusting-tubegun-stock.html . I still have a LONG way to go in adjusting the stock (it's pretty intimidating with all the adjustability).

It's a far cry from the 'ol service rifle I'm used to...lol. I've always used a slightly shorter LOP with the SR (I use an A1 stock that's 5/8" shorter), but I think I'll benefit more from this one once I get it all figured out. I'm a fairly short guy (5'8" barely), and I don't have much of a neck to speak of...lol.

Unfortunately, I don't have much time to do much testing before the match, so I'll probably use a proven load with Varget to get some zeroes for the match. Afterward, I think I'll give some different powders a try.

Oh, and yes it was Mr. McKinney who made the sling (he really makes great stuff; I already have a .30 cartridge box from him). Mr. Elliot also did a great job with the machine-work. Since I'm a machinist by trade, I was really impressed with his work.

Happy Easter!
-WRM

 

[people]

That is a nice looking rifle. There is one problem I see with it. The bolt is on the wrong side of the rifle.

 

[Steve Blair]

You and German are alike in that respect and Gary Eliseo has the solution. Eliseo tube guns take an "even-handed" approach to bolt position and can be had either way.

 

[distinguished]

Nice! Now if Gary would only do one of those stocks in Marine Corps digital camo!

 

[WRMorrison]

Nice! Now if Gary would only do one of those stocks in Marine Corps digital camo!

Mine is probably going to end up in desert MARPAT like the rest of my guns/gear. 8)

-WRM

 

[flatlander]

WRM - Nice rig! I'm sure you're going to enjoy it.

I went down a very similar path with my RTS, but chambered a 28" Krieger 1:8 tw in sendero contour for the 6.5x47 Lapua. I used a Pierce TG action, Jewell HVR, Phoenix rear sight/Riles 22mm tallboy front. Since this is a XC rifle, Gary slotted the handguard, then traded me a handstop for the picatinny rails, and a R5 buttstock for the tactical version. I asked that he anodize the handstop & thumbrest to match the rest of the kit, which he did.

Since the 10rd mag extends so far down out of the mag well, I bought a couple of 5rd mags for match use. The tactical knob that came with the TG action is too big to run through the rapid strings, so I turned & threaded a smaller knob, then CeraKoted it & the bbl. to match the flat dark earth CeraKote Pierce used on the TG action.

I put together an Eliseo R5 in 6BR last season, and had mucho fun learning to run a stick shift in the rapids after all the years of shooting AR15s (SR & MR). I'm looking forward to having as much fun with the RTS & learning how the 6.5x47 works as an XC ctg. Will post a photo ASAP (got called to report for jury duty tomorrow).

 

[Steve Blair]

I finally received my Borden receiver and barrels yesterday and assembled the RTM last night with the .308 barrel and short lower. I also have a long lower for the .284 barrel but that barrel is off to be nitrided. I have some work to do before my range case looks as good as WRM's.

Added some grip pictures.

 

[GermanS1]

Steve, it looks great! Who makes that grip? What twist is the .308 barrel? I love that green color!

 

[Steve Blair]

Thanks, German. Gary and I discussed it on the phone, but when he showed me the green, that's what I picked. The photo does not do the color justice. It is a deep emerald metallic and really shines in the sun.

The pistol grip comes from Model 1 Sales, a company that specializes in AR stuff.

The barrel is a 31", 10" twist Bartlein MTU contour. This is not a light rifle. I am a heavy bullet guy and intend to shoot 210 Bergers and try 208 Hornadys, too. I will break it in and test at 300 yards from my large stash of Sierra 168s that I picked up personally in Santa Fe Springs. That should give some idea how old they are.

 

[navyrad8r]

I got my RTS "Target" Model and was going to post an picture of it. But i haven't put it together just yet....however if you visit Gary's web page, under the RTS section and scroll down, there is one exactly like mine. I do mean EXACTLY ( ;D ) like mine. I haven't gotten a chance to ask Gary if it was mine before it hopped in the box to me. I surely don't mind if it was.

 

[gme]

Doc, your stock was begging to have it's picture taken

 

[navyrad8r]

i am honored...i will send you some pictures once it is completed. Thank you for your superb work and dedication to the sport. Your effort to keep prices affordable (excellent) is a compliment to your business practices. Thank you so much again. the barrel will be chambered some time in the next 2 weeks. in the mean time i am still turning brass.....
OBTW to the Forum,
My mentor, purchased one of the old (very early) R5s in BRX and commented on how much better the newer designs are. Alot of little things. A delrin washer under the assembly thumb wheel, the positive lock butt stock, and the hand stop track with relief from the paint job. he has a .260 with no stock. After seeing mine the decision has been all but finalized. He has a MAK in .308 for palma
it was one of the first ones produced, and it shoots great. BUT, i think he is going with CSSjust because its SO EASY to do.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I have used one of those grips before.. on a spacegun.. they are very nice..