Son's First Hunting Rifle Build Ideas

[BigDMT]

I firmly disagree on the muzzle break. I have found they flinch more from the report than the recoil. If they can't handle the recoil, they need a lesser caliber or download it.

Yeah. We're gonna shoot it first to see how it feels. I have to get it bedded in the stock when I get back home then I'll take it to the range for sighting and barrel break in. I will decide if it needs a brake at that point.

 

[JabaliHunter]

You could always try a suppressor instead of a brake... less recoil and less blast.

 

[BigDMT]

I thought about that. Only costs $200 for the permit, but it's about an 8-11 month wait then a half way decent suppressor costs as much as a factory rifle. Not cheap.

I'll keep you guys posted after we shoot the rifle in a couple weeks.

 

[BigDMT]

Well I finally got her all buttoned up and ready to rock 8)

6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser - SAAMI spec chamber
1) Action - Stainless Howa 1500 LA - trued, lugs lapped, bolt faced honed to fit 6.5x55 rim, and bedded with Devcon, factory trigger safely set at 1.25 lbs and timed to action for smooth cycling.
2) Barrel - Shilen CM 1 in 8" twist, #3 contour, finished at 22" - Bead blasted and finished with high temp (2200 F) automotive exhaust header clear coat.
3) Stock - Weatherby Vanguard factory synthetic - cut down and installed new 1" Limbsaver recoil pad for 12.75" length of pull, reduced height and width of cheek piece, removed checkering and re-finished with high temp automotive "metallic black" paint and clear coat. Barrel completely free floating with "double-folded dollar bill" clearance all around.
4) Optics - Newly designed Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16x42 with glass etched reticle, ed glass, and side focus. Perfectly leveled to base of action with Wheeler Professional Scope Leveling kit.
5) Optics Accessories - Weaver Rem 700 two piece bedded with Devcon Epoxy. TC Dimension rings, Low height, lapped and torqued to spec
6) Misc - 100 rounds factory Lapua ammunition with 108gr Scenar. Bipod. Sling shortened to fit.

Recoil pad looks a little rough by comparison to the rest of the rifle because I still have to "shoe shine" it with black Turtle Wax.
Other than that, we just got to do a quick barrel break-in then start letting the little guy send rounds down range. I ran through the paces and set it up just the same as I do my own rifles to ensure top level accuracy and reliability in the field. Should serve him well for years to come

 

[AckleymanII]

Try not to wear it out by the time he turns 16! Hee Hee! One very fine rifle!

 

[BigDMT]

Got the initial range report for you fellas. Though it is not an in depth report because we are still breaking the barrel in. We completed the single shot cleaning until copper fouling was reduced and now we are on to firing groups. Looking very promising so far

The first group was fired by my son from a completely clean bore (down to bare metal) at 100 yards. I did not really count the first shot as part of the group because it was a fouling shot. But the little guy still put up a really nice group considering, especially when he stuck the second and third shots together

I wanted to confirm that the rifle was shooting as accurate as it did with the second and thrid shot fired by my son, so I fired a 3 shot group myself. The first two shots went in the same hole, then the wind kicked up a bit before the third shot, I waited a bit for a lull then fired the 3rd round. It still posted a nice 3 shot group well under 1/2 MOA. So it is certain that my son wasn't getting lucky when sticking those two shots together after the fouler, he is just that good of a shot.

My son really is amazing with any weapon he touches. Just blows my mind. You'll notice the POI of the bullets remains in the same area of the targets after the first fouling shot so that further confirms that the clean bore shot being off was not due to him pulling a shot. Anyhow, the photos are below. Both groups were fired using the Lapua factory ammo with 108gr Scenar bullets. I can't wait to see what this thing will do with hand loads

My son's 3 shot group at 100 yards from a clean bore


3 shot group fired by myself at 100 yards to confirm the rifle's accuracy.


Same group I shot myself shown with the caliper measurement for verification

 

[Joe C]

BigDMT, WOW! That is a beautiful boom stick! I mean seriously awesome! And a shooter to boot...no doubt a most excellent first rifle for your son. Congratulations to you both!

 

[BigDMT]

BigDMT, WOW! That is a beautiful boom stick! I mean seriously awesome! And a shooter to boot...no doubt a most excellent first rifle for your son. Congratulations to you both!

Thanks Joe I am going to try and get him to shoot at least one group every time I come home from my 2 weeks at work in the oil field. Just enough to where he stays familiar with it but we are not wearing out the barrel too badly.

The first couple times he shot it when we were doing single shot and clean for barrel break-in, I held on to the rifle stock to reduce the recoil since it didn't matter where the bullet hit. I gradually held it lighter and lighter to make sure he was comfortable with the recoil. It kind of bothered him once where he didn't have it sucked up tight and it was on his deltoid muscle instead of the nook of his shoulder. But with proper form he handles the recoil well. The 3 shot group in the top picture he shot without me touching the rifle.

The 6.5x55 has a little "poop" to it if you know what I mean, so I am very proud that my 9 year old son is handling the recoil so well. I just kept telling him that he needs to toughen up because he is shooting a "mans gun" now and if he wants to kill big animals like Dad, he's gonna have to learn how to handle a little recoil. He rose to the occasion with flying colors and I am so very proud of him

 

[Raythemanroe]

Pretty nice gun for a newbie


Ray

 

[BigDMT]

Pretty nice gun for a newbie


Ray

Thanks Ray. It's nothing spectacular. I didn't do anything special or extravagant for looks on it. Just made it a nice all weather hunting tool that will help him get the job done in the field with confidence.

On another note,
I was doing a close inspection of the rifle after we shot those groups and noticed that the bolt handle was hitting the stock and preventing full lock up. Dumb mistake on my part. So I relieved the stock to make sure the handle wasn't touching and lugs are fully engaged. Who knows... Maybe this rifle will shoot even better now!

 

[mattri]

First of all well done on being a father that takes an interest in their kid(s) and introduces them to our sport.

Also, well done on putting the time and thought into building a great rifle, you chose a great platform and executed it well.

If it may be helpful to get him used to the rifle, it's ergos etc with loads that will be easy on his young shoulder this could be something to look at.

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

Best of luck and keep us posted, Matt.

 

[BigDMT]

Thanks Matt. I actually bought 100 rounds of Lapua factory ammo which is what we shot the groups with in the pictures. They are only 108gr Scenar bullets at 2950 fps so recoil is definitely manageable. As time progresses and he becomes more comfortable shooting the rifle, I plan on working him up to the Berger 140gr Hunting VLD. I want to have him shooting the 140gr bullets by the time he is 10 or 11 so that he gets used to those as well before becoming legal hunting age in 2 1/2 years.

 

[pacificman]

Very nice rifle! You will eventually have to realize that your Son will probably out shoot ya in the years to come... ;D Mine usually out shoots me but for some reason I am ok and proud of that! Good for you BigDMT!!!

 

[BigDMT]

Very nice rifle! You will eventually have to realize that your Son will probably out shoot ya in the years to come... ;D Mine usually out shoots me but for some reason I am ok and proud of that! Good for you BigDMT!!!

LOL! He already does outshoot me! ;D If I would have let him take another poke at the target after his fouling shot, I bet ya he would have stuck it right between his 2nd and 3rd shot making his group smaller than mine!

 

[pacificman]

I knew it!!! ;D Makes ya smile don't it!!! ;D ;D