ducks-and-bucks said:
I knew it would come one day... my gunsmiths finally convinced me to get into benchrest shooting. So Im in the process of trying to sale a few guns I dont need to put the cash towards a bench gun... they shoot 250-400 yard unlimited competitions so thats what im going to join in on....
Well to start, this is not what I would call "Orthodox Benchrest." Majority of Benchrest match's are either point blank, or mid/long range, Meaning they shoot either 100-200 yards (Occasionally 300 yards.) or they shoot at 600 or 1000 yards, and the excepted rules very greatly depending on them. I would recommend you not to build a rifle to fit this clubs style of Benchrest, because if the match folds, or you want to go one and shoot other match's, you will be stuck possible needing a new gun.
A bit of advise, go to a match or two before you build a rifle, talk to others beside your gunsmiths, see how attendance has been. See if there is any other match's in the area, that you can shoot in, and what is the rules at them match's, and course of fire. Does these clubs match's have other classes such as a factory, or a factor modified? I would highly recommend you start out shooting one of these classes before jumping into a custom build gun.
On the gun your intending on building, to start right now is a bad time to build a new gun, and expect to have it done quickly, as most gun components are scarce. You may have your heart set on a Stiller action, but you may have a bit of a problem getting one. You did not mention which action, and I would highly recommend you get a action that is dual port, or drop port, if you are shooting Benchrest. The old saying is so true speed is king, and if the brass is not a flying, your dying. Stiller is one of the biggest custom action manufactures around, and Benchrest actions is his small potatoes. You may want to plan on a long wait for an action. Last time I talked to them they only made Viper actions once to two times a year.
My recommendation would be for you to find a used panda built for IBS/NBRSA light varmint. Either find one with the bolt head opened up for a 6BR, or have a smith open the PPC bolt head up for a 6BR. This way you can still shoot 6 PPC, and 6 BR, with just a barrel change. This would also allow you to shoot point blank competition, and long range as well. I know many shooters that do this, and it works.
The biggest problem you have with the mentioned items, is the stock is out of speck and too heavy for point blank Benchrest. You have no mention to what the weight limit is on the gun, but essentially your building a gun that could only fit this competition, and maybe 600 and 1000 yard Benchrest. See if there is any other clubs shooting 600 and 1000 yard Benchrest in your area, chances are there is not. Long range Benchrest is growing, but chances are you will have to drive a fair distance to compete in them.
On caliber recommendation I would say that a 6 PPC can be shot at 600 yards, we have done it, but the BC is not good on the bullets, and places you at a big disadvantage at distances over 300 yards. The 6 BR would be my recommendation, it is easy to tune, and works well at both yardages. A 6 Dasher is the round that is dominating 600 yard Benchrest, but the brass prep is a bit beyond what I would thing a person new to shooting would be capable of producing. I would not consider the 6.5x47 L, but I would consider the 6x47lapua the necked down version, it has plenty of horsepower, and brass is simple to make, it is simple to tune.
Good luck, I would say do you homework, and take advise you receive off the internet as for what you have paid for it. talk to people in the area, and see what they are using, and I would place more merit on that.
