Walk me through a 6br/ Dasher build

[mattri]

Looking at a new barrel for shooting paper from 200-600, with occasional 1k use. Would like to also be able to use this round for varminting but if that isn't practical than paper it is.

Again, most shots will be at 600 or under, but would like the ability to shoot to 1k from time to time.

What I have- a Savage PTA, a Weaver T36 and a nice stock from Stockade.

So to build a 6br I:

1) buy a barrel, a 6br pre-fit from CBI, Shilen, McGowen, Pac-nor etc...

Which one, and why? Would prefer to not turn necks. Looking at 1:8 twists for versatility. Chamber suggestions? Neck dimensions?

2) get dies. Which ones and why? Harrels have a great rep, what's their lead time? Buy off the shelf or shoot some rounds and send the fired cases in for custom dies? To whom, why?

3) Load. This is of course completely subjective. 30 gr of Varget and go- that's a start fore sure Lapua brass, CCI450s, 100ish gr bulet of your choice. Or what?

So if you were building a 6br to shoot at 600, and occasionally 1k, building off an existing action, stock and scope, how would you do it? What brass, dies and bullets from the start? What process for reloading? Which set of components would you start with?

And ifit were a 6 Dasher, how would that go?

Initial fireforming, with what, why?

Same questions, which components, loads, etc?

Subjective, I know. Thanks for any input, Matt.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

What I would do is,
Build a dasher, no reason to use the br. You have to buy dies anyhow.
Have a good smith do the chambering. Use heavy varmint barrel with a shoulder turned on it like a remington.
.2705 neck for no turn, 104-135 freebore.
Get a harrell's die. Turn around is about a week.
105 hybrid, rl 15 33ish, cci 450, jump .010

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the reply. Going to use a pre-fit so no smith required.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

IMO the small amount of money it costs to have a smith that specialists in accuracy do the chamber is well worth the cost. You do want the gun to shoot its best? If its a budget build then I understand completely and can recommend Mcgowen, I have first hand experience with their prefits.
Also, use the false shoulder for fireforming.

 

[mattri]

Criterion pre-fits have been beating rifles put together by excellent smiths, any reason to not run one of them?

The false shoulder seems to work well for forming the Dasher and others, what if going with a straight 6br?

Thanks for the replies, Matt.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Criterion pre-fits have been beating rifles put together by excellent smiths, any reason to not run one of them?

The false shoulder seems to work well for forming the Dasher and others, what if going with a straight 6br?

Thanks for the replies, Matt.

Criterion pre-fits beating custom rifles, really? No wonder no one ever hears about Brux, Krieger, and Bartleins anymore.

Seems like you have tons or questions but are not willing to listen to answers.

Learn to use this tool www.google.com

 

[mattri]

Ouch!

Never said That the brux, bartleins etc weren't doing well- just that ppl have had great success with Criterion/Kreigers also.

Perhaps I should have worded my question better.

Suppose you have a McGowen 6br prefit that you've just headspaced on a Savage PTA. Let's say 30" 1:8. You have a nice stock, action is pillar bedded and a decent scope. You also have a couple hundred 6br Lapua cases, a few lbs of Varget, R15 and H4895, some CCI450s and a few different 100/105/107/108gr bullets.

What do you do?

Loading, sizing, neck turning (or not), Harrel dies with formed cases- or what?

If you were to keep it 6br how would you proceed? If going to form to Dasher, then what?

Any and all suggestions welcome, even those that sting.

 

[BradY]

Ouch!

Never said That the brux, bartleins etc weren't doing well- just that ppl have had great success with Criterion/Kreigers also.

Perhaps I should have worded my question better.

Suppose you have a McGowen 6br prefit that you've just headspaced on a Savage PTA. Let's say 30" 1:8. You have a nice stock, action is pillar bedded and a decent scope. You also have a couple hundred 6br Lapua cases, a few lbs of Varget, R15 and H4895, some CCI450s and a few different 100/105/107/108gr bullets.

What do you do?

Loading, sizing, neck turning (or not), Harrel dies with formed cases- or what?

If you were to keep it 6br how would you proceed? If going to form to Dasher, then what?

Any and all suggestions welcome, even those that sting.

Um I would load and shoot? Nothing further needed. Do a ladder test if you want, or any other way you want to work up a load. Thats all. Dont mess about procrastinating.

If you want to change it to dasher you will be up for a chambering job by a reputable smith then buying dies from whiddens. Then loading and shooting again.

I think you have answered your own question pretty easily.

 

[Judd]

Criterion is not a Kreiger...Kreiger is a cut barrel and a Criterion is button, just like a McGowen. Yes, at one time they were sister companies (may still be?) but their barrels are not the same.

I recently ordered a dasher die set from Whiddens and I'm very happy with it. Look at the dasher page here and it will guide you down the right path.

Good luck!

 

[fayettefatts]

mattri:

Don't know what kind of accuracy you are seeking, but the pre-threaded, pre-chambered barrels are working well for me in F-class local matches mid & long range. I enjoy doing the work myself, and while I may never win a big match, I am always learning and improving.

Currently using Pacnor and Benchmark barrels. I can recommend both. That said, I may try Criterion or McGowan next to see how they perform.

Straight 6br is what I am using. Dasher would be fine, maybe better. You must decide for yourself if the velocity improvement the Dasher offers is worth the extra work it requires.

If you choose the straight 6br, I suggest at least .073 freebore to keep the heavy bullets out of the donut. No turn neck .271 or .272. (.271 will be too tight for the old gold box Lapua). Lapua brass, a Redding type "s" full length bushing die, micrometer seater, and you will find happiness.

 

[mattri]

Awesome replies thanks.

 

[doc gordon]

there are plenty of good barrels available ,I think one of ,if not the most important steps is reaming.a lot of people can ream but a few names stay at the top. I use tim claunch he has fast service because that's all he does there are shops that real good reaming however i'll stick with my guy and as I can afford it i'll move it along one step at a time. I hope in the end my ability will be the only holdup to a great shooting rifle .

 

[Switchbarrel]

A few years ago, I had Kevin Rayhill build a Savage 6BR for me using a Benchmark barrel. I also had a 6BR from MT Guns on a Barnard/Bartlein setup. I've had both rechambered to Dasher's and don't regret it one bit. For me, the BR was good, the Dasher has been great. The extra velocity has only boosted my confidence when shooting them. Knowing what I know now, I would start with the Dasher.

I got my Redding FL Type S die from Robert Whitley (6mmar.com) They do a good job sizing my cases. I purchased a Wilson neck sizer from Bruno's and a Wilson SS Micrometer seater from another forum member. I've been really happy with my dies. If I were to do it over, I would look really hard at the Whidden sizer, only because it's about $20 cheaper than what I paid. I don't know what press type you use, that may/may not dictate your die selection.

There's so many pre-chambered barrel choices now. I've been really tempted by those Criterion pre-fits too. I know Jim Briggs lists a Dasher for them. I don't go looking but, all the threads I've noticed have been positive regarding them. A friend just got a Brux .260 pre-chambered from Sharp Shooter Supply. As much as I hate dealing with them, Fred does some really nice work. If he has a Dasher reamer that matches your desire and you can tolerate dealing with them, that would be another consideration. Rock Creek is supposedly doing Savage pre-fits but, I think they are backed up (worth a call to see). I just built another Dasher with a Rock Creek barrel and the break-in rounds were looking really good on paper. Only shot it the one time, so we'll see.

I have fireformed 300 rounds. About 2/3 using false shoulder and cream-o-wheat. The last ~100 were jam and shoot. Just cost me the price of another bushing. That was so much easier and smelled a lot better (not a fan of burned COW smell). Varminting would be a great time to fire-form your brass (maybe mount a variable scope though).


-Rick

 

[mattri]

Good information thanks. I've had pretty good luck with the Criterions so far, got a 20 Practical from Jim that made me think I;m a lot better shooter than I am. They shoot well and break in a lot better than other brands I've tried. Good to know that jamming to fireform is working for you too, if I go with a dasher that's probably what I'll do.