El Matavenados
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2015
- Messages
- 38
Well, the site keeps encouraging me to post something, so I'll post up some more details of a build I'm working on. I listed some specs in my introductory post, here. <--That's a link.
The build changed, however, and the specs now look more like this:
Action: Howa 1500, long action.
Barrel: Bartlein #3 contour, 1:8 twist, chambered in 260 Remington.
Muzzle brake: Defensive Edge.
Stock: Currently the original Bell & Carlson, but it has some flex in it that I don't like, so I have a Boyd's laminate on the way.
Glass: Vortex Viper HS-T 4-16x44
Scope base: Nightforce 20 MOA rail
Scope level: Vortex
Scope rings: Vortex tactical
Bottom metal: Found a Weatherby drop-in polymer kit with 3-rd mag.
Bipod: GG&G Extreme Duty Standard.
Paint: KG Gunkote bake-on.
Bedding: JB Weld
I did workup loads from 37 to 42.5 grains of H4350. There was a significant accuracy node between 37.5 and 38.5 grains. All test loads were jammed into the lands. Pressure signs developed at 42 and 42.5 grains (ejector swipes). An interesting note: these were loaded with CCI Benchrest 2 large rifle primers, and they were cratering inconsistently and even severely at the lowest pressures. That bothered me, but there were no other pressure signs until I reached the highest powder charges. The best group of 3 rounds measured .382 from center to center (obtained by measuring the group, then subtracting the bullet diameter):
I think I can improve on this, and will be doing more load development to see if I can get it dialed in better.
A few people have asked me about the bipod. It's a GG&G Standard HDX. It's rock-solid, but they have an even stouter version if you happen to have an M240 laying around. The original stock didn't have swivel studs, and though it would be easy to add them, I decided on a quick-release picatinny style mount. I bought a light, short rail section made by Magpul, shortened it even further on my mill, milled a flat spot in the forearm of the stock, drilled some holes, and screwed it in place. My stock has hollows in it to make it ligher, and this made it very simple to use the nuts that came with the rail. I did have to pick up a couple longer screws from Napa though. I think that cost me a quarter. Anyway, I REALLY like the quick release. The bipod was pricey, but I think it will be a solid, dependable unit for a long time. Harris doesn't have one that mounts directly to a picatinny rail. You can purchase adapters for $40, but that adds weight. I would think that with the popularity of the AR platform they would try to capture some of that market, but apparently not.
The build changed, however, and the specs now look more like this:
Action: Howa 1500, long action.
Barrel: Bartlein #3 contour, 1:8 twist, chambered in 260 Remington.
Muzzle brake: Defensive Edge.
Stock: Currently the original Bell & Carlson, but it has some flex in it that I don't like, so I have a Boyd's laminate on the way.
Glass: Vortex Viper HS-T 4-16x44
Scope base: Nightforce 20 MOA rail
Scope level: Vortex
Scope rings: Vortex tactical
Bottom metal: Found a Weatherby drop-in polymer kit with 3-rd mag.
Bipod: GG&G Extreme Duty Standard.
Paint: KG Gunkote bake-on.
Bedding: JB Weld
I did workup loads from 37 to 42.5 grains of H4350. There was a significant accuracy node between 37.5 and 38.5 grains. All test loads were jammed into the lands. Pressure signs developed at 42 and 42.5 grains (ejector swipes). An interesting note: these were loaded with CCI Benchrest 2 large rifle primers, and they were cratering inconsistently and even severely at the lowest pressures. That bothered me, but there were no other pressure signs until I reached the highest powder charges. The best group of 3 rounds measured .382 from center to center (obtained by measuring the group, then subtracting the bullet diameter):
I think I can improve on this, and will be doing more load development to see if I can get it dialed in better.
A few people have asked me about the bipod. It's a GG&G Standard HDX. It's rock-solid, but they have an even stouter version if you happen to have an M240 laying around. The original stock didn't have swivel studs, and though it would be easy to add them, I decided on a quick-release picatinny style mount. I bought a light, short rail section made by Magpul, shortened it even further on my mill, milled a flat spot in the forearm of the stock, drilled some holes, and screwed it in place. My stock has hollows in it to make it ligher, and this made it very simple to use the nuts that came with the rail. I did have to pick up a couple longer screws from Napa though. I think that cost me a quarter. Anyway, I REALLY like the quick release. The bipod was pricey, but I think it will be a solid, dependable unit for a long time. Harris doesn't have one that mounts directly to a picatinny rail. You can purchase adapters for $40, but that adds weight. I would think that with the popularity of the AR platform they would try to capture some of that market, but apparently not.
