My Ruger started life as a left hand 30-06. My original intent was to build it into a 6.5-06. I had planned on a Pac-Nor barrel and a stock from Accurate Innovations. For various reasons, I ended up going with 6.5-284 Norma (I replaced the follower to ensure smooth feeding), a 26" #4 Krieger barrel with 5r rifling, and a Ruger factory gray laminate stock.
I intend to top the rifle with a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 with Rapid Z 1000 reticle. I chose the Rapid Z 1000 reticle before I realized that it is designed for .308 trajectories. I probably would have been better off going with a Rapid Z 800. However, I want to experiment with the reticle a bit before I decide whether or not to go with something else.
I haven't messed with the factory trigger yet. I want to shoot the rifle first. If I feel the need, I may replace the trigger with a Timney (they seem to be the only ones who make a trigger for the left hand actions).
I haven't shot it yet. I still need to finish pillar bedding the action and some slight tweaks are still needed in the barrel channel to fully free float the barrel. Another thing I intend to do before shooting my rifle is to apply Brownells Gunkote over the parkerization already on the barrel.
Krieger trued the action, installed the barrel, and parkerized the barrel for me. They do really nice work. Unfortunately, Krieger has since changed its policy and now only does factory work on a few models of actions. The Ruger is no longer on the list.
After I ordered the #4 profile barrel, I had second thoughts and wondered if I had chosen too heavy of a profile for a rifle that I intended to carry in the field. That was part of the reason I chose not to go with a custom stock from Accurate Innovations. I didn't want to go to the expense of the custom stock if I wasn't sure that I would be happy with the set of compromises I had gone with. Instead, I ordered a factory laminate stock (I had already sold the original walnut stock off in anticipation of ordering a custom stock. If I hadn't done that, the laminate would have been totally unnecessary.)
As it turned out, I really like the laminate stock. It is slim at the fore end and the pistol grip and just feels right. I temporarily put the action in the stock and mounted the scope to get an idea of how the complete package will feel and handle. The #4 profile barrel ended up being a good choice. It does not have the overly heavy feel of a varmint rifle. It feels just barely heavier than a normal sporter. It balances with a very slight muzzle heavy feel. Just enough for a steady balance in the off hand position. I think that I am going to be very happy with this rifle.
Where pictures are concerned, I haven't taken the time to figure out how to post photos and I have yet to take any photos of the rifle. I guess that I will just have to fix that. When I get it finished and put together, I will see what I can do.
