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1.) Ventilator - 02/28/2014
I decided to put together my first custom precision rifle. I chose the .308 because of two things.
Its long standing reputation for accuracy and the availability of 168 gr match grade ammo. I decided on a HOWA barreled action with 20" fluted heavy bbl. It has a two stage trigger adjustable from 2.8-3.5lbs. I am starting with 3lbs. Stock is a Bell & Carlson tactical medalist fitted with a Harris bipod. Optics haven't arrived yet. The scope will be Leupold VX-R 4x15x40mm with Fire dot reticle and custom turret for Hornady 168 gr BTHP Match ammo. Also has a 30mm tube. I plan for this to be a 500yd gun. I have no plans to shoot farther. Plan is to lap the rings and try out the stock with just factory aluminum bedding. I will get it glass bedded if needed later. Pics of day one.
Its long standing reputation for accuracy and the availability of 168 gr match grade ammo. I decided on a HOWA barreled action with 20" fluted heavy bbl. It has a two stage trigger adjustable from 2.8-3.5lbs. I am starting with 3lbs. Stock is a Bell & Carlson tactical medalist fitted with a Harris bipod. Optics haven't arrived yet. The scope will be Leupold VX-R 4x15x40mm with Fire dot reticle and custom turret for Hornady 168 gr BTHP Match ammo. Also has a 30mm tube. I plan for this to be a 500yd gun. I have no plans to shoot farther. Plan is to lap the rings and try out the stock with just factory aluminum bedding. I will get it glass bedded if needed later. Pics of day one.
2.) Deerminator - 02/28/2014
SAA:tu:WEET!!!
3.) Ar-mink - 03/01/2014
:tu: nice
4.) Ventilator - 03/04/2014
Here are a few pics of the finished product. Total weight 11lbs 11oz. 4x12 Leupold VX-R scope with custom 500yd turret installed. Trigger pull 2.8lbs. Plans are to hit the range this weekend to put some rounds down range. May glass bed later if necessary. Also thinking about a detachable 5 rd mag conversion. HOWA sells a kit fairly inexpensive. Gun has a damn good feel and trigger is outstanding.
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[/URL]5.) Deerminator - 03/04/2014
11lbs, :ek:
6.) Ventilator - 03/04/2014
Yeah I know. lol
But , that's about average for a precision rifle. Hope I don't have to lug it too many miles this fall.:)
But , that's about average for a precision rifle. Hope I don't have to lug it too many miles this fall.:)
7.) Old Crow - 03/05/2014
Tack driver .... Lets see some 5 shot groups .... :tu:
8.) Ventilator - 03/05/2014
Absolutely OC, that's my plan for Sunday. :)
9.) Ventilator - 03/05/2014
Ordered the 5 rd mag conversion kit for it yesterday.
10.) Ventilator - 03/10/2014
Was able to put 40 rounds down range yesterday at 100yds. Here are two groups using my last 9 rounds. No sandbag used on the rear of stock. Shot using Harris bipod on bench . Used non-firing hand for support. I think the gun is capable of .75 MOA. More testing to come.
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[/URL]11.) DParker - 03/10/2014
Not bad. What kind of ammo?
12.) Deerminator - 03/10/2014
Nice shoot'n:tu:
13.) Swamp Fox - 03/10/2014
With a sandbag and a front rest it'll prolly skeer you!
:tu:
:tu:
14.) Deerminator - 03/10/2014
How far away is too far away?
15.) Ventilator - 03/10/2014
[QUOTE=DParker;17711]Not bad. What kind of ammo?[/QUOTE]
Hornady 168gr BTHP Match-Factory
Hornady 168gr BTHP Match-Factory
16.) Ventilator - 03/10/2014
[QUOTE=Deerminator;17720]How far away is too far away?[/QUOTE]
My turret is 500 yds. That's as far as ive shot with any reliability in the past. Especially now that im supposed to be a bow hunter. lol
I plan to practice effectively out to that distance over the summer.
My turret is 500 yds. That's as far as ive shot with any reliability in the past. Especially now that im supposed to be a bow hunter. lol
I plan to practice effectively out to that distance over the summer.
17.) Ventilator - 03/10/2014
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;17716]With a sandbag and a front rest it'll prolly skeer you!
:tu:[/QUOTE]
True. I have a Harris bipod on it. I plan to buy a rear bag soon. :tu:
:tu:[/QUOTE]
True. I have a Harris bipod on it. I plan to buy a rear bag soon. :tu:
18.) Deerminator - 03/10/2014
About 100yds is tops around here. I'd love to try some loooong distance plinking.
19.) Ventilator - 03/10/2014
The new lease I looked at getting into over the weekend has plenty of opportunity out to 300. I plan to take it to Wyoming this October as well.
20.) Deerminator - 03/10/2014
I take it there's no tree stands out there.
21.) Ventilator - 03/10/2014
Nah, just bean and corn fields. Plenty of woods , but those crop fields are tempting.
22.) Ventilator - 03/10/2014
Oh, and all foot work in Wyoming.
23.) Deerminator - 03/10/2014
Horses?
24.) Ventilator - 03/10/2014
No, They are high tech. F250 spot and stalk vehicles......then on foot to stalk in range.
25.) Deerminator - 03/10/2014
The wide open spaces
26.) DParker - 03/10/2014
You're going to need to work up some handloads to take full advantage of that puppy.
27.) Ventilator - 03/11/2014
yeah, I guess ill have to give in and start reloading at some point. I am hoping the Hornady ammo is up to speed. Probably try to shoot at least 200 rounds before I look into working up some loads. I have a buddy with a reloader and .308 dies. Seems like 175gr SMKs are very popular .
28.) Old Crow - 03/12/2014
Be sure to match the bullet grain to the twist rate of the barrel ...
Here is some good load work up info ....
[url]http://www.6mmbr.com/308win.html[/url]
Here is some good load work up info ....
[url]http://www.6mmbr.com/308win.html[/url]
29.) Ventilator - 03/12/2014
thanks OC, that's a damn good link!
30.) Ventilator - 03/12/2014
After reading thru the link, it seems I should be looking towards 168gr Federal GMM ammo. Loaded with Sierra MK`s. Sold out most places and at least 10.00 per box higher than Hornady match. Hornady also offers 168 AMAX bullets in their match loads for 1.00 more. I hear AMAX is a fine bullet as well as SMK`s.
31.) DParker - 03/12/2014
[QUOTE=Ventilator;17783]After reading thru the link, it seems I should be looking towards 168gr Federal GMM ammo. Loaded with Sierra MK`s. Sold out most places and at least 10.00 per box higher than Hornady match. Hornady also offers 168 AMAX bullets in their match loads for 1.00 more. I hear AMAX is a fine bullet as well as SMK`s.[/QUOTE]
Pricier (which I'll use as a synonym for "higher quality", however unsafe that might be) factory ammo will generally (though certainly not always) buy you some measure of increased consistency over less expensive loads, but in the end you're still shooting off-the-shelf, mass-produced factory ammo that has been developed for the average rifle, and not yours specifically. As such you're pretty much rolling the dice on which one is going to shoot best in your gun, and even then you're not likely to end up with something that shoots nearly as well as a custom tuned handload would.
Pricier (which I'll use as a synonym for "higher quality", however unsafe that might be) factory ammo will generally (though certainly not always) buy you some measure of increased consistency over less expensive loads, but in the end you're still shooting off-the-shelf, mass-produced factory ammo that has been developed for the average rifle, and not yours specifically. As such you're pretty much rolling the dice on which one is going to shoot best in your gun, and even then you're not likely to end up with something that shoots nearly as well as a custom tuned handload would.
32.) Ventilator - 03/12/2014
Agreed Dp...thanks for the input. :tu:
I just found out ill have the opportunity to shoot a 1000 yd range next week down in Florida. Ill be going down to try and stick an Osceola one more time. Ive never tried to shoot out to that distance. Mostly I plan to shoot the turret out to 500 as mentioned. I don't even have a range with that distance here either, so Im taking advantage of the opportunity!
That will be the ulitimate test for the factory ammo. At this point im hoping to hold a decent deer vital size group out to 500 with practice. Handloads will be next on the menu.
I just found out ill have the opportunity to shoot a 1000 yd range next week down in Florida. Ill be going down to try and stick an Osceola one more time. Ive never tried to shoot out to that distance. Mostly I plan to shoot the turret out to 500 as mentioned. I don't even have a range with that distance here either, so Im taking advantage of the opportunity!
That will be the ulitimate test for the factory ammo. At this point im hoping to hold a decent deer vital size group out to 500 with practice. Handloads will be next on the menu.