F T/R Competition New F-Open rig

[BradfromND]

I shot F T/R class last year for the first time. I had parts on order for an Open rig before I even shot my first T/R match. I started this last May knowing I wasn't in a hurry. Here's what I came up with.

Caliber is 6mm Competition Match
Surgeon RSR action with a sled to convert to single shot.
Bartlein HV contour 4 groove with 7.5 twist
Jewell trigger
Center Shot Rifles LRB stock
Murphy Precision rings and rail
Bat Machine trigger guard
Nightforce 12-42x56 BR with NP-R2

Chad Dixon and Longrifles, Inc did the barrel work. He hung the pipe and put the ridiculous polish job on the barrel and action.

I got the stock from Jim See at Center Shot Rifles. I changed the inlet a bit from a Remington 700 inlet. I had to add the side bolt release cutout and changed it from a swept bolt handle to straight bolt handle. I also smoothed out the tang to flow perfectly into the action and smoothed the area around the trigger guard to also transition perfectly. I ordered different knobs for the ckeek piece and polished the knobs, the rest of the hardware and the adjustable butt plate. I also got matching knobs for the Sinclair rest and polished them up along with the F-Class feet to match the rifle. The stock was then sent out to AT Custom Paint in Spokane, WA for the paint job. If anyone needs a paint job like this, Adam is your man! His work is incredible and pricing can't be beat. http://www.custompaintingairbrushing.com/

I just started working up loads for it a couple of weeks ago. I did a ladder test at 600 yds. 48 gr of H-1000 powder gave me 1" of vertical over ten shots. I'm using 115 Dtac's. This weekend I'll get out and do some group testing to check different seating depths. I'm pretty optimistic.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: New F-Open rig

very very nice, let us know how it shoots plz.

 

[LRI]

Re: New F-Open rig

Brad,

Outstanding buddy! Glad to know its shooting well too!

Very sick! We love it! Get some groups up.

C.

As for how it shoots, here's the PM he sent me a few days ago:

<span style="font-style: italic"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chad,

I just started dialing in my 6 Comp Match that you barreled for me last year. I put 20 rounds through the barrel on Wednesday just to get a few through it and sight it in before I started working up loads. I had 4 shots left on Wednesday so I wanted to shoot a group. 3 shots went into the .0's and the 4th shot opened it up to .135 at 100 yds. Yesterday I went out to 600 yds to do a ladder test. 48 grains of H-1000 gave me 1 inch of vertical across 10 shots. I think I found my powder charge! Now this week I'll start playing with seating depth as I've heard these 115 DTac's like to be just off the lands and I did all work up so far at .005 jam just to be safe on pressure.

I just wanted to give you a heads up that this thing is going to be an absolute hammer. I'll put pics up on here later this week once I get my cheek piece back from my painter. Dumb ass me figured the bolt recess in the cheek piece would be high enough, but it wasn't. I should have assembled it all before it went out for paint. Oh well, lesson learned.

Thanks and take care.</div></div></span>

 

[Lofty]

Re: New F-Open rig

Dats purdy!

 

[JoshcBoucher]

Re: New F-Open rig

I was just poking around the site, and saw your gun. That is outstanding work. I've been a carpenter, my whole life, so I understand FINE craftsmanship, when I see it. That gun of yours is a work of art. I'm always amazed by fine metal work, cause I bitch about working with the "harder" woods.

 

[BradfromND]

Re: New F-Open rig

Thanks guys. I'll post some pics of groups after this weekend. I've got to get my load dialed in as this thing will be on its maiden voyage the following weekend. I'll be taking her down to Minneapolis for an NRA match to pop its cherry.

 

[STP]

Re: New F-Open rig

Naked or moly coated? Jammed or off the lands?

Regards,

Scott

 

[calling4life]

Re: New F-Open rig

are you coming back up here this weekend? Make up enough ammo to allow me to send one or two perhaps...

 

[BradfromND]

Re: New F-Open rig

Brett, I've got 30 with your name on it. I loaded up 100, 115 Bergers just to fireform and I've got 30 left to shoot. I'll be up there this weekend for sure. I text you when I'm on my way. Have you gotten your scope back yet?

 

[calling4life]

Re: New F-Open rig

Nope, don't plan on having the new scope here, I don't think they've gotten mine back yet.

You got a donor 30mm scope?

 

[BradfromND]

Re: New F-Open rig

I went out to finish up load development today. It rained all day yesterday and then sunny today, so of course the mirage was thick. It wasn't too windy,considering it is ND, but still variable at 10-13 mph so not the greatest to shoot groups.

The top two groups were 48 grain H-1000 loaded right to the lands and the bottom 2 groups were .010 off the lands. I think .010 off is going to be the winner. Very little vertical in the groups, just left and right from variable winds. Nothing spectacular, but I'll take them. These were shot at 300 yds and the center dot is 1 inch.

If I get another calm day, I'll try to post some better group pics. I have no doubt that the rifle can do it, it's just the nut behind the trigger that needs to keep his poop in a group.

 

[Papagallos]

Re: New F-Open rig

That is one sick looking rifle. I am really digging the whole polished look. Outstanding in every way. Too bad Chad doesn't work with stocks that have been inletted. Maybe I'll have him build me a beauty one of these days.

 

[calling4life]

Re: New F-Open rig

She's a joy to shoot, looks pretty, that NF benchrest is nice, but until you stop operating that trigger like a virgin thumbing a bra, those groups are destined to look like that...

 

[BradfromND]

Re: New F-Open rig

Do you really want me to post your group with it. Or should I say shotgun pattern?

Don't even get me started on the virgin comment........

 

[calling4life]

Re: New F-Open rig

Hey, some of us are only useful because we're a shining bad example.
And Z:
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all...

We should do the "smack the smiley" deal from the tactical forum, I just don't know that my rifle will be complete and put together by the deadline, looks fun though.

 

[Boss334OP]

Re: New F-Open rig

That is one sweet rifle. I've seen show cars with a duller coat! lol Some of the finest craftsmanship I have seen on the forum. Dixon may be getting another project when I get the funds.

 

[GrantB]

Re: New F-Open rig

Nice rig.

 

[oinco]

Re: New F-Open rig

that is a pretty sweet lead-slinger, I'm diggin' the paint job, but really diggin' the idea of groups in the .1's!

 

[BradfromND]

Re: New F-Open rig

Thanks guys.

I'm still getting used to shooting it. It sounds dumb to me but I feel almost lost behind it. I've shot all my other rifles off bipods for the last 12+ years and now am trying to figure out this whole rest/rear bag thing. I'm so used to adjusting for height by squeezing the rear bag and windage with my body. I NEED to spend some more time behind it. Honestly, the best shooting I've done with it was for the ladder test and initial 20 round break in. I know it's not the gun, it is me that can't run it.

I shot a match last weekend with it. Saturday was a wind reading clinic followed by a practice match. I shot a 195 with 2 "intentional" bad shots to see what the wind would do at the extremes outside of my bracket picked to shoot. This was shot with fireforming loads at 600 yards. Sunday was an NRA match. I shot a 194, 196, 193, 191. The last match had me completely blown away. I flat out fell apart. It's a 96.7% score but I thought it should have been better. A guy couldn't have asked for better conditions. Vertical was nice and tight but I had left to right issues so I know it is a technique/follow through error. I'll get it figured out.

 

[calling4life]

Re: New F-Open rig

Holy shit, isn't that what I told you, minor flaws in form?

I've got my gun all put together and cleaned, the trigger is crisp, though even at 1 1/4lb pull it felt heavy.
I plan on running through torque values from 30-65, shooting a lot of groups to find my mark, then testing the 175's vs 168's vs 150 trophy copper hunting rounds

Should be another 200 round day, let me know if you're coming up to shoot anytime soon.

 

[DGD6MM]

Re: New F-Open rig

None of my rifles are as pretty as that one, but my 6CM's will shoot. The only problem is, they are way better then I'm capable of shooting.