Short, fun build

[jbjh]

So Tom Manners has but me in a bind with his largesse.

I've been planning on building myself a new gun and going the Savage route so I can teach myself some things and go at my own pace, but hadn't settled on all the specifics. Then came the group buy.

Now the good people at Manners sweating me for specifics of a gun that I don't have yet. I've ordered the MCS-EH4 for a Savage 4.4 short-action, center feed. But they need to know what profile barrel I am going to drop into it.

I have been going towards a 16-18" lighter-weight hunting/truck and shooting gun. I've come to discover that I'm allergic to weight, and a pound of gun is a pound of comfort I'll have to sacrifice somewhere else, so full varmint profile is more metal than I'm trying to lug around. And while I plan on running Accurate Mags DBM on the bottom, long strings of fire, a la comps, are unlikely (but it would be nice to be able to put 5 shots on paper without having to do my nails between pulling the trigger).

My guess is that somewhere between Heavy Sporter and Light Varmint is where I'll land, but I have never done this kind of build. I freely admit that I can be at cross purposes to myself with some build specs, so any of your advice and experiences would be appreciated.

 

[CrazyDonkey]

Re: Short, fun build

#3 contour, can be threaded for a can still.

 

[jbjh]

Re: Short, fun build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CrazyDonkey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">#3 contour, can be threaded for a can still. </div></div>
Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm wondering whose #3 you are referring to? There's quite a bit of difference between makers.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Short, fun build

Criterion Light Varmint from Northland Shooter Supply...

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Short, fun build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Criterion Light Varmint from Northland Shooter Supply...</div></div>

+1 That's what I have here @ 18"

 

[BigJohn141]

Re: Short, fun build

If you are still deciding on barrel contour and HAVE to make a choice right now, I would say get it for the larger barrel. If you decide to go with it then you are good, if you go with a smaller barrel you will still be good.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Short, fun build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 That's what I have here @ 18"</div></div>

How difficult was the Rem-Age conversion? Did you notch the action for the recoil lug yourself or have a smith do it?

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Short, fun build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 That's what I have here @ 18"</div></div>

How difficult was the Rem-Age conversion? Did you notch the action for the recoil lug yourself or have a smith do it?</div></div>

Conversion was easy. I sent the action to Dan @ Darkeagle Customs and he trued up everything on the action off of the threads, Notched the action for the recoil lug, fluted the bolt, and threaded the handle. Will be doing the OCW testing today after lunch. It's a 6.5x47 Lapua. I've got some 95gr vmax loaded up for now. I'll do the 130 vld next weekend. I shot it last week with loads from another rifle and was pretty impressed without any load workup. 130 vld and 37gr of Varget was producing 1/2 MOA at 100yds.

 

[jbjh]

Re: Short, fun build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 That's what I have here @ 18"</div></div>

How difficult was the Rem-Age conversion? Did you notch the action for the recoil lug yourself or have a smith do it?</div></div>

Conversion was easy. I sent the action to Dan @ Darkeagle Customs and he trued up everything on the action off of the threads, Notched the action for the recoil lug, fluted the bolt, and threaded the handle. Will be doing the OCW testing today after lunch. It's a 6.5x47 Lapua. I've got some 95gr vmax loaded up for now. I'll do the 130 vld next weekend. I shot it last week with loads from another rifle and was pretty impressed without any load workup. 130 vld and 37gr of Varget was producing 1/2 MOA at 100yds. </div></div>
That's really nice! Please keep us updated. I hear both good and bad on the conversions, and want to know more.

Thanks for the info too!