My Crescent Customs 6.5x55 Sako TRG M995

[Layton]

Just got it in. The man does some fantastic work.

Sako TRG M995
Bartlein 26" M24/40 8.5tw
MCM A3 Rhino camo
S&B 5x25 p4f
COAL will be about 3.18 with 140 hybrids

Hope to shoot it this weekend.

L

 

[Joop]

Looks awesome!

I'll be following along if you post any range reports, as well. I have a Tikka 6.5x55 project in the works that should be done soon.

John

 

[Pointblanktx]

Nice! Looks like it will be well worth the wait!

 

[Scottie15]

Sweet stick. I was just asking about a 6.5x55 over on the hunting forum.

What velocity do you anticipate on the 140's?

 

[Layton]

Thanks! I'm hoping to land somewhere between 2900-3000. Moon seems to think I can push 3000 but I'll be happy if I can hit a solid node north of 2900. I'll start testing this weekend with 4831 and N560. Thought about trying some H1000.

L

 

[buffybuster]

Can't tell from the picture. Did you use the OEM recoil lug setup or did you put a Remington style recoil lug? Also what are you doing for the bottom-metal?

 

[Layton]

Not sure which recoil lug he used. He told me and I forget now. Bottom metal came from MCM last year but they no longer supply em. They will still inlet for M995s. Moon can get his hands on more bottoms as needed though.

L

 

[glock24]

Lookin' good! Great camo choice. And nice to see guys still rockin' those old TRG-S rifles. What a shame they aren't made anymore.

Tag for more info on this hot-rod 6.5x55

 

[Layton]

So I guess Moon was right. Go figure. Group below is 5 shots. Avg. of 2970fps. ES of 13fps. 140g Hybrids. 50.5g N560. COAL 3.175. Sitting .010" off. I'll push it some more next time out just to find my max but I will start compressing at 51g it looks like. No pressure signs. Primers looked good. Still some work to do to tighten up the groups but considering this was shots 26-30 out of a new barrel during break-in I'm happy. Every group was about the same. He said this was going to be a fun one.

L

 

[glock24]

How's the recoil as compared to your compensated 338 Lapua?

 

[Layton]

No where close. Feels like shooting my AR. Easy easy to shoot.

 

[lapua31]

I had a finnlite in the same cal and even with such a light rifle I found the recoil to very mild.
Great cal and very nice rifle you got there!

 

[Dglide59]

I'm new to the forum. Just split my M995 stock this week. I need bottom metal and want a MCM A3 or Manners stock. Who is Moon and how do I contact him? I would really appreciate any help!

 

[glock24]

Man, have you come to the right place!

Layton will be along to hook you up.

 

[Boltfluter]

Congrats, that is an awesome build. Definately a shooter.

Regards, Paul

Boltfluting.com

 

[lapua31]

I'm new to the forum. Just split my M995 stock this week. I need bottom metal and want a MCM A3 or Manners stock. Who is Moon and how do I contact him? I would really appreciate any help!

Try to control yourself around here or you'll go broke trying to keep up!

 

[Frank Green]

Great looking rifle! When we've done the M995's we mill the front of the action off so the bevel is gone. Then we use an after market o.s. Rem. style recoil lug.

The 6.5x55 is a great round and one of my favorites and it will shoot excellent accuracy wise. Your group is .640" - .264" gives you .376" center to center. Basically your at 3/8" moa. You should be able to tighten that up. Give the barrel about a 100 rounds or so to settle down and recheck your accuracy. Play with the seating depth as well. I start .010" off the lands but I've seen guns any where from touching the lands up to .060" off the lands you will find the best accuracy. Shooting factory ammo thru my .338 Lapua the bullets are .100" off the lands and it will shoot under 1/2moa.

Again great looking rifle and Moon builds a great stick!

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[Layton]

Thanks guys!

Dglide, sorry for the the late reply. Moon owns Crescent Customs. He can be reached at 816-841-9322 or [email protected]. This is the second M995 he's done up for me and he has a couple of others in line now.

At this point your only option for a stock is either a McMillan or a Whiskey 3 chassis. Manners will not inlet for M995s any longer. If you have a 7mmRM, 300WM or something in that class and up you can use TRG42 mags with the MCM stocks by notching the front of the mags. Anything in the 30-06 class and down you will have to use factory mags. Whiskey 3s take AICS-cip mags. Hope this helps.

L

edt: If I ever find another M995 as a donor I'm putting it in a Whiskey 3.

 

[Hawk45]

Great looking setup and shooter. Congrats!

 

[glock24]

Great looking rifle! When we've done the M995's we mill the front of the action off so the bevel is gone. Then we use an after market o.s. Rem. style recoil lug.

The 6.5x55 is a great round and one of my favorites and it will shoot excellent accuracy wise. Your group is .640" - .264" gives you .376" center to center. Basically your at 3/8" moa. You should be able to tighten that up. Give the barrel about a 100 rounds or so to settle down and recheck your accuracy. Play with the seating depth as well. I start .010" off the lands but I've seen guns any where from touching the lands up to .060" off the lands you will find the best accuracy. Shooting factory ammo thru my .338 Lapua the bullets are .100" off the lands and it will shoot under 1/2moa.

Again great looking rifle and Moon builds a great stick!

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

Frank and company did my M995 build in 7mmRM;









5-shots, 200 meters

 

[Dglide59]

Thanks for the information you've sent. I've talked to Moon and he's getting a stock and bottom metal for me. I came close to selling this M995 twice for fear not having an option for a new stock. I'm waiting on a McMillian stock currently for a 300WM I'm having built with a Defiance Rebel action, etc. Been waiting on the stock since February. Moon said the wait will be at least that long. Take care.

 

[Mackay Sagebrush]

That is a fine looking old, upgraded Tikka there. It is obvious it is going to be a performer. Chambered in a great cartridge too.
An all around nice set up.

 

[Layton]

Range Report
Seems to like 48g of N560 @2923fps the best so far. 5 shots. .010" off with 140 Hybrids. 67 rounds down the tube. For those following this. Gonna start testing 4831sc tomorrow morning and play with seating depth w/N560..


edt: 49 wasn't too bad. I skipped 48.5 so I'm having to go back to that. It opened up at 49.5 and didn't come back until 51 but the bolt was getting a little sticky. May be ok in the winter but I'll have to roll back to 48-49 for N560 in the summer.


L

 

[Pointblanktx]

Thats some good groupings for so little rds. down the pipe!

 

[Layton]

Crescent Customs 6.5x55 Sako TRG M995-range report last update

Just thought I'd share this last update. Frank you were right. Settled down at about 100 rounds and jumped another .010" to .020" off with 49.5g of N560 @ 2933fps. 5 shots below at 100y. Plenty for what I'm doing. Only concern is the temp stability with the N560. Getting really good groups with 4831SC but just not to the velocity I'd like. YET.

L

 

[jbell]

Man these are some very good looking rifles. I have always wanted a M995 to build up a lighter weight hunting rifle to accompany my TRG. Thank you both for posting the pics...

 

[Rob01]

Definitely a shooter. Moon builds great rifles. He built a couple for me at GAP and my switch barrel at Crescent Customs. Congrats on the rifle.

 

[Travis224]

Terrific groups and a great looking rifle! I am jealous. Wish i could get my Tikka 595 to look like that.

 

[Matthewb45]

That's a nice build man i like it grats!!!

 

[nashlaw]

I have a 6-digit 700 SA on the way. Moon will be using one of Frank's barrels in .308. Will look nice in one of my M40 McMillans in forest camo.

 

[Layton]

Thanks guys! It's been a fun one to shoot. Just wish the rain would stop long enough to go to 600y. And hopefully a 1000y is a couple of weeks.

L

 

[Rustybroadhead]

That is a great looking rig! I have a long action non magnum 700 donor to work off of and have been looking at this caliber hard. I am really impressed with the velocity you are getting from 140's. At some point in the future, I may need to pick your brain a bit for loading info as I am brand new to reloading.

Congrats!