The Latest GRADOUS Kill Stick has ARRIVED!! 16.5" 6.5x47L

[Bob L Swagger]

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Robert Gradous for building me such a fine rifle... AGAIN! I have been planning this build for quite some time now and it finally arrived, just in time for hunting season! I wanted a "light" weight hunting rifle that would be handy, fast pointing and semi-tactical, but I didn't want to get into the feather weight typical hunting rifle class. This rig fit the bill perfectly and will be used for deer, ground hogs, coyotes and yet I could still use it for bangin' steel from time to time. As with all of Roberts builds, this handy little rifle is a TACK DRIVER!! When the box arrived, I couldn't get over how light weight the rifle was, it felt almost like toy it was so light.. I guess this since I am accustomed to handling my heavy weight custom rifles. The bare rifle with an empty magazine weighs in at 7.0 lbs. As equipped in the photos, it weighs in at 9.8lbs with a loaded magazine and a second loaded magazine in the the stock pack!! I really look forward to the upcoming whitetail hunting season! Thank you again, Robert Gradous!


Stiller TAC30 action
Bartlein #3 4 groove 1:8 .264 (6.5mm) finished at 16.5" threaded 5/8x24"
Jewell Trigger
PTG bottom metal
OD Green McMillan A3 Sporter (EDGE - carbon fiber)
Nightforce 5.5-22x50 ZS HS MOAR w/ holland level
Nightforce UL low rings
Atlas Bi-pod
TAB Gear sling
Eagle Stock pack
All metal Cerekoted Flat Dark Earth


















Since I just received the rifle, I really haven't had the chance to do an appropriate load work up... This is what I got out if it so far with very little effort.



39.0gr RL-17 / 136 Scenars (.085")






(.166")

40.0gr H-4350 / 136 Scenars








39.0gr H-4350 / 136 Scenars (.167")







More load work to come on the next days off!

 

[Nate O.]

If only we didn't have to work, but we gotta work to play. Nice rifle.

 

[Papagallos]

Why am I not surprised, Bob? How may Gradous builds do you have now? 20?

 

[Bigalfromfl]

That is one great looking rifle! Congrats!

 

[jbell]

Bob, that is a very good looking rifle! I hope it fills the freezer for you!

 

[J-Ham]

That seems like acceptable accuracy... VERY nice looking rifle, sir!

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Why am I not surprised, Bob? How may Gradous builds do you have now? 20?

LOL! Just about, give or take a couple... Man, you gotta see the next few that are coming!!! Thanks for all the kind words fellas!

 

[dmtsc]

Dude how close do you live to VA? I want to put that rifle in my hands and shoot it.

Fine stick, enjoy.

 

[6.5BR]

Sweet rifle, if you get any chrony reads - update us, thanks, enjoy, and good hunting!

 

[kyyotestalker]

Very nice rifle.

 

[John1911.com]

I like those groups with, "very little effort".

Oh my.....


TTR

 

[rtgllc]

That is a work of art. I am super interested in the velocity you are getting out of that length of barrel. Keep us updated.

 

[tnichols]

I'd send it back to him to see if he can get it to shoot ! Seriously, very nice rifle.

 

[dmtsc]

What kind of suppressor are you going to use on it?

 

[sanman28]

Awesome rifle. Why so much scope? Did you entertain less glass?

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Awesome rifle. Why so much scope? Did you entertain less glass?

I thought about using the compact NXS 2.5-10x42 instead of the 5.5-22x50 but the 10.5oz weight savings of the compact NXS optic is greatly out weighed the ablility to zoom in on a ground hog at 600 yards when necessary.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

What kind of suppressor are you going to use on it?

Unfortunately, I can't own a suppressor here in the communist state that I reside. Fortunately my shooting partner lives and PA and owns a few Wells custom suporessors that I can use while I am at his property.

 

[LegioX]

Pure sex Bob, congrats! Great pics as well, seems your photo skills match your shooting skills,

 

[Chiller]

Simple and Elegant

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Pure sex Bob, congrats! Great pics as well, seems your photo skills match your shooting skills,

Thanks brother! Believe it or not.. photos taken with an IPHONE 5s in my backyard!! Crazy huh?

 

[Tac284]

If I'm correct from past post's you own mostly 591 actions, right? What made you choose the Stiller? Only reason I ask is I am looking to buy one myself. It's a very nice rifle by the way!

 

[Bob L Swagger]

If I'm correct from past post's you own mostly 591 actions, right? What made you choose the Stiller? Only reason I ask is I am looking to buy one myself. It's a very nice rifle by the way!

Thank you for the compliment on the rifle.. That is correct, my other customs are all built on Surgeon actions. I do have some 591's on order (for almost a year now) that I will put to use on other projects however, I decided to give the Stiller a shot and see how I like them. I have to say, I am extremely impressed with the quality, features and craftmanship of the Stiller action. All in all, the TAC 30 is very hard beat, especially since they are more than $300 less expensive than the 591's... I wouldn't hesitate to complete another project on one of these actions.

 

[tomcatfan]

Nice looking rifle. Thats one thing I love about the 6.5x47 is that even your "inaccurate" rounds are still crazy accurate. Good luck working up loads, but it looks like you've got some keepers already.

 

[CrossHare]

Sweet Jesus, Roberto knocked it outta here with that. Very nice!

 

[EasternNChunter]

Thank you for the compliment on the rifle.. That is correct, my other customs are all built on Surgeon actions. I do have some 591's on order (for almost a year now) that I will put to use on other projects however, I decided to give the Stiller a shot and see how I like them. I have to say, I am extremely impressed with the quality, features and craftmanship of the Stiller action. All in all, the TAC 30 is very hard beat, especially since they are more than $300 less expensive than the 591's... I wouldn't hesitate to complete another project on one of these actions.

No Olive Marble either? If not for the FDE and the groups, I would think someone hacked into your account.

 

[PatrickChewing]

Looks great Bob! I really like the color combo!

 

[6.5BR]

I really like the 47, but wondering how much louder and more recoil would a 260 give in this set up, and I wonder how accurate one might be? Just curious. The 47 ideally is better suited I think in short compact rifles, but thinking the barrel should be very stiff at this length, and other rounds might do well too.

Anyone done a 260 in a similar set up? Would running a can negate much differences between a 47 vs a 260 in firing behavior? Looking forward to speed data in this rifle.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Looks great Bob! I really like the color combo!

Thanks Clay! I anticipate testing those 140 Hybrids in this rig... I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[jtrax]

I'd say load development is complete. Very nice Bob.

 

[PRDRIVER]

What sort of velocities are you getting out of the 16.5" barrel?

 

[308Gunner]

Very nice rifle and if it was me load development would be done.

 

[.284]

Can you comment onmthe bottom metal set up a little. How do you like it and does the mag fit tight or rattle a little at all?
Thanks

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Can you comment onmthe bottom metal set up a little. How do you like it and does the mag fit tight or rattle a little at all?
Thanks

The fit of the mag in the bottom metal is perfect.. No rattle, no wobble, not to tight, just right. It feeds great and is right on par with my Surgeon DBM's.

As far as velocity, I will have some #'s on Wednesday when I'm off. I'm also going to stretch it out a little to see how it does at a further distance.

 

[.284]

The fit of the mag in the bottom metal is perfect.. No rattle, no wobble, not to tight, just right. It feeds great and is right on par with my Surgeon DBM's.

As far as velocity, I will have some #'s on Wednesday when I'm off. I'm also going to stretch it out a little to see how it does at a further distance.

Great. Thanks

 

[Dynamic Response]

Sweet rig. How much if you don't mind me asking.

I'm still in love with your last one in 300wm. Very jealous.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Sweet rig. How much if you don't mind me asking.

I'm still in love with your last one in 300wm. Very jealous.

Thank you! I really don't remember what I paid for it since I bought most of the parts just about a year ago when I put the order in with Mr Gradous. If I had guess... I'd say somewhere between $3600 to $3800.

 

[sakobob]

tag for 136 scenar performance

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Getting ready to run some 130 Bergers and some 136 Scenars over the Magneto speed... I'm also going to give it a try at 700 yards..

 

[The Lawn Ranger]

Bob. I am interested in the speeds you obtain from the 136's. I don't think I have ever seen a 47L with such a short
barrel length. I miss my Gradous 47L-I might have to get him going on a 300 WM soon.

 

[pyplynr]

Curious on the speed of the 136 and 130's. The 130 is my goto bullet on my x47 w/25" barrel. I have a 18" x47 but I haven't worked up a load for the 130's. The 95gr vmax is at 3000fps out of it though.

 

[6.5BR]

Predicting 2700 with 130s....looking forward to results.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Well... I couldn't have asked for a better day!! It started off really slow since it was rough waking up early and loading ammo after working double shifts back to back. The weather man called for scattered showers and over cast all day, but I really lucked out!! It was darn there perfect conditions, 5 to 8 mph winds, very few clouds & the sun managed to shine for quite a while during the morning and it just started drizzling now..

After returning from the reloading room, my wife had a fantastic breakfast of steak (our farm raised black angus porterhouse) and eggs waiting for me which was FANTASTIC!!! (God I love this woman!)







While driving out to the shooting area, I thought "Damn, I love the north east this time of year!"








Now to the shooting...


With my buds can:







I wasn't super impressed with the 130 Berger Hunting VLD's @ 100 yards that much.. I really had to try HARD to shoot a group..



The best I walked away with today was this (all testing done without the can):





....but they SHINED @ 687 yards!!






(looking back at the shooting position from behind the plate - F-350 off in the distance)

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Velocity with the 130 Berger VLD hunting / 38.5gr Varget / CCI BR4 / New brass:




Velocity with the 136 Lapua Scenar / 40.0gr H-4350 / CCI BR4 / New brass:

(Accidentally reset to series one and deleted the info but luckily I wrote it down)

Min: 2491
Max: 2522
Avg: 2502
SD: 9
ES:31


The best part of the day was getting home and relaxing with one of these!

 

[jonthomps]

Really nice... porterhouse. Cooked to perfection! I guess the rifle is ok too ;-)

 

[BoilerUP]

...and people say short 6.5s don't make any sense ballistically...

 

[6.5BR]

Keep the drink, I'll take the rifle Bob, thanks much, was over asking the pistola guys on speeds, and Varget is the ticket in a short barrel from what it seems, H4350 not the best. I was spot on as to est. speeds. A 130 6.5 at 2700 will do a lot of killing Good hunting and keep us posted. Enjoyed the update/info.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

I think I'm going to test the IMR8208XBR with the 130's.. Might be able to squeeze a little more velocity out of it...

 

[6.5BR]

You might find 50-75, but I would not push for more than that, trust you will proceed safely. Good stuff. FWIW, I had a 21" 7BR, shot 2544 w/139 SST, 2666 w/130 Speers, and 2878 w/120 Vmax/BTs. Not bad for a little case. Ironically I chopped a '96 Swede to 21" running IMR4831 shot 120s at 2831 so your 47 is running really close in that short bbl. Pretty sweet, very efficient. Did you have a chance to shoot w/o the can to see how loud it is?

 

[Bob L Swagger]

All testing was without the can.. She had a good little pop to her, but nothing bad.. Maybe I should leave well enough alone and just get in the stand!! (To many Ketle 1's at this point!)

 

[6.5BR]

I'd take her hunting as is I Figure the 47 is about the ideal small bore SA round in barrels 16-18" as little will be gained but blast if going to say a 260.