22BR Custom Build

RifleMN

Private
Minuteman
Jun 23, 2025
5
0
MN
Hello. First post here. I am looking at doing a custom 22BR bolt action build and had some ideas of what I want to do and wanted to see if I was missing anything obvious. Budget is around 3k total and no timeline. Rifle will be used out west for prairie dogs and a general paper puncher/steel at ranges that would be over 500 yards. Will be only used off a bench and not for competition. I currently handload with a single stage and Dillon 550b for 204 Ruger, 300 win mag and pistol.

Kelbly Atlas Tac
Preferred 22BR 27" , 1:8, PRS Heavy, .80FB, .260NK
McMillan A5-7(classic look vs chassis)
Hawkins M5 DBM with MDT mags
Trigger Tech Special
I already have glass
Any brake that works (EC Tuner?)
SAC modular die (BR) with Mandrel(I asked SAC if this can be used to neck down and they said yes)
Forster Seating Die
Lapua 6BR brass
75-80 ELDM or 62 ELD-VT
CCI450


Preferred will expedite the order and install the barrel onto the action and headspace for no extra cost on the actions the stock (kelblys).

Just making sure I am on the right track here and not missing anything obvious. Putting together a custom rifle that shoots nice has always been a goal and the 22BR seems like a good fit. Good ballistics, accuracy, recoil, easy (relatively) to load ammo for, good support for materials, etc.

Thanks!
 
I went the Origin/Bartlein (Bugholes) 1:7/Bravo/TT Diamond route.

Bugholes did a .080” throat on mine and I’ve no complaints. Did fine with 88’s and by the time I started shooting 95’s (about 700 rounds in), I didn’t run into any issues.

Haven’t shot them in a while, but 75 ELDM’s with LVR are positively vile. Possibly the best grouping load out of that rifle (of all things tried so far), but LVR is a bit temp sensitive and 75’s don’t splash much on 1,000 yard steel. Still, a wicked varmint load.

The SAC sizer should be great. I might spring for one if I do another .22BR barrel, as I’m kinda “meh” on my current sizing setup. The Forster seater die is tits.

Spring for the TT Diamond and thank me later.

Powder wise, RL-16 was great, but now $80/lb. :/…. I’ve played with Staball 6.5 with 95’s but I just think it’s a tick too slow. About to play with 85.5’s and Ramshot Big Game. Have the load worked up, but haven’t really determined much else.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
 
And yes I get the FB but I'm not planning on running over 80 ELDMs anyway so I should be fine, especially when it starts peeling back due to erosion (hoping)
I think he's referring to you missing a 0 after the decimal. 80 thou vs 800 thou.

Sounds like a nice build. I dont think i'd want a brake on a heavy 27" 22 BR for bench and pdog shooting. Bare muzzle or better yet, suppressor.
 
I went the Origin/Bartlein (Bugholes) 1:7/Bravo/TT Diamond route.

Bugholes did a .080” throat on mine and I’ve no complaints. Did fine with 88’s and by the time I started shooting 95’s (about 700 rounds in), I didn’t run into any issues.

Haven’t shot them in a while, but 75 ELDM’s with LVR are positively vile. Possibly the best grouping load out of that rifle (of all things tried so far), but LVR is a bit temp sensitive and 75’s don’t splash much on 1,000 yard steel. Still, a wicked varmint load.

The SAC sizer should be great. I might spring for one if I do another .22BR barrel, as I’m kinda “meh” on my current sizing setup. The Forster seater die is tits.

Spring for the TT Diamond and thank me later.

Powder wise, RL-16 was great, but now $80/lb. :/…. I’ve played with Staball 6.5 with 95’s but I just think it’s a tick too slow. About to play with 85.5’s and Ramshot Big Game. Have the load worked up, but haven’t really determined much else.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
Thanks! Yea I wanna steer clear of LVR because of temp sensitivity. Shooting at home could be 60 degrees for load dev and prairie dog town could be 100. I appreciate the advice!