• The Shot You’ll Never Forget Giveaway - Enter To Win A Barrel From Rifle Barrel Blanks!

    Tell us about the best or most memorable shot you’ve ever taken. Contest ends June 13th and remember: subscribe for a better chance of winning!

    Join contest Subscribe

At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

ZLBubba

Sergeant
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 15, 2009
924
92
45
Maryland
I have wanted to have a custom rifle since I was a kid shooting out in the woods with a old Remington 22. As I grew older, I still loved shooting, but I realized that I wanted to have a gun that was built exactly to my preferences. I laboriously studied what components I wanted to use for my custom build, and researched which builders offered what services, lead time, etc. While I was deployed, I decided that I'd finally take the plunge and order my rifle as a welcome home gift. Well, I got home a couple months ago, and now my rifle arrived yesterday. Ladies and gents, here she is:

2cxuqdl.jpg

11t0vo1.jpg

2w4cw74.jpg


I've got a stack of ammo that I'm going to take her out to the range with tomorrow. If she looks this great, I can't wait to see how she shoots. Christmas in the spring time!
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

Im gonna guess....
Badger M2008 Gen 2
Bartlein or Broughton 18" 308 MTU Contour
Rem 700 Trigger
And everything else is evident...congrats on the build.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

Eureka, I forgot to use the .jpg files.

Specs:
Badger M2008 SA
1-in-10", 18" barrell in 7.55 contour, threaded 5/8x24.
Huber 2 stage match trigger
AW mags
AICS 2.0
Badger 34mm USMC rings
Premier 3-15
Harris bipod w/ podlock

I'm thinking a Gemtech Sandstorm is in my future.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

I'll tell you tomorrow evening. I've got about 100 175gr Matchkings and 167gr Scenars loaded up for the range. I'll have pics up tomorrow night. The test target came back at around .28 or so. I'm sure this gun will outshoot me, but I'll do my best and let y'all know how this goes.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seaaggie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sure is short...good looking fire stick </div></div>

I had first thought I'd go with a standard 1-in-11 twist in a 22" barrel but between placing the order and APA actually working on it, I had a change of heart. I don't have the chance to shoot out to 1k. 600-800 is about all I'm going to have for the foreseeable future.

In the end I just talked to David and worked out the best way to get an accurate, handy little rifle. We decided to go with a 1-in-10 barrel finished at 18", a great length for balance, and especially good when considering a suppressor. I was sold after I saw a few other guys' builds in a similar configuration. I'm sure one day I'll have a 338 with a long barrel, but this is the rifle I'm going to put a million rounds through in the mean time.

I can't wait to take it shooting tomorrow.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seaaggie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sure is short...good looking fire stick </div></div>

<span style="font-weight: bold">I was sold after I saw a few other guys' builds in a similar configuration</span>. I can't wait to take it shooting tomorrow. </div></div>

you wouldnt have happened to been influenced by mine would you???
smile.gif
and it will shoot like any APA, lights the fuck out.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

Give us the range report and let us know how it shoots. I have been thinking of doing a short one like this. I would be interested to know what kind of speeds you are getting out of it with the shorter barrel.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">head2h2o....i have the exact setup except for a Rock Creek barrel, im pushing the 155 scenar at 2850ish out of mine </div></div>

That's my first project is seeing how well this one shoots with the 155 scenars. I've stockpiled Varget and 155 pills and should get to it next week. I don't have a chrono yet though.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

Loading up the car for the range now. After a jog and some Raisin Bran, I'll start the trek. Should be there by 9am. Can't wait.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im gonna guess....
Badger M2008 Gen 2
Bartlein or Broughton 18" 308 MTU Contour
Rem 700 Trigger
And everything else is evident...congrats on the build. </div></div>



ERRR, NOOBIE question. It may be evident to everyone else, but not to me. What is the stock he has on there???? I am drooling all over it. Can I get one that will fit a savage 10fp?
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Breathe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im gonna guess....
Badger M2008 Gen 2
Bartlein or Broughton 18" 308 MTU Contour
Rem 700 Trigger
And everything else is evident...congrats on the build. </div></div>



ERRR, NOOBIE question. It may be evident to everyone else, but not to me. What is the stock he has on there???? I am drooling all over it. Can I get one that will fit a savage 10fp?</div></div>

Accuracy International Chassis System, 2.0, folding, run you about 1100 smackaroolies.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

Thanks for the compliments, gents. I just got back from a full day at the range, and as expected, the rifle is an absolute hammer. With Hornady Tap, 3 of the four groups had all five touching. With 175gr Matchkings and R-15, I got down around .3" for a four round group (with about 42 grains of powder). With 167gr Scenars and VV550, my best four round group was sitting right around the .25-.27 mark (with about 45 grains of powder).

My next range trip will be exclusively with 155gr Scenars and Varget. The 175 MKs were more consistent though the 167 Scenars had the best group. So for me, I'm either going to go with 175gr MKs or 155gr Scenars, whichever work best in my rig. The gun shoots way better than I do, but I'm learning.

Speaking of which, I had the pleasure of having John Boyette give me some long range training today. He was absolutely excellent to work with. I'm a military trained shooter so he worked with all of the habits I have in muscle memory and adapted me over to the long gun. Pretty soon, I was banging the dog shit out of the 500 and 600 yard plates. Kudos to him for making some training time for me, and I highly recommend him. Also, a big thanks to Glenn Aycock for letting us use his land to shoot on.

Great day overall: great company, great training, and an absolute hammer of a rifle. Glenn wanted to trade his truck for it, but I said no deal!
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: netranger6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are you running the BO USMC 1 inchers? </div></div>

You're really close... they're the BO 34mm USMC rings.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

ZLBubba,
It was a great time working with you today; you are a great shot and a great student to work with. I will layout a small AAR of what we covered, so you can look back on it as you wish. Also I want to add some of my thoughts as to the why we did what we did.

SDC10815.jpg


1. Prone Bi-pod position.

SDC10805.jpg


My goal was to start you off right on how to get in the prone bi-pod position with ZERO bi-pod hop, we worked on how to place your rifle on the firing line for faster sight alignment and also how to approach your rifle once it on the firing line.

SDC10795.jpg


The next part of the prone we worked on was your use of the support hand, in rear support of the rifle, and the primary hand and its functions in running to bolt in a faster manner and conducting magazine loadings and brass/chamber checking and so forth.

2. Optic adjustment and tighten of the ring mounts.
We first started on seeing if the riflescope tracked well, and the resetting of the ZERO knobs worked as advertised. I would say yes the riflescope tracks as you would like it too. <span style="font-style: italic">“on a side note, we need to work on your ability to read the reticle for ranging and dope adjustment</span>” Over all the only small issue I seen what the mounting of the scope rings, we got that fixed ASAP once it was ID’ed as a issue.

3. Load testing a selection of proper ammunition.

SDC10821.jpg


I think this is going to be the hardest part for you ZLBubba, that rifle is one of the best custom rifles I have ever seen from any builder, to include the best APA to date. We worked on a ladder test, and a O.C.W. for right now, once you shoot it some more in the 42.5 to 44.3 grn range of RL-15 and 175 SMK’s in .3grn increments I think you will find a hell of load there.

4. Gaining DOPE.

SDC10810.jpg


Do not for get it, 200yds = .5, 400yds = 2.5, 500yds = 3.5, 600yds = 4.6 to 5.0 all in MILRAD adjustment.

Over all thoughts.

SDC10822.jpg


That rifle did a hell of a first day on the range, it’s the best custom rifle I have seen to date hands down, out of the box. No feeding issues, no accuracy issues with anything your gave it and it just was a hole stacker. I would ask you to keep with the brass checks, keeping your body inline with the rifle wile in the prone. Stay focused, I see you as a hell of a shooter in the matches in these parts and a lot of trophies coming your way soon.

Some pics
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

One thing to add, the above group was shot after about 150rnds went down range on this rifle, if you think the middle group looks good, you should of seen how well it did with the 175 SMK's!!!!

That was a crap group at the start of the day.

John
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

Give Jered or Dave at APA a call. I'm sure they'd be happy to take care of you. I couldn't be happier with their product.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

2. Optic adjustment and tighten of the ring mounts.
We first started on seeing if the riflescope tracked well, and the resetting of the ZERO knobs worked as advertised. I would say yes the riflescope tracks as you would like it too. “on a side note, we need to work on your ability to read the reticle for ranging and dope adjustment” Over all the only small issue I seen what the mounting of the scope rings, we got that fixed ASAP once it was ID’ed as a issue.


John Boyette,
Could you share what the issue was with the mounting of the scope rings?
Thank you.
Jack
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

jackinfl,

The issue is a simple one.

ZLBubba spent over $2000 for a riflescope and many people I see with there first high end riflescope, do not tighten the rings to the proper setting.

Also the other issue is, people forget or do not know that the screws stretch a little bit when its new rings. So tight right now, will not be tight this afternoon after shooting.

I advise everyone to use clear finger nail polish as a thread locker on all screws and cross bolts.

John
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

Yeah, I'm used to ACOG and CCO mounts so once I got the rings locked in the first time I mounted them, I figured I was good to go. Not so much, but we caught it really early and John made the correction. It was really interesting to see how waiting just a few minutes between tightening the screws could allow for more tightening. I wouldn't have guessed that would happen if I hadn't seen it myself.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

I was at APA the day this rifle was getting tested for its accuracy. I was actually spotting the target. The first group fired out of it looked much like group 2 in your photo.

Congrats ZLBubba, nice rifle.
 
Re: At long last, my APA arrives! (PICS)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BVEAL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was at APA the day this rifle was getting tested for it's accuracy. I was actually spotting the target. The first group fired out of it looked much like group 2 in your photo.

Congrats ZLBubba, nice rifle. </div></div>

Man, I envy you! You must get to see some sweet rigs.