New 6mm rem custom build!

[rizla]

OK, so after a long time researching and making decisions, I think I have come to a conclusion. The biggest challenge was deciding what calibre to shoot. I've settled on the 6mm rem AI. Originally I was thinking of a .243 but the 6mm rem has a larger case capacity and a longer neck which should take the edge off the tendency that 6mm's have of burning throats out, I hope! And I'm not trying to start up another debate about which 6mm is the best. I just want something with a big bang and some good quality brass, which I will probably get in the form of norma 7x57. This is predominantly a long range rifle, like over 1000 yards, but will occasionally be used to take the occasional deer and some mountain goats over in Ireland where I have a place in the mountains. So the specs will be as follows:

Accuracy International AX AICS
32" (roughly) border barrel, 5R rifling, 7 or 7.5 twist to stabilise the long 115 gr DTAC and berger 115 gr vld hunting rounds
Surgeon 1086 action
Schmidt & Bender 12-50x56
Jewell Trigger

Does anyone have any experience with any of this stuff, or have any recommendations on things I may have over looked? Also since I'm getting the barrel from Border barrels (in scotland) I was going to get them to do the whole build for me. Has anyone got/seen anything they've built and if so what's the quality like?

Thanks
Riley

 

[deadly0311]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

32" inches....is this going to be a dedicated bench gun? If not why the long barrel?

 

[turbo54]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

Wow, that'll be quite a rifle. All those components sound great ($$$), but I totally ignorant about Border barrels.

That 32" barrel sounds extreme! I imagine you'll be able to hit some crazy velocity with that. Not exactly a "handy" rifle though. I see folks running around with 22" and 24" barrels with 12" cans on them though, so who cares?

 

[cruizer]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

have you considered tryig the 6mm improved in a long action or a long action 6mm-06 improved or a 6mm-284

 

[John L]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

Riley,
If your going to shoot the 115's you don't need to go faster than 7.5 twist. The 105's do fine in a 1 in 8. I have heard of people trying a 1 in 7 and having lots of problems. I use a 7.5 in my 6 CM (a 243 wildcat)

 

[rizla]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

I know 32" is quite cumbersome, but it is predominantly going to be used for bench rest, with very occasional use as a hunting rifle, but I don't think that having to carry it around once or twice a year looking for deer will bother me too much, and it definitely doesn't warrant me compromising the bench rest performance just for a couple less lbs.

Cruizer, I am using the 6mm improved, I didn't make that very clear initially. I looked at the 6-284 but it's pretty much the same as the 6mm improved, except it has a shorter neck and a slightly shallower shoulder angle, neither of which are exactly advantageous so I went for the 6mm AI. As for the 6-06.. that looks like it could reach ridiculous velocities! which can't help the already poor 6mm barrel life.. it would be pretty cool to have one though. problem is over here in the UK, firearms laws are slightly stricter than over there! so I figure I stand more chance of getting a license for a 6mm improved than a 6-06. Do you know what kind of speeds they can reach out of interest?

Thanks John, I've spent ages deliberating what twist to get. I did fear that a 1:7 might over stabilize as long range which I wouldn't be too pleased with after such a large investment! 7.5 it is.

 

[zipollini]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

Seems like you are trying to do too much with one gun. I wouldn't think an AI AX chassis would be the 1st choice for a bench rest gun or an occasional hunting setup. Tactical yes - benchrest or hunting - no. I also wouldn't think that a Surgeon action would be a 1st choice for a benchrest action either. Since you are also wanting to do most of your work past 1000m - wouldn't something in the 6.5mm family (like a 6.5 Creedmore, 260 Rem. or 6.5 X 47 Lapua) be more appropriate ?

 

[rizla]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

You're right, it is more of a tactical rifle which is what I like. When I said it was a bench rest, I didn't mean I was going to be competing with it. I just want a tactical style rifle that looks really good and shoots really accurately out to long range.

I haven't given the 6.5's much thought because most of the cartridges I've seen have a lower powder capacity to bullet weight ratio that the 6mm's have so I don't see myself getting the same kind of velocities with a 6.5 as I could with the 6mm Ackley. And the highest ballistic coefficient bullets in 6.5mm aren't that much better than the 115gr dtac. I might be wrong about the 6.5mm family but that's my impression from what I've seen.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

Here is what I run...6mm Crudader.

lots of loading data here too if you read through the thread.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2852050&page=1

Like said above, the 7.5 is where it is at for the 115. Not sure if the 32" is needed. Mine is 27" and I am getting 3355fps with the 105 bullets.

Great on the bench and in the field.

My son running it this hunting season...

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[JWV]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

You will definitely be able to shoot the DTAC to the point of it exploding in air with that setup. Many have got the DTAC to stabilize in 1:8 twists. With the velocity you will be capable of, you may want to look into that option so it reduces your chances of those bullets popping.

 

[turbo54]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

I think you should rethink your criteria. Sorry, but I just don't see honest and practical needs/desires being mentioned for this rifle.

If you want a straight up target rifle, you've got it. However, it will suck as a hunting rig. If you are cool with that, great. If not, you need to compromise more on looks and velocity. An AICS rifle with 32" heavy barrel just won't do for "practical" hunting.

Now if "hunting" is sitting somewhere for an hour ir two and shooting the critters that walk "in range", thats a different story! However, I call that animal sniping...no hate....thats what I do.

 

[rizla]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

Sendero, that's a sweet shot. What range was that at?

Turbo, I see what you're saying. As long as the rifle is accurate I'm happy. Weight really isn't an issue. Hell, I spent 9 straight days walking across the Scottish highlands with 85lbs on my back. And the kind of hunting I'll be doing won't be like spending all day tracking an animal. It will be more opportunistic. I f I happen to see some animals when I'm out target shooting or whatever then I'll go after them, but hunting isn't my main priority.

JWV, I was actually thinking about that yesterday, but I wasn't sure about how thick the jackets are on them, and I don't know realistically what kind of speed I could get with them which I need to work out how fast the bullet will be spinning. Do you, or anyone else for that matter, know what velocity can be achieved with DTACs from a 6mm ack? My other concern is also that the accuracy load may not be as much as the max velocity in which case the bullet may not benefit from a 1:8..?

 

[Huckleberry75]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

Have you considered using a long action to help with clearance on the longer bullets and magazine length? Not sure if the longer pills will still fit in the short action.

 

[rizla]

Re: New 6mm rem custom build!

Yeah I am going for a long action surgeon 1086, then use an accuracy international 300 win mag magazine which may need the feed lips adjusted slightly but in theory it should work.