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Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

JerkeeJoe

Sergeant
Banned !
Full Member
Jun 5, 2006
220
1
Las Vegas
Just got the last bit finished up on my new .243 build. I planned to build it from the ground up on a surgeon action, but found a barreled action built by a good smith with only 250 rounds through it on the boards here for a price I couldn't beat.

The XLR chassis far exceeds my expectations thus far. The pictures don't do it justice. The machining is excellent, including fit and finish, and the buttstock is pretty amazing. I spent about 15 minutes mounting the scope and adjusting the buttstock and it now feels better fitted to me than any of my other rifles. Really really well done. I'll get it out in the field tomorrow morning and will report back on how it performs.

Also worth mentioning is that Kyle at XLR bent over backward to answer my questions and get me squared away quickly. Hats off to him for excellent service.

Surgeon 591
Krieger 26" Medium Palma profile 1:8"
XLR Chassis
Vortex Razor 5-20
Weighs in at just over 15lbs loaded.

Here are a couple pics (our Brittanys Annie and Lucy are posing in the background):

IMG_1414.jpg


IMG_1416.jpg


IMG_1415.jpg
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bward</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good looking dogs. Do you hunt them or are they pets? Growing up my dad always had at least one Brittany that we hunted with. </div></div>

They're sisters one year apart, and they are both natural good hunters. I stared training both of them to hunt, but then started law school. Unfortunately I haven't hunted birds since law school started, and thus, they are just pets now. There's no question that I'll have a couple more to hunt with in the future. It's a really great breed.
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Adam B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally I think these chassis are the cats moew! I have 2 of them and am currently having one built for my Sako Quad. </div></div>


I cant wait to see this one!
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

I'm deciding on a barrel for my Ruger than the action is off to Kyle. I couldn't agree more is Kyle is outstanding, not only is he building me one from scratch it going to have a DBM!! I don't think anyone has ever had that on a M77! By the way your rifle looks sick! I can't wait for a range report.
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JSTARSZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what does it weight...it looks like it would be really light. </div></div>

+1
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

No mod needed for bolt handle to close.

Weighs in at ~15lbs fully loaded (on a cheap scale). Handles really well and balances nicely (even with that long ass tube).
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

Hmm...I think you might want to double check it. It looks like your bolt handle is not seated all the way.
Look at your ser. # and the relationship to it where the handle joins the bolt. It looks as though it is sitting "high" and not all the way closed. Look at the pictures of my two 591 actions and you will see what I am talking about.

That was the reason for my question. Most chassis/stocks that are inletted for 700 actions need to have some material removed from the bolt "notch" in the stock as the Surgeon handle is not flat like a Remmy 700 bolt handle.
You can also verify this by removing the barrel action and closing the bolt and again, measure where it sits when closed vs in the chassis.

The AICS,and JP Chassis need to be modified to allow the 591's bolt handle to close all the way and material must be removed from McMillan and B&C stocks as well...these I know of for sure.

I could be wrong...been there before...but it sure looks like it is hitting the chassis from your pic.

Take care,Stan







 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BgBmBoo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hmm...I think you might be wrong. It looks like your bolt handle is not seated all the way.
Look at your ser. # and the relationship to it where the handle joins the bolt. It looks as though it is sitting "high" and not all the way closed. Look at the pictures of my two 591 actions and you will see what I am talking about.

That was the reason for my question. Most chassis/stocks that are inletted for 700 actions need to have some material removed from the bolt "notch" in the stock as the Surgeon handle is not flat like a Remmy 700 bolt handle.
You can also verify this by removing the barrel action and closing the bolt and again, measure where it sits when closed vs in the chassis.

I could be wrong...been there before...but it sure looks like it is hitting the chassis from your pic.

Take care,Stan







</div></div>

Hmmm, thanks for the heads up. I didn't look really closely this morning, but everything felt fine. I'll take a close look when I get home this evening.

Just so I'm clear, the part of the chassis that need relief is the bottom of the bolt handle channel (as illustrated in my picture)?

IMG_1415-1.jpg

 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

Yes...take the barrel action out of the chassis and close the bolt. You will see right away where the bolt handle should be when fully closed.

I had the same issue with the JP chassis. And thankfully caught it before I went out and shot it. It will still fire like that...but the lugs are not fully engaged with the handle up like that.

I know it will feel "right" because your having metal on metal contact...bolt handle hitting the metal of the chassis. But for safeties sake please check it out CLOSELY.

Let me/us know what you find. It is not a big deal...I am sure you could send it back and have them hog out some material and re-anodize or re-coat it.

On my JP chassis I just took it slow with a Dremel and small grinding wheel.
Then taped it off and painted it black. Had to see and tell unless I point it out to folks.

Take care,Stan
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

Well, I checked last night and did indeed need to dremel quite a bit of material out of the bolt channel. Kyle at XLR also contacted me after seeing this thread and was very proactive in getting everything straight. Gotta say it again, the service from XLR is absolutely top shelf.

As for range report, I got it out today and it shot REALLY well. The chassis needed a little fine tuning when I got out to the range, but was very comfortable and solid once adjusted. After zeroing, I went straight to 1000 with it and was happy to make lots of hits. We had a large silhouette at ~1 mile and I was able to score a hit on it as well (confirmed by spotters). Needless to say, I was happy. I'm really excited to fine tune it a bit more, develop the best load, and get it out to the long range again.
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

Nice rifle, and nice dogs. My sister has two Brittanies as well, both were sent to special trainer out of state and they are both hunting dogs now. Great breed.
 
Re: Surgeon .243 Build with XLR chassis

Mine has the 14" hand guard. Since you're a local guy, if you're considering one and want to check it out, feel free to send me a message and you can come shoot it.

I think I'll do a paint job on it this weekend too. More pics to come after painting.