Re: The wife's rifle?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Woodyguy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
This is going to be a short action bolt gun for precision range shooting and competition. Maximum range of +/- 1000 yards, but more realistically shot to about 3-500. This is going to be "the wife's rifle," and at this point she will be the primary shooter. She is not a novice shooter, but this will be her first precision bolt gun.
I'm thinking of building an efficient to hand-load, smaller than .308 bigger than .223 caliber, shorter barrel (about 18-22"), lighter weight gun, but I am open to stocks, actions, etc... First thought was a 6.5 CM, but I'm open to anything, maybe a .243?
What have you guys built for the ladies? </div></div>
So, a wife here. Thought I'd crash the party. I currently shoot matches with a Remington 700 with a 6.5 SLR and have a 6 Creedmoor barrel as well. Barrel is 27" with a Mini-Muscle brake from the guys at Benchmark Barrels. Stock is currently an AICS and my LOP is 13. However, am shopping because with the total rifle weight at almost 16 pounds scoped up, I need to shed weight with a lighter stock again. Originally had a McMillan A5 but didn't like my lack of gripping control. LOVE the AICS but worry about losing too much time in competition hefting it around. I believe in being physically fit...but I'm not out to win awards for unnecessary issues. Now looking very hard at a Manners T5 for good grip and control without the pounds of the AICS. Also like McRee chassis but am having a hard time as they are so light.
My first precision rifle was the A5 stock, .223 AI. I loved it BUT, depending on what type of targets you use, it would not swing steel at 1k yards. A major problem if your spotter is calling misses or seeing dirt splash but the strikes are too light to move anything. So I'd advise higher than a .223 for the distance. As for the brake, I finally agreed to one after being placed on a firing line with two guys that had them. Let's just say that I ate so much of their dust that I had to join the club. I'm 115# and 5.5. I don't notice a lot of recoil on the 6.5 without it on, but it does make heavy shooting sessions less memorable the next morning. It sounds like your wife knows her way around guns and it could go either way with a brake, depending on how many she plans to send downrange at a time.
In short:
-6.5 SLR is rock solid, as is the 6 Creedmore
-A brake will make the most the dif. if she shots a lot or higher caliber than either of the above
- Find a stock that works for her LOP and gives her the best control with good placement in the pocket.
- We females (as my audience well knows) can be stubborn creatures and like to look badass. If she picks something heavy, let her drag it around a bit then be ready to trade it off when SHE decides it is time. I really didn't want to swap until I had held different stocks. NOT my husband. ME.
Here's a pic of my McMillan/6.5SLR here, scope is Vortex Razor:
