Custom Rifle Project

[Justin Crossley]

So I have been working on a custom rifle for the last six months and I'm just about done finally. I sent the action to Greg at Bugholes.com for the metal work then I did all the fitting, bedding, sanding and finishing.

Here are the specs:
Cal: 6.5-0.6 Ackley Improved
Action: Tikka T3
Barrel: Brux #5 flutted 26"
Stock: Laminated wood
Rings: Seekins med 30mm
Scope: Leupold VX3 6.5-20x50
Total weight: 9 lbs 9.8 oz

Here are some pics.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

That's very pretty! I hope it shoots as well as it looks and I mean that in a good way cuz she's purdy

 

[Shrek]

Sweet ! Looks like an awsome long range hunting rig. I love the round too, I'm a big fan of 6.5's. Please post your load and results when you are done.

 

[philw]

If you're looking for loads be sure to try the 140 vld with 59-60 grains of H-1000, shoots 1/2 MOA in mine at 3000-3050 fps out of a 24" barrel.

 

[mtnkid85]

Great looking rig and please do keep us updated on your loads and thoughts on that chambering. Im a long ways off still, but Im considering a VERY similiar build, probally off a savage action.
What brass are you using? What forming method are you taking?

 

[Ryan Avery]

I love the thumb hole stock!

 

[30-338mag]

Nice looking.

 

[wk93]

I love the look of this rifle. I can't really think of the last time I saw a custom built off of a Tikka. I love those rifles though!

 

[philw]

What brass are you using? What forming method are you taking?

Not sure who you were asking, but I've necked up 25-06 brass and necked down .270. This is one of the easiest wildcat cases to form since the operation is very minor, either from .257 to .264, or from .277. I settled on necking down .270 because necking down avoids any potential for forming a "donut" from the thicker brass in the case body if you neck up. If you use .270 brass to neck down you'll want a power trimmer because the cases will be a good bit over length and it takes a lot of cranking by hand to get them back down to length. Mine is a hand-cranked Forster but I can hook up an electric drill and run it that way too.

I've had equally good results using WW and Norma brass.

I have a Redding FL 6.5-06 Ackley die which works fine for both case forming and re-sizing, but I get straighter brass using a .280 Ackley neck-sizer bushing die with the bushings scaled down for the 6.5. It's a standard die and costs less. If you go that route and neck up .25-06, you'll want a tapered 6.5 expander ball.

Another good combination is 123 grain Lapua Scenars and H4350.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Thanks guys! This has been a really fun project.

I'm using .25-06 brass to save on the trimming. Very easy to size up and load. I'm going to just load and shoot standard 6.5-06 loads for awhile, until I get enough brass formed to 6.5-06 ackley.

philw, I'll try that load for sure! I hope to get the 140 bullets shooting about 3200 fps. With the 26" barrel I should be able to get close.

 

[30-338mag]

Have to looked at reamer print on your 6.5x06AI? The 25-06 case is shorter than the 30-06 and you may have too short of neck length.

 

[philw]

Good luck. Don't be disappointed if you don't reach 3200 with the 140, at 3000 it's still a great load that'll reach way out there. With my loads, to be honest brass life is not the best, the primer pockets get loose pretty quickly.

 

[sanchomaes]

Well done! Sounds like it will be a good one!

 

[TwoTikkas]

Hey now that's nice! Keep us posted as you get her cooking. Should be a real smoker with a 140 VLD. Good choice of actions too.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Well I finally got some 140 VLDs from Cabelas today and played around with them a little. I am safely getting 3210 fps with 61 grains of R22. Hopefully this week I'll get a chance to shoot some groups.

62 grains is a little too much!

 

[Matt Cashell]

Yikes!

I think you found the limit. Sounds like a nice rig!

 

[Justin Crossley]

I had to see just how far I could push it. LOL
I'll probably end up with a final load that is around 3150-3200 fps.
I love speed but only if I hit what I'm aiming at.

 

[Matt Cashell]

A 140 6.5 VLD at 3150?

Yeah, that'l do!

 

[HellsCanyon]

Been there done that!
You could actually see "280 REM" on my bolt face for awhile after running a load too hot!

Mike

 

[Justin Crossley]

I just recently bought a trigger pull scale and I have to say that I'm a little surprized.

I have adjusted a few different kinds of triggers, Rem, Win, Savage and Tikka, with the Tikka being my favorite.
I have never measured the trigger pull of my two Tikka triggers but I knew they felt light and crisp.

Well on Sunday I put the scale to them and the trigger in my almost new .243 Tikka is set at 1.75 lbs. The trigger in my custom which I did nothing to other than adjusting, breaks at exactly 1.25 lbs.

I know this is lighter than most guys like to use for hunting but I like mine to be as light as I can SAFELY get them.
I always slam the rifle butt on the ground and work the safety and then slam some more before I finish.