Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
1 1/2yrs has past since this project was first started. Renos, and machining delays (barrel block) have really slowed things down. However, the stock has been roughed shaped and the rifle has made noise.
For those thinking about stock building, I will post pics of the very very rough state of the stock/rifle. Also, some tips on what not to do.
COW fireforming confirmed the wonderful job that Guntech has done on the chamber. Zippo for runout on the case shoulder and neck. Also, the value of the measure (height above the guage) was the same indicating all brass is true to each other. That's a HUGE deal.
The whole rifle and barrel block has been put together as fast as possible so please excuse the pics of its current state.
So how does it shoot? The first day I took the 90% fireformed brass and loaded it up with what worked last time - 140gr SST and H4831SC lit by CCI BR2 (also used Fed 210M) in Win brass. Worked up a batch but nothing was very exciting. Pressure signs were starting as expected but groups never closed up. Hovered 1/2MOA with all loads.
That is not bad considering I was shooting at 200yds with a moderate gusty wind, but I felt that given the Gaillard barrel and dead straight chamber, it should do better. The first rifle loved the SST's and shot 1/4MOA consistently with this batch of bullets.
I picked up some Lapua 139gr Scenars and this would be the time to test them. I am surprised to find that they are just a bit larger in diameter then the SST's. Will also test Amax and MK's.
Snuck out this morning because it was dead calm, warm, clear - Perfect. The kind of morning that you well....write about.
Started at 45gr and got a 2" group (all testing at 200yds), very low pressure signs. Basically your safe starting load for this wildcat. That is close to the max load for the 260R in some manuals.
Up to 46gr, cut the group size in 1/2. Not bad but still too mild.
At 46.5gr, I saw the first but not the second. Oops, either it is in the same hole or I am about to have a very expensive stake in the garden.
Soldiering on to 47gr, and I could see both bullets about 1/2" apart (actually 3/4"). Now we are getting somewhere. POI has been very consistent in elevation for all loads so far.
My last and highest load was 47.5gr. The group increased in vertical impact about 1". A great sign that pressure was getting higher and the two shots cut each other. Hurray, the barrel shoots.
In case you are wondering, I do my first batch of testing using 2 shot groups. This dials me into the pressure limits and also where the sweet spots are. After that, I take the most promising loads and retest with 3 to 5rds groups at 200yds and further, depending on what I am trying to do with the rifle.
If the first two rds don't land close together, the next 50 certainly will not. I am very careful about my shots so know if I have pulled something. This just keeps barrel wear and costs down. Besides I am not consistent enough to drive them all into the same hole anyways.
Up to the target stand for a closer inspection. That 46.5gr group that I couldn't see was indeed two cutting the same hole. Outside measurement is 3/8" for a rough 'group' size of 0.111". Not bad for 200yds.
Group 47.5gr also measures 3/8" so I have already found a couple of nodes that work. Now to retest in larger volume, add more powder and chrony to see which to pick.
With H4831SC, I find that it runs best and cleanest at elevated pressures so will most likely choose the 47.5gr load. This load is just starting to compress which I consider ideal for maxing load density and reducing vel. spreads (one of the main design parameters). I can probably squeeze in another 1/2gr to 3/4gr. I can extend the throat if necessary to get more into the case and more velocity. Right now the throat length is much shorter the in rifle #1. I can extend it up to 1/4" and still engrave the lands.
That is also one of the design parameters. Being able to adjust the throat length to suit the bullet, powder and load for best results. With new bullets coming out, this is a very nice feature to have.
This is my first attempt at a barrel blocked BR rifle. The alum barrel block really soaks up the heat which I hope will allow much longer strings of fire without damage/stringing. The rifle was supposed to be a 17lbs Williamsport spec rifle. Right now it is closer to 19lbs. Recoil is mild as you can imagine.
If I decide to go to Burns Lake, I can easily put this rifle on a diet and get it to weight. For now, I like the mild recoil.
Will post lots of pics as this rifle goes from rough to finish. Hopefully, another project that will inspire you to get into some form of target shooting, building your dream rifle.
This rifle is based on a Stevens 200 LA so the least expensive commercial action you can buy (I also considered it the best for building factory BR rifles). Changed the trigger for a Rifle Basix #2 set around 6ozs. Hi Score single shot follower glued in place. Ferrell 20MOA base and the oversized tactical factory bolt handle. A bit of tuning on the bolt for smoother operation and that's it.
Optics are of course, Burris Sig rings w/inserts holding an Elite 4200 6X24 w/mildots. With scope adjustment alone, I can go from 100yds to 1km. By shimming and using the mil dots, I should be able to get close to the mile.
The homemade and somewhat homely stock can easily be replaced with a multitude of BR and tactical composite and lam stocks. Or just get creative and build the next best thing. Beside by building your own stock, you get a perfect fit. That matters for consistency and accuracy especially at the 1km.
The barrel block is not really necessary if using a shorter/lighter barrel. I probably didn't need it on this rifle either but just wanted to try one just to see how it would work. Right now I am very impressed with this form of barrel 'bedding'.
With an awesome Gaillard barrel and proper install, this rig can shoot with some pretty pricey gear.
Lots more shooting, pics and data to follow in the coming weeks. Of course, 1000m shooting to put this all together. However, I don't expect any surprises.
When using top quality components, you rarely get surprises. If it shoots, it shoots consistently as far as you want to go.
The first 6.5 Mystic showed the potential of the wildcat. This second rifle certainly confirms things. Wildcatting a cartridge is a hoot especially when concept and reality actually come together. This is my version of the 260AI.
Stay tuned......
Jerry
PS Looks like Hunt101 is down so no pics until later.
For those thinking about stock building, I will post pics of the very very rough state of the stock/rifle. Also, some tips on what not to do.
COW fireforming confirmed the wonderful job that Guntech has done on the chamber. Zippo for runout on the case shoulder and neck. Also, the value of the measure (height above the guage) was the same indicating all brass is true to each other. That's a HUGE deal.
The whole rifle and barrel block has been put together as fast as possible so please excuse the pics of its current state.
So how does it shoot? The first day I took the 90% fireformed brass and loaded it up with what worked last time - 140gr SST and H4831SC lit by CCI BR2 (also used Fed 210M) in Win brass. Worked up a batch but nothing was very exciting. Pressure signs were starting as expected but groups never closed up. Hovered 1/2MOA with all loads.
That is not bad considering I was shooting at 200yds with a moderate gusty wind, but I felt that given the Gaillard barrel and dead straight chamber, it should do better. The first rifle loved the SST's and shot 1/4MOA consistently with this batch of bullets.
I picked up some Lapua 139gr Scenars and this would be the time to test them. I am surprised to find that they are just a bit larger in diameter then the SST's. Will also test Amax and MK's.
Snuck out this morning because it was dead calm, warm, clear - Perfect. The kind of morning that you well....write about.
Started at 45gr and got a 2" group (all testing at 200yds), very low pressure signs. Basically your safe starting load for this wildcat. That is close to the max load for the 260R in some manuals.
Up to 46gr, cut the group size in 1/2. Not bad but still too mild.
At 46.5gr, I saw the first but not the second. Oops, either it is in the same hole or I am about to have a very expensive stake in the garden.
Soldiering on to 47gr, and I could see both bullets about 1/2" apart (actually 3/4"). Now we are getting somewhere. POI has been very consistent in elevation for all loads so far.
My last and highest load was 47.5gr. The group increased in vertical impact about 1". A great sign that pressure was getting higher and the two shots cut each other. Hurray, the barrel shoots.
In case you are wondering, I do my first batch of testing using 2 shot groups. This dials me into the pressure limits and also where the sweet spots are. After that, I take the most promising loads and retest with 3 to 5rds groups at 200yds and further, depending on what I am trying to do with the rifle.
If the first two rds don't land close together, the next 50 certainly will not. I am very careful about my shots so know if I have pulled something. This just keeps barrel wear and costs down. Besides I am not consistent enough to drive them all into the same hole anyways.
Up to the target stand for a closer inspection. That 46.5gr group that I couldn't see was indeed two cutting the same hole. Outside measurement is 3/8" for a rough 'group' size of 0.111". Not bad for 200yds.
Group 47.5gr also measures 3/8" so I have already found a couple of nodes that work. Now to retest in larger volume, add more powder and chrony to see which to pick.
With H4831SC, I find that it runs best and cleanest at elevated pressures so will most likely choose the 47.5gr load. This load is just starting to compress which I consider ideal for maxing load density and reducing vel. spreads (one of the main design parameters). I can probably squeeze in another 1/2gr to 3/4gr. I can extend the throat if necessary to get more into the case and more velocity. Right now the throat length is much shorter the in rifle #1. I can extend it up to 1/4" and still engrave the lands.
That is also one of the design parameters. Being able to adjust the throat length to suit the bullet, powder and load for best results. With new bullets coming out, this is a very nice feature to have.
This is my first attempt at a barrel blocked BR rifle. The alum barrel block really soaks up the heat which I hope will allow much longer strings of fire without damage/stringing. The rifle was supposed to be a 17lbs Williamsport spec rifle. Right now it is closer to 19lbs. Recoil is mild as you can imagine.
If I decide to go to Burns Lake, I can easily put this rifle on a diet and get it to weight. For now, I like the mild recoil.
Will post lots of pics as this rifle goes from rough to finish. Hopefully, another project that will inspire you to get into some form of target shooting, building your dream rifle.
This rifle is based on a Stevens 200 LA so the least expensive commercial action you can buy (I also considered it the best for building factory BR rifles). Changed the trigger for a Rifle Basix #2 set around 6ozs. Hi Score single shot follower glued in place. Ferrell 20MOA base and the oversized tactical factory bolt handle. A bit of tuning on the bolt for smoother operation and that's it.
Optics are of course, Burris Sig rings w/inserts holding an Elite 4200 6X24 w/mildots. With scope adjustment alone, I can go from 100yds to 1km. By shimming and using the mil dots, I should be able to get close to the mile.
The homemade and somewhat homely stock can easily be replaced with a multitude of BR and tactical composite and lam stocks. Or just get creative and build the next best thing. Beside by building your own stock, you get a perfect fit. That matters for consistency and accuracy especially at the 1km.
The barrel block is not really necessary if using a shorter/lighter barrel. I probably didn't need it on this rifle either but just wanted to try one just to see how it would work. Right now I am very impressed with this form of barrel 'bedding'.
With an awesome Gaillard barrel and proper install, this rig can shoot with some pretty pricey gear.
Lots more shooting, pics and data to follow in the coming weeks. Of course, 1000m shooting to put this all together. However, I don't expect any surprises.
When using top quality components, you rarely get surprises. If it shoots, it shoots consistently as far as you want to go.
The first 6.5 Mystic showed the potential of the wildcat. This second rifle certainly confirms things. Wildcatting a cartridge is a hoot especially when concept and reality actually come together. This is my version of the 260AI.
Stay tuned......
Jerry
PS Looks like Hunt101 is down so no pics until later.
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