My first build

Grizzlypeg

Grizzlypeg

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Location
Winnipeg
Here's my first build of a target rifle. All parts were sourced from CGN, some new, some used, mostly EE, some dealers. Cost me around $2300 in parts, not counting the scope. Scope will be upgraded soon. Off to the range this weekend to see how it shoots. 308Win using a PTG Bisley reamer.

I'm also doing up a second barrel and bolt combo for 223.

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Homemade receiver wrench and barrel vice

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Homemade floating reamer holder
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The lathe (12x36) is fine. It's a bit short for a 31" barrel done between centres, but through the headstock it would be fine. First motor blew the start cap within a few hours of use. The degree plate on the compound moves around, so you need to use a protractor if you want exact angle. The precision seems good though and overall I'd recommend it. Comes well equipped with a quick change tool rest, 3 and 4 jaw chucks and faceplate, steady rest, live centre, two dead centres, outboard spider for supporting a barrel through the head and follow rest.
 
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Congratulations on the project. What finished barrel length did you end up at? It looks l...o...n...g. Your rifle must be pushing 20 lbs. in weight. Do you find it heavy?
 
Barrel is current 29.5".

Digital bathroom scale says the rifle as show weighs 15.5 lbs, but I wouldn't count on that being more than plus or minus a pound. I hoping I can make FTR weight with a proper scope. It appears that its a Standard Palma barrel from the measurments I've taken. It's .830 at the muzzle.
 
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Looks good, congrats!

If you didn't make one yet, its worth making a good cathead for the steady, bore doesn't always happen to run true to the OD, and less likely to mark the barrel.
 
Just back from the range. Loaded up some 155gr Sierra Palma 2155 bullets with 46.0 grains of varget, Winchester brass and loaded to a length of 2.830, which is .010 under contact with the lands. After sighting in I had enough ammo for 3, 5 shot groups. All were under an inch at 100 yards, but my shooting zen wasn't up to par. Two of the groups had an aggrevating tight 4 shot cluster with one outside the cloverleaf. My technique needs a tune up as I'm pulling 1 out of the 5 to the left.

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Time to clean the barrel and see if its stipping off any copper.
 
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First question... Do you know 100 percent how to confirm that you have adjusted the scope to eliminate parallax? If your parallax was not set correctly, this could be your only problem. My guess is this is your problem.

If you are certain that you did verify your parallax by moving your eye around the eye piece to ensure the reticle is static with the target, then look to the rifle.

You might try lapping the barrel threads and the shoulder where the barrel meets the receiver. Make sure you are getting 100 percent contact on the shoulder.

Shorter barrels are generally more accurate and longer barrels throw em faster. You could also try shortening the barrel to about 27 inches, but I'd lap the barrel threads first.
 
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Thanks for the suggestions. I put all fault with my technique at this point in time and believe I can tighten the groups up to 1/2 MOA at 100 yards.
 
ginom said:
Can y ou tell us more about thé component used un your project. And why choose that type of crowning
Click to expand...

The barrel is a kreiger with a tight 308 bore, designed for Palma bullets (307 as the true bore diameter). The chamber was cut with a Pacific Tool and Gauge 308 Bisley reamer with removable live pilots. I had to order a set of 9 pilots so that i could find one to fit the 298 diameter at the lands. They make the pilots in .0002 size intervals. The bolt nose recess was cut with a PTG .705 bolt recess cutting tool and it was very nice use.

The receiver is from a Remington 700 that I bought from someone here on Gun nutz equipment exchange. The threads have been cut oversize and trued, as has the bolt lugs and receiver face. The trigger is an aftermarket affair, but I've forgotten the brand. Something nicer than a Timney, but not a Jewell. ???

Stock is an AICS 2.0. It will take various magazines made by AICS. They have 5 and 10 shot mags for 308Win and 223rem. Makes it versatile for Remington Short action applications. Scope mount is a Ken Farrel 20 MOA from Mystic Precision. I'm happy with the way it zeroed at 100 yards, right near the bottom of the adjustment on the scope. Rings are Burris Tactical rings.

The crowning is a simple 90 degree cut, something I could do with existing tools. I've heard that 90 degree crown has less issues of concentricity to the bore. I tried to simulate the end protection I see on my Kreiger barrelled AR-15. I broke / beveled the edge of the bore with a brass screw and valve lapping compound.

I didn't expect it to be so cold and snowy at the range. I had set up the scope and cheek rest for shooting prone. That was impossible with a 3 foot snow drift. I ended shooting off the bench, the eye relief was screwed up by shooting upright and wearing a thick parka. My parka lapel kept getting in the way of my cheek rest. The condition was uncomfortable / awkward, and I'm sure I can shoot better groups in the future.
 
Did some more shooting on the weekend. Beautiful calm day, but still cold in the shade. I can't seem to pull off anything better than 3/4" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I tried more 155gr Sierra palmas, and quite a few groups of 168 smk's. The 168 smk's were loaded with 42 grains of H4895. They shot about an inch lower, but shot a good 3/4" 5 shot group. I need to try some different loads, and am thinking I should play around with the seating depth of the bullets some more. I "believe" from my test cartridges, the bullet starts touching the lands at 2.840 coal with the 155 palma bullets. I am currently loading to 2.830. Should I try moving them out to 2.840? Also, I've seen load data for 46.6 gr Varget and 155smk's. I'm thinking I should try a slightly hotter load. I'm stubborn on testing with varget, because that is what I have stocked up on. I could also try 4895 as I have that on hand. My goal is for 1/2" groups at 100 yards.
 
its not much, but personaly i have always had the best luck when useing sierra smk bullets to have a 15thou jump to the lands, the SMKs are very tolerable to jump so im not to sure how much difference you will see with differant seating depths, but for whats its worth its not to hard to load up a few rounds touching the lands

how did u determine you OAL ?
 
I used the 155 sierra bullet in a resized case, blackened the jacket with a black sharpee marker and closed the bolt on it. It left a mark of a ring on the curve of the bullet. I measured from the tip to base and it was 2.840. I then did it with another case and fresh bullet and got the same measurement. The barrel is .298 bore, so it must take a lot of force to actually engage the bullet into the lands and get a false reading (I hope?).

I'm open to suggestions on other methods. I could try seating at various depths until I feel it make contact. That way I avoid any risk of the bullet getting pulled out and throwing off the measurement.
 
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