Rebuild Long Range Rifle

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Matrix

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I am thinking about starting a project to build a rifle for F class and would like comments and recommentations before spending too much money.

Currently own a light varmit bench rest rifle as follows;
6mmppc, Witchita action, 2 oz Jewell trigger, MacLennan barrel, Bench Rest stock, 36x Leupold scope.

Thinking about the following to create F class rifle;
Build around the Witchita action and keep 6mmppc, change stock to Robertson tatical, change trigger to Shilen, rebarrel to increase length (best brand available without a 3 month wait time), keep 36x Leupold scope.

Certainly would appreciate any comments or suggestions.
 
Why not just shoot it the way it is? If the barrel is too short to give you the velocity you need to get out to 1000 yards, rebarrel.
If the BR stock does not fit your F Class shooting postion, go with the Robertson F Class stock.
Your 2 oz. trigger is OK for F Class, as long as it is a safe trigger.
I can't really comment on the 36X scope as I am a iron sight TR shooter.
However I know some guys have 36X bumped up to 50X. I am not sure what they can see through the mirage on those hot humid days, but they do seem to hit the target, usually close to the middle.
Maybe Norm, Terry or Bob can pipe in here.
 
If your 6 PPC barrel has the standard 1:14 twist for 65-70 gr bullets, its not going to work for long range, so a new barrel is a must. I do not know if a long barrelled quick twist PPC will produce enough velocity with the 105/7 VLDs for effective long range use. I suspect that the PPC is too small a case. 6BR is known to work very well, if you want a 6mm, but your boltface would have to be altered. Could another bolt be obtained? If the bolt or face must be changed, you have many choices for caliber. As suggested, try the existing stock prone before investing in a new one. Actually, I don't know that converting this rifle with a new stock and barrel, particularly if a caliber change is needed, is going to be a low cost way of obtaining a dedicated F Class rifle. I considered doing a similar project using my Hart 1A heavy varmint .222 as the starting point. Rebolt with medium face bolt ( these used Rem bolts, and I have one), rebarrel to an appropriate caliber - I have a reamer and gauges for 6.5-.284.
 
Hey Matrix,
Things I would consider for building an F class shooter would be as follow:
Defenitely get a 1-14 twist barrel. I feel using heavier bullets becuause of their high bullet coefficiency (bc) will give you a much stabler bullet at greater distances. You'll probably experiment with how heavy a bullet you'll want to use. You've got choice in this one. 65g to 110 grs!
In regards of your stock, you can't go wrong with an Ian Robertson stock. I would suggest you ask Ian to make your stock a single shot stock. You'll get a more rigid stock (which I feel makes it more accurate), as well as I've often heard that the 6mm round because of it's stubby nature causes loading failures in mags.
I have a Leupold 15-24x Vari XIII scope and whenever I've been at competitions it's great in the mornings, but when the earth starts to warm up mirages come into play with higher magnifications. That being said, try it out and see if it works for you. Also be sure you have enough elevation for your set up. A higher scope rail and rings will give you this option. Have the rings lapped. Those would be my major set ups. As you shoot more at the longer ranges, you'll discover what needs to be tweeked. But tweeking your equipment will only get you so far. Nothing beats quality time and rounds at the range. I'll be there with you.-Andrew.
 
The best way to make a perfect "F" class rifle from this would be to do the following:
1. Open the bolt face to accept 308 size cartridges.
2. rebarrel to 6br with a 28" barrel with 8" twist. HV contour.
3. Leave well enough alone otherwise.
The BR stock will work as well as anything else. The Jewel trigger is fine. A wichita action is excellent.
The 36x scope could work fine but I feel they have a three drawbacks. First, the adjustment range is limited and if you are shooting the full course (from 300M to 900M) you will need an adjustable mount. Second, the depth of field is shallow and it's difficult to see mirage well enough for it to be a meaningful aid. Third, the field of view is smallish. The only time I have ever crossfired was when I was using a 36. The field of view might have been contributory. Or I might have just been dumber than usual that day. I think 20 to 24 power is best.
A good action (like your Wichita), glued into a glass stock, and chambered for the 6BR might well be the perfect "F" class rifle. Those of us who are using other configurations are, in reality, pissing into the wind. Happily, we aren't getting too wet! At least not yet. Regards, Bill.
 
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I really value the opportunity to discuss this on this forum.

I was a little surprised that I was not admonished for wanting to keep the
6mmppc. I really thought I would hear comments suggesting a move to 6.5x284 or another 6.5 calibre.
While I believe the 6.5 group to be excellent it appears that 6.5x284 really kills barrels in a hurry.

However, it seems to me that the recommendations to rebarrel inorder to use a longer bullet (105 grain-7vld) with a tighter twist offers sound improvement at a relatively low cost.
(chicken guy - that means less than 1 - 14 :cool: See you at the range :D )

I did not mention that the current stock is a McMillan BR stock and while it makes sense to give it a go, the shape may be a little less useful in F class.

Also, thank you for the comments about optics. This may also represent an issue as we move into warmer weather.
 
Matrix, you already have an excellent set up. Do you know what the twist rate is? We are guessing that it is a 14 but many PPC are built with 12 or 11 twists. If so, just load up with 87gr Vmax and fly at it. No issue getting accurately to 800m. wind drift a bit higher but zero investment and you are shooting.

If not going fast enough, punch it out to a 6BR and you will get to 1000m without much problem.

From there you can decide which way you want to build. No one is critizing the 6mm anymore because many many shooters have developed this cal into a winning combo.

No one in target shooting wants recoil. With new bullets, smaller cals are behaving like larger cals and heavier bullets. Ultimately, consistency is what you want as no matter how good a bullet looks on paper, it will still get blown around in the wind.

Any combo that is predictable and you can drive consistently will put you in a position to score.

Jerry
 
Once again, thank you for the comments. :cool:
Barrel is 14 twist.
I have been shooting 68 grain 8 ogive bullets out to 300m and getting excellent results.
While I think my current piece will work well out 500 - 600 yards (perhaps not very well), my concern is when I get back to 800 through 1000 yards.
Case capacity of the 6mmppc is not that large and am most concerned about the ability to stay +1000 fps.
Has anyone tried this yet?
If so, what kind of result were achieved?
 
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