This is my idea of a better mousetrap. This is my F class competition rifle and will do very well at the distances you are suggesting. I feel the 6.5 is a better cal in the winds then the 6BR but recoil is higher. It will shoot in the 2's at 300m - that is sub 1" if you can dope the conditions.
www.6mmBR.com gun of the week #75. The rifles in the article used Gaillard barrels.
I am presently working up a Shilen SS Select match barrel on another action/stock and it is showing 1/4 min potential at 300m. Only shot a few groups in gusty conditions so far, so hard to come to any firm conclusions but there have been some really nice groups.
It has done very well at 200yds with groups in the 2's.
This barrel can be installed at home as it comes prechambered and threaded.
Not a big dollar build, and certainly nothing exotic but it is doing everything a much more expensive rig would.
Stock shape is really important and I think more so then the amount people discuss. Try shooting as many different stock styles/dimensions as possible. You will find that for your build and style of shooting one style works much better then another.
Ian Robertson definitely makes a quality product. I think there are a couple of Lam stock makers now too ?????
I designed and built my own stock to ensure that it fits me as well as possible. Make sure you can adjust your stock to fit you.
Barrels are the heart of the project and there are now many very good options both Canadian and US (I can offer you Shilen and McGowen). When talking LR VLD type bullets, you see a clustering of average accuracy around 1/4 min at LR as achieveable regardless of case, cal and bullet weight or rifle specs. Some times a combo will average less (yes, I have had that with my first 6.5 Mystic) but the 'trend' is not - the occasional hummer group not withstanding.
The big difference is how much a combo gets bounced around in the wind. The higher the BC of the bullet at similar muzzle velocities, the less it will get moved around on its journey downrange making it a whole lot easier to be 'accurate'. The cost to you is usually higher recoil and price per bang.
Want to really learn how to shoot? Get a 308 or 223 and shoot in a gale. When you can shoot one of these to the accuracy of the rifle between 300 and 600yds on any given Sunday, YOU KNOW HOW TO SHOOT!!!
There are so many great actions that you just pick the ones that are available and fit your idea of the better mousetrap. I have yet to see ANY action dominate the LR game or I would use it. Some favor a feature, or style of construction but they all seem to do the same thing.
I have found a Savage or Stevens to work just as well. When bolt timing is adjusted and a bit of smoothing done, I feel its ease of function is right up there with the customs. The lock up certainly is good.
For simplicity, the Rems and clones are the most common and the most available.
Triggers narrow down quickly to the jewels, CG's and Shilen and even Timney if you don't want your pull measures in feathers. Rifle Basix, SSS and Timney - even the accutrigger do a superb job for the Savages.
Bases are simple. I use Farrel MOA 1pc Steel bases.
For rings, Burris Sig Zee rings w/ inserts. Have yet to find anything better or offer more useable features.
Scopes. Now here is an article onto itself and will be personal. Look through as many scopes as you can. I have had the pleasure of looking through pretty much all the top names except a March. FOR MY EYES, I have chosen optics/mechanicals/features that work best. I compete with an Elite 4200 6x24 AO w/mil dots and a Gene Davis booster.
They may not work for yours. If you wear eyeglasses, this becomes really important.
The best value for optical clarity, function and price today is the Sightron SIII LR 6X24 scope. May not fit what you want in certain features but the glass, for my eyes, kicks pretty much any scope on the market at any price. Yes, I am singling out one make and model - still have others to try but this one rocks.
If money was no object, I would get a Schmidt and Bender. The combo of optical precision, and condition reading, I have yet to find in any other product. That may change is I ever get to peer through a March.
Good luck with your build. I am sure you will hear many different options. the Guns of the week archive on 6mmBR will show you a superb range of rifles that excel in every facet of this sport.
Jerry
PS I will also recommend Dennis Sorenson (Guntech) as another excellent smith option besides Mick McPhee. Pretty sure Nobby Uno is retired but he has done superb work too.
If you go the Savage/Stevens route, I can offer you the bolt timing, bedding and barrel swap work. Barrel swaps and bedding you can do yourself if so inclined.
