Among Remington rifles, Custom Shop products have long enjoyed a solid reputation, though the quality control has declined in recent years. Remington is looking to return its Custom division to the glory days. As part of that effort, Remington has produced a dedicated Custom Shop website: www.remingtoncustom.com. On the Remington Custom Shop website visitors can browse through series of highly-specialized rifles and shotguns: Hunter Series, Target/Tactical, Historical, Rimfire, 40-X™ Series and High Grade. Within each series, the user can click on a specific model for an overview, features, specifications and images of the selected firearm of interest. The Custom Shop Showcase features high-quality photos illustrating the hand craftsmanship that goes into premium Custom shop arms.
Forum regular Al Nyhus has tried his hand at bullet making, producing custom 30-caliber projectiles for his 30 BR match rifles. With guidance from his “guru”, bullet-smith Randy Robinett of BIB Bullets, Al has produced some very impressive bullets. This demonstrates that with patience, determination, and the right tools and components, amazing results are possible, even for a novice bullet-maker.
Al writes: “Thought I’d post some updated info on my 30 Caliber bullet making adventure. It’s been a lot of fun and a real learning experience. I’d like to thank Randy Robinett for all his patient teaching and guidance. The bullets have been working well in competition, being used to win the Varmint for Score portion of the IBS Wisconsin State Two Gun Championship [in 2007].”
The Targets Don’t Lie — These Are Quality Bullets
Here are two photos from bullet testing. In the 100-yard, 15-round target, the wind velocity was purposely ignored and the group was fired only with the same flag angle, trying to determine how they worked in the wind. Winds were 12-18 mph from 4 o’clock.
This 200-yard group was fired in near perfect test conditions — overcast, early in the morning, with no mirage. We usually have a small window of what I call ‘Happy Hour’ before the winds crank up.”
NOTE: Al’s 30 BR rifle was smithed by Stan Ware of SGR Custom Rifles.
Measuring Group Size
Note how Al measures his groups. Look at the top photo. You’ll see Al starts with the extreme outside edge of the hole, including the gray edge or ring. Then Al subtracts .290″, the TRUE size of one bullet-hole in the paper, as opposed to .308″, the nominal bullet diameter. If you simply subtract a full bullet diameter you will get a smaller number for your group size. That’s good for your ego, but Al’s method is more accurate because a bullet normally cuts a hole that is smaller than the actual bullet diameter.
In our Shooters’ Forum, French shooter Aurelien posted some spectacular 400m groups shot with a “6×47″ built by Christian Salva. (We believe that is the 6mm based on the 6.5×47 Lapua cases, and not the RUAG 6×47, a separate cartridge.) If you want to see some cool-looking precision rifles (and target pistols) built with a continental flair, check out Christian’s website. Christian has built some wild-looking silhouette pistols, and we are intrigued by his barrel-block F-Class rifle, and thumbhole Varmint rifle.
Those who shoot wildcat cartridges, or who shoot older cartridges that aren’t used much anymore, know that finding good dies can be a big challenge. It can also be an expensive undertaking if you go to a gunsmith and ask for a custom sizing die to be made from scratch. Now Pacific Tool and Gauge (PT&G) has changed that situation, making custom dies more affordable. Now you can order a custom-fitted die reamer, PLUS a high-grade die blank, for just $107.50. Of course you still need a smith to run the reamer into the die, but this should still let you save significantly on cost. And, if you have friends who shoot the same cartridge, you can make multiple dies using that same reamer. We are currently thinking of having some BRDX sizing dies made. This offer will make that project more affordable. CLICK HERE for more info, or call PT&G at (541) 826-5808.
PT&G Custom Die Special Solid Pilot Die Reamer and Die Blank – $107.50
Story Tip by EdLongRange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
The Drop Port is a great feature for benchrest shooters. You can run a bolt without an ejector, yet your cartridge will extract smoothly and reliably each time you pull the bolt back. Stiller’s Precision Firearms pioneered the Drop Port design, and Jerry Stiller offers this as a popular option with his Cobra, Viper, Python, D-Back, and Diamondback actions. The Drop Port is amazing in its simplicity (watch video below). As you pull the bolt rearwards, the fired case slides downward into a funnel. As it tilts nose-down, the case rotates free of the six-o’clock extractor, falls nose first down the funnel, and finally exits through a hole in the bottom of the stock. Gravity does all the work.
S&S Panda Drop Port Conversion
Until recently, if you wanted a Drop Port, your only option was to purchase a Stiller action or engineer a conversion yourself. Now the owners of Kelbly Panda actions can enjoy drop-port functionality via a conversion performed by S&S Precision Rifles in Texas. The folks at S&S will mill a slot in the bottom of your action, and then install a drop funnel in your stock. The conversion work is done so well you’d think the Pandas were originally made as Drop Ports by Kelbly. Drop Port conversions will be available for popular small match cartridges including 22 PPC, 6 PPC, 6mmBR, 6BRX, 6 Dasher, 6.5 Grendel, and 30 BR (plus other wildcats in the BR family).
Conversion Will Be Costly — New Actions Are Best Candidates
This conversion will not be cheap. Because Drop Ports require a six o’clock extractor, you’ll probably need a replacement bolt for your Panda. S&S is in discussion with Pacific Tool & Gauge to provide these bolts. You can probably resell your existing bolt, but the upfront conversion cost could approach $400 with new bolt and labor. S&S hopes to announce firm pricing in 4-6 weeks. Don “Stick” Starks, S&S’s lead gunsmith, also cautions that this conversion is most cost-effective with Panda actions that have not yet been installed, or which are set up with pillars (as opposed to glue-ins). Stick explained: “If your Panda is already glued in, then we have to remove the action, mill the port, install the funnel, and then re-bed the whole thing. That’s going to substantially increase your cost. It’s more logical to do this on a Panda that has not yet be put in a rifle.”
In the video above, you can watch S&S Precision convert a Stolle Panda action to a Drop Port, and then see how the converted Panda functions. The rifle is a 30BR owned by FORUM member Truckincars, who also created the video.
Ray Bowman of Precision Rifle & Tool LLC (PR&T) has a new stock design, the Low Boy Benchrest, that combines the successful features of PR&T’s F-Class stock with a rear end better suited to shooting from the bench. As you may know, PR&T’s F-Class stock, in the hands of Charles Ballard and others, has been hugely successful in F-Class competition. The new Low Boy Benchrest stock borrows the same low-profile front end, but it is different from the tang rearward.
While the Low Boy F-Class stock is designed so you wrap your thumb around (like holding a pistol), the Low Boy BR stock is designed so you can slip your hand along the side, with thumb rested lightly behind the tang, in a central position. Unlike the F-Class stock, which is designed for full grip “hard-holding”, this stock is designed for shooting with a “light hold” style (or even free recoil). These stocks are very straight dimensionally, so they track well.
We think this stock will work very well for 600-yard and 1000-yard Light Gun Benchrest competition. This Editor likes the stock enough that I am considering using a Low Boy Benchrest stock for a future Light Gun project with a Stiller Viper Drop-Port. The Low Boy BR stocks are affordable — starting at $330.00 for an un-inletted version with a 3″-wide fore-end. Inletting adds just $25.00 to the total. PR&T can also pillar-bed your action in the stock for an additional $225.00.
Handsome Bat-Action BRX in Low Boy BR Stock
The blue-stocked rifle in the photos belongs to FORUM member Bo W. (aka “Sighter”). It is a 6BRX with a BAT MB, multi-flat action. The finish and painting work on the PR&T Low Boy BR stock was done by Tuck. Sighter rates the stock highly, but he thinks the standard configuration sits a bit high in the back: “I like the stock and it tracks fine, but I feel the F-Class style height causes it to ride a bit higher in the bags than needed. I talked about this with Ray Bowman [PR&T owner] and have since ordered two more Low Boy BR stocks. With the last two, Ray cut about 3/4″ off the bottom of the stock butt and kept about a .67″ flat so a double-stitch bag will work. It is now more similar to a Tracker.” Shown below is a Low Boy BR stock with the reduced height option.
Fans of high-grade precision hardware should log on to the all-new Barnard Precision NZ Ltd. website. Barnard’s new site is easy to navigate, and you’ll find plenty of eye candy — large-size, high-quality photos. Many handsome Barnard-actioned rifles are showcased, including rifles belonging to AccurateShooter.com FORUM members. And of course there are complete, detailed specs (with weights and dimensions) for all the Barnard rifle actions.
The new site showcases Barnard’s full line of actions, plus complete rifles, and accessories such as V-blocks and sight bases. For more than 18 years Barnard Precision has crafted some of the highest-quality actions available, and now there are more options than ever, in both Barnard P-type actions and Rem footprint actions. Click the links below to see particular action variants:
Barnard Offers Complete .338 Lapua Tactical Rifle — the Mighty Model ’10’
One of the highlights on the new Barnard web site is the new Barnard ’10’ Rifle. If you’re interested in a serious, heavy-caliber Tactical rig, the Model ’10’ is very appealing. The Model ’10’ is designed around the .338 Lapua case and Accuracy International 5-shot magazine.
The Model ’10’ chassis is constructed predominantly from billet 6061 aluminum, with heavy-duty, marine-grade anodizing. It can be fitted with either a Right-Hand or Left-Hand Barnard .338 actions. Both the cheekpiece and the butt plate are adjustable, and the Model ’10’ also has a combo rear buttspike/bag rider.
Story tip from Edlongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
Here’s a very handy yet inexpensive item that can deliver years of service on your reloading bench (while protecting your firearms from nicks and scratches). We found this $11.97 Long Gun Cleaning Pad (item WX2-85518) on the Sportsman’s Guide website. This will help to protect the finish of your firearms, barreled actions, and optics while you’re working at your bench. The 16″x54″ Rifle Cleaning Pad uses a unique Zorb-Tech® fabric to absorb oils and solvents. Waterproof backing prevents chemicals from soaking through to your bench-top. The fabric has a soft, felt-like nap that is gentle on your gun’s finish and won’t scratch precision metal parts. Sportsman’s Guide also offers a Zorb-Tech 16″x20″ Handgun Cleaning Pad, item WX2-85517, for $6.97.
Made in the USA, these stain-resistant pads can be machine washed and dried. Priced at just $11.97, this pad is a bargain, considering how often you’ll probably use it. If you prefer a different color, the same pad, with blue fabric and white NRA logo, is sold by the NRA Store for $12.95 as item SS 21581, shown below:
Want to dress up your Remington 700 or Rem-Clone receivers at a modest cost? Check out these new CNC bolt shrouds from Pacific Tool and Gauge (PTG). PTG now offers handsome Nesika-style and Lawton-style bolt shrouds for Rem-spec bolts. The aluminum Nesika-style shrouds come in silver or black finish and cost $18.50. The aluminum Lawton-style shroud comes in a silver finish only but it costs just $7.50 while supplies last. Give your Rem action the look of a custom, or enhance your Rem clone action for under twenty bucks.
Affordable PTG Muzzle Brakes
Many of you may not know this, but PTG now makes muzzle brakes — and they are a great value. The Standard Muzzle Brake, shown at right, costs just $49.90. It measures 1.80″ OAL .817″ x .940″ Taper (5/8-28 thread pitch). PTG’s Universal Short Muzzle Brake, with dimensions 1.100″ OAL x .750″ OD with 1/2-28 x .300 deep thread, is just $39.90. Though very affordable, these PTG muzzle brakes really work. A well-designed muzzle brake can reduce felt recoil by up to 30% (depending on caliber). When installed properly, quality brakes normally won’t hurt accuracy, although they can affect barrel harmonics so you may need to adjust your load.
This story suggested by Edlongrange. We invite other submissions from our readers.
Disclosure: Pacific Tool and Gauge has advertised with AccurateShooter.com.
Forum member Jon B. (aka LazyEiger) has created a one-of-a-kind F-TR rifle that showcases innovative, “outside-the-box” thinking. Starting with an affordable Savage Target Action, Jon added top-flight components: Master Class HP prone stock with adjustable cheekpiece, and a custom Lilja 1:13″-twist barrel chambered in .308 Win. The centerpiece of the project, however, is the barrel block Jon fabricated himself to hold the barreled action. The barrel block is secured with a long plate that runs down the centerline of the stock on the bottom side. John is still in the initial testing phase of his project, but the rifle’s performance is very promising.
Jon tells us: “I am new to the sport of rifle shooting. But my son has been shooting and reloading for a year or so and he persuaded me to ‘give it a go’. I have always been a firm believer that the best way to compete in any sport is to completely understand the equipment involved. For me this means building everything I can from scratch. I am a fairly accomplished machinist and decided to make everything I could myself for the rifle. I had read many comments about Savage action screws and how important it is to get the correct tension on them for best accuracy, this made me think if the action was floating, then action screw tension would not be a factor. I did a lot of research on rail guns and came up with the design for my .308 Winchester barrel block rifle. The barrel block has a 1/8″ phenolic (plastic) sleeve to help dampen vibration and also to minimize heat transfer from the barrel to the block.”
Savage Action, Lilja Barrel, Master Class Stock, Sightron Scope
Jon carefully chose premium components to combine with his Savage Target Action. The 13-twist Lilja Medium Palma contour barrel has a 32″ finished length. Jon chambered the barrel in .308 Win with a PTG reamer with 0.336″ neck and 0.060″ freebore to shoot 155.5gr Berger fullbore bullets. The stock started off as a Master Class Highpower prone blank before it was modified to take the barrel block. On top is a Sightron SIII 10-50x60mm scope with Evolution Gun Works (EGW) rail and rings.
Among Remington rifles, Custom Shop products have long enjoyed a solid reputation, though the quality control has declined in recent years. Remington is looking to return its Custom division to the glory days. As part of that effort, Remington has produced a dedicated Custom Shop website: www.remingtoncustom.com. On the Remington Custom Shop website visitors can browse through series of highly-specialized rifles and shotguns: Hunter Series, Target/Tactical, Historical, Rimfire, 40-X™ Series and High Grade. Within each series, the user can click on a specific model for an overview, features, specifications and images of the selected firearm of interest. The Custom Shop Showcase features high-quality photos illustrating the hand craftsmanship that goes into premium Custom shop arms.
S&S Panda Drop Port Conversion
Affordable PTG Muzzle Brakes
