New project underway

[GrapeApe]

And just for funsies, a buddy of mine who just developed a really weird 416 wildcat using 338 Norma brass made this (also 416) just to mess around. It'll fit in a regular long action.
20250620_172228.jpg

With NO neck
Bullet setback, neck tension and bullet concentricity are all going to SUCK with that round

Edited to add: Folks already complain that the 300wm doesn't have enough neck for ultimate accuracy, though its actual, real world, results say otherwise

[Justsomedude]

Yeah I said the same thing. He's also aware. He did it just to **** around and as a "WTH is that?"

[GrapeApe]

Yeah I said the same thing. He's also aware. He did it just to **** around and as a "WTH is that?"

He found out.

Interesting to look at, but, in the end, pretty much useless

[Jay]

My barrel and dies are supposed to be here Saturday.

26” stainless barrel. 1.25” diameter at the chamber end. 1” at the muzzle end. Threaded 5/8x24. 7.5 twist.

Dies are RCBS Matchmaster sizing and seating.

Action and chassis haven’t shipped yet.

[jwv2023]

26” stainless barrel. 1.25” diameter at the chamber end. 1” at the muzzle end. Threaded 5/8x24. 7.5 twist.

What brand is the barrel? Any idea of the all in weight? Seems to be a very heavy barrel.

[Jay]

The barrel is from Proof Research. Based on what I can find, the barrel is about 7.5 pounds. I estimate the bare rifle, without optic, rings, magazine and suppressor will be about 14 pounds. 20+ pounds fully dressed. But I won’t know for sure until I get everything and get it together, of course.

[Jay]

I guess it goes without saying, but the intended purpose of this rig is definitely not hunting. Unless it’s stationary hunting not far from the transport vehicle.

[JunkCollector]

I guess it goes without saying, but the intended purpose of this rig is definitely not hunting. Unless it’s stationary hunting not far from the transport vehicle.

I figured vehicle mounted. ..lol

[Jay]

The barrel got here. But all I can do at this point is look through it and yell pew…

Slightly lighter than expected. A touch under 7 pounds.

533329AA-7D4D-47E0-A011-17F63A13F748.jpeg (6.53 MiB) Viewed 3729 times

[GrapeApe]

6.5 PRC, nice choice

[Jay]

I figured someone would pick up on that.

Jkp got it right pretty much at the start. I just let it ride for a little while.

[Zee]

I love how we’ve corrupted you.
Looks like a great build.

And, you guys can piss off on the midget jokes. Hurts my little feelers.

[jwv2023]

The barrel got here. But all I can do at this point is look through it and yell pew…

Slightly lighter than expected. A touch under 7 pounds.

533329AA-7D4D-47E0-A011-17F63A13F748.jpeg

Ha! I'm at the other end of the spectrum. I have rifles that weigh 6 lbs 13 oz including scopes.

[CPJ 2.0]

I love how we’ve corrupted you.
Looks like a great build.

And, you guys can piss off on the midget jokes. Hurts my little feelers.

And your whiskers chafe my thighs when we are walking through the fields at night.

[Jay]

Here’s the full list of parts so far;
Aero Precision Solus action (short action, magnum bolt face)
Proof Research 26” competition profile barrel. 7.5 twist
Aero Precision 17” Competition chassis
Trigger Tech Primary trigger

Not top shelf stuff, but definitely not low end. Still undecided on the scope for it. Thinking no less than 24-25x magnification on the top end. 30 or 34mm tube. Definitely first focal plane and MOA reticle. Not a cheap scope. But have to keep it within reason. ($6-700 maybe a touch more for a great deal). I have a Vortex Diamondback Tactical that can work short term for load testing for now. The rail on the action has 20 MOA built in.

Goal for loads is 147gr ELD Match at 3000+ FPS. Possibly play with the 143 ELD-X bullet. I’ll see how that goes when the time comes. I will be using RCBS Matchmaster bushing sizing die and the Matchmaster seating die.

Idea is a nice shooting bench gun that shoots 1/4” to 1/2” at 100 yards and gives me a chance to hit something other than dirt at longer distance. Heavy enough to watch impacts in the scope. This fills a role I don’t currently have filled. I have many hunting guns. I don’t have a dedicated heavy bolt action. And it’s a retirement present to myself.

[Diver43]

Happy Retirement. Congrats!
Your going to enjoy when finished

[Jay]

Today was payday. As such, I was looking around on the interwebs. I came across what I considered to be a good deal on a scope for this project. So, it’s ordered.

Vortex Viper PST 5-25x50 Gen 2. It’s first focal plane and has an MOA reticle, which were two criteria I wanted met. It’s a 30mm tube with 70 MOA elevation adjustment range. With 20 MOA built into the rail, plus 36 MOA more on the reticle. I’m guessing that should do what I want it to do..

And, even at regular pricing, it fits the price point of what I’m building. Definitely not top shelf stuff. But not lower end stuff, either. I think I’ll be happy with it. Now I’m just waiting for the rest of the parts to trickle in. Last stuff to buy is bullets, brass and powder. Probably start with Hornady brass and 147gr ELD match bullets. Powder will depend on what I can get. Looking at Hodgdon Retumbo, H1000 or Winchester StaBall HD. I’ll check my local sources and see what pops up.

I already have the dies, as mentioned before. I’ll need some components to take measurements and figure out which bushings I want for the sizing die. For initial loads, I’ll just run the expander ball through the necks and load some test loads. That should get me started, get some measurements and go from there.

[Jay]

The Big Beautiful Retirement rifle is complete.

C021B72D-684A-493B-83D8-C7174624A3E0.jpeg (5.15 MiB) Viewed 3574 times

3E77AE3A-E5D4-4E68-B58E-0C71AB79A9B7.jpeg (4.48 MiB) Viewed 3574 times

236E8908-63BB-4B1F-9514-58C0D02475B5.jpeg (4.42 MiB) Viewed 3574 times

[Jay]

Quick rundown of the final build, to recap;
Aero Precision Solus action.
Aero Precision Competition chassis
Proof Research Competition profile barrel (1.25” shank, just over 1” at the muzzle), 26” in 6.5 PRC
Trigger Tech Primary trigger. Set at 1.5 pounds. Not the greatest, but it feels very nice.
Vortex Viper PST gen 2, FFP, 5-25x50 on Leupold rings. I’ll probably change to a better mount later. This will do for load work.
Also wearing a SilencerCo Harvester EVO

Final weight was a bit lighter than I calculated using internet specs. It came out to 17 pounds, 7 ounces with the suppressor and empty mag.

Still need to check headspace and get components for making ammo. To be continued…

[GrapeApe]

Looking good

[Diver43]

Looks Awesome
My retirement rifle was a in the box Bergara .308..
Yours is much more betta. Congrats

[Chiro1989]

Looks nice. I assume you assembled it, how hard is it adding the barrel to the action?

Also Jay, are you dealing with any flash flooding by you?

[Jay]

Thanks guys

It’s not difficult to put the action on the barrel. I did buy the Solus action wrench. Just clamp the barrel in a barrel vise, put some anti seize on the threads, screw the action to the barrel and use the action wrench to torque it. The barrel is supposed to be machined to be pre fit to these actions. So headspace is set. I still want to check it with headspace gauges, just to be sure.

I haven’t had any flash flooding where I am, but it has been flooding in the area. My sister and BIL got caught in one in the mountains yesterday when a flash flood hit the RV park they were camping in. Unfortunately, the water pushed their 5th wheel enough to bend the front jacks and a floating dumpster crashed into the back of it. Fortunately though, they were able to get the truck and trailer out before the worst of the flood hit and they are back home and safe now. There was a lot of damage up there from that flood yesterday. Not nearly as bad as the central Texas floods, of course. It’s just been crazy weather lately.

I’ve personally only had about 3/4” of rain at my place. All I’ve been getting is strong outflow winds from the storms in the area.

[Zee]

That is a pretty wicked build. I approve. And interested in the cartridge.

[Wambli Ska]

NICE!!!!!!!!!!! Chassis rifles don't usually get my juices flowing but DAMN that looks sexy. I think I might be undergoing some change in my tastes in rifles.