In the event you have been to have one gun in your protected, what would it not be? I requested myself this query and went down a rabbit gap to find out what would go well with my wants and needs. Months of analysis later, I had my reply — and a custom-built rifle chambered in 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser.
This rifle, which mixes a venerable cartridge with fashionable, state-of-the-art elements, needed to fulfill an imposing listing of qualities and efficiency targets to satisfy the expectations for my “one gun.” These included:
- Punching paper and ringing metal out to 1,000 yards
- Ethically harvesting deer-sized critters to 500 yards
- Pursuing bigger sport at nearer ranges with acceptable bullets and masses
- Have available manufacturing unit ammunition and reloading elements
- Be a bolt motion with a shorter, suppressor-ready barrel
- Adjustable comb peak and shorter size of pull
- And, after all, be enjoyable to shoot
6.5×55 Swede Customized Rifle Elements
We’ll undergo the rifle piece by piece, however listed below are the elements that comprise the construct:
So how does this pile of components add as much as my “one gun”? Every part was fastidiously chosen to create the final word cross-over gun – one which was purposeful each on the vary and within the discipline. Right here’s the rationale behind every part of the construct.
Defiance Machine Motion
I’ve shot many rifles constructed on Defiance Machine actions and knew this was the inspiration upon which I needed to construct my rifle. Among the many fashions within the firm’s lineup I settled on the Deviant Hunter.
The Deviant Hunter is an all-steel motion with an integral scope base that weighs between 30 and 32 ounces. The integral base is designed so as to add rigidity, theoretically lowering flex in important areas. As a result of the scope base on the Deviant Hunter narrows within the heart, the shooter can nonetheless prime load, which is helpful in a searching rifle.
The Deviant Hunter has a one-piece bolt with an integral recoil lug. The motion can be AICS journal suitable, permitting it to work with the MDT HNT 26 chassis.
The corporate markets it as a “precision hunter” motion, which is strictly what I used to be searching for — precision on the vary and within the discipline.
Set off
TriggerTech’s triggers are identified for his or her high quality and consistency. I went with the Remington 700 Particular single-stage set off. It’s person adjustable from 1 to three kilos. Mine’s set at one pound and offers me that “oh rattling” smile due to its clear, crisp break.
Barrel
Although there are an growing variety of names within the carbon barrel world, Proof Analysis is the very best identified — and for good cause. I’ve shot many rifles bearing the Proof moniker through the years and have used one on a earlier construct.
Proof labored with me to supply one thing slightly off the norm for this rifle. I needed a shorter barrel that I may simply suppress and that had a decent twist fee to get probably the most out of heavy-for-caliber 6.5mm bullets. To that finish, I picked a 20-inch barrel with a 1:7.5 twist.
Chassis
I needed a inventory with adjustability and that had a shorter size of pull. That restricted my choices considerably, however fortuitously I discovered the proper resolution within the MDT HNT26 chassis.
The HNT26 comes with spacers that let you regulate the LOP from 12.5 to fifteen inches, so everybody from the T-Rex to the orangutan can discover their “good” match.
The comb will be raised as much as 1.3 inches by way of a ⅛-inch Allen wrench, so dialing in good eye alignment is easy.
The non-folding model of the HNT26 weighs simply 26 ounces (therefore the chassis’ identify) whereas the folding model, which I went with, is available in at 28.4 ounces.
On an aesthetic stage, I knew I wasn’t going to get a conventional wooden inventory look, however I didn’t need a flat, black, and boring package deal both. The HNT26 is obtainable in a Colbalt Inexperienced end that’s earth toned and offers the smooth, svelte inventory some good character.
Scope
For an optic, I chosen the Leupold Optics VX6HD in 3-18 x 50. It’s a versatile scope that provides a stable discipline of view for sub-100-yard photographs but is succesful at longer distances. I paired it with medium-height rings, which mounted cleanly on the integral rail.
Caliber and Goal
The primary objective of this construct was to create a gun that may very well be proficient on targets to 1,000 yards, moral on deer-sized animals to 500 yards, and deadly on bigger sport nearer in.
The 6.5×55 Swede has the capability to do all of these issues. Conceived in 1894, it was the early idea 6.5 Creedmoor. Nevertheless it was born in a time earlier than excessive BC bullets, greater strain scores on actions and elements, and superior machining methods — all of which have helped the 6.5 Creedmoor and different fashionable cartridges obtain their present success.
The 6.5×55 Swede, as initially configured, wouldn’t obtain my said objectives. However with slightly tweaking, particularly the sooner 1:7.5 twist fee and extra exactly machined elements, this basic caliber is ready to do all the things I used to be searching for.
Some Meeting Required
There are a couple of alternative ways one can purchase a {custom} rifle. One possibility is to fill out a check-list on-line and hit “Purchase Now.” Just a few months later, you fill out a 4473 at your native vendor and drive house with it in your truck.
An alternative choice is to collect all of the components and drop them off together with your favourite gun builder. If you get the “it’s carried out name” you choose it up like a bit of dry cleansing after ending the suitable paperwork.
There’s a third possibility, as properly, and that’s the path I selected. After choosing all my components and items, I shipped them to Tipton Burns of Texas Sporting Arms.
I went this route for a pair causes. One, Tip understood my venture — not simply the technical features of it, however the broader imaginative and prescient behind it. Second, Tip additionally knew that I needed to get my palms soiled and study all features of this construct.
Just a few weeks after my components landed in Texas, I flew right down to Texas Sporting Arms in Canyon Lake, Texas. Tip’s store was to be my house for the following few days.
With my laptop computer open on the battered work bench and the A.C. buzzing beside the hum of the lathe, I discovered learn how to headspace, thread, and chamber. I discovered about Go/No Go gauges and which one meant what. I obtained much more acquainted with calipers and discovered my default inventive mentality of “shut sufficient” doesn’t work with regards to machining. I discovered learn how to thread my barrel for a suppressor. I discovered that machining is each an artwork and a science with loads of magic and instinct combined in.
On the finish of the second day, the rifle was able to shoot. Whereas I had full confidence in Tip, I used to be nonetheless a contact nervous earlier than the primary shot.
The primary three photographs at 100 yards have been impressively tight for a model new rifle. We started with the Sellier & Bellot 140 grain. We then transitioned to the Hornady 140 grain SSTs for the following three photographs. That group was ⅝ of an inch. Three photographs later, we had efficiently impacted at 500 yards.
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We examined different bullets and masses in that preliminary vary tour, together with the 156-grain Norma Whitetail delicate factors. Their efficiency was spectacular, constant and exceeded expectations — even out to 500 yards. Circling again to the unique premise of having the ability to use totally different bullets for numerous functions and engagement distances, these outcomes have been precisely what we needed to see.
As of proper now, the popular bullet is the Hornady 140-grain SST. A number of five-shot teams have been executed in various wind and climate situations utilizing this ammunition. Teams ranged from ¾ to 1 inch at 100 yards.
Down the highway, I’ll do some reloading to search out masses the rifle likes with lighter and heavier bullets to take full benefit of the gun’s versatility.
Execs and Cons
If you construct a gun from scratch – handpicking the elements from begin to end, you solely have your self in charge or thank for the stuff you like and dislike. However to date, every part I’ve chosen has checked the field it was imagined to examine.
Execs:
- Light-weight, helpful, and straightforward to maneuver
- Extremely adjustable
- Correct
- Gratifying to shoot
- Beautiful
Cons:
- Restricted availability of manufacturing unit ammunition
The 6.5 x 55 Swede is a chic and succesful caliber. With this venture I matched its magnificence with fashionable effectiveness by part choice and platform alternative. The vary time is proving this iconic caliber’s potential and I’m excited to check it within the discipline.
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