Should you had been to have one gun in your secure, what wouldn’t it be? I requested myself this query and went down a rabbit gap to find out what would swimsuit my wants and desires. 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 record 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 recreation at nearer ranges with applicable bullets and masses
- Have available manufacturing facility ammunition and reloading elements
- Be a bolt motion with a shorter, suppressor-ready barrel
- Adjustable comb top 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 here are the elements that comprise the construct:
So how does this pile of elements add as much as my “one gun”? Every part was rigorously chosen to create the final word cross-over gun – one which was practical each on the vary and within the subject. 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 muse 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 crucial areas. As a result of the scope base on the Deviant Hunter narrows within the heart, the shooter can nonetheless prime load, which is beneficial in a searching rifle.
The Deviant Hunter has a one-piece bolt with an integral recoil lug. The motion can also 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 precisely what I used to be searching for — precision on the vary and within the subject.
Set off
TriggerTech’s triggers are recognized for his or her high quality and consistency. I went with the Remington 700 Particular single-stage set off. It’s consumer adjustable from 1 to three kilos. Mine’s set at one pound and provides me that “oh rattling” smile because of its clear, crisp break.
Barrel
Although there are an growing variety of names within the carbon barrel world, Proof Analysis is the very best recognized — and for good motive. I’ve shot many rifles bearing the Proof moniker over time and have used one on a earlier construct.
Proof labored with me to offer one thing a little bit off the norm for this rifle. I needed a shorter barrel that I might simply suppress and that had a good twist price 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 thankfully I discovered the right resolution within the MDT HNT26 chassis.
The HNT26 comes with spacers that mean you can regulate the LOP from 12.5 to fifteen inches, so everybody from the T-Rex to the orangutan can discover their “excellent” match.
The comb might be raised as much as 1.3 inches by way of a ⅛-inch Allen wrench, so dialing in excellent eye alignment is straightforward.
The non-folding model of the HNT26 weighs simply 26 ounces (therefore the chassis’ title) 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 standard wooden inventory look, however I didn’t desire a flat, black, and boring bundle both. The HNT26 is obtainable in a Colbalt Inexperienced end that’s earth toned and provides the modern, 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 offers a stable subject 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 Objective
The principle 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 recreation 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. However 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 a little bit tweaking, particularly the sooner 1:7.5 twist price and extra exactly machined elements, this basic caliber is ready to do every thing I used to be searching for.
Some Meeting Required
There are just a few alternative ways one can purchase a {custom} rifle. One possibility is to fill out a check-list on-line and hit “Purchase Now.” A number of months later, you fill out a 4473 at your native supplier and drive house with it in your truck.
An alternative choice is to assemble all of the elements 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 effectively, and that’s the path I selected. After deciding on all my elements and items, I shipped them to Tipton Burns of Texas Sporting Arms.
I went this route for a pair causes. One, Tip understood my mission — not simply the technical facets of it, however the broader imaginative and prescient behind it. Second, Tip additionally knew that I needed to get my fingers soiled and be taught all facets of this construct.
A number of weeks after my elements 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 realized easy methods to headspace, thread, and chamber. I realized about Go/No Go gauges and which one meant what. I received much more aware of calipers and realized my default inventive mentality of “shut sufficient” doesn’t work with regards to machining. I realized easy methods to thread my barrel for a suppressor. I realized that machining is each an artwork and a science with a variety of magic and instinct blended 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 had 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 comfortable factors. Their efficiency was spectacular, constant and exceeded expectations — even out to 500 yards. Circling again to the unique premise of with the ability to use totally different bullets for varied functions and engagement distances, these outcomes had 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 had been executed in various wind and climate situations utilizing this ammunition. Teams ranged from ¾ to 1 inch at 100 yards.
Down the street, 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.
Professionals and Cons
If you construct a gun from scratch – handpicking the elements from begin to end, you solely have your self accountable or thank for the belongings you like and dislike. However to this point, every part I’ve chosen has checked the field it was imagined to test.
Professionals:
- Light-weight, helpful, and simple to maneuver
- Extremely adjustable
- Correct
- Gratifying to shoot
- Beautiful
Cons:
- Restricted availability of manufacturing facility ammunition
The 6.5 x 55 Swede is a sublime and succesful caliber. With this mission I matched its magnificence with fashionable effectiveness by part choice and platform selection. The vary time is proving this iconic caliber’s potential and I’m excited to check it within the subject.
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