6.5 Badger update!

[jay.sharkbait]

Looks awesome man!  You are a bad influence.  Making me want to build a new gun in 6.5 really bad! Can't wait to see how that bad boy does for ya.

Maybe rebarrel that old crappy .338 you bought recently?

[iusmc2002]

Everything came back today that was needed to assemble my test rifle. It was a loooong hot day here. Almost put it off until tomorrow but couldn't handle just looking at the pile of parts. Seeing this is the first Savage action based rifle I have built due to the fact I'm a sucker for Remington actions.  Installing the complete trigger assembly back in this action was a complete test of my nerves!

Gorge Custom Coatings (Thanks Carp) did a superb job with the Cerakote on the action, barrel nut, recoil lug, bolt sleeve and bolt release. The action body and parts were Cerakoted in Savage Stainless. Ditched the factory bolt handle and went with a custom Sigma Machine stainless handle with a aluminum knob. I'm going to have Kampfeld Custom spiral flute the bolt. I may have the bolt and bolt handle Cerakoted same as the action then, maybe not? I haven't decided yet.

Before



After



The barrel went off to be bead blasted and laser engraved along with timing the Killer Innovations muzzle brake. Thanks Killer Innovations for hooking me up.



Killer Innovations muzzle brake



The pile of parts.



My 6.5 Badger test rifle ready for optics. But I'll "Cream of Wheat" form cases before I throw glass on it. 26" Blackhole Weaponry 8 twist 3P Polygonal barrel.

[Biggerhammer]

I think I'll get a chance to shoot some full house loads tomorrow. I fire formed some cases with Cream Of Wheat this afternoon. At a 103 stinky degrees today that barrel was still getting hot and staying hot with a measly 14grs of Bullseye( Yorke's recipe  ). They formed up nice, got back and deprimed/neck sized them. I'll load up some 160gr Matrix bullets tomorrow for the barrel break in and to find where my max pressure is at, along with velocities. Figured I might as well get my max pressure in smoking hot weather, so there won't be any issues across the board.

"Cream Of Wheat" loads ready to be fired.



I got a really good form with the 14grains of Bullseye powder that Yorke used to form his.

The top cartridge has been fired through Yorke's rifle with a full house load. The center case is one I just "Cream Of Wheat" fire formed and the bottom case is the parent case a standard .338 Rem Ultra Mag.


 

[yorketransport]

If that bolt handle were any bigger it would block the trigger!

I like the look of that brake. I may need to try one out. I have a 284 win Striker barrel that I've been thinking of braking and that may be the perfect test platform.

Now you need to hurry up and start shooting it!

I'll hook you up with a brake....But you have to stop by the shop for a tour.

That offer's too good to turn down!

I have a new scope on the way to throw on my 6.5 badger. I'll try and get that mounted up and ready to go in the next week or so.

[carpsniperg2]

For a savage That thing is pretty sexy!

Looking forward to your results. I have been thinking about doing a short action 6.5x300wsm or something like that. I have to many long/magnum actions but the 6.5 is looking pretty good. Not that I don't love my Grendel but I need a little more zip then she can give in a bolt gun

[yorketransport]

For a savage That thing is pretty sexy!

Looking forward to your results. I have been thinking about doing a short action 6.5x300wsm or something like that. I have to many long/magnum actions but the 6.5 is looking pretty good. Not that I don't love my Grendel but I need a little more zip then she can give in a bolt gun

The 6.5x300 wsm is a great round, in a handgun. In a rifle you need to burn more powder before it gets interesting. You need to build your own Badger.

[carpsniperg2]

Benchmark should have my 30-378 done any day and 115-120 grain of powder in that pig will be enough Or if I want to eat a pound of powder quick I will load 30 shells for the 50

Me and my buddy were talking about loading the Anzio 20mm. That would get spendy fast

[GUscottie]

Tagging along for the ride. This is the kind of stuff that gets me excited

[Biggerhammer]

I shot three rounds through it yesterday over the Magnetto Speed. Tried to get away with not having to turn necks but after the pressure signs I'm going to have to.

Averaged 3337 fps with the 160gr Matrix for the three with 93gr of US869. This morning I dug out the neck turner and got it dialed in. After work I'll load some up and give it a try this weekend. My pressures should drop now with the turned necks and I'll work up the powder charge from there.

[jay.sharkbait]

I shot three rounds through it yesterday over the Magnetto Speed. Tried to get away with not having to turn necks but after the pressure signs I'm going to have to.

Averaged 3337 fps with the 160gr Matrix for the three with 93gr of US869. This morning I dug out the neck turner and got it dialed in. After work I'll load some up and give it a try this weekend. My pressures should drop now with the turned necks and I'll work up the powder charge from there.

I love the pic of the micrometer sitting on the grinding wheel!

[Biggerhammer]

That's the grinder I used to tweak the bottom angle on the turner cutter.😉

[jay.sharkbait]

That's the grinder I used to tweak the bottom angle on the turner cutter.

Heathen

[yorketransport]

That's the grinder I used to tweak the bottom angle on the turner cutter.

Heathen

We don't all have access to the really cool tools!

I do all of my gun smithing with a Dremel and a cut off disk.

[carpsniperg2]

  I broke the normal today and used a mini chop saw on some bottom metal rather then the dremel

[Biggerhammer]

Well I had a first today. Many years of reloading and shooting. To include many different factory Chambering's and wildcats. One doesn't have many "First's" that often.

While laying in the sage brush I slipped cartridge into 6.5 Badger chamber topped with a 139gr Lapua Scenar, on top of a stout charge of  US869 and sent it on its way. A side ways glance at the Magnetto Speed read out gave me a crappy smirk that I haven't had since my last world class aerial hit on a Rockchuck.   3599 FPS out of a 26" barrel.