6.5 Badger update!

[Biggerhammer]

I was hoping to have my 6.5 Badger assembled and be forming brass this weekend but it just didn't come together. My action will be back from being refinished by Gorge Custom Coatings tomorrow along with my barrel being returned from bead blast, laser engraving. Along with having the muzzle brake timed( Thanks Killer Innovations for hooking me up.).

So while pondering the next project already . I can't over look "Yorketransport's" creation, the .375 BME!

I found several 30" 10 twist blanks that would work well for it. A 350gr Sierra Match King at almost 3100fps is very impressive to those of us that like to punish ourselves behind our rifles. With that velocity and a BC of .800+ for the 350 MK it just can't be passed up! Seeing that Yorke was kind enough to send the reamer this is something that just has to happen.

Left to right.

.338 Ultra Magnum case
6.5 Badger 40 degree improved( Parent case .338 Ultra Magnum ) with a 160gr Matrix
.375 BME (Box Monkey Express) Improved .375 Ultra Magnum with a 350gr Sierra Matchking
To keep it all in prospective. Lapua 6.5-.284 case far right.

[Taco280AI]

.800 BC, 350gr, 3100fps? Holy.....

You shooting 2000 yards at elk? 

[yorketransport]

To date, no critters bigger than a porcupine have been injured in the testing of the 375 BME.  There have been a few rocks which were sacrificed during the load development though.  

The 350gr MK shoots right there with the 300 gr Berger OTM out of a 338 Edge. In fact, the trajectories of the 6.5 Badger (160gr Matrix), 270 RUM (150gr ABLR), 7mm RUM (200gr Wildcat), 300 RUM (230gr OTM), 338 Edge (300gr Berger OTM) and 375 BME (350gr MK) are all surprisingly close out to around 1200 yards.

I just want BiggerHammer to finish up his 375 BME so that it can me somebody else's project for a while. My shoulder and wallet can only take so much of that caliber before it starts to get old!

Andrew

[Biggerhammer]

I'll take the abuse! I'm a sucker for recoil induced blurry vision!

[Biggerhammer]

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.

[jay.sharkbait]

Looks great!

Aluminum oxide blast would match the rec'r perfectly if you want to re-doo.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Wow that looks cool! Kind of Scarry too?

[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!

[jay.sharkbait]

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.

[CAMPMEAT]

Brandon, Brandon, Brandon...................are you in therapy for anything ? 

[Biggerhammer]

Brandon, Brandon, Brandon...................are you in therapy for anything ? 

Ooooooh! You have no idea.

[CAMPMEAT]

Brandon, Brandon, Brandon...................are you in therapy for anything ? 

Ooooooh! You have no idea.

I'm thinkin', I might be gettin' a grip on your madness........

[Dan-o]

Really, I have nothing to add.

But holy crap!!!!!

I can't wait to see a ballistics table for that thing.

[Biggerhammer]

I just finished putting a false shoulder on 50 new necked down .338 RUM cases. Tomorrow I'll "Cream Of Wheat" form a few. Then I may just try some 120gr BT's with US869 to form a few and see how it all runs, along with the muzzle brakes performance.

[bullcanyon]

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.