My new rifle build thread . Arc nucleus 6.5x284 proof barrel. READY TO SHOOT

[savagehunter]

I'll start where I started which is with the action. Arc nucleus long action version 1.1 these were on sale I sent them an email and being a cheap ass asked them for a blem action. 600 bucks. With 20 moa rail.

[savagehunter]

I'm a deal shopper and had no real plan other than I love the 6.5x284 cartridge.  So I spend most of my free time shopping hunting website classifieds craigslist offer up etc. Saw this mcmillan stock on ebay for 650 bucks brand new. Watched it for a couple of weeks and lo and behold the seller sent me an offer 425 buy it now. The dip is called old barnwood clear epoxy top coat. This is the edge filled hunter stock with the higher comb.

[savagehunter]

Other side

[savagehunter]

Close up love this stock

[savagehunter]

I read a ton about different triggers. Especially ones that worked well with arc actions. Lots of good stuff about bix n andy and how I should stay with a low sear to work on the nucleus action. Tons of great feedback about triggertech diamond and the only stopping point was the zero overtravel which was the only drawback and everyone said it was pretty easy to get used to. In the end I chose a huber two stage trigger and read that this was the trigger arc used in field testing the nuckeus.. I have never shot a two stage trigger on a bolt action but the guy I consider the guru on 6.5x284 on long range hunting really talked me into it. Snipers hide bargain at less than half price 150.00 bucks

[savagehunter]

The barrel I thought was going to be the easy choice. I have built a few savage rifles and bought prefits for them and have a lilja a douglas in my research my mind kept coming back to benchmark. I never saw them used or for sale new except as blanks. So I started looking for a benchmark prefit planning on getting the bar lock system and bang install and headspace my new rifle just like a custom. So one night when I was browsing I typed in benchmark savage prefit. And up popped straightjacket armory. These guys do prefits for all sorts of actions and the had a sale going on. 619 bucks for a benchmark prefit for a savage. Plus a little for muzzle threading 55 bucks I think. I also saw that they were doing proof prefits also. I sent them an email and the owner nick called me back after hours. We talked for a bit and he said they could either do a barrel nut version for the bar lock or they could shoulder a barrel without ever seeing my action. I didn't even know that was possible. Modern machine tolerances and all. Wow. I told him I would think it over and get back to him. I spent the next week mulling over barrel nut shouldered barrel and in the end it actually came down to weight. I've been carrying a 13 pound rifle into the high country for the last 4 years. Sendaro benchmark barrel was going to put me close to that. Proof on the other hand gave me a lighter barrel but ouch no way to get a deal unless I went and got a proof savage prefit which was only gonna save me around 200 bucks. So on this one i paid the piper. 1065.00 buck delivered in 6 weeks threaded muzzle and i really have to thank nick and his son going from a full crew down to 2 guys to get it done. Thanks straightjacket armory

[savagehunter]

Close up

[savagehunter]

Other side

[savagehunter]

Muzzle brake area 419 used off rokslide 100 bucks

[savagehunter]

The hardest decision I had to make ended up being dictated by my action and stock choice. The stock is a bdl inlet but arc nucleus action will not support a bdl bottom metal. It requires a dbm. Not a ton of companies make a bdl footprint and the number one recommended company c.d.i. no long is in business. Ptg was the cheapest and used proprietary mags. Hawkins also but both of these companies you end up with the tactical look of extended mag. As I am a hunter I didn't feel like I needed that look or that much ammo in my rifle on the hill. Pretty much the only game in town was hs precision. 379 bucks with one mag. Well I dragged my feet on this one hoping to see a cdi or hs dbm come up somewhere. 2 weeks ago on gunbroker hs precision dbm long action with 2 mags popped up. 325 buck to my door just got here tonight along with my torx  head action screws that I ordered from red hawk rifles 16 bucks shipped

[savagehunter]

The parts are here time to put it together. Total cost 2681.00

[jasnt]

Love the stock.  More of a chassis guy but that looks awesome.  Hope it shoots as good as it will look

[High Climber]

Gonna be a beauty

[savagehunter]

As far as accuracy goes it does remain to be seen. Nick told me this was the fourth barrel made with the reamer and that the last one he made shot a 5 shot half inch group first five shots from the barrel. He told the guy it should tighten up after load development. Then the guy told him it was five different factory round from five different mfg bullets from 140 to 147 gr. Hoping that with handloads it shoots at least as good as my other 6.5x284s

[fowl smacker]

If that barrel shoots half as good as it looks, it's gonna be sweet!

[Magnum_Willys]

As far as accuracy goes it does remain to be seen. Nick told me this was the fourth barrel made with the reamer and that the last one he made shot a 5 shot half inch group first five shots from the barrel. He told the guy it should tighten up after load development. Then the guy told him it was five different factory round from five different mfg bullets from 140 to 147 gr. Hoping that with handloads it shots at least as good as my other 6.5x284s

Very interested in the prefit concept -especially for a spare barrel.    When you screw the barrel onto the action you are hoping that the headspace is right or you have to shim it for more or have a smith take a little off the barrel to tighten am I thinking that right ?  Or are all those actions consistent enough within plus or minus a couple thousands that just bolt on barrel and go?   


 

[savagehunter]

Supposedly the action are within a few 10 thousandths. I have not checked my headspace yet but the barrel indexes right.  They can make prefits for most high end actions without having the action on hand. Give nick at straightjacket armory a call I'm sure he would be glad to discuss it  with you.

[yorketransport]

That looks great! Good call on the Nucleus, I really like them. If you haven't swapped out the firing pin spring for a 19# on yet, it's worth doing. I use 19# springs on my Gen 1 and Gen 1.1 Nucleus actions and I've never had an ignition problem. The 25# springs they ship with now are way too heavy and you end up with a pretty heavy bolt lift.

As far as accuracy goes it does remain to be seen. Nick told me this was the fourth barrel made with the reamer and that the last one he made shot a 5 shot half inch group first five shots from the barrel. He told the guy it should tighten up after load development. Then the guy told him it was five different factory round from five different mfg bullets from 140 to 147 gr. Hoping that with handloads it shots at least as good as my other 6.5x284s

Very interested in the prefit concept -especially for a spare barrel.    When you screw the barrel onto the action you are hoping that the headspace is right or you have to shim it for more or have a smith take a little off the barrel to tighten am I thinking that right ?  Or are all those actions consistent enough within plus or minus a couple thousands that just bolt on barrel and go?   
 

They really are that consistent. I can take one of the shouldered barrels cut for my Gen 1 Nucleus action and it heaspaces within .002" on the Gen 1.1 Nucleus action.

[savagehunter]

Thanks for the advice. I was opening up the barrel channel tonight as it was not fully floated opened up the bottom metal inlet as it did not drop right in once I got it dry fitted I worked the bolt and noticed it seemed kind of stiff looks like I'll need to get a new spring. While I'm at it I have a question.  Trigger is not installed yet and I noticed quite a bit of play in the bolt handle with it in the closed position. Is this because the trigger is not there holding the tension when cocked? I've never installed a trigger nor worked an action without a trigger in it.

[Dan-o]

Thanks for sharing your build along the way.

This looks like it's going to be an awesome rifle.

[yorketransport]

Thanks for the advice. I was opening up the barrel channel tonight as it was not fully floated opened up the bottom metal inlet as it did not drop right in once I got it dry fitted I worked the bolt and noticed it seemed kind of stiff looks like I'll need to get a new spring. While I'm at it I have a question.  Trigger is not installed yet and I noticed quite a bit of play in the bolt handle with it in the closed position. Is this because the trigger is not there holding the tension when cocked? I've never installed a trigger nor worked an action without a trigger in it.

The action will feel a lot better with the trigger installed.

[savagehunter]

Sweet I I had to do some inletting on the magwell to get it to fit. Looks really good also had to open the barrel inlet a little as it was not free floated . Dollar slides free to the lug now. I will wait till after I shoot it to decide if it needs bedding. Tomorrow night I'll install the trigger

[savagehunter]

Installed the trigger and slapped some rings on her.torqued the barrel down .

[savagehunter]

Inlet opened

[savagehunter]

Trigger and rings

[savagehunter]

Looks like a rifle

[savagehunter]

The topper

[savagehunter]

Zeiss v6 5-30x50 93 reticle

[jasnt]

Now we just need some target pictures

[Magnum_Willys]

Wow nice scope I didn’t know existed  You are digging up parts for a unique build.   Looks good. 

[savagehunter]

Lol I put 5-39 should have been 5-30. I'm kinda torn about the scope awsome glass and with my old eyes I can use the magnification but puts the rifle at 9 lbs.which is a lot lighter than the 13 lb. Rifle I've been taking on the high hunt. I won't shoot an animal past 500 so it may end up with a smaller scope maybe   vortex lh or bushnell lrhs.

[savagehunter]

50 rounds loaded for Barrel break in to determine max pressure. Loaded to the lans at 3.102oal 2.445 to ogive. 49 grains up to 52.5gr 4831sc, berger 140gr hvlds, lapua brass, federal 210m primers. This chamber is a little shorter than my other 2 6.5x284s. I'm glad that give me a little more bullet in the case and a little room to chase the lans. Gonna get the scope mounted and hopefully shoot it tomorrow.

[Jolten]

Really loving that stock

[savagehunter]

Scope is mounted. Glad I didn't go with xtra low rings as the bell barely clears the rail.

[savagehunter]

A little heavier than I thought it would be. Will be getting different rings for sure. Maybe have to go to a smaller lighter scope to lose the 12 oz's.9# 12 oz hunting weight without brake or bipod.

[Zardoz]

    Beautiful looking set up.

[savagehunter]

Thank you. I didn't get to shoot it today too busy getting wet for other reasons. Next weekend for sure