01-29-2019, 05:08 AM (This post was last modified: 01-29-2019, 05:10 AM by bachekermooni.)
After lots of research, I decided on this great little cartridge for my antelope, deer and coyote hunts. In December I started ordering/buying these parts:
1. Howa 1500 Mini barreled action (#2, 22" from Brownell's - one heck of a sale)
2. PacNor SS Super Match #1, 1-8", 3-groove barrel (should finish 22") already at my GS (it only took 4 weeks to get)
3. Bolt fluting by LRI (already done - these guys are awesome)
4. Lapua 6.5 G brass - already here and re-sized (inside neck diameter is .241")
5. Redding type S bushing Full length sizing die, 6.5 G
6. L.E. Wilson Neck Sizer Die Bushing, 0.269"
7. Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater Die, 6mm PPC (My GS with use the reamer to make it 6mm G)
8. Boyd's Barracuda stock in Forest Camo, un-inletted, my GS will inlet
9. DIP bottom metal/mag holder with DIP mag release
10. Talley Light Weight Alloy Scope Mount (30 mm, Medium)
11. My existing Leupold VX-6 HD, 2-12x, FireDot, windplex
12. Original trigger - to be worked on by my GS to improve the creep
The steel parts will be Nitride treated. The aluminum parts, Cerakoted.
On the business end:
13. Hornady .243 ELD-X 90 gr
14. CCI 400 and/or Federal Match primers, already have - might need CCI BR4
15. TAC powder, already have - may need CFE 223
Hoping to get close to 3000 FPS with solid sub-MOA groups. Potentially done by mid April (fingers crossed).
Answered my own question. That looks like the perfect bullet for the 6 Grendel and 243 wssm ar's I have and should be a nearly direct substitute for the 87 vmax loads I use for varmint shooting.
Looks like a great build, can't wait to see your results.
These are the bullets I considered (L to R): Hornady 90 gr ELD-X, Hornady 87 gr BTHP, Speer 85 gr BTSP. I picked the first one for its BC, flexibility, and design. i hope I have picked wisely.
01-31-2019, 09:31 PM (This post was last modified: 02-01-2019, 11:31 AM by Msalm.)
That should be a great little rifle. I just built the same this week with a duplicate contour Heym bbl. This is the 2nd one Ive built but the first was taken by a good friend that had to have it this summer. Its been killing coyotes all winter in NW IA. Be mindful of neck diameters. The Starline brass necked down is .269 loaded diameter and Lapua was very close to .273. I made mine with a .274 neck diameter and my buddy had to neck turn the Lapua brass. After that the danged thing is shooting 1/3rd MOA with 87gr Vmax at somewhere around 3000. This was with a 21 bbl.
Msalm Wrote:That should be a great little rifle. I just built the same this week with a duplicate contour Heym bbl. This is the 2nd one I’ve built but the first was taken by a good friend that had to have it this summer. It’s been killing coyotes all winter in NW IA. Be mindful of neck diameters. The Starline brass necked down is .269” loaded diameter and Lapua was very close to .273”. I made mine with a .274 neck diameter and my buddy had to neck turn the Lapua brass. After that the danged thing is shooting 1/3rd MOA with 87gr Vmax at somewhere around 3000. This was with a 21” bbl.
Wow, Heym barrel!!! Where did you get that? Also, do you mind sharing load data - only the case, primer and powder names. Thanks.
Of all places Numrich had a pile of new Heym barrels, all contoured for their SR series rifles. Most were pre-chambered in other calibers but they had enough meat to cut the chamber off and re-thread and chamber for the Howa Mini. I Picked up 6 223s and used one for a 22 Grendel and two 243s which both became 6 Grendel. These were all stainless. I didnt get to play with the first one as mentioned. Ill have to touch base with him and see what hes using. I think he just switched from the 87 Vmax to a 70 gr bullet to up the velocity to increase his dead on hold for coyotes.
I just got done talking to my GS a couple of hours ago. He has everything in hand He also checked it, and it seems the action will fit into a flat-top Cuda stock I love that stock's fit. It will be a pain to glass bed, but all good things in life are worth it.
02-15-2019, 02:58 PM (This post was last modified: 02-15-2019, 03:00 PM by Msalm.)
Just an FYI, I measured the neck diameter of loaded ammo again the other night, new Starline and Lapua brass both measured at .273". Both are too tight with the .274" neck I made my rifle in. I had loaded rounds from some old original AA (Lapua) brass I had for years and that stuff measured .269" with an 80gr TTSX bullet seated. For me it looks like I'll be neck turning the new brass if I use it for this rifle. I don't have a 6mm Grendel/243LBC reamer, but I'm betting the current reamers made take that into account and will have no issues.
He also checked it, and it seems the action will fit into a flat-top Cuda stock