Gunfighter

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

I admit, I am new to the whole bolt-gun, precision rifle thing. Although I've always been fascinated with them, grew up shooting scoped rifles (automatics) and have handled a few while working in my last unit's armory, I have had no formal training or experience with them, except hunting.
I just had my first one built and it may very well be my last (in a *good* way!). Bruce Warner (of Houston, TX) is the bad-ass gunsmith I am lucky enough to know and he's the only one I want working on my guns other than myself. I bought the gun and all the parts, turned them over to him and he threw a 1,000-yard rifle back at me. I'm telling you people - I got it yesterday and have not shot it yet, but it not only met my specifications, but far exceeds my expectations. Now if this frickin rain will stop so I can go start breakin her in!
So... please feel free to respond back, as I am anxious to learn. Or, post your own rifle and let's talk shop!

p.s. I'ma try to upload a crappy picture-phone photo of it for the time being and plan on doing a Duracoat paintjob on it and my AR.

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 399 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Cecil,
Let's get to work zeroing/doping that 'tool of freedom' at 100, 200, 300 and 500 yards. My .308's are combat zeroed (center mass hits) at 200 yards and I practice twice a month at 200, 300 and 500 yards to keep the groups tight.

30-06 power, a 26" bull barrel and a high quality optic is an excellent set-up Cecil and dry firing at various distances will yield tighter groups faster just as in pistol training.

Controlled breathing, trigger control, maintaining concentration, physical conditioning and practice, practice, practice are crucial to successful long distance shooting.

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 399 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

5.56 caliber, 16" barrel weapons are fine for urban work but get out of the green zone and it's common for villagers, shepherds and drivers to carry AK-47's, 7mm Mausers and an endless variety of old bolt action rifles, some with scopes.

My team's first visit to the remote regions of Iraq underscored the need for accurate, large caliber weapons to return metal on turds who sit out at 400-600 yards and pray to Allah that one of their shots hits an infidel. My next tour I packed a .308 caliber, 22" barrel, Springfield national match M1A equipped with a Nightforce 5.5-22x optic, GG&G bipod and 20 round magazines. This hardware plus 168 grain Winchester Ballistic Silvertip rounds has proven twice to be effective at 600+ yards.

As contractors, we look to rebuild the infrastructure of Iraq and return home safely to our families...but when trouble comes, it's God's hand, Warrior training, discipline and quality gear that will see you through.

The Marine Corps taught me to shoot well at long distances and Brian's training has taught me to take that extra split second to make sure the HIT is made.

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

Omigosh! we can upload photos now!

DEMON · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Houston,Texas

Love the pics. Especialy the last one! Twisted Evil

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 399 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Very nice rig Cecil...the very smooth 2.0 - 2.5 lb. trigger pull with no play is excellent and 30-06 ballistics combined with the 26" barrel will give you a very flat trajectory at 600 yards. This is indeed a 1,200 yard weapon. Sweet...

DEMON · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Houston,Texas

Specrat,have you had a chance to play with the new toy yet? Twisted Evil

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

Sadly, Demon, I've only had a couple of opportunities to start breaking her in... 23 rounds so far, so I'm not even concerned with accuracy yet. I will after a few more rounds and after I've gotten my hands on some quality rounds. I will admit, the past couple of weeks, I've had this itch to be proned out behind her on one of these beautiful days!

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

Semper, I was wrong about the barrel length. Bruce showed me the length and thickness before he was done turning it, and I said 'h.ell yes!' to exactly how it was. He left it at 27.5" for me Twisted Evil

Being new to .30-'06 ballistics and extremely accurate bolt rifles with this long of a barrel, is there any difference in that extra 1.5"?

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 399 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Spec,
I ran calculations using a 180 grain Remington AccuTip 30.06 ballistic tip round fired through a 1:10 twist, 27" barrel. Software would not calculate past 700 yards but at 700 yards it's delivering 823 ft. lbs. of energy.

300 Yards
Velocity...2272 fps
Energy....2003 ft. lbs.

500 Yards
Velocity...1878 fps
Energy....1511 ft. lbs.

700 Yards
Velocity...1263 fps
Energy....823 ft. lbs.

That round is smokin' by the time it clears the 27" barrel and is a hammer at 800 - 900 yards. With that much muzzle energy, you may wish to consider a recoil eliminator...check out www.jprifles.com/1.4.2.php

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

wow, niiiiice!
That is phenomenal.
One more correction on my part - it is 150 grain bullets I am using right now to break it in, not 180 like I told you. Sorry about that.

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 399 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Bruce manufactured a serious platform for you alright.

At 90 degrees Farenheit, 85% humidity, and an elevation of 150 feet above sea level, the speed of sound is 1,151 feet per second.

Using a 27" barrel with 1:10 rifling, the 180 grain AccuTip round is exiting the barrel at 2,916 fps...yes, over twice the speed of sound while the 150 grain AccuTip round is leaving the barrel at 3,190 fps...crazy fast for a 150 grain bullet.

Without boring you with curvature data, it's an understatement to say that the 150 grain 30.06 round delivers a VERY flat trajectory at 300 yards when fired through a 27" barrel. Regarding energy, the 180 grain round produces about 150 ft. lbs. more energy than the 150 grain round at all distances so the 150 grain round delivers about 700 ft. lbs. of energy at 700 yards.

Awesome...

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

Wow, out-friggin-standing! Thanks for this info. Now, to get her painted Twisted Evil