The 6mm BR project. The concept is pretty simple convert a Hunter Benchrest Class rifle into a long-range rifle. This rifle is to be used in 600 yd. benchrest and as a F-Class Open Rifle. Hunter Class rifles are readily available and usually offer a 308 bolt face. These are generally reasonable in price. The base project rifle cost $750. The 700 Remington action has been trued by Richard Griffin. The stock is a Mcmillan Edge HBR. The 2oz trigger is a Shilen. The Lilja Barrel is a low round barrel as is the whole gun. The barrel has been sold reducing cost to $685 at this point. This rifle should cost about half of what a new custom action based rifle would cost. Big expense items coming down the road are a Krieger barrel, chambering, bedding and other stock work by Tom Meredith.
This rifle is chambered in 30x47. This is an excellent Hunter Benchrest caliber but not really suited for long-range. What is the 6mm BR? And why base a long-range rifle on this cartridge?
The 6mm BR that is most commonly used today is also called 6mm Norma BR, "6BR Norma" The 6BR mimics the case design and small primer hole that make the 6PPC so accurate. In point blank benchrest competition, the 6PPC is still the most used cartridge. However, the 6mm BR is superior beyond 300yds. With more case capacity, the 6mm BR can drive the heavier, higher BC bullets needed at long distance. In vogue right now are the 6.5X284 rifles. These do a great job of bucking wind but are a very expensive round to shoot. Expect to have to set a 6.5x284 barrel back at 900 rounds. 6BR’s use a long neck case that contributes to long barrel life, this means more shooting pleasure after load development. Brass, bullets and powder are also more affordable for someone who shoots a lot.
Low recoil makes this shooter more accurate. Less torque and a more repeatable shooter position are important to me. The inherent accuracy of the 6BR coupled with better marksmanship potential sold me on this cartridge. We will see how it pans out over the months ahead.
Changes are coming in F-Class that forced me into an Open class rifle. Our new target face coming next year will shrink our X ring and ten ring size by half. That means a 3” inch X ring at 600 yds!
On to the project! Please see photos next page.
Update.... the stock has been upgraded to a McMillan MBR and the trigger replaced with a Jewel trigger that has a bolt release.