New rifle build itch

[Poper]

Yep. Getting that itch again. I'm thinking I'm gonna have to scratch it, too. Maybe piecemeal this time, though.

Here's the Itch:
I am 65 and semi-retired and will go into full retirement mode when I no longer wish to work or am no longer able to work. (Whichever comes first.) Rather than go whole hog and have a new full custom rifle built, I have been considering some "renovation" work on an old (but very dear) friend.
My old Remington 788 carbine in .308 Winchester was bought new, including a box of WW Super X 180 grain Silvertips, at a gun show in 1982 for the princely sum of $112. I haven't fired the old 788 in probably 10 yeas and it sits in the back of the safe gathering dust. I have nobody that has any interest in it to pass it on to when I am done with it and I have been battling a hankering for a 6.5x47 Lapua for High Power Silhouette matches. The old 788 already has a Timney trigger and the bolt face and action length are fine for the 6.5x47. I have had excellent examples of McGowan barrels in the past, so will probably settle for a chrome moly steel one, 26" long, with a light Palma contour and a 11 degree target crown. For a stock, the Boyd's Lightweight Prairie Hunter and Classic are both very acceptable in a 25% figured Claro Walnut. I would pillar and glass bed it, of course.

So, am I crazy or what?

 

[horsey300]

Yep. Getting that itch again. I'm thinking I'm gonna have to scratch it, too. Maybe piecemeal this time, though.

Here's the Itch:
I am 65 and semi-retired and will go into full retirement mode when I no longer wish to work or am no longer able to work. (Whichever comes first.) Rather than go whole hog and have a new full custom rifle built, I have been considering some "renovation" work on an old (but very dear) friend.
My old Remington 788 carbine in .308 Winchester was bought new, including a box of WW Super X 180 grain Silvertips, at a gun show in 1982 for the princely sum of $112. I haven't fired the old 788 in probably 10 yeas and it sits in the back of the safe gathering dust. I have nobody that has any interest in it to pass it on to when I am done with it and I have been battling a hankering for a 6.5x47 Lapua for High Power Silhouette matches. The old 788 already has a Timney trigger and the bolt face and action length are fine for the 6.5x47. I have had excellent examples of McGowan barrels in the past, so will probably settle for a chrome moly steel one, 26" long, with a light Palma contour and a 11 degree target crown. For a stock, the Boyd's Lightweight Prairie Hunter and Classic are both very acceptable in a 25% figured Claro Walnut. I would pillar and glass bed it, of course.

So, am I crazy or what?

Or what!

 

[LoonWulf]

Why arnt there pictures yet?

 

[redneck2]

Hey.....if you have the desire and the money, go for it. Except for a wife, you don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself

 

[WisBorn]

Sounds like a great rifle build to me

 

[sarduy]

Yep. Getting that itch again. I'm thinking I'm gonna have to scratch it, too. Maybe piecemeal this time, though.

Here's the Itch:
I am 65 and semi-retired and will go into full retirement mode when I no longer wish to work or am no longer able to work. (Whichever comes first.) Rather than go whole hog and have a new full custom rifle built, I have been considering some "renovation" work on an old (but very dear) friend.
My old Remington 788 carbine in .308 Winchester was bought new, including a box of WW Super X 180 grain Silvertips, at a gun show in 1982 for the princely sum of $112. I haven't fired the old 788 in probably 10 yeas and it sits in the back of the safe gathering dust. I have nobody that has any interest in it to pass it on to when I am done with it and I have been battling a hankering for a 6.5x47 Lapua for High Power Silhouette matches. The old 788 already has a Timney trigger and the bolt face and action length are fine for the 6.5x47. I have had excellent examples of McGowan barrels in the past, so will probably settle for a chrome moly steel one, 26" long, with a light Palma contour and a 11 degree target crown. For a stock, the Boyd's Lightweight Prairie Hunter and Classic are both very acceptable in a 25% figured Claro Walnut. I would pillar and glass bed it, of course.

So, am I crazy or what?

do that and enjoy your days at the range, its nice to do what one truly like and want to do and you sir are not crazy. After all if that bring you a smile to your face and soul that’s all it matters.

 

[Weflyfast]

That damn itch never goes away.....gets real bad about every three months or so.....

 

[LoonWulf]

That damn itch never goes away.....gets real bad about every three months or so.....

Tell us how much u wanna spend, well help!

 

[horsemen61]

Sounds fun keep us posted on it!

 

[MarshallDodge]

6.5x47 is one of my favorite cartridges so you’re not having any trouble convincing me

 

[Poper]

6.5x47 is one of my favorite cartridges so you’re not having any trouble convincing me

I love accurate rifles. The 6.5x47 has a reputation for superb accuracy. (A majority of silhouette shooters in our club use it.) And so does the Remington 788.
I also like quality blued steel and nice wood. The old 788 has nice polished blued steel and is currently in an old Ramline stock, so a nice quality Boyd's might be in order. (The Ramline has a nice shape and checkering pattern. Stiffened with expanding rigid foam insulation in the fore end.) It shoots pretty well for a factory gun.

I also have 6.5 WSSM on a Browning action with a McGowan barrel that is fun to play with, too.

The idea of a 6.5x47 using the 788 receiver just plain tickles my fancy!
I'm still mulling it over 'cause I'm thinking it might make a great Christmas Present!

 

[horsemen61]

I love accurate rifles. The 6.5x47 has a reputation for superb accuracy. (A majority of silhouette shooters in our club use it.) And so does the Remington 788.
I also like quality blued steel and nice wood. The old 788 has nice polished blued steel and is currently in an old Ramline stock, so a nice quality Boyd's might be in order. (The Ramline has a nice shape and checkering pattern. Stiffened with expanding rigid foam insulation in the fore end.) It shoots pretty well for a factory gun.

I also have 6.5 WSSM on a Browning action with a McGowan barrel that is fun to play with, too.

The idea of a 6.5x47 using the 788 receiver just plain tickles my fancy!
I'm still mulling it over 'cause I'm thinking it might make a great Christmas Present!

I think you should DO IT!!!!!

 

[Poper]

More research has created some enlightenment.
I like the 6.5x47 Lapua very much! I also like my .243 Winchester very much. Sooooo.... What about a 6x47 Lapua? It's a wildcat easily formed from 6.5x47 Lapua brass with a single pass through a full length sizing die. What's not to like? Scratches the x47 Lapua itch, scratches the wildcat itch, scratches the 6mm itch, scratches the new gun itch.....!

I found the attached ballistics comparison chart on "rifleshooter.com". (https://i1.wp.com/rifleshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/6x47-lapua-300-win-308-win.png?ssl=1)
Notice the ballistics path is (essentially) identical to the .300 Win. Mag. but uses less than half the powder and less than half the associated recoil. Reported accuracy is excellent, too.

I'm itching more and more!

 

[LoonWulf]

More research has created some enlightenment.
I like the 6.5x47 Lapua very much! I also like my .243 Winchester very much. Sooooo.... What about a 6x47 Lapua? It's a wildcat easily formed from 6.5x47 Lapua brass with a single pass through a full length sizing die. What's not to like? Scratches the x47 Lapua itch, scratches the wildcat itch, scratches the 6mm itch, scratches the new gun itch.....!

I found the attached ballistics comparison chart on "rifleshooter.com". (https://i1.wp.com/rifleshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/6x47-lapua-300-win-308-win.png?ssl=1)
Notice the ballistics path is (essentially) identical to the .300 Win. Mag. but uses less than half the powder and less than half the associated recoil. Reported accuracy is excellent, too.

I'm itching more and more!

If you don't need the extra bullet weight of the 6.5 then 6x47L sounds fantastic

 

[MarshallDodge]

While I love 6.5X47L, 6X47L is my favorite cartridge. I have a 1:7.5 twist on mine and shoot everything from the 87 Vmax all the way to the 115 RDF. It's inherently very accurate and easy to load for, and is capable of shooting varmints, target, long range, and at least deer sized game.

 

[Poper]

While I love 6.5X47L, 6X47L is my favorite cartridge. I have a 1:7.5 twist on mine and shoot everything from the 87 Vmax all the way to the 115 RDF. It's inherently very accurate and easy to load for, and is capable of shooting varmints, target, long range, and at least deer sized game.

May I ask what barrel length you have on your 6x47 Lapua and what kind of velocities you are seeing with the 115 grainers?
(I like the 95 grain Bergers in my .243 but the 115's don't stabilize in the 1:10 twist barrel.)

 

[Legionnaire]

You know you can't get measured advice from the enablers here on THR, right? See, we're already asking for pictures!

So I might as well pile on: Do it! Sounds like a fun project.

 

[MarshallDodge]

May I ask what barrel length you have on your 6x47 Lapua and what kind of velocities you are seeing with the 115 grainers?
(I like the 95 grain Bergers in my .243 but the 115's don't stabilize in the 1:10 twist barrel.)

I have honestly never chrono'd it with the 115 but I should. I just zeroed it at 100 and then shot targets from 220- 1000 and Strelok trued up at 2780 FPS out of the 24" barrel. It isn't the best way but I've been too lazy to get out the chrono.

I could push them harder but the load shoots well under .5MOA consistently so I just stopped at 37.0 RL16 with a CCI 450 primer.

Cluster of 3 shots at 1000. The rifle, conditions, and I were having a good day


Defiance Action
KRG Bravo Stock
Hawk Hill barrel
Jewell trigger

 

[MarshallDodge]

@Poper

Did you take care of that itch?

 

[SwampWolf]

A rear locking lug configuration reportedly leads to premature case stretching. Because 6x47L cases might be more expensive and/or hard to come by than less "exotic" ones, if you reload that might be something to consider. On the other hand, a scratched itch feels better than an unattended one.

 

[Poper]

@Poper

Did you take care of that itch?

Not yet. Gotta wait at least until after hunting season.

 

[d2wing]

I had a 788 in .243. A very accurate rifle. A great project rifle.

 

[Poper]

@Poper

Did you take care of that itch?

Well, deer season is done and was successful.
I am currently researching barrels and chamberings. To date, I have used McGowan, Shilen and Montana Rifleman (now Montana Rifle Co.) barrels with excellent results from all.
This is what I am leaning toward:
- Barrel: E.R. Shaw, chrome-moly, light varmint contour, 1:7 twist, 6mm Creedmore or 6x47 Lapua, fitted to my Remington 788 action and blued.
- Trigger: The 788 already has a Timney trigger installed by the Timney folks and set to 2.5 lbs
- Stock: Boyd's Classic or Prairie Hunter - preferably walnut, but am leaning towards a coyote laminate. I could be convinced to try an "At-0ne". I would like to use this gun for High Power Rifle Silhouette. The weight of the barrel will definitely take it out of the Hunter Rifle class but I would also consider using it for deer, so therefore the consideration of Classic and Prairie Hunter.

What say y'all?

 

[Legionnaire]

I don't own a 6 Creedmoor ... yet ... being heavily invested in .243 and .243 AI. But when I have to retire a barrel, I'm leaning toward replacing it with a Creedmoor.

 

[horsemen61]

I’m all in favor!!!