Gunsmithing 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

[mkm]

Hi All,
This is my first post so thanks for reading

I have been thinking about a 6.5x47L build for a while now and just got my PTA (Permit To Aquire) back, yes we have to ask if we can purchase a firearm here.
Because I am in Australia, I am a bit limited to what I can and can't get, Anyhow...

I have been tossing up between actions and from what everyone is telling me the best bang for buck is the Howa 1500's.
Apparently they are nice and straight and because of the "sloppiness" of the remington 700's fro the factory, I am told the Howa is a no brainer between the two.

I am also considering a Savage model 10 as it has the detachable mag. This I want and it will cost me about $400 AU to get bottom metal for a Howa to convert from a floorplate system, this adds significantly to the cost and puts them on a close playing field.
I currently own a Savage model 12 F/TR and I love this single shot target action, this is the reason for considering the Savage model 10 although I am wondering if a less complicated bolt setup will be better for it's hunting/tactical role.

I also own a Tikka T3 in .223, one of these in std boltface would also be a contender for the build.

I have a mate who has a 6.5x47 build on a rem 700 with a Lija 4 or 5 groove (I think) ratchet barrel and his shoots very well.

I am undecided, and need guidance, on barrel make and twist but I would like it to be no more than 24", maybe 22" and I do want the magazine to be able to feed the longer projectiles when seated out to lands.

I was told I would need to go to the longer length Howa Magnum actions if I wanted to mag feed the longer pills though.

I also need some advice on what dimensions for throat would be best. As factory 6.5x47 isn't available (as far as I know) I don't mind having a tighter than normal neck and turninbg brass if there is any appreciable advantage.

I need this to be a rifle to use mainly for longer range hunting and F Class Open matches now and then.

Can anyone comment on my thinking so far or make any suggestions?

PS: I am thinking of a McMillan A5 or a wilddog SA TA1 for the stock.

Thanks again,
mkm

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

this may not be much help, but try this guy if you want a savage action or complete rifle. again, not sure if you can import so this may not help at all, but jim has alot of savage stuff and can help you out. i think the detachable mag can be found on other models as well and they are cheaper than the 10F series, as you know tactical=$$$ but you could get a 10fcp in the A5 and have most of what you need for your build. not sure about bolt face either

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php?board=64.0

also for another option, look at CDI for a mag fed system. he just got a bottom for howa. he owns one so he installed it on his own rifle.

http://cdiprecisiongunworks.com/c1/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

hope this gives you some new info to help you decide.

 

[mkm]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

Hi Axeman,
Thx for your reply.

I'll check out the links but I think the dealer (in US) has to be registered for export to be able to ship outside the country.

There are places to aquire bottom metal for Howa actions in AU, it's just expensive and closes the gap between other more expensive actions that have detachable mags by default.

I really need to work out if I need a mag length action to be able to mag feed the 140g vld projectiles when seated close to the lands.

Mkm

 

[Advokaten]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

also need some advice on what dimensions for throat would be best. As factory 6.5x47 isn't available (as far as I know) I don't mind having a tighter than normal neck and turninbg brass if there is any appreciable advantage.

Lapua makes four Scenar loads in the cal, hard to beat for precision by handloading even,

for real life shooting no need to have a tight neck chamber, if you wish to, do clean the necks up a bit on the cases but no need for all out turning.

As for the actions that you are suggesting, only Tikka has a trigger that is ok as a standard, the rest will have to be replaced,

but in all the cost of a build what is a new trigger.

Btw in my book, admittedly not a large one, is there really no room for a ten round mag and neck turned cases, it´s just things of two different worlds.

Last barrel, lenght and twist, I have been adviced to get between 8-8,5 twist, got a Krieger match 8,25 twist I think and as long a barrel as you can stand, I am starting out at 26 inches, one can always cut, right.

Best regards Chris

 

[crumpmd]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

I have a 6.5X47L built on a Surgeon Rifles Action so I cannot speak to the choice of action except to say that all my other bolt guns are made on a remington action because it is so easy to work with for an amateur gunsmith like me.
I use a Kreiger on my F class 6.5X47L and a Mike Rock on my hunting version(built on the rem action). I use 8.5 twist and it works well for the 142gr on down to the 120gr bullets no worries.
I cut my chamber with a standard No-turn neck reamer from Pacific Tool, same as the F-class rifle.
I use a McMillan A-5 for the F-class and a hunting stock or the hunter. I left the hunting rifle a BDL config but I have Badger bottom metal for the F-class with AI mags.

If you have a reliable smith to work with I would suggest the Savage in .308 (if you can get it) and buy a Kreiger 8.5 twist and finish it at 24. It will get to 1000m with less than 10 mil elevation with no problems and you will love the McM A5.

Order the A5 now though, I waited for my latest A5 for 3.5 months

 

[mkm]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

Hey Swewdish guy,.
Thx for the reply.

I have asked the local gunshop if he can get 6.5x47 factory and he reckoned he couldn't. Maybe someone else in Australia can import them. Admitedly I haven't looked anywhere else as I will be reloading anyway.

I am not too fussed on tight necks and turning.
Currently with me Savage 308 F/TR I turn the necks down just enough to get them even as the barrel & chamber on it are factory.
From memory the Lapua one's I neck turned last turned out to be about .34mm thick. I suppose I am after a neck chamber that's on the lower end of the tolerences.
I have redding comp bushing dies for the 308 and if I size the necks all the way down, I notice I get an uneven combustion marking, sometimes as far as 1/2 way down the shoulder of the case. Because of this I have only been sizing 1/2 the necks, this forms a much better seal around about 1/2 way down the neck. It also allows me to adjust neck tension by how much of the neck I actually size.

A Tikka T3 action is becoming more and more an option. You get the detachable mag's, decent stock (to start with) and not much dearer than a howa if I had to buy bottom metal and maybe a trigger as well.
I do like the trigger in my .223 but I also like the Savage target accutrigger, although this would not be suitable for a hunting/tactical type setup. I have not used the Std accutrigger.

Re mags, I am not after a 10 shot mag but I do like the idea of 5 shot removable magazines as you can have 2 or 3 and be sure to drop more goats when you come across a bunch than you could if you had an internal setup.

I love it when we come across 30-40 goats on a wide open plane. My mate and I get to play soldiers, communicating which order to take out the prey

It also allows you to have different loads in different mags ready to click in and shoot depending on what game you stumble on.
Where I shoot in NSW Northern Tablelands, we get everthing from bunnies, feral cats and dogs, goats, foxes and the odd yowie.
Note, legally we have to be a registered roo shooter with quota's and tickets to hunt a Kangaroo in Australia. Most local farmers are just happy to see the roo's gone though.

From what I'm reading the 8" to 8.5" twist rate seems to be the go for shooting the 140g projectiles. I am wondering how these twists will go with the lightest projectiles?
I have found in my Tikka .223 8" twist that it will shoot the 90g smk's, but won't shoot the 40g at all.
About 55g is about where it starts to shoot, nothing lighter.

I do want to keep the barrel around 22"-24", but may go to 26" if there is an advantage.

I know it ultimately depends on the chamber as to what your seating depth will be but I need to work out the OAL for the longest projectiles and research what short action mag's will be long enough. Else I will have to go for a magnum action.

mkm

 

[Advokaten]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

"I love it when we come across 30-40 goats on a wide open plane. My mate and I get to play soldiers, communicating which order to take out the prey"

How can I say this in a most proper way, being a swede and all,

- a hole, having more than one game/or other animal at a time to shot is about as rare as hens teeth were I come from.

I am most jealous about that part of your hunting/shooting.

Yes you ought to have a DMB and loose magasines, Roedale makes a great one for the Tikka T3,

to continue on the idea of neck turning, I just use my redding dies abeit for 308 Win to get proper neck tension, however to shoot that well that there is a real need for a full turning and subsequent(!) minimal chamber is far beyond most shooters ability,

I would shoot for a more tactical approach that will take a bit of dust and so forth, pun intended.

Best regards Chris

 

[Engin]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

OP

Jeff at CDIPrecision will send out the DBM kits without issue. I ordered 2 and received them within a week.

Ftting took s bit of time but manufacture, fit and functionality on Remington 700LTR and Howa 1500 Varmint is beyond reproach.

Recommended

 

[mkm]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

Thx Engin,
I have sent them an email about the bottom metal for Howa's.

mkm

 

[mkm]

Re: 6.5x47L Build - Howa, Savage, Rem or Tikka action?

Hi Engin,
I have spoken with CDI and apparently they only have the HOwa 1500 metal and mags in the short action.

Anyone know where I can get one for a mag action?

mkm