Well after shooting out my previous Benchmark Rifle 6.5 WSM, im having it reborn in 270 WSM. So sitting here waiting for my build to come along i thought i would share a start to finish project with you guys. I have a few pictures to start but i will be frequently posting updated pictures as the project progresses. Here is a link to what the rifle was before i toasted the barrel Benchmark Barrels 6.5 WSM
I used it hunting and competing and decided it needed a few changes.
Originally I wanted to have a dual purpose rifle that i could hunt longrange and compete with. Due to finacial reasons i wanted to have just one well built rifle instead of having multiple so-so rifles. The switches i decided to make were 1st the Stock.
<span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">Changing The Setup</span></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">Manners MCS-T3</span></span>. While i thought this was a good stock it never did fit me quite right. I felt i had to muscle the rifle alot. The cheek weld wasn't right, the grip was wrong, the length of pull was too short, so I decided to switch to the A3. I found a good deal on the A3 Edge stock here on the Hide. Im fitting it with a Karsten to solve the cheek weld problem.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">A3 Edge</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">The DBM</span></span>. I decided to stick with the Seekins DBM. I can load the Matrix 175gr VLD Into the lands and still have room in the magazine.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000"><span style="font-size: 14pt">Optics</span></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">USO T-Pal</span></span>. I started out with the USO T-Pal on this rifle. I liked it alot. It's strengths were first off the turrets. I liked the M40#3 turrets because they were a 2 turn setup giving me 27 MOA per revolution. I also liked the Reticle having 1 MOA increments for ranging. First focal plane...on and on it goes.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">Nightforce NXS</span></span>. What prompted the switch to Nightforce was first off price. I could sell my USO and have money left over to put into other necessary gear. I found that the first focal plane of the USO wasn't necessary. Niether was the 11 position illumination. Since i chose the USO over the Nightforce that i originally had Nightforce has come out with their High Speed turrets. I like having the 20 Moa per revolution and a Zero Stop. Basically the Nightforce does everything i need it to at less cost, simple and rugged, back to basics. I know there are people that will disagree with me on this but after doing a side by side test the Nightforce also had better glass than my USO. I also liked the thinner reticle of the NP-R1, it was easier to hold on small objects at long range.
<span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">The Cartridge</span></span></span>
The original chambering was a 6.5 WSM. I chose this cartridge because i wanted 6.5x284 velocity with the 140gr class bullets in a shorter barrel. With the barrel Nitrided from MMI Trutec acceptable accuracy lasted to 950 rounds. Since building that rifle Matrix has come out with some VLD bullets in the .277 caliber that look real promising. They have a 165gr VLD that has been tested at a muzzle velocity of 3,000fps to have a G1 BC of .650. They also have a 175gr VLD that has a tested BC of .700. After doing some research with people that have tested the Matrix bullets i decided to go with the .270 WSM. The .270 WSM allows me to get 3,000fps+ with both bullets out of a 27.5" barrel. I chose to go with a Benchmark 9 twist 5R barrel finished at 27.5".
I plan to do an <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">ATACS</span></span> camo dip on the stock. And Nitride on the barrel. I stayed with the BAT Action
...stay tuned for more pics and updates
I used it hunting and competing and decided it needed a few changes.
Originally I wanted to have a dual purpose rifle that i could hunt longrange and compete with. Due to finacial reasons i wanted to have just one well built rifle instead of having multiple so-so rifles. The switches i decided to make were 1st the Stock.
<span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">Changing The Setup</span></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">Manners MCS-T3</span></span>. While i thought this was a good stock it never did fit me quite right. I felt i had to muscle the rifle alot. The cheek weld wasn't right, the grip was wrong, the length of pull was too short, so I decided to switch to the A3. I found a good deal on the A3 Edge stock here on the Hide. Im fitting it with a Karsten to solve the cheek weld problem.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">A3 Edge</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">The DBM</span></span>. I decided to stick with the Seekins DBM. I can load the Matrix 175gr VLD Into the lands and still have room in the magazine.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000"><span style="font-size: 14pt">Optics</span></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">USO T-Pal</span></span>. I started out with the USO T-Pal on this rifle. I liked it alot. It's strengths were first off the turrets. I liked the M40#3 turrets because they were a 2 turn setup giving me 27 MOA per revolution. I also liked the Reticle having 1 MOA increments for ranging. First focal plane...on and on it goes.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">Nightforce NXS</span></span>. What prompted the switch to Nightforce was first off price. I could sell my USO and have money left over to put into other necessary gear. I found that the first focal plane of the USO wasn't necessary. Niether was the 11 position illumination. Since i chose the USO over the Nightforce that i originally had Nightforce has come out with their High Speed turrets. I like having the 20 Moa per revolution and a Zero Stop. Basically the Nightforce does everything i need it to at less cost, simple and rugged, back to basics. I know there are people that will disagree with me on this but after doing a side by side test the Nightforce also had better glass than my USO. I also liked the thinner reticle of the NP-R1, it was easier to hold on small objects at long range.
<span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">The Cartridge</span></span></span>
The original chambering was a 6.5 WSM. I chose this cartridge because i wanted 6.5x284 velocity with the 140gr class bullets in a shorter barrel. With the barrel Nitrided from MMI Trutec acceptable accuracy lasted to 950 rounds. Since building that rifle Matrix has come out with some VLD bullets in the .277 caliber that look real promising. They have a 165gr VLD that has been tested at a muzzle velocity of 3,000fps to have a G1 BC of .650. They also have a 175gr VLD that has a tested BC of .700. After doing some research with people that have tested the Matrix bullets i decided to go with the .270 WSM. The .270 WSM allows me to get 3,000fps+ with both bullets out of a 27.5" barrel. I chose to go with a Benchmark 9 twist 5R barrel finished at 27.5".
I plan to do an <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">ATACS</span></span> camo dip on the stock. And Nitride on the barrel. I stayed with the BAT Action
...stay tuned for more pics and updates
