Gradous Rifle Thread

[Bob L Swagger]

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[oldfatguy]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

So how do they shoot?

OFG

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

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[DPMSLR308]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Sick in a beautiful way.

 

[oldfatguy]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

" Alright.. I guess

"

Sweet. Looks like they meet Mr. Gs standards very well. I am curious about the "no break in" note.

OFG

 

[orrbull48]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

While I dont have one, I have visited with mr. Gradous. He was very informative and helped me out quite a bit! Thanks for the suggestion swagger

 

[pdd614]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Bob, your slings are on backwards.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pdd614</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bob, your slings are on backwards. </div></div>

You are 100% correct.. Guess I should have looked at them closer before I put them on for the photos..

 

[PatrickChewing]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Great looking rigs Bob. Robert turns out great builds!

 

[pdd614]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

No worries Bob, just pointing it out. Great rifles by the way.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Thanks for the kind words fellas.. Now lets see some of your Gradous rifles..

 

[santee116]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Tag. Nice rifle Bob, looking forward to seeing more.

 

[The Lawn Ranger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

I had Robert re-pipe my Scalpel 308 to a Gradous 6.5 Lapua.

 

[buckey]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Here's my Gradous .308 - its a hammer!!

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Excellent rifles fellas! Now that's what I want to see! Thank you!!

 

[andrews1958]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

1st Build

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...635#Post2834635


2nd Build. All the parts have arrived

260 Remington
Surgeon action
Surgeon bottom metal
Krieger Barrel cut to 22”,
McMillian A5 Stock
Jewel trigger
Spuhr rings
Schmidt Bender 12-50x56
Doctor Red dot sight
Angle Degree Indicator MIL-SPEC
300 rounds of hand loads developed by Robert.


3RD Build

Still not sure. 30-06 hunting rifle with exhibition wood

A triplet to build one and two but in a 6.5x284 and a March 8x80 scope.

Open for ideas??

 

[terrygood]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buckey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's my Gradous .308 - its a hammer!!

</div></div>

Buckey did you have a badger M4 on yours? Also I was wondering if they bedded under the barrel at all.

 

[buckey]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Yes - it has the Badger M4 on it.

Robert beds to the recoil lug - he does not bed under the barrel.

 

[terrygood]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Contact me when you get tired of it.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

I did his gunsmithing class, so this is my joint project with Robert:

7WSM, Manners T2 with mini-chassis, Timney trigger, 22" Bartlein barrel

He's a class act, and I honestly can't wait to do my next rig with him. I'm thinking a LW hunter in .260, but I'm sure that will change in the coming months.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Some great looking rigs there fellas! Keep them coming! I sent Mr. Gradous a link to this thread, he is ecstatic about it!! He is really looking forward to seeing how all of your rifles are doing..

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

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[Duffy1298]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

these rifles look sick

 

[icarus]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<span style="color: #3333FF">Poster: Bob L. Swagger
Subject: Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

There are a few individual Gradous rifle build threads, including mine here on the hide. I thought it would be a nice gesture to start a GROUP thread for everyone that owns a Gradous built rifle to post a few pictures along with the specs as a tribute to the hard work, dedication and excellence that Mr. Gradous has provided us, day in and day out. It would be outstanding to have a thread with the aforementioned details from all of us in one place to our show our appreciation of his passion of precision rifles.. I'll start:

.300 Winchester Magnum:

Surgeon 1086R
Surgeon DBM
Cerakote flat dark earth
McMillan A-5 KMW hardware GAP Camo
Krieger 5R MTU 1:10 finished at 24"
Nightforce NXS 8-32x56 HS-ZS NPR1
Nightforce high steel rings
Holland Anti-cant device
Badger FTE brake
Jewell Trigger
Tab Gear Sling
Atlas V8.1 bipod</span>


<span style="font-weight: bold">Bob L. Swagger!
What is the weight of your rig, complete with bi-pod, optics and sling, and what about the rifle itself?
Thanks!</span>

 

[Lofty]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

How come anytime I see where someone showed a group from a Gradous rifle they only fired one shot?

Sorry guys, one round is good for confirming your zero......but it is not a group.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How come anytime I see where someone showed a group from a Gradous rifle they only fired one shot?

Sorry guys, one round is good for confirming your zero......but it is not a group. </div></div>

Haha, I see what you did there... well played.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: icarus</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="color: #3333FF">Poster: Bob L. Swagger
Subject: Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

There are a few individual Gradous rifle build threads, including mine here on the hide. I thought it would be a nice gesture to start a GROUP thread for everyone that owns a Gradous built rifle to post a few pictures along with the specs as a tribute to the hard work, dedication and excellence that Mr. Gradous has provided us, day in and day out. It would be outstanding to have a thread with the aforementioned details from all of us in one place to our show our appreciation of his passion of precision rifles.. I'll start:

.300 Winchester Magnum:

Surgeon 1086R
Surgeon DBM
Cerakote flat dark earth
McMillan A-5 KMW hardware GAP Camo
Krieger 5R MTU 1:10 finished at 24"
Nightforce NXS 8-32x56 HS-ZS NPR1
Nightforce high steel rings
Holland Anti-cant device
Badger FTE brake
Jewell Trigger
Tab Gear Sling
Atlas V8.1 bipod</span>


<span style="font-weight: bold">Bob L. Swagger!
What is the weight of your rig, complete with bi-pod, optics and sling, and what about the rifle itself?
Thanks!</span> </div></div>


17.6 Lbs. complete rig... Not sure about just the rifle.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How come anytime I see where someone showed a group from a Gradous rifle they only fired one shot?

Sorry guys, one round is good for confirming your zero......but it is not a group. </div></div>

LOL..!

 

[ronas]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Here's mine just got it 2 weeks ago. Shot it on Roberts range with my reloads and factory ammo. Had not shot it on my range until today as I had to get different rings.

AICS chassis
BAT tactical action from Wolf Precision
CG X-treme two stage trigger
Kreiger barrel 1:11, .308, #17 contour heavy varment, finished length 26"
Badger brake
Atlas bipod with ADM QR(used on two other rifles as well)
Premier 5-25x56 scope
Holland bubble mounted to scope tube
US Optics 34mm rings which are 1.35" high

 

[icarus]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<span style="font-weight: bold">Bob L. Swagger!
What is the weight of your rig, complete with bi-pod, optics and sling, and what about the rifle itself?
Thanks!</span> [/quote]


17.6 Lbs. complete rig... Not sure about just the rifle. [/quote]

Thank you Bob L.!!



Seems more people are very happy with Mr. Gradous, his attitude and his work!

http://heelsandhandguns.com/tag/robert-gradous/

 

[BookHound]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: icarus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Seems more people are very happy with Mr. Gradous, his attitude and his work!

</div></div>

They should be. Robert is a no-BS kinda guy. He is VERY knowledgeable and VERY talented. If he has a fault it is being too modest. The man builds an awesome rifle for sure.

Regarding the link to that blog/article... I laughed when I read the part about the telemarketers and remember for a few days Robert seemed to be slammed with sales calls. He told me he'd gotten pretty irritated about it. Knowing Robert it made me laugh. Also, the part about the time frames made me chuckle. It really needs to be put in context. Robert can have a joking way about him and I can hear him making the "lie" comment in that way and not really being serious. But he is certainly serious about working only when he feels really engaged in a project. Ya can't rush perfection!

I am blessed to have Robert as a friend. I always enjoy visiting his shop/range. Great guy. SUPERB builder!

Mark

 

[Chiller]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Said it before.....one day would LOVE to go there and build one.

 

[Jeeprider]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Ever since I saw Frank's post on his 6.5 CM build with Robert I have been enamored with these rifles. Not only does the process look extremely informative, but his workshop has that small town gunsmith feel. Very all Americana, something you don't see a lot of anymore. Keep the photos coming.

 

[ronas]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

I have my load figured out for a new 308 Gradous rifle. I was experimenting with which primers gave better groups, CCI Benchrest, 210 Federal or CCI small rifle 450 magnum (using Lapua Palma brass) all at 200 yards.

At 200 yards the CCI small rifle 450 magnum primers produced best results @ .475” and Federal 210 second best @ .611” The CCI benchrest primers were worst with 1.257" group. They were only 3 shot groups. All shooting off a bipod and a rear squeeze bag.

I only had three rounds left and they were loaded using Federal primers. I figured I'd go ahead and shoot them at 600 yards. Result was .988” . Next I need to see how it shoots at 600 yards with CCI 450 magnum primers. I suspect better but you never know.

I need to shoot a 10 shot group when conditions are very good. I know it will not be a 1” group. I suspect it will be about 2” to 4” which is quite acceptable. Anything better than 2” and I will be amazed and be thinking Robert built me a benchrest rife in disguise. Load was same for all except primers and brass. Large rifle primer brass was Nosler and small rifle was Lapua Palma.

Load info.
44gr of varget, 175 Nosler custom competition bullet
3.157" base to ogive
distance of ogive to start of lands=.025"
Group of brass and bullets were not weighted

I have been shooting the Lapua Palma brass with 175 SMK's or Nosler Custom Competition bullets for over a year using a TRG-22 and they have proved to be the most accurate using 45gr. of varget and CCI 450 primers. The Gradous rifle is more accurate than the TRG-22.

I may also try some wolf sr primers, the copper colored ones. They were excellent with TRG. Same as the CCI 450 magnums. I believe the Palma team has used the Wolfs, copper colored ones. Wolf made or makes three sr primers. The copper colored ones, silver colored ones, only difference is cup is harder on silver colored one. Both have same amount of primer material. The other one is also silver colored but has more primer material in it. I think it's consider a magnum primer. It maybe to hot for my use.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Of course there are no uniform standards by which to judge primers </span>

 

[boudin]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Thanks for the link to this thread Bob. Here's mine... There was never any question regarding who was building my first custom rifle. Worth every penny and every minute of the wait.

.260 Rem
Surgeon RSR action
24" Rock barrel, Rem Varmint contour, 8 twist
Manners T5 stock in OD
APA bottom metal
Timney 510 trigger
Surgeon 20 MOA rail
Seekins low rings
5-20x SS

 

[Whit]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

I just read a good write up on one of his rifles in "Rifle Firepower" (Nov 2012) Issue. The Author did his in a 6.5 Creedmoor, and did the Gunsmithing class also.

 

[ronas]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

I shot the other node that appeared to have promise. I shoot four 5 shot group which turned out with the first group having only 4 rounds in the mag.

Conditon were very good, very, very light wind and partly sunny with mix of clouds. For the last group the conditions were best with no wind and grey sky as sun was going down pretty much.

The load is 44 gr. of varget, using .308 175 Nosler custom competion bullet with Lapua Palma brass, and Federal Gold metal match small rifle primers with zero signs of pressure. Ogive measurement with Sinclair comparator is 3.141" However my comparator only measures .997" So for sake of clarity the ogive to base measurement is 2.144" which equals .037" jump. I hope I have my math right. Please correct me if I'm off.

Going from top left to right, same on the bottom, groups measured as followsall shot from 200 yards.)
1.289" only four shots.
1.408"
1.211"
1.012"

I'm going to shot at 600 and 800 yards next week with this load. I do not know if I can improve on it or not. I think I'm content using this load. It's a tactical rifle and it's shot off a bipod using a rear squeeze bag.

 

[TannerGun]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Good God these are nicely put together rifles. Looks like I know who is going to build my first custom!

 

[Gray]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Was this @ 100 yards ^^^^^, if so I do not think you will be happy with your results at distance. Gradous guns are capable of one hole groups at 100 yards, i would try varying loads of Varget and recheck results at 100.

 

[REL1203]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Special Delivery</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Was this @ 100 yards ^^^^^, if so I do not think you will be happy with your results at distance. Gradous guns are capable of one hole groups at 100 yards, i would try varying loads of Varget and recheck results at 100. </div></div>

He said they were all from 200Yards

 

[ronas]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">He said they were all from 200Yards</div></div>

It looks like I edited post at about same time Special Delivery posted. I realized I forgot to mention they were all from 200 yards. Rifle is zeroed at 200 yards too. I do not shoot this bolt gun at 100 yards.

 

[slg888]

Re: Gradous Rifle Thread

Gradous .243

Gradous 7-08

Gradous .308

Gradous .260

Gradous .243

Gradous 7-08 fixing to re-barrel into a .308win