Looking to shed some weight. (shorty 6.5x47L build)

[5RWill]

Currently i think last i weighed 308 i think it was still sitting at 15lbs or so with the can. Not ideal for hunting, least IMO. It's a 700 5R cut to 20" in an T4 with the DBM mini-chassis. I'm about to order a 6.5 blank to rebarrel to a 16.5" 6.5x47L. Wanting to drop weight to 10-12lbs if possible, not looking to move to carbon fiber, sticking with stainless. I just wonder what's the best route. Will chopping 4" off the same contour from where it sits now yield some considerable weight loss? Or should i go down a contour, say to bull sporter? I was thinking maybe a bull sporter would save some weight, but hell it's very close to the same weight as the remington sendero/varmint, also if the inlet is for the varmint/sendero contour i wonder if the shank length on the bull sporter would pose a problem.

The most obvious option, which admittedly i'm trying to avoid is selling off the T4 and moving to an EH1, which would subsequently save me 2lbs off the bat. Less i could get 900$ for the T4 though that would be an issue.

Scope change should help out some as the LRHS is certainly lighter than my SN-3, albeit not by too much.

Thoughts? Looking to order the blank soon (tonight preferably).

 

[hamstur]

You answered all the questions ... barrel aleady being a 20" chopped R700 5R RV contour, dropping 3.5" will not dent the 3-5 lb you seek.

- Stock: switch to Manners Elite without Mini-Chassis ... use APA RTG instead
- Barrel: drop it to a Bartlein #3 Sporter if unwilling/unable to use Proof carbon
- Scope: pick a lighter one as you already noted
- Rings: be using lightweight alloy separates (e.g., APA)
- Base: be using 2pc vs 1pc
- Mag: be using polymer Magpul or Curtis Custom 3rd vs AICS steel mag

 

[5RWill]

You answered all the questions ... barrel aleady being a 20" chopped R700 5R RV contour, dropping 3.5" will not dent the 3-5 lb you seek.

- Stock: switch to Manners Elite without Mini-Chassis ... use APA RTG instead
- Barrel: drop it to a Bartlein #3 Sporter if unwilling/unable to use Proof carbon
- Scope: pick a lighter one as you already noted
- Rings: be using lightweight alloy separates (e.g., APA)
- Base: be using 2pc vs 1pc
- Mag: be using polymer Magpul or Curtis Custom 3rd vs AICS steel mag

Fair enough. Any idea on the price of a used T4/DBM-minichassis these days?

 

[FatBoy]

Will,

Your easiest route is to build off a lower density wood stock blank (laminate pine comes to mind) with no hardware except a couple sling swivels. Forego a box mag, BDL is fine for hunting. Go to a lighter profile OR flute the fuck out of it. The heat from the flutes won't matter for a hunting rig. Go to aluminum everything (trigger guards, base, rings) and you should be fine.

Chris

 

[5RWill]

Was thinking i was going to get some deep spiral flutes to help drop some weight as well. I ordered the same blank as what i'm running since the stock was inletted for it and the Bull sporter wasn't all that different. I'll run it as is until i can rid of the T4 for a EH1 or McMillan Game Warden.

 

[Vmaxed]

I think you should meet your weight goal pretty easily. I have an 18" RVC in a standard fill McM Gamescout that weighs about 12 lbs running a NF NXS 5.5-22x50

 

[5RWill]

I think you should meet your weight goal pretty easily. I have an 18" RVC in a standard fill McM Gamescout that weighs about 12 lbs running a NF NXS 5.5-22x50

I think i'll still be a little shy of it at 12-13lbs. I've already got a price in my head for the T4, truthfully i'd love to sell it and fund an EH1 from manners but idk if it'd be done by hunting season so i don't wanna risk it. What velocity are you getting from your 18" 6.5x47?

 

[buffybuster]

I'd look at the XLR Element chassis, Light Palma contour barrel, and lighter weight rings and scope.

 

[BobinNC]

Manners MCS-T Elite Shell
Any good Alloy DBM without wings or barricade stop. Look at Seekins or APA DBM's
Any good Alloy 20 MOA Base. Nightforce, or Badger as long as it's alloy
Any good Alloy Scope rings. APA's are nice as are NF Ultralights
Light Palma Contour 22"
26 oz or lighter scope
No muzzle brake

That should bring you in under 11 lbs. no need to cut the barrel to 16.5".

 

[5RWill]

Manners MCS-T Elite Shell
Any good Alloy DBM without wings or barricade stop. Look at Seekins or APA DBM's
Any good Alloy 20 MOA Base. Nightforce, or Badger as long as it's alloy
Any good Alloy Scope rings. APA's are nice as are NF Ultralights
Light Palma Contour 22"
26 oz or lighter scope
No muzzle brake

That should bring you in under 11 lbs. no need to cut the barrel to 16.5".

Barrel is already on the way, just went with the sendero/varmint. 18 would be as long as i was willing to go honestly. Shortening the overall profile when suppressed is huge to me. I agree having owned APA's RTG twice now and their rings once they're fantastic choices. Scope is the LRHS 4.5-18 at the moment though that will go on dad's 6.5 SAUM more than likely until he picks up an LRHS of it's own. I'm thinking i'm going to get heavy spiral flutes as well. The large weight reduction will likely have to come through switching stocks. I'm going to run the T4 and if i dislike it and it feels no different to me after, i'll put it up and try to manage an EH1 for it.

 

[Vmaxed]

I think i'll still be a little shy of it at 12-13lbs. I've already got a price in my head for the T4, truthfully i'd love to sell it and fund an EH1 from manners but idk if it'd be done by hunting season so i don't wanna risk it. What velocity are you getting from your 18" 6.5x47?

I am running 140 gr HPBTs a shade under 2700 fps. BTW, I do love this setup for hunting.

 

[5RWill]

I am running 140 gr HPBTs a shade under 2700 fps. BTW, I do love this setup for hunting.

Wonder how difficult it will be to hit 2800 with 120s/123s with a 16.5"? 18" might be a safer bet. Truthfully got the idea from Joe's build. Of course with no intention of switching calibers since i'm already set up for 6.5x47. Also recall bob's thread of decent results with a 16.5" 6.5x47 and another thread that i can't seem to find. Might of been a scout thread. I thought it was knockemdown but i might be wrong. That's the number i'm shooting for though is 2800 with 120s or 123s. Probably start with varget.

 

[Carl_Ross]

If you watch Manners stocks for sale page closely I'm sure you could find a stock before hunting season.

Or for a few extra ounces you could pick up this one today:

https://www.coreshooting.com/collec...ington-700-w-mini-chassis?variant=21233580547

 

[5RWill]

If you watch Manners stocks for sale page closely I'm sure you could find a stock before hunting season.

Or for a few extra ounces you could pick up this one today:

https://www.coreshooting.com/collec...ington-700-w-mini-chassis?variant=21233580547

Really not a bad price either. I just spec'd one of those on manners site and it came out about 50$ higher due to the atlas rail. The DBM mini-chassis is what 9oz? It'd be just a hair over 2.25lbs, still shedding considerable weight I thought i saw a mention of hide pricing in the accessories section.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Give CORE a call. They are great guys and will help you out. If they don't have what you want right now, they always have stocks in process at manners and I'm sure they will have one in the pipeline they will sell you. I picked up my Monroe t6a from them and they made a few changes for me while manners still had it. Think that's the second stock I've bought from them. Great guys down there.

 

[5RWill]

Well I put the T4 up in anticipation to buy that EH1 assuming someone will bite. I hope they will.

 

[supercorndogs]

Its a pretty slow time of year to sell here. You might throw a WTT on your add. I traded my T3 mini chassis to another member for an EH1 a couple months ago. Same reasoning, trying to get from 15 to 13 or so. I am waiting for a LA EH1 to replace my T4 also. I carried it some last year, its a 700 LA T4 mini chassis, 26" criterion varmint, with a 4.5-18 LRHS, and YHM 7.62 TI can. I think it might have been a little closer to 17lbs.

I was going to suggest saving some weight by going to the 3-12 LRHS, but according to the Bushnell sight it weighs more than the 4.5-18. It is most likely mix up.

 

[5RWill]

Its a pretty slow time of year to sell here. You might throw a WTT on your add. I traded my T3 mini chassis to another member for an EH1 a couple months ago. Same reasoning, trying to get from 15 to 13 or so. I am waiting for a LA EH1 to replace my T4 also. I carried it some last year, its a 700 LA T4 mini chassis, 26" criterion varmint, with a 4.5-18 LRHS, and YHM 7.62 TI can. I think it might have been a little closer to 17lbs.

I was going to suggest saving some weight by going to the 3-12 LRHS, but according to the Bushnell sight it weighs more than the 4.5-18. It is most likely mix up.

I added WTT to it. I'll be putting my LRHS 4.5-18 on dads 6.5 SAUM for the time being once it gets here until he gets another LRHS or something. Likely have to snatch the SN-3 off the comp rifle to run on this one. Though i'm truthfully okay with 30oz or so, i know that's not helping the weight issue but it's pretty damn hard finding a light FFP, Mil/Mil optic for hunting. Besides the LRHS there is the TT 3-15 at 3000$. Truthfully i've wanted an NF ATACR 4-16 for sometime to put on a hunting rifle, but dad's rifle took up most of my expenses. Shorter barrel, plus the EH1 (if i can get the T4 sold), and some heavy flutes ought to do the trick. I honestly wouldn't mind picking up another LRHS to put on it, maybe the 3-12, some reason the length of the 4.5-18 bothers the hell out of me.

 

[supercorndogs]

I added WTT to it. I'll be putting my LRHS 4.5-18 on dads 6.5 SAUM for the time being once it gets here until he gets another LRHS or something. Likely have to snatch the SN-3 off the comp rifle to run on this one. Though i'm truthfully okay with 30oz or so, i know that's not helping the weight issue but it's pretty damn hard finding a light FFP, Mil/Mil optic for hunting. Besides the LRHS there is the TT 3-15 at 3000$. Truthfully i've wanted an NF ATACR 4-16 for sometime to put on a hunting rifle, but dad's rifle took up most of my expenses. Shorter barrel, plus the EH1 (if i can get the T4 sold), and some heavy flutes ought to do the trick. I honestly wouldn't mind picking up another LRHS to put on it, maybe the 3-12, some reason the length of the 4.5-18 bothers the hell out of me.

You know I loved the 4.5-18, but in the end. I ended up with all 3-12s for rifles I hunt with. Only time I have ever wanted more than 12x hunting is during a prairie dog massacre. And the weight doesn't matter on a bench in a dog town. I just ordered another remage barrel last night. Its 22-250 24" heavy sporter. To go on my hunting rifle. Right now the rifle is bedded into a non chassis EH1, 1 piece Larue base, Warne perm attach rings, DMRII, magpul sling, PTG DBM, with magpul mag, left side flush cups, long bipod rail, 26" Criterion varmint barrel, YHM QD flash hider, and YHM 7.62 TI can. Weight is right around 13.5 lbs. As close as I can tell on a bathroom scale, and not a good one.

 

[5RWill]

It's funny i can never recall what magnification i shoot on when hunting or taking long range shots, but i want to say i'm never at 17x/18x on either of the previous two high power optics i've. I vividly remember shooing multiple stages in matches at 12-15x. 12x might be more than enough. I wish or hope that Bushnell can shrink the 4.5-18 to the size of the 3-12 and make the 3-12 smaller. That would be ideal IMHO.

 

[Shanerbanner10]

All these suggestions suck. Hit the gym until its feels light enough lol

 

[5RWill]

All these suggestions suck. Hit the gym until its feels light enough lol

I'm in the Gym 3x a week, albeit cardio only once a week. I'm not sure walking 800yds in buckshot with any amount of weight is going to suddenly be alleviated by fitness. It just sucks ass lol. Still though slipping around holding a 15/16lb rifle in one arm sucks compared to a 10lb rifle.

I'll just start taking C4 the morning of the hunt so i'm jacked by the time i get to the woods lol. Can you imagine how miserable that would be? lol

 

[Shanerbanner10]

I'm in the Gym 3x a week, albeit cardio only once a week. I'm not sure walking 800yds in buckshot with any amount of weight is going to suddenly be alleviated by fitness. It just sucks ass lol. Still though slipping around holding a 15/16lb rifle in one arm sucks compared to a 10lb rifle.

I'll just start taking C4 the morning of the hunt so i'm jacked by the time i get to the woods lol. Can you imagine how miserable that would be? lol

C4 doesn't do much for me anymore, switched to Mr. Hyde. That shit will make you see things and climb trees that doesn't have stands.

Btw, whats cardio? lol

 

[5RWill]

C4 doesn't do much for me anymore, switched to Mr. Hyde. That shit will make you see things and climb trees that doesn't have stands.

Btw, whats cardio? lol

Lol that's pretty damn funny. C4 currently does wonders for me but i'm sure i'll get used to it. Makes me tingle and itch though, didn't read if that was a side effect worth serious concern or not cause it wakes me up and gets me ready to lift. When it starts to waiver i might have to try Mr. Hyde. That name is somewhat disturbing lol.

 

[5RWill]

T4 finally sold, EH1 highlander is on the way!

 

[Vmaxed]

Wonder how difficult it will be to hit 2800 with 120s/123s with a 16.5"? 18" might be a safer bet. Truthfully got the idea from Joe's build. Of course with no intention of switching calibers since i'm already set up for 6.5x47. Also recall bob's thread of decent results with a 16.5" 6.5x47 and another thread that i can't seem to find. Might of been a scout thread. I thought it was knockemdown but i might be wrong. That's the number i'm shooting for though is 2800 with 120s or 123s. Probably start with varget.

I have a 18" 6.5CM I built mostly for my son, but that was my intent there as well.....to run 123gr bullets to 2800fps. I have seen some data where 40.0-41.0 gr of Varget could get it there. Varget produced some good velocities and exceptional accuracy with the 140's in the x47L, but pressured out quickly. I thought Bob's had tried that combo as well if you can dig up his thread, but maybe those were 100gr......hell, I can't remember!

 

[5RWill]

I have a 18" 6.5CM I built mostly for my son, but that was my intent there as well.....to run 123gr bullets to 2800fps. I have seen some data where 40.0-41.0 gr of Varget could get it there. Varget produced some good velocities and exceptional accuracy with the 140's in the x47L, but pressured out quickly. I thought Bob's had tried that combo as well if you can dig up his thread, but maybe those were 100gr......hell, I can't remember!

Here's bob's thread. Though all his pics have been taken down due to photobuckets new policy, i think his results were on the pics. Though i do think he ran 123gr matchkings or scenars at 2800.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...t-gradous-kill-stick-has-arrived-16-5-6-5x47l

Have you tried any 120s or 123s in the 6.5x47? I thought about going 6.5CM but i just don't want to due to buying new dies when i already have everything setup for 6.5x47. Also at 16"-18" I'm not entirely sure how much it's powder capacity advantage helps. Thinking i'm going to start at 18" and see how it goes from there. If i can comfortable achieve 2800 with 120/123 and am not having to really push it, i'll cut further.

I made another thread here with the intention of gathering more short barreled 6.5 results. But only Boiler responded with that link to bob's thread. I've googled restlessly with no results. Basically you, bob, and Joe Comfort's Video are all the results i've seen for short 6.5x47s or 6.5CM
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/forum/...-6-5cm-results

 

[z28kid]

T4 finally sold, EH1 highlander is on the way!

Hehehe

 

[Vmaxed]

Have you tried any 120s or 123s in the 6.5x47? I thought about going 6.5CM but i just don't want to due to buying new dies when i already have everything setup for 6.5x47. Also at 16"-18" I'm not entirely sure how much it's powder capacity advantage helps. Thinking i'm going to start at 18" and see how it goes from there. If i can comfortable achieve 2800 with 120/123 and am not having to really push it, i'll cut further.

The only other bullet I tried other than the 140 gr HPBT was a 139 gr Scenar and they just weren't as accurate. Looking at Bob's thread again, he was able to get 2920 from the 100 gr. I think 2800 is going to be doable. I suppose you have a bit of a wait until your stock shows up but keep us posted on how things progress.

 

[5RWill]

Will do, stock will be here Friday, assuming it bolts up without the Timney giving me issues i'm going to go ahead and run the rest of the 308 rounds out.

Everything is pretty much ready to go, just need to send it off in a month or so to get barreled. Probably send the bolt to get the firing pin bushed next pay check.

Still thinking i'm going to pin the recoil lug, add a side bolt release, and have the bolt/barrel fluted, then get the entire thing cerakoted.

That's one thing i've not decided on is coating for the bolt. I'm an avid DLC fan. I had my Tempest DLC'd, had dad's SR3 DLC'd, and haven't decided on the 700. If cerakote held lube better it wouldn't be an issue because the tolerances are loose enough that i'm not worried about it being gummy. So thinking i might get the bolt ionbonded black.

 

[5RWill]

EH1 came in today, thing is awesome. Love the smaller forend of it. Timney still rubs unfortunately even with the Gen 2 mini-chassis. I'll have to put a relief cut in it or just sell the damn thing.