SAC 6.5 Creedmoor Folder **FULL REPORT UPDATED: 01/19/2014

[Pusher591]

Fellas, I'm proud to present my build from Mark @ Short Action Customs. He sent it out today overnight express so I could have it before Thanksgiving. As soon I get a scope on it and put it through its paces I'll post groups and impressions. I had this gun built with what I thought would be the best parts for a long range competition and all around gun. I plan on suppressing it to complete the package. Mark did a great job and it came out better then I imagined it could.

-Melonited Alpha 11 Deviant with LBC Modification
-Melonited 5R 23" Bartlein Barrel Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with 10 Flutes
-Manners TF1 in 4 Color Flectarn by Todd Jackson
-Mike Bush DBM
-Surefire 211-C Muzzle Brake
-Timney Flat Shoe Trigger @ 2.5lbs
-Badger NV Mount
-B17 Rail

 

[Papagallos]

That's just wrong in every good way.

Congrats!!!!

 

[PatrickChewing]

I love it!

Perfectly spec'd and I love the way that melonite brings out those flutes.

Great rifle for a great guy! I can't wait to shoot it with you!

 

[Shanerbanner10]

Just nasty... Why the hell are you taking pictures of something so dirty... have you at least finger banged the dog shit outta it yet?

Usually don't like barrel flutes but those 10 flutes actually look good. well done.

 

[fastex500]

Heck-of-a-stick! I know she'll be a shooter, can't wait to see how it does!

 

[Pusher591]

Just nasty... Why the hell are you taking pictures of something so dirty... have you at least finger banged the dog shit outta it yet?

Usually don't like barrel flutes but those 10 flutes actually look good. well done.

Not yet.....tomorrow,tomorrow. I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight that's for sure.

 

[bunsen27]

That's a really purdy boom stick.....

Fap Fap Fap - YouTube


SAC does some awesome work, congrats and looking forward to the range report!

 

[Shanerbanner10]

haha I hear ya, I sent mine off before I deployed hoping it would be done after I got back... well it wasn't. A couple weeks later it showed up, I literately called into work and told my Chiefy I wasn't coming b/c I had a new rifle coming that day. He wasn't to happy with me and I definitely my ass handed to me the next day when I called him again and said I'm not coming in, gotta go shoot the new rifle. lol Worse things have happened. Be sure to use plenty of lube if you sleep with her... i almost got stuck, just sayin'!

 

[Pusher591]

That's a really purdy boom stick.....

Fap Fap Fap - YouTube

I spit my tea all over my wife when I saw this. Thanks for the compliments, she won't stay that pretty for long.

 

[bas402]

Now that's a bitch of a stick!! Congrats

 

[468shot]

Congrats on a superb rifle! You chose a great builder and great specs.

Was the barrel fluted by Bartlein?

 

[Pusher591]

Congrats on a superb rifle! You chose a great builder and great specs.

Was the barrel fluted by Bartlein?

I'm sorry, I forgot to give props where they are due. Kampfeld fluted the barrel. Bartlein can't do the 10 flutes, 6 only. REALLY happy I went with the 10 flutes.

 

[USGUNWORKS]

Turned out awesome!!! Mark does some of the best work I've seen. He's a heck of a guy too. Congrats!!

 

[Boltfluter]

Another beauty from Mark. Great choice of components. Love that action. Can't wait for a range report.

Paul

 

[Pusher591]

On the way to pick her up!!!! Unfortunately its raining/sleeting here

 

[buckey]

Mark is da man - very nice!!

 

[thrusty]

Flippin' Awesome! Great work by Mark and Todd's artwork is always spectacular.

 

[Gray]

Looks really good, as do the parts you chose. Let us know how slick that action is melonited!

 

[Pusher591]

It's in my possession!!! Just getting it home and the bipod/rings hooked up to it. I have had a chance to run the bolt (wet & dry) and its really smooth. Only thing I can compare it to is my old Cerakoted Surgeon and its definitely smoother. It's everything I wanted and hoped it would be.

The Timney flat shoe feels excellent and paint work Todd done is amazing. Attention to detail was even better then I expected, the pictures really don't do it justice.

Hope to have a range report within 2 weeks

 

[axeltow]

Looks really nice, I think the flectarn look great, i have a mcs-t that is painted similar.
Is that the stock bolt knob?

It's in my possession!!! Just getting it home and the bipod/rings hooked up to it. I have had a chance to run the bolt (wet & dry) and its really smooth. Only thing I can compare it to is my old Cerakoted Surgeon and its definitely smoother. It's everything I wanted and hoped it would be.

The Timney flat shoe feels excellent and paint work Todd done is amazing. Attention to detail was better then expected. The pictures really don't do it justice.

Hope to have a range report within 2 weeks

 

[Pusher591]

Looks really nice, I think the flectarn look great, i have a mcs-t that is painted similar.
Is that the stock bolt knob?

That's an APA bolt knob. Mark uses them on all his Alpha 11 actions.

The Flectarn is standard 4 color but there is a minute detail that's different. Todd used a custom color he mixed up for the tan color called "ground". It's s little darker then the standard tan used. It has a pinkish/clay mud/tan mix to it. I really like it better then the regular tan.

 

[Shanerbanner10]

Jeeze I'm dissapointed, you've had it for what I'm assuming is a couple hours and still no groups. This is ridiculous

 

[RobertB]

Jeeze I'm dissapointed, you've had it for what I'm assuming is a couple hours and still no groups. This is ridiculous

I know, I'm usually shooting mine out the window before I get it home. People nowadays.

Nice rifle

 

[Pusher591]

Ha, don't have a scope to put on it plus its pouring rain/flash flooding like crazy here with highs of only 39 degrees. There's a storm system that has the entire southeast covered right now until after thanksgiving.

 

[thespecialist]

Ha, don't have a scope to put on it plus its pouring rain/flash flooding like crazy here with highs of only 39 degrees. There's a storm system that has the entire southeast covered right now until after thanksgiving.

And.................



Seriously, that's a beautiful rifle. No doubt it's going to be a hammer. One of these days I'm going to just suck it up and go all out on a build. Until then, I'll just keep drooling over the ones that get posted here.

 

[axeltow]

yeah looks like my brown is darker, and your tan is darker

That's an APA bolt knob. Mark uses them on all his Alpha 11 actions.

The Flectarn is standard 4 color but there is a minute detail that's different. Todd used a custom color he mixed up for the tan color called "ground". It's s little darker then the standard tan used. It has a pinkish/clay mud/tan mix to it. I really like it better then the regular tan.

 

[JGorski]

Awesome rifle! Now if you could go out and come back with a range report we'd be much happier,

 

[Mgordon]

yeah looks like my brown is darker, and your tan is darker

Looks like your stock was painted by Branden at Custom Gun Coatings. If so, that is the difference in the two stocks.

Mark

 

[Pusher591]

Scope and mount are on. Had a slight mount issue but I had some help and got it figured out. It's ready to zero this coming weekend, so be looking for a range report.

Anyone curious to weight, I weighed it today and with a Mk6 scope, ADM mount/rings, bipod w/ADM mount, and mag. It weighs 16lbs even.

 

[Whit]

Cant wait to see the results. Mark does great work.

 

[Pusher591]

Range Report

Posted below is a mini range report. Weather and time permitted a zero and a few groups. Once the scope was mounted, my first shot to zero was on the center target. Ater firing the first shot I lucked out and realized the scope was almost dead on windage and only about a mil high so I held same POA and fired 4 more rounds. I then adjusted and fired 3 more 5 shot groups. Needless to say, Im excited and this gun makes me look good

This was the first rounds out of the gun period. Whats funny is the groups where one round is thrown is all me. Both time it was shot number 4 and the fifth shot fell right back in since I concentrated a little more.

 

[Pusher591]

More pics: Weather was bad again so had to snap these pics inside. They still dont do the gun or paint job justice.

 

[Shanerbanner10]

i hate this thread.... damn that thing is sick nasty. This is probably my favorite rifle on this sight and thats saying a lot since I've looked through all 85 pages of the bolt rifles thread... ya i get bored at work don't judge me!

6-10 shows us what the gun is really capable of, wait till you get a load worked up, not that there is really a need to with it shooting that well. Congrats on a solid rifle and some good shooting.

 

[1slow01z71]

Whats the point of a folding stock? I love my timney flat shoe triggers.

 

[jeff1383]

Damn fine shooting. Bet it tightens up even more when the barrel settles in. Looks like a keeper.

 

[Pusher591]

Whats the point of a folding stock? I love my timney flat shoe triggers.

Easier to pack up, shorter OAL case, and biggest advantage IMHO is being able to leave my adjustable cheek peice alone when needing to remove bolt for cleaning.

 

[Gray]

Whats the point of a folding stock? I love my timney flat shoe triggers.

It's easier to clean, and fits in a shorter case. Also carrying it is a backpack such as a Eberlestock is mush easier since it's not top heavy.

 

[Backspace]

I see you are in GA. I am going to be driving down to fl and back over the holidays. You mind leaving her by the window. I have a good pair of binoculars... don't need to get too close. Haha. Seriously nice stick though. Really like the melonite, 10 flutes, and groups.

 

[Pusher591]

I see you are in GA. I am going to be driving down to fl and back over the holidays. You mind leaving her by the window. I have a good pair of binoculars... don't need to get too close. Haha. Seriously nice stick though. Really like the melonite, 10 flutes, and groups.

I'm actually in Gaston County in North Carolina.

 

[Backspace]

Oh, misread your location. Just saw the GA. I'm in Florence, SC. Driving to Erie PA this Friday. Just saying... not in a creepy way though. Haha. Congrats on the sweet stick.

 

[jabels]

Pusher, that thing is absolutely awesome. Question for you regarding the Alpha 11. How do you like it vs the Surgeon 591 you had on your previous rifle?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[PatrickChewing]

Good shooting. I'm glad it shoots as good as it looks! Can't wait to see it in person!

 

[bogeybrown]

Pusher, that thing is absolutely awesome. Question for you regarding the Alpha 11. How do you like it vs the Surgeon 591 you had on your previous rifle?

Thanks,
Justin

Allow me to echo all the praise thus far, THAT is one beautiful rifle.

Just so you can answer Justin and me at the same time: I'm looking at picking up a Defiance/Deviant action to have on hand for my next build (also a 6.5CM with similar setup to yours but not nearly has sexy). My last custom is on a 591 action. From your groups I'm guessing I know the answer, but any impressions, especially any negatives, you've found with the Defiance?
I'm also looking at a 22-23" (Bartlein) barrel shooting factory ammo, at least for now, so any chrono/ long range impressions you come up with would be much appreciated.

Again, that is one SWEET rifle.

 

[Pusher591]

Allow me to echo all the praise thus far, THAT is one beautiful rifle.

Just so you can answer Justin and me at the same time: I'm looking at picking up a Defiance/Deviant action to have on hand for my next build (also a 6.5CM with similar setup to yours but not nearly has sexy). My last custom is on a 591 action. From your groups I'm guessing I know the answer, but any impressions, especially any negatives, you've found with the Defiance?
I'm also looking at a 22-23" (Bartlein) barrel shooting factory ammo, at least for now, so any chrono/ long range impressions you come up with would be much appreciated.

Again, that is one SWEET rifle.

Pusher, that thing is absolutely awesome. Question for you regarding the Alpha 11. How do you like it vs the Surgeon 591 you had on your previous rifle?

Thanks,
Justin

Guys, I really like this action. My intitial impressions of this action are that it locks up better, and has tighter tolerences then the 591. Ejection is also more pronounced and solid then the 591 based off my VERY limited use of this action. The bolt is smoother as well but that could be contributed to the Melonite. I haven't shot any comps with the new gun yet so I can't give it a fair comparison. The comments above are based on handling it and the feel of it.

I can tell you my Surgeon 591 was a shooter too and went through several comps and class's with sand,dirt, and mud but it never missed a beat. Time will tell with this action. I can say this, if the Alpha 11 runs as good as my Surgeon, I prefer the Defiance over the Surgeon based on the smoothness and feel of it.

The only negative thing I really have to say in regards to the Defiance vs. Surgeon is the Defiance has a stiffer bolt lift thent he Surgeon. Not by much and I can say it has lightened up since putting some rounds through it. The Alpha 11 Deviant looks better too IMHO. I really like the blind rear screw and Marks tang work. Everybody that had looked this gun over always compliments the smooth lines and tang area.


No chrono results yet, but should have them in the next 3 weeks. I hope to get them and dope on the gun before my son gets here. Got a new one on the way and he's due anyday. I'm anxious to find out velocity though.

 

[ratrod54]

Pusher591, if I may, what barrel contour is this?

Very nice setup, I am envious.

 

[Gruffy]

i just sounded like thumper i was kicking my desk so hard while looking that rifle.....

 

[Pusher591]

Thanks for the compliments, I love this rifle. It's everything I want in a rifle. My suppressor should clear this year, that's the only thing that could round this package out

I have a 9 day old son so sleep and shooting have been non-existent but I hope to have chrono numbers and dope out to 750 within the next 2-3 weeks if weather permits. I'll definitely update the thread when I do get that stuff.

 

[Pusher591]

UPDATE: Chrono and 600 yard dope.



Beautiful Sunday here today, sunny and 57 with a light wind between 6-10 mph. I started off by confirming zero and chrono'ing two different lots of Factory Hornady 140 Amax. I laid down and got comfortable then fired the first round. I checked chrono and it read a good bit higher then I expected. I fired 9 more rounds and ended up with numbers listed below.

2897
2923
2950
2982
2963
2930
2899
2944
2931
2960

10 Shot Average: 2931


I know what y'all are thinking.... BS, the chrono was on the fritz. I thought the same thing. I figured I'll dope it for that average velocity and go strait to 600 on a 2/3 Larue silhouette. First shot was a miss off the right side but splash looked like elevation was good. I fired a second shot holding a half mil left and HIT dead center. There it was, a big grey chip in the center of the white steel target. I fired several more rounds and accrued hit after hit on the Larue.

I thought to myself, there is no way this gun is running factory ammo this fast. I decided to move over to the 8" popper. Multiple shots fired and multiple hits accrued, knocking the popper completely back every hit, so I know they were within the 8" plate and not on the neck of the popper.

The rest of the day I used the 2931 velocity dope and as long as I called me wind right I made solid center hits. I know they were center hits because I could pick where on the target I want to hit and chipped paint would let me know I was hitting in the area I was aiming for.

Very thankful and happy that I may have a freak rifle. The only thing I can think that's increasing the velocity is the Melonited barrel but can't say for sure since Mark or I didn't chrono it before the Melonite treatment. I have a Magnetospeed V2 coming my way soon so I'll double check it on it and hope for the best.

If anybody can suggest or have a theory on why the velocities are so high (compared to the average) I'm all ears.

 

[R.O.U.S.]

Great looking rifle, but what does LBC stand for?

 

[Pusher591]

Great looking rifle, but what does LBC stand for?

It's Mark's patented Lower Bolt Clearance modification. Search for it and there is an old thread from Mark explains what it is and how it works. I could explain it, he just explains in better and in more detail.