GUN PORN! New Rem 700 Custom Build in 6mm Ackley Improved

[flyingirish04]

Thought I would share my recent build. Still might need a ceracote, but I am waiting on that. Just about ready to start killing yotes and goats, maybe a whitetail this fall.

-Remington 700 Action blueprinted and trued, then bedded on a GreyBull Precision Hunting Stock.
-26" Krieger 4 contour custom barrel, chambered in 6mm Ackely Improved (6mm Rem Imp 40º).
-Put a GreyBull Precision Hunting Optic on it, which is a Leupold Custom Shop version of their VX-3 4.5-14x50 Long Range (30mm tube).

Just got through the load development phase and have drop turrets on the way from GBP. Shoots a 105 gr Berger VLD Hunting @ 3330 fps. Grouping in the high 3's, low 4's. Perfect for a hunting rig. And yes, excuse the crappy cell phone pics.

First load development range day, finishing barrel break-in


A look at the 6mm Ackley Improved cartridge. Takes taper away, puts a 40º shoulder on it.


A look at the reloading/storage room with the new addition.

[iFire]

I like it

What powder are you using? Have you tried several different types yet?

[flyingirish04]

I have tried several different types of powders and bullets. H4831, Varget, Retumbo, IMR4350, RE-22. Fireformed and tried some improved loads with 80 gr Berger Varmints, and some 62 gr Barnes Varmint Grenades. The 80s shot alright, the VGs I could barely keep under MOA grouping. I expected that though with a 1 in 8 twist.

My final load uses IMR4350 though. Best velocity for the money and much more consistant with the long VLD bullets. Retumbo was second, but for some reason I wasn't getting the velocity that I was with IMR4350.

I have already shot about 250 rounds through the gun, and I haven't even put the crosshairs on an animal yet. Still, I shoot this way better than I shoot any of my other rifles. It is a bit heavy, at just under 11 pounds loaded and scoped. Still plenty light for me to haul around without too much trouble.

Building a 280 Ackley Improved now with a Lilja fluted 6 contour, and going to Improve my 338 Lapua after that, probably with the same. Both on Rem700 actions. After that, I will be about done with long guns for a while...maybe

[iFire]

going to Improve my 338 Lapua after that, probably with the same.

That would be pretty interesting... If you do end up doing it I would be very curious to see what you thought...

I had friend of mine rebuild a model 70 action into a 338 lapua with a 34 in tube and an A4 Stock. Last summer I was shooting short distances ( ~350 yds ) and keeping 3 shot groups under a 1 1/4" pretty consistently with 300 gr SMK's and 95 grs of Retumbo chronoed at 2980 fps... This summer I will get it tuned it at 1000 and see what kind of groups I can print

[flyingirish04]

Wow, 34". WAY to long for me. For the bigger rounds though, it will get you some more FPS for sure though. I max mine out to 26" though, basically because I need it to be carried around hunting.

As far as the 338 LM Imp 40, it is actually a safety play in the Rem700 action. The Improved cartridge uses emits far less pressure and actually gains more velocity. PO Ackley was no dummy, improving rounds with taper (mainly old tactical and cordite rounds where it was needed for feeding and/or fitting charges in) really is the way to go. The 338 LM improved to a 40 degree shoulder can give you another 200 fps easy, and with about 15% less pressure. Due the construction of the Rem bolt face with the large 338, it loses some of its strength in order to accomodate the larger round and the sako style extractor. At those pressures, it is still safe, but being able to make it more safe and increase performance, well, its a no brainer. Also, this is my big game LR hunting rig, so more FPS is never a bad thing.

The 280 AI that I am building basically makes an already formidable 280 Rem into basically a 7mm Rem Mag, only with less powder, and less recoil. Ackley was the man .

[flyingirish04]

Talked to Virginia at Lilja. They are swamped with work. My barrel won't be ready for another 3 weeks. Did get a $60 Veterans/Military/LEO/Gunsmith discount though that Dan started giving out. Talked with Krieger and they are running around the same volume, backlogged for months.

So if you need a custom barrel, better put the order in sooner rather than later as the barrel manufacturers can't keep up with demand. Pretty wild.

Got everything else ready for the 280 AI build, just need the barrel. I HATE WAITING.