West Texas Rail Gun

[Skip 1032ax]

Finally finished the 6 mm Rem. B.R. rail. My first rail project and thanks to all the guys who have written and contributed to the Form over time for all the great information and building information. When you are building from scratch all the information you can get is necessary. It shoots, not all in one hole as I would like but has promise. I will try pictures if I can get this machine to cooperate. Best ever, Skip

[Chism G]

Finally finished the 6 mm Rem. B.R. rail. My first rail project and thanks to all the guys who have written and contributed to the Form over time for all the great information and building information. When you are building from scratch all the information you can get is necessary. It shoots, not all in one hole as I would like but has promise. I will try pictures if I can get this machine to cooperate. Best ever, Skip

Skip,if you need help posting pictures of your made from scratch.”West Texas Rail Gun” send photos to ,gchism@sbcglobal.net.

I dont know about anybody else,but I would like to see the finished project designed from ideas shared on this forum. This is quite impressive to me. Congratulations.

Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

It seems I can import photos but cannot export on this computer. Thanks Glen, I will try getting things your way. At 91 years and pushing 92 I fail to understand a lot of the new technology. I can still manage my machines OK but computers??

[Chism G]

It seems I can import photos but cannot export on this computer. Thanks Glen, I will try getting things your way. At 91 years and pushing 92 I fail to understand a lot of the new technology. I can still manage my machines OK but computers??

Skip,I can certainly relate to your problem.;) If you can send a photo from a mobile device(Phone) to my mail address, I think I can help get it posted.

Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

Glenn,
Thanks for the help. It turns out that I must have a Micro pass word?? That was filled yesterday and the photos sent to you. I hope this worked. Skip

[Chism G]

Hi Skip. Check your private messages.


Glenn

[Chism G]

This project began back in August 2021. The builder Dave Wyer,recently finished this project using design ideas provided by forum members. Dave is 91 years young and is a retired secondary School Educator. He’s interested in any forum suggestions/recommendations that might be added to his first attempt at building a Rail Gun.
https://i.imgur.com/mabJ2sN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ln5gdAO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rfBloOe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aY3JLL2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lH5WlYN.jpg


Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

My Thanks to Glenn for helping get this information and pictures. This 6 mm Rem B.R. started out a few years ago as a bench rifle and prairie dog gun. I replaced a 243 Win. Barrel action with a 1-8 twist I had just made with the 6 mm B.R. The beautiful Rail guns featured in Benchrest Central convince me that I must have one. I have been making my own barrels and stocks since the late 1960's. I was a member of the IBS organization for years and a
"Precision Shooting" reader forever. The old Rem scope in 20 power is something else. Do we have other Rem scope users and what kind of service have you had. Also, my bullet dies are B&A in .22 cal. Sharing information is still so very important to the shooting public and the very important matches. Please everyone keep it up. Skip

[Chism G]

Hey Skip, I got some questions.

1. How much does your Rail weigh with barrel and action?
2. What are the dimensions of the bottom half.
3. What materials did you use?

Just curious.

Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

The total weight is about 36 lbs.This on the kitchen scale. The base is 2 ft. long x 10 inch wide x 1/2 " thick. I couldn't find a thicker or much larger base. Nearly every piece is 6061 Alum. The cam for adjusting the sighter to target is steel probably 1020. The elevation screw and nut is steel. The I beam is 2 ft. x 3 inch. The base and I beam may be a little light? The recoil seems pretty light with the light 55 gr. bullets so far. I am going to try 68 gr and 90 grain next . Best ever Skip

[hayscott]

The total weight is about 36 lbs.This on the kitchen scale. The base is 2 ft. long x 10 inch wide x 1/2 " thick. I couldn't find a thicker or much larger base. Nearly every piece is 6061 Alum. The cam for adjusting the sighter to target is steel probably 1020. The elevation screw and nut is steel. The I beam is 2 ft. x 3 inch. The base and I beam may be a little light? The recoil seems pretty light with the light 55 gr. bullets so far. I am going to try 68 gr and 90 grain next . Best ever Skip

Skip, I've got a couple 12# lead ingots with handles and rubber padded base, I set both on top of the base, one on each side. It holds down the base during recoil and handling. I also have a block of wood that I c-clamp to the front of the bench and the gun's base is squared to and pushed up against it, keeps you from shoving the base forward on the bench when returning to battery. When your trying to run off 10 shots as quickly as possible in a good condition, I tend to get a bit rough while working the bolt and getting the top back into position! We would like to have you come down some weekend to Midland to see what you have build and several of the guys here have accumulated a lot of HOF points with Unlimited guns and willing to offer advice and assistance in learning how to shoot a rail.

[Skip 1032ax]

Thanks guys, this is good stuff. I was afraid this set up might be a little light. My shooting bench is light, but I can tie it down to the ground with an anchor (as used to tie down aircraft) screwed into the ground and a strap ran around the rail base and bench top. This took the shake out of the bench. A bit of weight as suggested and stopped boards should get it steady. I also get too rough it seems when reloading. I hope to get to Midland and Seymore one of these days, thanks. Skip

[Butch Lambert]

Skip, I had 3 of the Remington scopes like yours, but sold them and now have one of three and the prototype of the internal adjusted Remington scope. The external adjusted ones came from Jimmy Stekl and the internal ones came from Mike Walker. The glass in mine are very good.

[Skip 1032ax]

Mr. Lambert,
Thanks for the information on the Rem Scope. I have had my scope on several rifles over the years. At one time I used it on my slug gun in .50 cal. that could get pretty interesting. Most slugs ran in the 450 gr.to 500 gr. cast. This is equipped with a underhammer action. The scope took the recoil OK and I thought it had a real good glass in 20 power I believe. The adj. knobs have also been very positive--a pretty good scope I thought. I am ready for some good weather to fire the 6 mm. The present load is going 3 in a nice group but 2 out for a 5 shot group. Do you go up a few grains to correct this grouping? The load is light with a 55gr. Nosler.

[Butch Lambert]

Mr. Lambert,
Thanks for the information on the Rem Scope. I have had my scope on several rifles over the years. At one time I used it on my slug gun in .50 cal. that could get pretty interesting. Most slugs ran in the 450 gr.to 500 gr. cast. This is equipped with a underhammer action. The scope took the recoil OK and I thought it had a real good glass in 20 power I believe. The adj. knobs have also been very positive--a pretty good scope I thought. I am ready for some good weather to fire the 6 mm. The present load is going 3 in a nice group but 2 out for a 5 shot group. Do you go up a few grains to correct this grouping? The load is light with a 55gr. Nosler.

Skip, I'm not a 6BR guy, but I believe you would be better off with a 14 twist barrel and some good 52 grain custom bullets. Looks like your Clausing is a brother of my 6914.

[Skip 1032ax]

Mr. Lambert,
I do believe you lean toward something in the .224 cal class?? I like the 22 PPC and have picked up a few items. They don't come too cheap so this old soul will have to go slow. The Clausing is a great machine and we are lucky to have such. Skip

[Butch Lambert]

Mr. Lambert,
I do believe you lean toward something in the .224 cal class?? I like the 22 PPC and have picked up a few items. They don't come too cheap so this old soul will have to go slow. The Clausing is a great machine and we are lucky to have such. Skip

Skip, I'm still a 6ppc and 30BR guy. I do have a 220 Beggs that I've never fired.

[Chism G]

Thanks guys, this is good stuff. I was afraid this set up might be a little light. My shooting bench is light, but I can tie it down to the ground with an anchor (as used to tie down aircraft) screwed into the ground and a strap ran around the rail base and bench top. This took the shake out of the bench. A bit of weight as suggested and stopped boards should get it steady. I also get too rough it seems when reloading. I hope to get to Midland and Seymore one of these days, thanks. Skip


Skip...When I read your description of your shooting bench, to be honest, it gives me the "shakes":D. I haven't seen it, but I don't know if I would trust ii to do any serious load development with a Rail Gun. Since we're sharing ideas, I did a forum search and found a link that might interest you. http://benchrest.com/articles/benches.pdf. Ive' never built a shooting bench, but I know some locals who swear its a lot easier than building a Rail Gun from scratch.:D


Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

Glen,
You were right, the bench I have to set the rail gun on is far from steady. Those of us who shoot here in our small community use portable benches of every description. WE don't have a public range and use various areas by consent or lease. This means a complete set-up is necessary each shoot. Thanks for the bench info it is really neat. Skip

[Chism G]

Skip,in the Military,we called it "Field-Expedient". Means.....figure out a way to make it work. Hope you're having much fun with your new Rail Gun.


Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

Glenn,
We could sure use some warm weather. Morning is cold and day fair, The upper half of Texas as you know goes warm and cold every day. I am enjoying a round of diabetic problems but sure want to get out for a few rounds with the rail and new handloads. What are the best loads you guys using the 6 mm Rem B, R. getting. I have an old Hodgdon #26 manual that I have been using. I feel there have been changes in the load and bullets since the Hodgdon manual. Competition doesn't stand still. Skip

[Chism G]

Glenn,
We could sure use some warm weather. Morning is cold and day fair, The upper half of Texas as you know goes warm and cold every day. I am enjoying a round of diabetic problems but sure want to get out for a few rounds with the rail and new handloads. What are the best loads you guys using the 6 mm Rem B, R. getting. I have an old Hodgdon #26 manual that I have been using. I feel there have been changes in the load and bullets since the Hodgdon manual. Competition doesn't stand still. Skip

Hi Skip,Check your mail. Crappy weather here also, wishing you a speedy recovery from that little set back. The link has some info on
The 6MMBR.

Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

Glenn
You lost me on the mail note?? I can't find any reference on this program where to go for your information. I am afraid I could use your help again. Skip

[Skip 1032ax]

Glenn
You lost me on the mail note?? I can't find any reference on this program where to go for your information. I am afraid I could use your help again. Skip

Glenn, Finally found the Mail icon but nothing had come yet.. Computers!!! Skip

[Chism G]

Glenn, Finally found the Mail icon but nothing had come yet.. Computers!!! Skip


Computers !!!:D, understood. Double click on this link. https://www.6mmbr.com/6mmbr.html.

Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

Computers !!!:D, understood. Double click on this link. https://www.6mmbr.com/6mmbr.html.

Glenn

Glenn, Thanks ever so much. This data is great. All I need now is some Varget and a few others to make things work. Where is all the handloading components going?? All I can get is backorder, out, No backorder and nothing etc. We gotta have powder and primers to make things work?? Thanks again for the help. Best ever. Skip

[Butch Lambert]

Glenn, Thanks ever so much. This data is great. All I need now is some Varget and a few others to make things work. Where is all the handloading components going?? All I can get is backorder, out, No backorder and nothing etc. We gotta have powder and primers to make things work?? Thanks again for the help. Best ever. Skip

Skip, they're 8.4 million new gun owners in 2020 and 5.4 million new ones in 2021. That is close to 14 million new owners.If each new person bought only 1 box of 20 rounds (rifle) or 50rds (pistol), it would be an additional 280 million rounds (rifle) or 700 million rounds (pistol). That is just the new guys. Now add us old guys and you see the amount of supplies used.

[Chism G]

Hey Skip....Yes,”Economics 101”, “Supply and Demand”. Politically driven by the 2008 Election. A widespread Fear of Gun confiscation. 14 years ago. A fear that continues today. In 2008, I remember driving 171 miles, to a, small Town, Walmart Store and waiting in line, for the doors to open. You had to get there real early. The ammo on the shelves ran out, before the first ten hoarders left the counter. “The early bird got the worm”. I got there early enough to score a good supply of 22 Rim fire ammo.

Not much has changed since 2008. Every time there is a mass shooting, there is a renewed fear of Gun confiscation. I see where Powder Valley is rationing the amount of some supplies, to prevent hoarding.

I have a 6BR hunting Rifle, 1-8 twist. Ran out of Varget, but IMR 4895 works just fine for my purposes. I suspect that the situation, brewing in Ukraine, will somehow add to the negative impact on the availability of shooting components. You got plenty primers?

Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

Glenn,
You hit the nail on the head. Before the last round of world problems I was an active dealer/mfg and FFL holder, as many of you probably are or were. As a mfg the supplies began to dry up until there was nothing but backorders. My major distributors went bankrupt, sold out, and etc. I know many are just getting by trying to stay in business. Power to them. It takes deep pockets to stay the course. When the customer base dries up you have to make some changes. I plan to take the rail out to the range, fire ONE shot on the benchrest target, have a quite moment with the rail, it must understand that its job is to put all the shots in One hole. Best ever, Skip

[CYanchycki]

Hey Skip....Yes,”Economics 101”, “Supply and Demand”. Politically driven by the 2008 Election. A widespread Fear of Gun confiscation. 14 years ago. A fear that continues today. In 2008, I remember driving 171 miles, to a, small Town, Walmart Store and waiting in line, for the doors to open. You had to get there real early. The ammo on the shelves ran out, before the first ten hoarders left the counter. “The early bird got the worm”. I got there early enough to score a good supply of 22 Rim fire ammo.

Not much has changed since 2008. Every time there is a mass shooting, there is a renewed fear of Gun confiscation. I see where Powder Valley is rationing the amount of some supplies, to prevent hoarding.

I have a 6BR hunting Rifle, 1-8 twist. Ran out of Varget, but IMR 4895 works just fine for my purposes. I suspect that the situation, brewing in Ukraine, will somehow add to the negative impact on the availability of shooting components. You got plenty primers?

Glenn

My line to people who come in the store asking for ammo or reloading components is exactly the same thing even though we are in Canada. The issue started about 14 years ago with an election in the US. People say what did that have to do with it then I explain it to them. The sad part is we have powder made in our own country but it cannot be sold to us. It is shipped to the US and then we have to buy it back. Makes a lot of sense does it not? We know for a fact that US based companies fill US orders before Canadian. Be nice if the powder that is manufactured up here was that way. We ha e a shot shell manufacturer 35 miles down the highway and he is even struggling to get the powder he used to from these Canadian manufacturers. It goes south first. Just my rant on powder.

With the current state in the world, and fuel prices in Canada, things are not going to get better if ever. I worry about the world that my daughter is going to have to live in. Curious what fuel is stateside. In Vancouver it has hit 2.00 per liter. 4.54 liters in our gallon. Do the math......over 9.00 per gallon and we have TONS of oil up here. AUGHHHHHHH

[Chism G]

[QUOTE=Skip 1032ax;849975]Glenn,
You hit the nail on the head. Before the last round of world problems I was an active dealer/mfg and FFL holder, as many of you probably are or were. As a mfg the supplies began to dry up until there was nothing but backorders. My major distributors went bankrupt, sold out, and etc. I know many are just getting by trying to stay in business. Power to them. It takes deep pockets to stay the course. When the customer base dries up you have to make some changes. I plan to take the rail out to the range, fire ONE shot on the benchrest target, have a quite moment with the rail, it must understand that its job is to put all the shots in One hole. Best ever, Skip[/QUOTE

Skip ,let me know when you put up them one hole groups, I can help with posting the pictures:D

Glenn

[Chism G]

My line to people who come in the store asking for ammo or reloading components is exactly the same thing even though we are in Canada. The issue started about 14 years ago with an election in the US. People say what did that have to do with it then I explain it to them. The sad part is we have powder made in our own country but it cannot be sold to us. It is shipped to the US and then we have to buy it back. Makes a lot of sense does it not? We know for a fact that US based companies fill US orders before Canadian. Be nice if the powder that is manufactured up here was that way. We ha e a shot shell manufacturer 35 miles down the highway and he is even struggling to get the powder he used to from these Canadian manufacturers. It goes south first. Just my rant on powder.

With the current state in the world, and fuel prices in Canada, things are not going to get better if ever. I worry about the world that my daughter is going to have to live in. Curious what fuel is stateside. In Vancouver it has hit 2.00 per liter. 4.54 liters in our gallon. Do the math......over 9.00 per gallon and we have TONS of oil up here. AUGHHHHHHH

https://autos.yahoo.com/u-gas-prices-skyrocketing-much-130000361.html?soc_src=yahooapp

We’re not far behind you Calvin. Texas,the biggest Oil producing State in the US. ArrrrrrH.

Glenn

[Chism G]

Hey Skip, any new updates on the new Rail Gun? It’s been so windy here,its sometimes hard to keep your hat on.


Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

Glenn,
Wish I could say there were many one hole groups. The weather has been warm and then cold and ugly. This old soul doesn't do cold well at all. The wife took a fall a few weeks back and broke things real good. We are house bound now for a while taking care of her. Our oldest daughter has been here helping Mom along and keeping me out of trouble. Now , how are you guys doing. How is the target work coming along. I am going to try to get a few rounds reloaded for the 6 mm B.R. and maybe a few rounds for a new 243 Win. I have just finished. The 243 is a sporter med.wt. so it could work on the coyote or prairie dog. I do have a .223 Rem. barrel job coming up if I can get a Shilen #9 twist blank. This customer is a regular that I've worked a few jobs in, so we want to get everything right on. Best ever Skip

[Chism G]

Hey Skip. Sorry to hear about the Misses accident. Here’s wishing her a speedy recovery. One thing I’ve learned about getting old,…It doesn’t get any better. We’ve had some pretty crappy weather down here. Most are waiting for better days to get in some serious range time. Ive got lots of bullets I need to shoot before I sleep.
Looks like the machine shop work will keep you busy until things get back on track. Take care.

Glenn

[Skip 1032ax]

For the suffering few.

We have been enjoying this Texas weather--about all we can stand. Loaded up old Red (95 Ford PU) with all the good stuff and the Rail Gun of course. A few hours after sun up. Pretty calm?? Out to the range and setting things up. A bit of a breeze as things got set up!! Got the Rail on the bench, nearly ready to go, a nice breeze out of the North. My shooting buddy heads East with the target/back stop. He is back but the breeze is blowing his hair straight out. A few words with the rail. Go for it! Three rounds down, not even on the paper target at 100 yds. Back to town. Yesterday, evening / night over 3 1/2 inches of rain. WE are elated. Skip

[Chism G]

For the suffering few.

We have been enjoying this Texas weather--about all we can stand. Loaded up old Red (95 Ford PU) with all the good stuff and the Rail Gun of course. A few hours after sun up. Pretty calm?? Out to the range and setting things up. A bit of a breeze as things got set up!! Got the Rail on the bench, nearly ready to go, a nice breeze out of the North. My shooting buddy heads East with the target/back stop. He is back but the breeze is blowing his hair straight out. A few words with the rail. Go for it! Three rounds down, not even on the paper target at 100 yds. Back to town. Yesterday, evening / night over 3 1/2 inches of rain. WE are elated. Skip


31/2 inches? that's a LOTAWATA:D. Any flooding? heard its been an extended drought in your area.

Good to see you're out and about. Shoot some little ones. Take care.


Glenn