F/TR Getting started questions

[DanS]

I am wanting to get started in F/TR shooting. I'm in St. Louis, so guessing I'll try to get a membership at SLBR. I already have a couple of actions to build off of. A Rem 700, and a Savage, both SA's. I am planning on going with the 308Win.

I already have a Savage with a Douglas 1-10 twist chambered in a 6mm wildcat, kind of a 6XC clone. Itt's wearing a stockade varmint stock with a homemade cheekpiece. It outshoots me presently, I plan on practicing with this until I get the 308 put together. I don't really want to go to the open class as of yet.

Like most I can't afford the latest and greatest. So, my questions begin.

1. My favorite gunsmith has a 308 Palma reamer, will this work? He's very good, fast, and very reasonably priced.

2. What barrel length, twist, contour should I order? I may go Shilen from "the barrel man". Will 28" work or will I need 30" to get to 1000?

3. What is a good/nice stock for this set-up. Laminate/synthetic?

 

[milanuk]

I might suggest joining the forum over @ savageshooters.com. Several vendors there specialize in pre-threaded & chambered barrels for Savage actions. Brux, Shilen, McGowan, Criterion, etc. most of which at pretty reasonable prices. For what your gunsmith charges (even reasonably priced) you could buy a barrel nut wrench, a barrel vise, and a couple Forster headspace gauges and do the barrel swap yourself in your garage/basement, on your own clock. Yes, its not the 'very best', and a lot of BR folks will likely poo-poo such a setup... but from someone who does actually compete in the discipline in question, I'll say this: it works.

YMMV,

Monte

 

[manitou210]

Dans
I would get a barrel to finnish at 30" with a 1/13 twist and shoot the 155.5 Bergers/Varget/N150/RL15 (watch it in heat) palma reamer would be fine. but if you go with 1/12 you will have to lenghten throat for the 185gr
fellow who won at Nationals was using 1/12 twist 30" and used Bereger 185gr.
Stock one that fits you best
manitou