Hunterclass rifle project pics

[Bnhpr]

Ok, here is my HBR rifle completed.

The chamber is .308 .165 shortened, .334 neck, no freebore, 17 twist Krieger HBR taper. 2 oz trigger. Burris HBR scope, Mcmillan stock.

The barrel was straight and easy to work with. I'm still working up loads. Rifle is shooting hole on hole, no problem. I'm very pleased with the accuracy. Any suggestions on powder is appreciated. The case geometry is slightly smaller, but similar to 300 sav, with a longer neck. I'm using H380 now, but it's very dirty burning, would like to go to an extruded powder.

Thanks to Pete Wass, Al Nyhus, Randy Robinette, and others that helped me select the components for this rifle. The advice here has turned out to be superb.

Ben

 

[mike in co]

i shoot n140 with bib 134 in a 15 twist.

mike in co

 

[Al Nyhus]

Ben, I'm glad it's working for you..looks good!

I shot a very similar case to this for quite a few seasons. Great powders are Benchmark, the 'new, slower' H322 Extreme, N133 and N135. I mostly used N135, though the newer N133 is about the same burning rate as the old N135 was. WW748 also worked well for me.

What bullets are you using? -Al

 

[T Pohl]

Gun Project

Good looking gun. I am getting ready to order a new stock and was wandering what color percent you have in the stock? I was thinking 80-20 in mine but black and red.

 

[henrya]

Good job!

I'd think H4895 would be another good choice of powder. I'd like to shoot Hunter Class but I'd be the only one around here doing so.

 

[Bnhpr]

Ben, I'm glad it's working for you..looks good!

I shot a very similar case to this for quite a few seasons. Great powders are Benchmark, the 'new, slower' H322 Extreme, N133 and N135. I mostly used N135, though the newer N133 is about the same burning rate as the old N135 was. WW748 also worked well for me.

What bullets are you using? -Al

Pete put me on the speer varmint packs for practicing. I bought 200 Berger 110's to try too.

I've been doing really well with the Speer so far. Next firing cycle on my brass, I'll try the Bergers with one of the powders aforementioned.

Ben

 

[Bnhpr]

Good looking gun. I am getting ready to order a new stock and was wandering what color percent you have in the stock? I was thinking 80-20 in mine but black and red.

I'm not sure, Brunos had it on the shelf. They had a few colors to choose from, and I like Blue.

 

[Jim Borden]

Firecracker

Ben

Will we be seeing you shoot it at the firecracker in a couple of weeks?

Jim Borden

 

[Al Nyhus]

Pete put me on the speer varmint packs for practicing. I bought 200 Berger 110's to try too.

I've been doing really well with the Speer so far. Next firing cycle on my brass, I'll try the Bergers with one of the powders aforementioned.

Ben

Ben, when you make the transition to the 110 Berger: if you have trouble tuning the vertical out despite different powders and neck tension, try picking the bullet weight up a bit to the 118-125 range with a 1.00" long jacketed bullet...the 1.00" jacketed bullets get 'up' on the pressure differently than the .925's and can help get the vertical out with a case that's a bit big for the bullet weight.

A good amount of 'jam' (.025-.030) and a sizing button .003 smaller than what a loaded round measures is a great place to start. Don't be afraid to go to a .004 or .005 button.

I don't waste a lot of time tuning at 100..once I get a decent baseline I head right to 200. The 'ugly' at 200 is not always so apparent at 100. Plus...200 is where Hunter tournaments are won or lost. And..it's easier to shoot groups at 200 with a 6X scope than it is to go around a 200 yd. Score target with a 6X. People don't believe it, but it's true.

Good (make that great) shootin'. -Al

 

[Bnhpr]

Jim,

I will be going, although I do not know if I'll be shooting, I need to learn more about the rules, protocol etc.

Al,

I've not tried the Bergers yet, maybe today if the black flies do not carry me away.

I've attached the first target the rifle shot. The upper right target is sight in, the bottom center target has one fouling round. (I cleaned the barrel after that one) and the the other four, I, at least was impressed with. The 6X is basically a guess, as to where the cross hairs are.

Will keep practicing.

Thanks for the info

Ben

 

[Al Nyhus]

Ben, I would strongly encourage you to shoot at the Firecracker. The absolute best way to learn is at a registered tournament. When I shot my first IBS Hunter tournament at the old River City club in Mason City, Iowa, it was with one of my Rem. 700 'dog guns....a 243 Ackley with a 6-24 variable turned down to 6. People like Randy and Donna Robinett, Mike and Deb Bigelow, Ron and Mary Berg, the late Dan Hackett, Craig Nagel, Roy Oines and many more went out of their way to make a 'newbie' feel at home. I'm sure you'll find your fellow competitors and the officials to be helpful and instructive as well..it's one of the neatest thing about Benchrest.

Lookin' foward to your updates. Good shootin' and best of luck at the Firecracker. -Al