Author Topic: Advice on Building a HP Silh. Rifle (Read 944 times)

ctaney · « **on:** January 21, 2005, 11:16:09 AM »

Hello,

I am new to HP silhouette shooting and am thinking about building a low to moderate price rifle to shoot in the standard class. I am a left-handed shooter and have a left hand Savage 110 long action that is currently set up for .25-06. My thought is to get a LH silhouette stock, add a 6.5mm Krieger barrel, add a good trigger, and convert the rifle to 6.5x55. Any input or advice will be appreciated, especially on the following:

-- appropriate barrel contours, especially given the overall 10 lb. 2 oz. weight limit
-- sources for left handed silhouette stocks (and any experience with Richards Microfit stocks)
-- what are the optimal weights for the major rifle components: stock, action, barrel?

Thanks.

Chuck

Arizona Jake · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2005, 03:09:37 PM »

Unfortunately, there is no way to exactly tell you how much your dream rifle will weigh, given all the variables you list.

However, you may start with the following:

1.- Weigh your rifle in its present configuration, including scope, mounts and rings. This will give you a baseline to work with.

2.- Contact McMillan or the other manufacturers you prefer and ask them about the weight of the type of stock you are contemplating.

3.- Contact Krieger, Lilja or Pac-Nor and inquire about the approximate weight for one of their 26" Light Varmint contour barrels. This will narrow down you final weight.

As far as barrels go, save yourself some bucks (about $100) and go with a Pac-Nor barrel instead of a Krieger. Nothing wrong with Krieger, but nothing wrong with Pac-Nor, either.

While I do not use Krieger barrels, I do use Shilen, Schneider and Pac-Nor and I see no difference in quality between them. As a matter of fact, Pac-Nor is less expensive than either, and will deliver within promised lead time. Best of luck, :cb2:

drover · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2005, 05:47:54 PM »

Congratulations on entering what will probably become your most challenging sport.

You have made a good choice in your pick of a caliber and the action you have is easily upgradable. Practially any stock that will fit a Remington long action can be easily adapted to the Savage so you pretty much have a pick of whatever stock manufacturer you like.

I would urge you to consider building a hunter class rifle rather than a standard weight rifle. Scores are virtually identical between the two rifles and you can use the hunter rifle in standard rifle class which will allow you to shoot in two different classes with the same rifle. You will find that this not only enhances your skills but it does it at half the price of building two rifles. In my case my scores increased significantly when I went to one rifle rather than switching back and forth.

Stocks - Brown Precision is making one that is designated as their silhouette stock that meets the criteria for hunter rifle and is a very comfortable and ergonomic stock. Of course McMillan also makes a great stock, of theirs my favorite is the Sako 75 style stock, they make it for a Remington and I believe that they will make it to fit a Savage also.

Barrels - if you build a hunter class get a 26", #4 contour from any manufacturer that you fill comfortable with. They are all still in business because they make good barrels. Sometimes there is an outstanding on that comes out and other times they are not quite as good but that is just the luck of the draw, most manufacturers will stand behind them to a reasonable extent.

ctaney · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2005, 07:55:17 AM »

AZ Jake and Drover,

Thank you both for your replies; I got good input from both of you and it is appreciated very much.

Chuck

SteelEye · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2005, 01:07:39 PM »

I may have what you are looking for. Check your private mail.

CB · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2005, 04:24:06 PM »

Welcome aboard,
For the sake of understanding let me say first off that I am probably the quintessential unpaid spokesman for Savage Arms carrying one to the line in STD since 2001 from Nats on down. I'm also to blame for a few converts at our local bench shoots.
With that said here's my $.02 worth on your questions.
#1 reasonable investment---for forseeable future (keep this in mind)
#2barrels, stocks, weights?
With #1 being primary,#2 will sort inself out over time and many changes, lets take a hard look at the 110 action (read thread further down on balance) the longer action makes achieving this much more difficult. Stocks for the Savage are not that easy to come by, (suitable for this game) you may order flat top and inlet yourself or my personal favorite build your own. I'm right handed--a left hand would be even harder to come by in Sav, may be easier in REM? In this regard my labor is free, if shopped out $$.$$ are counting up.
Bottom line is if "new" to game your preferances are gonna change "BiG TIME" over the next few seasons. Then you may not (read probably) won't be happy with what you've spent your $$'s on so quickly. I know (believe me I know) you want to get something together for the season but patience will pay off with major dividends in $$ savings and a rifle you will be much happier with down the road. Hey-- load up the highest BC bullet the 25 will shoot; brisk velocity-- not hyper per say, for rams; find an accurate mild load for C P T's and go to every match you can-- ask questions ask to handle rifles ask ask ask! WE love to give our opinions on this stuff. you may even stumble onto your dream gun used!! not a big market for Sil rifles and we're a changing bunch always looking for the "Holy Grail".
And if you're like me and are gonna do it yourself anyway (yankee and about a half dozen other shooters gave me this same advice some years ago,I didn't listen either)----feel free to contact me via PM perhaps I may be able to steer you around a bridge outage or two on the Savage build.
Above all else---learn to meditate on this mantra---It's only a game! It's only a game!
Have fun,
CB