AusVarmint

With many of us with so much idle time forced upon us lately I doubt I am the only one who has started finding gaps in our calibers which really do need filling even if we never realised this before when we were actually able to get out and hunt.
I have always wanted a 8x56 scope and I picked up a used Kahles cheap, but now I need a gun or barrel swap to put under it. I am thinking of maybe a big cased 224 to push 40-50gn pills at silly speeds, maybe trying to get my old 22/6MM Rem imp gear back again. Otherwise maybe just a mundane 223AI as a switch barrel with my current 17 Rem. Like most in these times I am on a very strict budget so whatever I build will be done using recycled gear.

What new budget builds have you been thinking up over the last few weeks to unleash when you are allowed back out again?

I’ve been reading about the same thing this morning. Started at 22 Creed then progressed to 22 BR, then thought straight 6br because I have a Maddco 6mm 1:14 twist blank siting here. Thought I don’t need another 6br, maybe 6/284 and burn the barrel as quick as possible.

Now back at 22 creed because it will feed reliably, but need a barrel.

I have the dies for a 223AI. I also have 1000 40 grain nosler ballistic tips. Just a barrel and a bolt to finish the job.

Going to get a mate to pick up a 6.5 1:8 IBI Barrel from Cleavers.

Just recently bought some .325 WSM brass and some 200gn Corelokt pills - don't have a rifle as yet or dies....

choppy2925 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 3:30 pm I’ve been reading about the same thing this morning. Started at 22 Creed then progressed to 22 BR, then thought straight 6br because I have a Maddco 6mm 1:14 twist blank siting here. Thought I don’t need another 6br, maybe 6/284 and burn the barrel as quick as possible.

Now back at 22 creed because it will feed reliably, but need a barrel.

Christ you just reminded me of 6x284. I had a box of 6.5x284 set aside for this but forgot that project and only yesterday finished necking it up to 7mm and neck turning it. I still have a barrel which will be suitable for the project so I might be necking the brass back down again. It would only be for hunting, not target so barrel life was not too much issue.

mick_762 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:03 pm Going to get a mate to pick up a 6.5 1:8 IBI Barrel from Cleavers.

Just recently bought some .325 WSM brass and some 200gn Corelokt pills - don't have a rifle as yet or dies....

Well if you have the brass then you really do need a rifle to put them in. Will this be for Sambar?

RDavies wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:44 pm

mick_762 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:03 pm Going to get a mate to pick up a 6.5 1:8 IBI Barrel from Cleavers.

Just recently bought some .325 WSM brass and some 200gn Corelokt pills - don't have a rifle as yet or dies....

Well if you have the brass then you really do need a rifle to put them in. Will this be for Sambar?

TBH Rod, I don't know - the brass and pills were at a price too good to walk past
Wont be a "gong ringer" but has the capability, will most likely be a hunting rifle in a traditional stock with a 4-12 (ish) scope.

I've been thinking Practical in 20 cal but need to get rid of a few surplus things before I can even consider proceeding , like 1/2 doz Sakos & a bit of night vision

New builds, eh ? I have been pondering a bit of a build for a while now, got stuck in today and knocked it up out of bits and pieces I have in the shed, now just sitting down there letting some glue dry, ....a new brooder for when my next lot of quail hatch out, got sick of the styrofoam box, this one has a mesh floor with tray under that so it will be easy to clean out, just gotta stick a bit of insulation inside and make a lit and it will be done.

Sorry, no spare cash these days, so no rifle builds, if I really want to try a different cartridge now, I will just screw in one of my original barrels and use that.

You could try 22-204.

I was going to say the same thing 17 Rem

100 fps more than the 223AI with no fire forming.No special dies just a 204 “S” type die a 223 seater will work

Something different for my style but a howa mini 6/223AI in a tacktard chassis.

choppy2925 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 3:30 pm I’ve been reading about the same thing this morning. Started at 22 Creed then progressed to 22 BR, then thought straight 6br because I have a Maddco 6mm 1:14 twist blank siting here. Thought I don’t need another 6br, maybe 6/284 and burn the barrel as quick as possible.

Now back at 22 creed because it will feed reliably, but need a barrel.

Same here. I had a 22CM built lat year and the gunsmith is doing a 22BR for me now, dropped off the gear last week.

As for a 6mm, i have a 14twist barrel sitting there and i was thinking about 6mm-06AI but given i have some 284 brass a 6mm Shehane might be worth considering.

MISSED wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 8:04 pm I was going to say the same thing 17 Rem

100 fps more than the 223AI with no fire forming.No special dies just a 204 “S” type die a 223 seater will work

Why will a 22-204 give 100 fps more velocity than a 223AI if it can still use a 223 seater? Is it much longer? Any wider?

Seddo wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:09 am

choppy2925 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 3:30 pm I’ve been reading about the same thing this morning. Started at 22 Creed then progressed to 22 BR, then thought straight 6br because I have a Maddco 6mm 1:14 twist blank siting here. Thought I don’t need another 6br, maybe 6/284 and burn the barrel as quick as possible.

Now back at 22 creed because it will feed reliably, but need a barrel.

Same here. I had a 22CM built lat year and the gunsmith is doing a 22BR for me now, dropped off the gear last week.

As for a 6mm, i have a 14twist barrel sitting there and i was thinking about 6mm-06AI but given i have some 284 brass a 6mm Shehane might be worth considering.

Yeah, go for a 6mm Shehane. Since I am already set up for 284 Shehane, a 6MM version for a bunny gun is a natural step. You should be able to get 87gn Vmaxs going at a decent rate with this cartridge, or maybe see how fast you can get the 55 BTs up to.