Making a Match Rifle

[Blackfork]

I've shot service rifle for nearly all the NRA Highpower Rifle competitions that I have been in. I'm Distinguished, High Master, Louisiana Champ twice, current Texas Highpower Rifle Champ, NM state team shooter, Texas Garand Champ, Vintage Military Champ, et, et.

I like service rifle. Currently deerhunting with a Krag.

But, now I've decided to take a walk on the dark side. I'm have a match upper made for my AR. I've put this off for quite a while because I've been a service rifle snob. If you can't shoot the match with a peep and front post on a 20-inch barrel it doesn't need to be shot.

Rick Crawford is doing the barrel and assembly.

Here's the parts list:

Douglas 1/7.7 barrel.
DPMS match flat-top upper.
Riles 22mm front sight base.
White Oak Precision float tube and handstop.
Centra rear sight with service rifle knobs . (turn the same directions as AR)

I'm going to shoot it on an AR lower with a Kreiger/Milazzo trigger that is very light. Might bulk up the pistol grip.

The barrel will be left long so that we can cut it back and rechamber a couple of times as the rifling wears.

Probably put glass in the front to get a little target magnification.

This year we are going to shoot the new NRA mid-range course of fire a few times, (300-500-600) and I plan to shoot it in the NRA regionals. Ought to be an interesting addition.

The only time I have shot High Power match rifle was at Camp Perry during long range week when someone loaned me a Tubb gun in .308 to shoot. It was the best rifle I have ever shot and I shot it a little better every day.

Ordering all the parts online or on the phone since they are just parts. Nothing with a serial number.

 

[Jim Watson]

"The barrel will be left long so that we can cut it back and rechamber a couple of times as the rifling wears.

I have wondered about that. Do you just shorten the gas tube by the amount of setback?

 

[Blackfork]

Long barrel, long tube.

Crawford said there have been some pressure problems if you use a normal length gas tube on a longer barrel. He's got some longer gas tubes. That helps the pressure so you don't tear the rims off cases.

The Hollinger float tube is two inches longer than the normal length as well.

I THINK that the gas vent in the barrel, and the gas block can come back even under the tube as you cut the rifle back. We are starting with it in front of the end of the float tube. The sight is at the end of the barrel, not on the gas block as in an AR, so that's not affected.

You certainly don't want more than one gas vent cut in a barrel, even if you think you are plugging the previous one, so that's a factor.

 

[Howard Roark]

It's going to be interesting how the barrel nut is indexed to stay in line with the gas port when the barrel is set back. Not impossible, setting head space and keeping the two in line will be a bit of a challenge.

Welcome to the dark side. The side of higher scores!

 

[Hoser]

someone loaned me a Tubb gun in .308 to shoot. It was the best rifle I have ever shot and I shot it a little better every day.

There is a lesson in that statement...

 

[MarshallDodge]

I'm going to shoot it on an AR lower with a Kreiger/Milazzo trigger that is very light.

Is their a minimum weight for the trigger in service rifle?

What type of bullets do you plan on using?

 

[Slamfire]

The barrel will be left long so that we can cut it back and rechamber a couple of times as the rifling wears

I don't know what length you are talking about. But I think it is false economy. I prefer my 24" barrel on my space gun. Shoots well offhand and fits in a case. I know guys who have 26", even longer. The offhand balance on their barrels is awful.

That's where the false economy comes in. Dropping points offhand, to possibly save on rebarreling, not worth it in my opinion. After you count the gas, the match fees, the wear and tear and maybe hotel costs.

Maybe you have a lathe? If not, you will have to pay to have the back end of the barrel recut for the locking lug sleeve. I forget the correct name, but that thing has to be relocated.

When my .223 starts flinging shots at 600 yards, I already have a Krieger barrel waiting to be installed.

You have a Krieger/Milazzo trigger?! That is almost a rare collectable. Have not seen one since the mid nineties.

I think the hot thing out there is the rifle/caliber that Carl B won the Nationals. AR-10 platform, some 6mm Hagel? cartridge. Heck, I was sqadded next to the guy who came up with the cartridge and I can't remember the name of it, or him. :banghead: Anyway, a 6mm bucks the wind so much better than a .223 at 600 yards.

 

[Borg]

Robert:
Do you think it is worth it to set back chambering? I mean, when the Bbl stops shooting, you'd have to cut 5 maybe 6 inches off. Would that leave you any length?
I know when my barrels stop shooting,, it's almost a smooth bore (can see no rifling) for the first 5 maybe 6 inches, and wouldn't be worth it to cut off and rechamber,, unless I want a 14" barrel
I know the BR people do it all the time, but they don't shoot the hot loads we do,, plus, they usually shoot 100-200 yrds.
Ken S

 

[Blackfork]

Barrel cut-offs

We have a couple of shooters- winning shooters, one guy on the US Palma team, that cut theirs back and get more barrel life. I'm going to leave the possibility open. I'm sure there is a lot of stuff to learn lurking out there.

I've thought about going to 6mm. Sure seems like a nice round. We'll see how I like this upper and go from there. I'm not scrimping on sights.

There isn't a minimum trigger weight for match rifles as far as I know. I'm going to start with my service rifle loads. Crawford did the barrels and chambers on them as well. All I have ever shot is Sierra Matchkings and I've kept it simple. 69s up close and 80s at 600. All Varget.

Tubb guns have gotten out of reach- it ought to be the Tubb 4K instead of 2k.

Lots of matches that you can't shoot with a match rifle- like the CMP team stuff, Infantry Trophy and LEG matches. Don't want to get too far afield but also don't like having a gap in my shooting experience. Main push right now is to get more pistol LEG points.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I have one I bought from a friend after he wanted to buy a grunig. It has a 26" kreiger on it. I have a jewel in mine as it lets me go very light.
If you are going this way I would think about a few things.
one of the advantages is being able to have a adjustible stock so you can get every thing right for each position.
Why cut the barrel? just get a new barrel when its time.
I have been playing with it for about 3 years early in the spring and after the hp season winds down in the fall. have seen no drop off in my scores and even a slight improvement. buts its hard to just put away the service rifle and settle down with the space gun even now in the winter I think ahead to next year and I am only thinking service rifle.

 

[Blackfork]

Service rifle

I know what you mean. I just hate to have a gap in my experience. I shoot a lot of matches so I think I can use it when I can and still have plenty of SR matches left. LEGS, ITT, NM Team stuff.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I usually do one leg after perry and then use the spacegun untill early spring. you get better weather down there than up here in CO so you could change any time. I know a few folks who shoot the service rifle for the trophy matches and then switch to the match rifle for the rumbold and after. been about 3 years since I have not medaled in a leg and I know you are about in the same boat. Since it does not matter anymore other than another medal I will offer to help in the match and run a few now. some times I make it a short weekend when the weather looks to hot or something.
look at it this way just have fun and shoot the space gun and then use the sr for when ever you want to. trust me its a gas to shoot a space gun as you get all of the best in one package other than giving up a little cal to some other rounds.
you can use a regular 20 round mag in your rapids and a short flush mag in the slows if you wish. great sights so you have no bad light (I do love that). with the 26" barrel you can really pump up speed for 600. have been thinking of even going to a 223 AI to really pump it up at 600. with that you can use standard 223 cases at 200 and 300 and then the AI at 600. you can even with the space gun take the oppisite lug off of the bolt to even out the pressure on the bolt face to allow a hotter round without the pressure signs.

 

[Blackfork]

Twice a month or more.

Lots of time to shoot, monthly Panola match, Terrell the next weekend if you want to go, two state NRA regionals for three days each, two state championships for three days each and the Nationals at Perry. Thats not counting going to another regional every couple of years in Oklahoma or Louisiana. Plus the Garand/Springfield/Vintage/Carbine championships, but thats REALLY old service rifle!

Trying to add some pistol and go back to Perry for the Presidents and Pistol LEG weekend. Plus shooting six to ten deer a year with old rifles.

I'd never let my girlfriend add up my shooting time.

Usually if you can shoot in the 780s in a regional you will be OK. It gets done a lot with ARs down here. For some reason, most of the match rifle folks don't seem to be as competitive. John Rhynard and Michael Carter being the exceptions. Rick shoots service rifle across the course exclusively and sets a high standard for the rest of us.

Anyway, we are going to snap this thing together and try to expand my experience a little. Can't hurt. I've certainly enjoyed shooting older Service rifles and I think its helped my shooting, and even if or as my shooting goes to heck from age I'm enjoying it lots. Doetags with 100 year old Mausers and Krags. That's fun. Might even take my K31 to Perry this year for the Vintage match. Rick and I were 2nd and 12th with 1903s last year, and we were just slumming after the CMP ITT match. Mine was still bleeding cosmoline. I think I was 18th in the M1A match with Dick Currys rifle in the rain. Shot a miss standing. Shot the first couple of sighters into the Canadian Maritime provinces because it wasn't zeroed. 55th in the Garand match with a rack grade. Even if that was my high water year there is always some fun to be had.

 

[Blackfork]

White Oak float tube in.

Nice unit. Well thought out and the finish is flawless. DPMS flat-top, slick sided upper, bolt, badger gas tube, other parts on the way or backordered.

489X18 at Panola on Saturday with AR. Tough crowd...that was second place. First place was a 490, also with AR.