Thread: Barnard Action Hunting Rifle

Originally Posted by ebf

Jeez, is it mandatory to build 6 Creeds with these ?

The other one I know of in Welly is also being turned into a 6 Creed.

P.S. Dirk, your bolt is on the wrong side

I think I know him and I convinced him to build one haha.

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Originally Posted by The Claw

I'd rather have to ship it and get it done right if Gunworks or Greystones can't do it for you

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It's looking like I might have to. The likes of DM have a 3+ month waiting list though plus the permit bollocks for shipping my own GD rifle to and from a gunsmith.

The other option is to buy my own reamers and gauges. Might be able to help out a few folks down here that way.

Is the action thread the same as a Rem700? If so maybe a Criterion prefit barrel might work. Steve's wholesale has a shipment due in September according to his website.

Originally Posted by NZShoota

Is the action thread the same as a Rem700? If so maybe a Criterion prefit barrel might work. Steve's wholesale has a shipment due in September according to his website.

Google search found that they do have the same thread.

Originally Posted by Pommy

It's looking like I might have to. The likes of DM have a 3+ month waiting list though plus the permit bollocks for shipping my own GD rifle to and from a gunsmith.

The other option is to buy my own reamers and gauges. Might be able to help out a few folks down here that way.

Dean has built 3 rifles for me now, definitely worth the wait. I'm starting to build up a selection of reamers and putting pressure on my brother to buy a lathe. He's a trained tool maker/fitter-turner and has worked in a precision machining environment. Will be great, but dangerous if he caves in .

Back on topic, I'm keen to see how these SMS builds work out. Be great to see a good NZ alternative Rem 700 footprint action

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Why the 6mm Creedmoore over the 243?
You are building a custom rifle so you will probably be picking the same barrel, 7:1 or 8:1 twist. You are building on the same Barnard action with the same HS or AI magazine so you are limited to the same OAL of 2.86".
Is there better brass life with the different case shape?

I get it that the 6mm CM vs a factory 243 wins at long range with the heavy bullets due to being able to seat the long bullets further out and the faster twist factory barrels.

From Wiki so take with a grand of salt
243 case capacity is 52 - 54.8 gr of H2O
6mm CM capacity is 50 gr of H2O
This is a bit vague as the 6.5 CM is listed at 52.5 gr H2O.
Now the CM family does a have slightly higher case pressure but that's not relevant given both being used in the same action.
Z

@ZQLewis coolness factor man !

260 will keep up with 6.5 Creed any day provided twist rate, and possibly single feeding long projectiles.

Same goes for 243 vs 6 creed

Originally Posted by ebf

@ZQLewis coolness factor man !

260 will keep up with 6.5 Creed any day provided twist rate, and possibly single feeding long projectiles.

Same goes for 243 vs 6 creed

Hehe,
One of my hunting mates has just splashed a deposit down on a 6.5CM, tried to convince him to go down the custom path but lost that argument.
The Lithgow LA102 did it for him. Have not yet had the heart to give him grief about that. Good sales and marketing from someone.
Z

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

Why the 6mm Creedmoore over the 243?
You are building a custom rifle so you will probably be picking the same barrel, 7:1 or 8:1 twist. You are building on the same Barnard action with the same HS or AI magazine so you are limited to the same OAL of 2.86".
Is there better brass life with the different case shape?

I get it that the 6mm CM vs a factory 243 wins at long range with the heavy bullets due to being able to seat the long bullets further out and the faster twist factory barrels.

From Wiki so take with a grand of salt
243 case capacity is 52 - 54.8 gr of H2O
6mm CM capacity is 50 gr of H2O
This is a bit vague as the 6.5 CM is listed at 52.5 gr H2O.
Now the CM family does a have slightly higher case pressure but that's not relevant given both being used in the same action.
Z

Yup why I went with Criterion 243 7.5”. Good Lapua brass, Foster seater etc. Now time to play, just loaded some S107gr HPBT.

I did this comparison for a mate who was thinking 260 or 6.5 Creedmoor. Less of an issue with 6mm projectiles as they are shorter, but as throat grows mag length can cause a problem

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If you seek light and stiff - I have a couple of Lone Peak Ti Short and long action. Another excellent option is Defiance Deviant - lightweight. Both with great reputations in long-range and PRS.

I have the SMS action, it really is NOT a direct drop in, I was excited by it as Ive wanted to build a kiwi made rifle for bush stalking for a long time, it works fine but does not fit flush with the 700 stocks at the rear of the action, I am going to get my gunsmith to butcher the action to make it fit properly then re-coat the action, anyone wanting to know more id suggest to PM me before throwing money at Barnard, there are better options out there for the moment, having said that the lads at Barnard are great and the products they make are excellent just not quite there with the "drop in" hunting actions yet.

Nga, don't butcher a good new action, can't you just trim up the stock. I know when I did mine I had to take 3-4 mm out of the front as it was a little longer than the 700 stock cut out, from memory I may have had to carve a little around the trigger box area as well as a little to ease the magazine release.
I cant remember having to take anything away at the rear of the action but they do have a long rear taper coming out.
Z

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

Nga, don't butcher a good new action, can't you just trim up the stock. I know when I did mine I had to take 3-4 mm out of the front as it was a little longer than the 700 stock cut out, from memory I may have had to carve a little around the trigger box area as well as a little to ease the magazine release.
I cant remember having to take anything away at the rear of the action but they do have a long rear taper coming out.
Z

It’s only new until you buy it, then it’s secondhand, may aswell modify it to the way you like it. I very much doubt he intends to leave it with grinding marks and rough angles.


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