Gents,

The 7-04/6.5-04 (204 Ruger case...7 and 6.5 TCU on steroids) switch-barrel rifle is almost ready for barrel(s) break-in and load-testing. I've reviewed the latest NRA online rules concerning HP Hunter equipment; but, wanted any pertinent feedback from those "on the line." This rifle is a single-shot based on the Remington XR-100 action bedded in a wood, Pharr Hunter stock. Will any shooters complain about such a rifle shot in Hunter Class? Oh, it weighs less than 9 lbs, has a 2-lb trigger with working safety and 26" barrels.

Dan, sounds like your rifle was built within the scope of the current rules. There should be no complaints. Looking forward to reading range reports on performance of the new cartridges. Got any pictures of your creation?

Dan like Bob I can't wait to here how this rifle shoots. I'm a big fan of small cases (I have 2 rifles built around the 260 bobcat or 6.5x3000).

If I remember correctly the 204 uses a small primer though. I'm curious to see if that causes any challenges.

I can't see why anyone would object to this up here in WA sate at our matches. Keep us in the loop good sir!

Gents,

It'll be a few weeks before the load-testing commences. Since I decided to make this a Hunter HP, the barrels need to be shortened to 26". A bunch of ammo is loaded but don't want to do the load-testing until the barrels are shortened. I'll keep you in the loop once the testing is done and will post a few pics to ogle.

Gents,

I hand-screwed the 27" barrel back on that's going to be shortened to 26" and took a few pictures. Both barrels will be packaged and shipped tomorrow for shortening. The light was not very good, but here's a taste. Note the action has been bead blasted as well as the trigger guard. My buddy that did the stock finishing used an old muzzleloader stock finishing technique to bring out the natural striping. I'm sure you wood junkies will like the stock. It was carved by George Petersen from Treebone Carving of Cimarron, NM. Here's a link to his web site. George is a great guy. There is some good information on bedding stocks and such on his site. His dad owned American Rifle Stocks in Aptos, CA years ago. After his dad passed, George drove truck loads of his dad's old wood stash up to Cimarron. So, he's got some very nice wood for you wood junkies.

http://www.treebonecarving.com/index.html

Real good looking rifle, Dan. Purty wood. I betcha Bigfoot gets a major case of "wood envy" when he sees it.

What optics do you have planned for it?

Bob & Bigfoot,

Now that the natural light is better, below are some pics of the stock. I'm sure the wood addicts will generate a protuberance, a woody, when they view these tasty pics:-)))

Sorry. I must insert my Quagmire impression here. "digadee-digadee!"

Geez that's a beauty!

Bob Mc Alice wrote:.....What optics do you have planned for it?

Bob,

A Leupold BR 24 will go on the rifle using a uni-mount/ring setup. The high version in the below link has been ordered. Once it is in hand, a bit of high school geometry/trig will be used to shim the back so there is about 20 MOA (1/3 degree) of look-down.

http://www.dnzproducts.com/game-reaper- ... =1&sort=4a

Gents,

The integral mount-rings arrived today, very slick setup and quite light. The mount-rings and screws weigh a paltry 0.210 lbs. Since the back of the action is about 0.1150" lower than the front, at the screw-holes, the mount-rings were measured. The difference between front and back is also 0.1150". So, there is zero look-down. A bit of high school trig and geometer was put to use to determine how thick a back shim should be for 20 MOA of look-down. It continues to surprise me how valuable some of that stuff we did way back then really is:-))) After the math, it was determined that a 0.020" thick shim is on order. Of course how centered the windage will be is still a question.

Here are some pictures of the mount/rings. Oh, I mailed my two barrels (6.5-04 & 7-04) for this project, for shortening, to one of my smiths on Monday by Priority Mail. He mailed them back to me this afternoon. WOW!!!...talk about taking care of a customer:-))) Testing should commence this weekend. Ammo is loaded for fire-forming and preliminary testing, final testing to be done with fire-formed cases.

Great pictures, Dan. Do you happen to know of a source for a setup like the one pictured that puts the bottom of the scope tube about 1.25" above the front receiver ring on a Rem 700? The site you linked doesn't seem to go above the .8" or so that I have now once you convert their "center of scope" to "bottom of scope tube" measurements.

Jason,

I don't know of any other uni-mount-rings that are higher. That height works well with my stock. It puts my head in the same position as when shooting my 1712 Feather-weight with Marvelous Marv's integral rings and mount.

Good looking unit, Dan. I like the large radii on the rings. Boosting the rear by .020 will create some gap at the front...no? Some thinner shim seems in order there to avoid flexing and ring misalignment or "bowing" of the bridge when the front two screws are tightened. How much was the set up?

Bob Mc Alice wrote:Good looking unit, Dan. I like the large radii on the rings. Boosting the rear by .020 will create some gap at the front...no? Some thinner shim seems in order there to avoid flexing and ring misalignment or "bowing" of the bridge. How much was the set up?

Bob,

The unit was $69 shipped. I was thinking of only having the forward screw in the front and rear tight, the other two snug, all with blue Loctite, to reduce potential flexing and ring misalignment. Also, the rear, of the two forward screws could be quite tight, even if it did flex the unit at the front because that screw is in the middle of the front ring so the flex might not be a problem. I'll keep an eye on potential bowing and let you know how it goes. Maybe I'll mess around with the shim tonight. I think I have some 0.015" shim stock to play with. The barrels might be here Friday, so testing can commence this weekend.

Bob,

Just finished making a 0.025" rear shim. Both front screws are tight, the forward rear one is also. The back, rear screw is snug. There is no flexing in the unit, that I can see, when the scope is installed. This ring-mount unit seems to be working out well so far. As posted earlier, windage is another, not insignificant, matter.