Project 50

[Rgo]

That looks sooo cool !!!

[Supaduke]

Few more pics from various angles would be appreciated Brett. Looks very nice , well done sir.

[brett1868]

Few more pics from various angles would be appreciated Brett. Looks very nice , well done sir.

More pictures and video coming soon and then some action video from FCSA comp in Mildura 1st of April. It's built in such a way that I can remove the barrel without too much effort so at this stage it'll fit in one of my existing safes but I'll build a safe anyway so I'm not having to assemble it. Less typing, I've got 50 rounds to chrono

[scaredyet]

What's the latest with this. Can you post what the project cost all up

[Mongrel]

Slight delay in shipping but will be delivered on Monday. I'm currently up bush to test some brand new Australian made CNC copper 800gr projectiles. Here's the beast in all it's 1700mm glory.

IMG_3015.JPG

Now thats a nice looking gun

[brett1868]

What's the latest with this. Can you post what the project cost all up

An update is in order on the topic of costs...

Prices in AUD calculated at prevailing exchange rate on day of purchase Inc GST.
Action - $3485
Barrel - $1190
Reamers $1090
U.S Brokerage - $665
Shipping / Packaging US-AUS $1702
AUS Brokerage / customs / duties / taxes - $897
Gunsmith labour, Stock, Trigger, Brake - $4658
NSW Dealer fees $200
Shipping to QLD $80
Shipping to NSW - $238.18
March Tactical MTR1 8-80x56 $4048
SEB Max Coaxial $2200
NSW Registration - $40
PTA - $30

For a grand total of $20,224.00 AUD

I went $224 over my budget and haven't included any ammunition costs. I already shoot and reload 50BMG so no additional funds were required to tool up for reloading. The SEB rest is awesome and I'm considering some other BR type comps to get involved in now that I've got it.

A breakdown of the gun smithing costs Inc GST
McMillan Super50 BR - Urban Spectre $2085
Fit, Chamber & Crown $450
Full custom brake, and fit $485
Supply / Install "Flavio 1.5oz BR" trigger $595
Bedding / Gluing / Inletting $538
Profile Barrel $75
Fit / Epoxy Rail $45
Tools (Barrel clamp & Action Wrench) $285
Packaging $100

Comments
Gun Smith - I know that its a difficult job to machine a barrel this long, diameter and weight but the quality of workmanship exceeded my expectations which were quite high. Looking at the throat through a bore scope shows no signs of tool marks, jagged edges or swarf. The chamber is flawless as is the turning and threading of the Tenon. The gaps around the barrel to stock are uniform and precise as is the bedding. It was decided at the outset to bed the action then to epoxy it to the stock permanently due to the length and mass of the barrel which meant extra work was required to make the trigger removable.

The Stock is very well made and the extra work required to allow the trigger to be removed with the action glued in is much appreciated and an insightful addition by the smith. The trigger is a problem for me cause now that I've felt the best all my other rifles have crap triggers in comparison . I've cocked the bolt and dropped the rifle on it's butt several times, tapped around the action and stock with a rubber mallet and as yet haven't been able to make it misfire even though it's a 1.5oz hair trigger. I'll have to relearn trigger control for this one.

Projectiles
I've been working with a company in QLD (sort of getting into bed with the enemy ) to develop a 800gr solid copper CNC projectile locally. Initial testing has been done with 20 rounds fired through the "Flinch Master 50" with very promising results. Pricing will be half what I currently pay for an equivalent product and other lovers of the half inch Browning in Australia can share in the savings in the very near future.

Perspective on the cost
$20k is roughly 20 months of beer and cigarette money for a pack a day / case a week person. Considering I've been building this for 20 months I've spent the same amount and have more to show for the money spent

Pictures
Sorry, none yet as it's still not screwed together. ItsMe was over on the weekend and had a fondle of it (the rifle, not my package). I'll be fitting the barrel this weekend with the help of a friend and will get pictures then.

[bigfellascott]

Sounds great Brett, she'd want to shoot well after all the effort you've gone too. Will she be ready for the next shoot or not?

[brett1868]

Sounds great Brett, she'd want to shoot well after all the effort you've gone too. Will she be ready for the next shoot or not?

I'm the process of building a case for it, the seller on eBay with the coffins never got in touch so I went with plan B. I bought all the fittings last weekend and will borrow a mates ute tomorrow or Friday to pickup a couple sheets of 2400x1200x 17mm form ply. Case will be 1800 long and 400 square which might be a little on the heavy side but it'll last till I can get something better made in aluminium. Apart from the case and screwing the barrel in I'm all set for Mildura Saturday week, picking up a mate in the gong on the way to share the driving and to help grunting stuff around. If I can break in the barrel on the Friday practise I'll compete with the BR50 otherwise I've got a good load for the "Flinch Master 50" I can use and the bruise from 2 weeks ago has almost gone I don't generally bruise from recoil but 48 rounds through the Flinch Master 50 in 2 hrs seems to have found my limit. I'm very curious to see how much or little the 50BR kicks, the recoil pad on the stock looks and feels quite soft. Another challenge for this week is making a cleaning rod 60" long cause the longest if found is 44" so ill do a cut & shut on 2 shorter rods for now.

If it doesn't perform then I'll re-barrel it to .416 Barrett or a 375-416 Wildcat It's almost an identical spec to the current world record holding rifle with a few upgrades so I'm confident it'll perform better then me. Reading wind is the last skill I'm needing to master as this stage.

[duncan61]

800 gn copper solid should buck the wind O.K.

[bigfellascott]

Sounds great Brett, she'd want to shoot well after all the effort you've gone too. Will she be ready for the next shoot or not?

I'm the process of building a case for it, the seller on eBay with the coffins never got in touch so I went with plan B. I bought all the fittings last weekend and will borrow a mates ute tomorrow or Friday to pickup a couple sheets of 2400x1200x 17mm form ply. Case will be 1800 long and 400 square which might be a little on the heavy side but it'll last till I can get something better made in aluminium. Apart from the case and screwing the barrel in I'm all set for Mildura Saturday week, picking up a mate in the gong on the way to share the driving and to help grunting stuff around. If I can break in the barrel on the Friday practise I'll compete with the BR50 otherwise I've got a good load for the "Flinch Master 50" I can use and the bruise from 2 weeks ago has almost gone I don't generally bruise from recoil but 48 rounds through the Flinch Master 50 in 2 hrs seems to have found my limit. I'm very curious to see how much or little the 50BR kicks, the recoil pad on the stock looks and feels quite soft. Another challenge for this week is making a cleaning rod 60" long cause the longest if found is 44" so ill do a cut & shut on 2 shorter rods for now.

If it doesn't perform then I'll re-barrel it to .416 Barrett or a 375-416 Wildcat It's almost an identical spec to the current world record holding rifle with a few upgrades so I'm confident it'll perform better then me. Reading wind is the last skill I'm needing to master as this stage.

I look forward to hearing how it all pans out Brett, you should be in with a good chance I'd say so long as you find the load it likes to shoot and sorting out the wind reading - what ranges are you shooting 1km or is it out to 2km now (can't remember where the range is up to now).

I think Michelle and John are going - if so say G'day to em for me.

[scaredyet]

Wow

[Wylie27]

Makes me feel a bit inadequate shooting my .22, which is unusual for me next to Brett

[brett1868]

what ranges are you shooting 1km or is it out to 2km now (can't remember where the range is up to now).

Last time I was there in Aug it was only 600yds and the flyer for this Aprils shoot is also 600yds. There's talk of them using another range to run comps out to 2 miles but I haven't heard anything as yet. I'll grab Paul Cohrs when I get down there and see what the plans are with the longer shoots. I'm pretty sure John & Michelle will find me as the 50BR will definitely get some heads turning. I'm not too happy about putting the first shots through it with an audience present, I'd much prefer to do that up my place in private.
Once Mildura is done I'll head north to develop a load and stretch its legs out to 1000yds. Need to consistently get 5 shots under 4" at 1000yds before committing the funds to shoot in the US titles.

[brett1868]

Spent a solid 2 days making a case and should be done by Tuesday evening. Timber is 17mm form ply which I chose for its price, strength, rigidity and it comes in big sheets. I made a box using PVA and 10G x 40mm wood screws then screwed a guide around the outside to keep the lid square when cutting the circular saw. I cracked the $hits swapping the drill / screw bit all the time so I drove to Bunnings and bought another "Drill" skin which saved me a couple hours as least. I then used some pine to form a lip on the inside to prevent moisture ingress and recessed the pine in the lid so I end up with 2 mating surfaces. I sealed all the edges with PVA and will stick on some foam to keep the environment out. I was originally planning to use a hinged lid but getting a good seal would be too much work so I went with a fully removable lid. To keep the lid on I used 8 60mm S/S catches which are adjustable so I can increase the clamping force as the seal compresses. To finish off the outside I fitted 8 handles, 75mm wheels (2 fixed, 2 rotating with locks), using stainless steel nuts, bolts and fittings where possible.
Next task was to build the internal brackets to support the monster, I've designed it in such a way that the fore end block will lock in place, preventing any fore / aft or vertical movement. The butt will get a clamp over the top and once I screw the barrel in I'll make the supports for it. Everything will then be braced in such a way to prevent any timber from splitting. When I get back and have more time I'm thinking to gladwrap the rifle and fill the case with expanding foam if I can find it in commercial quantities.

I'll do another update from Mildura this coming weekend with some feedback on how it shoots

1800x400x400

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The Lid

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Rear Support

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Fore end Support

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Overall

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[bigfellascott]

Nice Job Brett, I see it has wheels on it (good idea) all ya need now is a crane to lift the bugger up into the ute. enjoy it mate and I look forward to hearing how it all goes down south.

[Gamerancher]

That's one helluva rifle box Brett.
Here's some pics of one I made years ago for carrying multiple rifles to competitions. It has been re-modeled from original form by cutting about 250mm off one end. ( I made it too long to start ) This has carried my rifles all over the country without any damage for the last 18 years and has the added bonus that you can stack stuff on top. A 6mm steel cable threaded through the handles and locked to the structure of your vehicle satisfies the authorities also.
I've actually made another one identical to this without any frame-work inside which I can get about 6 lever-guns in, in rifle bags, needed when all three of us in the family were shooting that.
Dimensions are: L = 1200mm, H = 300mm, W = 300mm.
Bit small for your "Project 50" but the photos show the aluminium angle that protects and strengthens the corners.
Placing the side handles diagonally opposite each-other makes it easier to carry by yourself, if somewhat heavy.

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[brett1868]

I like that case and after grunting mine 1029km last night on the roof of the Rattler I'm shopping for a trailer. Even tried a local place in Mildura this morning but unfortunately didn't have the one I want in stock. I'll order one first thing Monday when I get home cause it's a major strain in my already damaged back getting a 60kg 1800 x 400 x 400 coffin onto the roof on my own.

Video of the very first round...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJIXNzws9kc

Round count currently stands at 17, last 3 shots made 10" @ 600yds using a very bad batch of Hornady factory ammo. Tomorrow morning I'll re-zero with my 798gr match ammo then shoot my 15 scored rounds. I am extremely surprised at how fast the barrel broke in, 10 rounds with a clean in between and almost no trace of copper after the next 3 and even less after the next 4. I'm loving this rifle

Bed time....Plenty 50Cal and Pistol action planned for tomorrow.

[Apollo]

What's this bashing the bolt closed bit.. ??

[Wm.Traynor]

What's this bashing the bolt closed bit.. ??

Indeed

[<<Genesis93>>]

Decent bit of blast..... looked like you got a kiss there......

[brett1868]

The first few rounds were factory Hornady 750Gr AMAX and I was surprised that they were a little tight in the chamber. My Lapua brass cases were silky smooth so I assume the factory ammo is closer to the max tolerance of the SAAMI specifications. Keep in mind that this is precision chambered with a brand new unused reamer and some factory rounds might be a little tight.

The competition has been run and done for this match, I scored 1st in the "Heavy Gun" class and equal first overall though mid field for smallest group size with a best of 186mm (I think, so don't hold me to that). I was very happy to place every shot in the 9, 10 or bull with some very tight 3 shot groups of 2-3" an the other 2 within 18cm. Some lessons were learned and next outing will yield better results, give I started the weekend with an unfired unsighted rifle with no ballistic data I'm happy. The mirage was nasty and the wind even worse, quite strong, gusty and constantly changing directions.
I'm a bit disappointed the poor turn out as many of the usual competitors couldn't make it for one reason or another, the Harbor family couldn't come so that was 3 competitors lost in 1 go, some of the Queenslanders pulled out due to weather as well as some of the Melbournians unable to attend to the field was down to 10 or 11. We were done by 2pm so it was open range and open season on the 600yd & 700yd gongs with the 50's which was huge fun, broke out the hand cannon and took to the 300m gongs with it. One of the gents gave me a few shots out of his 500 S&W Magnum, so I can cross that off my bucket list. As usual Paul and the LRSC Members ran an excellent event, the CA Pistol club put on a BBQ Lunch which was great and much appreciated.
On Monday I will get myself organised to head over to the U.S in June / July to shoot. I'll travel with Paul, split the cost and he offered me the use of his rifle while there which is very generous of him and too good an opportunity to pass up.
Shot some other video and took pics which I'll post when I get home but for now it's shower and bed time as it's a long drive home in the morning.

[brett1868]

Decent bit of blast..... looked like you got a kiss there......

Probably just the angle of the camera as the scope never got close to hitting me, Weatherby brand Band-Aids were not required though 2 boxes were in the range box . I wasn't particularly holding the rifle tight as even in free recoil is was only coming back a few inches at most. I will order the longer aluminum fore end base during the week and I need to make or buy a better rear rest as 3 layers of sand bags isn't working for me. I'm looking to shoot the rifle without having to hold or touch it so I can remove a short fat variable from the ballistics
I'll get cracking on load development with the new 800gr solid coppers in the next month or 2 and then we'll see how it groups. I've got 2 more barrels in the pipeline with one being a .416 Barrett and the other as 375/416 Wildcat in preparation for 3200m competition.