Eighth Rifle

September 2025



This rifle was purchased new in 1998 for my 1st prairie dog trip. You can read the old product review Here
And read about the trip Here. I'm not calling it "Custom" because it is basically in it's original factory state.

Fast forward to now, the rifle hasn't been shot since 2014 or 2015 for prairie dogs primarily because of recoil and powder consumption. Long story short, I decided to re-chamber the rifle in 22 Bench Rest (22BR). A lot of research went into this undertaking because I knew nothing about the 22BR but I've read nothing but good things about it. As it turns out the 22BR is a child of the 6BR. And of course they don't make 22BR brass but simply sizing 6BR carefully in FL 22BR dies take care of that problem. Then there are only 2 or 3 companies that make 6BR brass and they are very proud of it.

I found dies, scrounged some brass and continued my research. Certain that I would likely shoot light bullets, free bore began to concern me when looking at reamers. Seating close to the lands has always suited me so again that would be my goal however reamer numbers were not adding up for me. A call to Manson Reamers resolved that nicely. I explained my intentions on light bullets and they said they could set up a reamer for me with zero free bore which they promptly did.

The barrel came off easily and cleanly which has been a crap shoot for me from rifle to rifle. I did purchase a new to me barrel vise and so far it is proving to be a good investment. Taking a hack saw to the barrel was gut wrenching to say the least but life is short so cut it was. I removed about 1-3/4 inches at the chamber end leaving a solid 24 inches with the factory target crown intact on the finished project. The barrel did suffer some rubbing and scoring in the steady rest but it's a long ways from the heart of the rifle. Haven't come up with a solution to that yet but not overly concerned as prairie dogs won't care and there are bigger fish to fry at this point.

I headed to my range with it on 9/10 and ran 15 rounds through it. Had the barrel back in the lathe on 9/12 to tighten the headspace up some. Had it back to the range on 9/13 and 9/14 and I'm pretty darned pleased with it. At this stage I've run a total of 41 rounds through it using 40 grain V-Max and 40 grain Barnes HP bullets and tried IMR 4198, H322 and Accurate 2015 along with 3 different primers. Lots of component options but the groups are shrinking.



Presently the rifle is wearing a vintage Japan made Simmons 8-32x44 complete with sunshade and target turrets. It houses a fine reticle and center dot. No Christmas tree or multi-x, just a neat old scope.

Created September 2025