Seventh Custom Rifle
- Marlin XS7 Action
- Green Mountain Barrel
- Caliber 221 Fireball
- Twist 1:12
January 2025
Happy with the 221 Fireball that I built in 24 I decided to build a heavy bench version for Prairie Dog hunting. I repurposed the stock from the 204 Ruger built in 2017 because that rifle doesn't go to the PD fields anymore. Sitting on top of the ladder rack 6 or 7 feet from my brother, the rifle is just too loud. Well that and it eats way more powder than required to kill a PD. And at today's powder prices that makes a difference.
Started with a fresh new barrel from Green Mountain
The following pictures kind of summarize the steps involved.
I did ream the chamber with the lathe off and simply turned the tap handle by hand. Long slow process but I got chatter right out of the gate so I took the safe route.
Since I did not epoxy bed the action for the 204 I thought I would do that now for the 221. Always a little scary but always works out fine. Would have liked a little more product under the barrel nut but just didn't pile it quite high enough to cause it to spread out as much as I wanted. Still should work just fine.
Test fired the rifle on 1/20/25 and all went as epected. The new Lapua case that I used to set head space appears to have been half a thousanth longer than the loaded round I fired but I'm fine with that. Nice tight chamber.
New Lapua case
Fired case
With any luck, the weather will warm up enough to go through the break in procedure later this week.
It was 10 degrees below zero this morning.
Created on January 2025