The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Looking great. Look forward to seeing how it shoots. No fine pitch M6's in my rack I'm afraid... Lots of FP M5's. But no M6's

bradaz11 wrote:well there is scope for another 2

Ok, alright then

Project M54S had some range time yesterday evening and yes, it shoots. This card was shot off a piece of wood for a rest, with a blurry 3.bowl ish magnification scope to confirm zero and I know I pulled the last of 10 which broke the line. 100 ex100 scored.

It does not have the same 'Ting' of the centre-fire version when shot and apart from needing some slightly higher rings as the cheek weld is a tad too firm for my liking it was as close to perfect as I could hope for being a prototype. In fact, other than changing the aesthetics of the slot pattern on the front end and using a reamer instead of boring the tube, plus fitting the correct length action screws, I will change nothing on the next one.

Yes, I know that is not the correct butt pad however I ran out of time this evening so I will replace it at the weekend.

I have a feeling I will have to find a replacement 'scope and rings for it at some point. :)

LSR? I shot a 49 ex 50 first time with it, although I did drop to a 46 after that. Regardless, I reckon it will make a fine LSR rifle and a mean rimfire Bench Rest rifle as well if needed.

Good job well done. It looks the business.

So when can I place my order?

Pippin89 wrote:So when can I place my order?

There is nothing I would like more than to build a handful of these, however there are way too many variables and top of the list is market value. I know how many manufacturing and design hours I have on the job and that is before I add things such as Cerakote finish and laser logo work. On top of this there are bespoke specifics such as would it be for a 54 or a 64 and do I need to supply the donor rifle, does it need front and rear riders for Bench Rest, type of scope rail, bipod mounts etc.

The bottom line is I would struggle to compete against the mass produced and foreign sourced rifle chassis, especially if I was to only make half a dozen. Having said that, I am not sure if anyone actually builds a chassis system like this.

Right now, my guess would be around GBP1,000 for for a finished and painted chassis system with the customer's barrelled action installed and ready to go. A lot of money...

Ovenpaa wrote:

Pippin89 wrote:So when can I place my order?

There is nothing I would like more than to build a handful of these, however there are way too many variables and top of the list is market value. I know how many manufacturing and design hours I have on the job and that is before I add things such as Cerakote finish and laser logo work. On top of this there are bespoke specifics such as would it be for a 54 or a 64 and do I need to supply the donor rifle, does it need front and rear riders for Bench Rest, type of scope rail, bipod mounts etc.

The bottom line is I would struggle to compete against the mass produced and foreign sourced rifle chassis, especially if I was to only make half a dozen. Having said that, I am not sure if anyone actually builds a chassis system like this.

Right now, my guess would be around GBP1,000 for for a finished and painted chassis system with the customer's barrelled action installed and ready to go. A lot of money...

To be honest for a low volume, hand made chassis of that quality I think £1k is pretty reasonable. It might make the mini rifle chaps/chapesses wince but for those of us used to System Gemini stocks and the like.... Plenty of serious LSR / BR guys would happily spend that for a decent stock when you show them the test cards you've shot.

Project M54S-430 - Nearly a conclusion.

Finally we were able to take the M54S chassis rifle out for a test at 50 metres this afternoon, freezing cold it was.

A few things have changed, we fluted the barrel for an instant 450 gram weight saving. Yes, I always said I would leave it as it was, however I needed to get the centre of balance back so 7x6mm flutes later and approaching 10% of the rifle weight was gone which leads me onto the final (ish) statistics:

All up weight including 'scope and rings: 4235 grams
Excluding above: 3786 grams
Complete chassis ex barrelled action: 1096 grams

My view is I can still drop another 100 grams with ease, if not more.

Finally, did it shoot after the fluting? Too right it did! About all I need to do now is find a more vertical grip and put some paint on it. One final thing, it is now wearing a 75MOA rail so it is a 400 yard rifle if needed :)

It was fun.

Take care all.

I think you have done a fantastic job. Love the pictures.

What an amazing project.

While I was expecting the engineering to be great I wasn't sure what the aesthetics would be like, as it is that looks a wonderful.

Then again I am not precious about wooden stocks.