Building a custom rifle is a rewarding experience, allowing you to tailor a firearm precisely to your needs and preferences. This guide focuses on constructing a 6mm Dasher, a popular cartridge known for its exceptional accuracy and long-range capabilities. We'll cover everything from choosing components to final assembly, emphasizing best practices for a successful build. Understanding the 6mm Dasher's ballistic characteristics will be key to selecting the right components.
Choosing Your 6mm Dasher Components: The Foundation of Success
Selecting the right components is crucial for building a high-performing 6mm Dasher rifle. Compromising on quality here can significantly impact accuracy and overall reliability.
1. The Action: The Heart of Your Rifle
The action forms the foundation of your rifle. Popular choices for a 6mm Dasher build include:
- Remington 700: A classic, reliable platform readily available and widely supported by aftermarket parts. Its robust design handles the 6mm Dasher's pressure comfortably.
- Savage Actions: Known for their accuracy and ease of use, Savage actions are a popular choice among custom rifle builders. Their adjustable headspace is a significant advantage.
- Custom Actions: For the ultimate in customization, consider a custom action from manufacturers like Stiller, Surgeon, or Defiance. These offer superior features and tolerances, but come at a premium price.
Considerations: When choosing your action, consider its material (steel or aluminum), its overall weight, and its compatibility with aftermarket parts. Ensure it's rated for the 6mm Dasher's pressure.
2. The Barrel: The Key to Accuracy
The barrel plays a critical role in the accuracy of your 6mm Dasher. Key considerations include:
- Barrel Length: A 24-28 inch barrel is commonly used, offering a balance between velocity and overall weight. Longer barrels generally yield higher velocities.
- Barrel Material: Stainless steel is a popular choice for its durability and resistance to corrosion. Chromium-molybdenum steel (416R or 4140) are also common and offer excellent accuracy.
- Barrel Contour: The barrel contour influences the rifle's weight and balance. Heavy contours offer better heat dissipation, while lighter contours reduce weight. Popular contours include varmint, sporter, and heavy varmint.
- Twist Rate: The twist rate should be chosen based on the bullet weight you intend to use. A 1:7.7" or 1:8" twist rate is suitable for most 6mm Dasher bullets.
Considerations: The barrel should be carefully selected to achieve optimal accuracy with your chosen ammunition. Consider the stiffness of the barrel to minimize harmonic vibrations.
3. The Stock: Ergonomics and Stability
The stock is crucial for ergonomics and stability. Consider:
- Stock Material: Synthetic stocks are lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant. Wooden stocks provide a classic look and feel but require more maintenance.
- Stock Design: The stock's design should be comfortable for your shooting style. Consider features like adjustable cheek rests, length-of-pull adjustments, and recoil pads.
- Stock Bedding: Proper bedding of the action in the stock is critical for accuracy. This ensures a consistent point of impact and prevents shifting during recoil.
Considerations: Choose a stock that complements the overall weight and balance of your rifle. Proper bedding is essential for accuracy.
4. The Trigger: Control and Precision
A crisp, adjustable trigger is vital for accurate shot placement. Consider aftermarket triggers from manufacturers such as Timney, Jewell, or TriggerTech.
Considerations: A properly adjusted trigger should break cleanly and consistently without creep or overtravel.
5. The Bottom Metal: Magazine and Feed System
The bottom metal houses the magazine and influences feeding reliability. A detachable magazine system is preferred for convenience.
Considerations: Ensure the bottom metal is compatible with your chosen action and magazine type. AAI Precision, Accurate-Mag, and MDT are reputable manufacturers.
Assembling Your 6mm Dasher: A Step-by-Step Guide
This section provides a simplified overview. Always consult detailed instructions from your chosen components' manufacturers. Improper assembly can lead to dangerous malfunctions.
- Action Trueing (If Necessary): If using a Remington 700 action, it might benefit from trueing to ensure squareness and consistent headspace.
- Barrel Installation: The barrel is threaded onto the action and torqued to the manufacturer's specifications. This step requires precision and the correct tools.
- Headspace Adjustment: Proper headspace is crucial for safety and reliability. A headspace gauge should be used to ensure correct dimensions.
- Stock Bedding: The action is bedded into the stock using epoxy or other bedding compounds. This ensures a solid, vibration-free connection.
- Trigger Installation: The trigger is installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Bottom Metal Installation: The bottom metal is installed and secured.
- Action Bolt Assembly: The bolt assembly will be put in according to manufacturer specifications. Check for proper function.
- Final Assembly and Testing: All components are assembled, and the rifle is checked for function and accuracy.
Zeroing Your 6mm Dasher and Ammunition Selection
After assembly, carefully zero your rifle at various ranges, noting any changes in point of impact (POI). Experiment with different ammunition loads to determine optimal performance with your specific build.
Conclusion: A Personalized Precision Instrument
Building your own 6mm Dasher is a challenging but fulfilling project. By meticulously selecting high-quality components and following proper assembly techniques, you can create a precision instrument tailored to your specific needs and shooting style. Remember safety is paramount throughout the entire process. Always consult with experienced gunsmiths if you're unsure about any steps.