[Ericbc7]

Nice project dog!
One comment on wet tumbling (which I do after nearly every firing to clean primer pockets) use plenty of media.  I use about 15 lbs of ss pins in my Frankfort arsenal tumbler and plan to buy 10 lbs more.  More pins = less damage to brass and better cleaning in my opinion.  I think lots of the “dulling” of case mouths are a result of cases hitting each other not the pins peening the brass.  More media is the way to go.  I started with a harbor freight dual drum rock tumbler (which I now use for moly coating) and I never see case damage with that small volume tumbler.  I think that is because the cases don't fall far and the volume/pin ratio is low.

I will follow this with interest!
-Eric

[Ericbc7]

Welcome sheppe! Glad you stopped by!

I would recommend you take some time and browse the older posts -lots of great info there.  Post any questions you like and we are happy to have more looks to discuss the best off-the -shelf rifles anyone is likely to find!

-Eric

[Ericbc7]

Well 100 rnds of Lapua .223 69 gr scenar-L arrived and I shot 30+ rounds at 97 and 197 yds and I will say that if I had the budget I would buy 1k of this ammo!  3/4 in at 197  Yds ( our range has been “fixed” to deal with imaginary concerns which shortened shooting lanes by 3 yards).  If you have the coin and like Lapua brass, you should buy this ammo!  I look forward to trying to Match it with my reloads!

My only concern is that it is not as fast as I would try for on my handloads.

Great tip SirVille!!

Grafs still has it on sale.

[Ericbc7]

I am also very interested in the 9.3×62 a with great Lapua brass so reasonable, only bullet selection is limiting here in the states.  I have read great things about the cartridge – I just wish the case was a tad bigger.

[Ericbc7]

I like long barrels so the varmint gets my vote as well, $100-150 to get it threaded and your still ahead of the game.  I also like the standard bottom “metal” format- meaning the soon to come aftermarket mags will make the CTR mag the less flexible option (perhaps).  I would recommend the MT aluminum bottom “metal” as it really “crisps” up the action bolt seating.
– Eric

[Ericbc7]

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
-Eric

[Ericbc7]

I have put picatinny rails on all my Tikkas which eliminates this potential problem and gives me quite a bit of flexibility on scope position.  Mountain Tactical has some very nice rails for the T3.

[Ericbc7]

Hi gehlsurf and welcome!
The Tac is a fine rifle, the Sporter is nice but costly – you might want to look at the CTR – threaded & 10 shot mags.

Good luck!
-Eric

[Ericbc7]

I just bought one of the barrelcool fans and it seems to be fairly well built.  It does not move as much air as an air mattress inflator pump – which some guys have rigged up with vinyl tubing and a bore guide to achieve a similar effect.  It is interesting to note that just opening the action and placing the rifle near vertical (muzzle up) will create a significant “chimney” effect and draw cooler air through the bore much better than leaving the rifle on the bags horizontally – works almost as well as the fans I believe.  Of course you need a rack or bench handy to do this but my point is that the fans allow you to leave the rifle horizontal rather than giving a large advantage in cooling time over the chimney effect.  Also I should mention that I have not used my barrelcool tool (other than to see that it works at all) so I may be mistaken in how it compares to the chimney.

I will update when I get a chance to give it a real test.

interesting method Dogdown! I like it though it seems I never have ice when I need it.
keep hydrated! – Eric
p.s.  The barrelcool fans can be shipped to the UK, but the the seller can't include more than 3 batteries with the shipment due to airline restrictions – so if you order 2 or 3 to save on shipping you only get batteries for one of them I believe.

[Ericbc7]

If your going to rebarrel it immediately, you may want to keep looking for a donor action from a used T3 – They are often in good shape and MT can spin on any barrel you like.  For example I just saw a T3 light in .270WSM used (looked new) for $499 – obviously won't work for your project but just saying some deals are out there.

I would advise not to go with the RH action if your a lefty – you will curse that thing every time you need a fast followup shot…
Good luck friend, -Eric

[Ericbc7]

That is a tough question… buyers look at the market and compare features, sellers look at what they have into the piece – I don't know what comparable rigs go for, but what I like to see is when a seller lists the features or upgrades with the associated retail price (no need to say what you may have actually paid) and then provides a “package” price with all the discounts you are willing to make.  If your in a bidding situation, set your reserve for the discounted price and see if the bids take off.  Any pictures that highlight valuable features are a help, like pics of a good group with load data or winning score cards, etc.

I wish I could be more helpful, but I have a marginal history when it comes to pricing firearms (meaning I pay too much usually).  I look at several gun auction sites and popular forum market places to get an idea of the going prices.

Good luck Dcdavid!
-Eric

[Ericbc7]

That is a nice package! I would advertise by getting some good pictures of gun and a target and pretty much describe as you did here.  I am not in the market or I would be interested.

Good luck friend!
– Eric

[Ericbc7]

Good long range cartridge!  I don't have first hand experience with it but the T3 has a 1:10 twist so you could use up to a Berger 150 hunting VLD (according to Berger's site).  You might want to have a brake installed for recoil management.
Good shooting – Eric

[Ericbc7]

I look forward to the pictures!

[Ericbc7]

Very nice!