Author Topic: New Year, new... project (Read 9774 times))

YEMX · « **Reply #60 on:** July 05, 2020, 06:26:14 PM »

I've got a new grip on the way. I just want to be different from most- a lot of people run the Ergo grip. Nothing wrong with it, I just want to do something different. Also, I think I'm going to pull the 6mm out of the chassis- I think the tolerance on the valve screws is too tight. I can't thread the valve screws in any tighter (I don't want to force anything), and I just feel like the Brod is getting hung up there. I'm also going to spray on some OD green paint on the butt-stock. I really don't like the plain black. I'm NOT painting a full pattern though. I just want to get rid of the all black. I'm not spraying the butt-pad, or the neoprene cheek piece. Just a few spritz's of OD for some flavor.

I'm also going to put the safety back in the trigger group, now that I have to run the factory trigger blade.

Anyhoo, I'll update pics when the grip arrives.

YEMX · « **Reply #61 on:** July 05, 2020, 10:32:30 PM »

Okay, I was mostly wrong about the valve screws interfering with the fit of the Brod in the chassis. They were definitely rubbing, but not nearly as bad as I thought. I took out too much material. Oh well

I took the cheek piece and the butt-pad off, and painted the rest of the stock. I felt that the cheek piece screws really needed some washers to help spread the load- the button head is a touch too small for those slots... So I painted the washers too. All OD green. Nothing fancy. I didn't even prime anything. I did rough it up a bit with some really fine sandpaper though.

The grip I've chosen I also have on a powderburner chassis. I really like the way it feels on the PB chassis, and no one else seems to be using this grip. Again, I couldn't wait. I took the grip off the PB chassis and slapped it onto this chassis to see how it feels. Let me tell you: It. Feels. AMAZING. I can either grip it all the way around, or I can do "thumb up" grip, which is really comfortable while firing. The grip is a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it. I also think I might have to find something else to put the .357 in

Anyhoo, pics tomorrow.

YEMX · « **Reply #62 on:** July 06, 2020, 08:23:45 AM »

So here she is, back together again.

Here's the stock in O.D. green...

Okay, so the grip I chose is the "Enhanced Vertical Grip (EVG)" by MasterPiece Arms.

I really do like this grip- it's a bit pricey at $40, but I feel it's worth it. It may not be everyone's cup of tea though. It's as if the grip and chassis were designed to work together. IMO, the combination is perfection... Even though I don't like the trigger placement in the chassis, with the addition of this grip- because of the trigger finger rest (kick-out?), it spaces the trigger finger just right...

Here's a shot of why I don't like this chassis:

The trigger doesn't look good, and won't fit any aftermarket trigger blades. Like it was an afterthought. JMHO.
Oh! Fun fact: Others may have noticed this, but I didn't until this morning when I thought to myself "Oh frak, I'm gonna have to take this apart again when it comes time to tune..." Then I thought to myself *sigh* "Wouldn't it be cool if I could just adjust the hammer spring from the back?"

Well... low and behold, I can! All I have to do is fold the stock, and I get access through the folding adapter/back of chassis. I don't know why I never noticed that before! But I'm glad I looked!

I'm definitely going to find something for the .357 Brod to go into

I don't want to separate the 6mm from this chassis anymore... Anyhoo- once that LDC gets here (maybe another week or so? No biggie), I can get to tuning.

YEMX · « **Reply #63 on:** July 06, 2020, 12:40:35 PM »

Okay, last change, I promise!! Accessories (scope, LDC) don't count!

I swapped bottles with the .357 build. That Talon bottle is just too dang heavy! It totally threw the build off for me. THIS is much better! The gun feels hefty of course, but not TOO heavy. It's juuuuuuust right! Now, I can also confidently fill higher (this is a TT 3625 psi tank- older, 480cc) to get more shots. Nice. I can't wait to test this gun!!

Rallyshark · « **Reply #64 on:** July 06, 2020, 10:25:14 PM »

That looks great man! Now, what kind of numbers is this project going to produce??

YEMX · « **Reply #65 on:** July 06, 2020, 10:35:28 PM »

Quote from: Rallyshark on July 06, 2020, 10:25:14 PM

That looks great man! Now, what kind of numbers is this project going to produce??

If I remember right, it should be putting out around 120 fpe... But as soon as I get my LDC, I'll get some preliminary numbers ASAP!

Rallyshark · « **Reply #66 on:** July 06, 2020, 11:12:08 PM »

Quote from: YEMX on July 06, 2020, 10:35:28 PM

Quote from: Rallyshark on July 06, 2020, 10:25:14 PM
That looks great man! Now, what kind of numbers is this project going to produce??

If I remember right, it should be putting out around 120 fpe... But as soon as I get my LDC, I'll get some preliminary numbers ASAP!

Awesome! That should take care of business

YEMX · « **Reply #67 on:** July 06, 2020, 11:34:16 PM »

Quote from: Rallyshark on July 06, 2020, 11:12:08 PM

Awesome! That should take care of business

If it does as well as the math says it should, this will give the .257 a run for it's money! The whole reason Bob suggested this build is there were parts available (barrel and mold), and all the math seems to indicate that this should ballistically perform like the 257420, but be more efficient. I believe the mold I have is a shrunk down 257420 design... If the solid slugs perform well, I'll either send my mold in to Eric to have one cavity hollowpointed or just get another 2 cavity mold and have that whole mold hollowpointed... Not sure yet. I can't wait to test! Hollowpoint 6mm slugs should be DEVASTATING on varmints.

YEMX · « **Reply #68 on:** July 07, 2020, 10:20:44 PM »

I'm gonna have 700 more slugs cast for me for this project soon- That'll bring my count to 1,000 slugs in all. I'm going to send a few down range for tuning, so I should have more than enough slugs to last me a while. I'm not currently set up for casting right now. I have a PID controller that I have to hook up to my casting pot... Then I have to go through my lead- Unfortunately, I think most of my lead is unusable for airguns, as it's too hard. I wasn't that good at casting before, and it's been many years since I've done it. So I'm behind the power curve...

YEMX · « **Reply #69 on:** July 09, 2020, 11:53:28 PM »

Wow... So I've been reviewing some older threads (Mostly Bob's works), and this 6mm started life back in '17

I've sent the mold off, so I can get more slugs cast. I was fiddling with the old Lee 10# pot, and it's... Well, lets just say it's going to take some work to bring it back. I'm going to reserve it for casting ingots. It took me a while, but I found a Lee 4 20 pot, and ordered it. I can't keep buying slugs- I bought molds for a reason dang it!

Anyhoo, I digress. This project has been on the board for quite a while! I can't wait to test it!

Rallyshark · « **Reply #70 on:** July 10, 2020, 12:35:00 AM »

We're waiting for you to test it too

YEMX · « **Reply #71 on:** July 11, 2020, 01:33:53 PM »

Ooooh, Shucky Duck!! Just got a shipment notification from Neil Clague!!! Soon!!! *EVIL LAUGHTER*

YEMX · « **Reply #72 on:** July 15, 2020, 07:04:48 PM »

The LDC came in today!!

Y'know, it just wouldn't be a "Tom Project" if I didn't screw something up right at the end

So in my haste, I thought the CF tank and the AF tank I was using were the same length. I did all the LDC measurements when the AF tank was on the gun. Because of course

Anyhoo, I could have had another 3" or more behind the muzzle for some more help with sound suppression. So this rifle won't be as quiet as it could be. Oh well- I'm not ordering another one. Again- sorry for the bad pics. I'm going to wrap the LDC and barrel. I don't want to paint anymore.

Folded the rifle is 41.75" OAL:

With the stock extended it's 52.75" OAL:

Rallyshark · « **Reply #73 on:** July 15, 2020, 08:43:19 PM »

Looks solid, still waiting on testing results

YEMX · « **Reply #74 on:** July 17, 2020, 01:41:26 AM »

I had to re-slug my barrel- I can't find my notes

Anyhoo, The barrel slugged out at a hair over .243... So I'm going to size the initial slugs at .243. After I get the pressure and spring tension set, I'll size some at .242 to see how they group... Getting closer to testing!! I can't wait!

YEMX · « **Reply #75 on:** July 17, 2020, 11:19:40 AM »

125 "Bowman" slugs, sized to .243. These are non-lubricated. I weighed 10 random slugs, and they all weighed 4 grams. Converted, that's 61.7 grains. Not too shabby! Next I'm going to double check how much air I have in my Great White and lay out everything I'm going to need/bring this weekend... Ooooh, shucky duck! Almost ready to post numbers!!

The next batch I'll lube... I'll keep y'all posted!

mackeral5 · « **Reply #76 on:** July 17, 2020, 01:47:05 PM »

Looking forward to your results. 6mm is an interesting caliber.

YEMX · « **Reply #77 on:** July 17, 2020, 08:13:13 PM »

Quote from: mackeral5 on July 17, 2020, 01:47:05 PM

Looking forward to your results. 6mm is an interesting caliber.

Same- this project has been in the works for well over 2 years- maybe even 3 years.

I think I'm going to set the reg at 2800 psi. I was reviewing Bob's original 6mm build thread, and when he crunched his numbers, it was for 3k psi and a 24" barrel for a hair under 140 fpe. But that's a "lofty goal"... So he felt a 28" barrel would be the better choice at the same psi. SWAG says 2.8k psi w/a 26" barrel should yield me at least 120 fpe. I didn't crunch any numbers... Just SWAG.

I guess we'll see. I mean, a lot can be done w/120 fpe. If I can get another mold, I'm going to send it off to Eric and have him hollowpoint it for me. THAT'S what I'm really interested in... Slightly lighter, but probably still more than the 46 gr pills available. Those will be interesting.

Great White is full, I had to re-assemble the 6mm (I partially disassembled to slug the barrel), and re-apply some teflon tape, and tighten down the larger gauge. I also changed the orientation of the reg a little... I had a small leak somewhere. So I'll fire up the shoebox in a bit (I wanted to give it a rest for an hour) and fill the gun. I'll set the reg to 2800 psi, and leave it over night to see if it loses any air. If I do, I'll get some soapy water and start testing. Since the gun was partially disassembled, I went ahead and did a half-arsed spray bomb. Just a solid color- I just wanted to break up the solid black of the LDC and the shiny CF sleeve. I really don't like the pattern/color of the wrap I bought this go around... Also, this stuff feels so flimsy. I won't be buying this brand again, that's for sure. But it's a good, quick covering for stuff that I can then hit w/some spray paint if I want to.

I'm really leaning towards getting a Tiger Shark with a tether valve for these test/tune sessions... Then I can keep the Great White as a back up just in case. The next 3 projects are all going to be slug/heavy pellet shooters: This 6mm, .357 Brod bullpup and my 7mm build. Gonna need a lot of air!! It might soon be time to upgrade my compressor!! *sigh* If I do, it's going to be between a Alpha90 or a Bauer... I'm leaning towards a Bauer that uses a gas engine (or maybe diesel?) to power it... *sigh*

YEMX · « **Reply #78 on:** July 17, 2020, 08:41:36 PM »

I adjusted the reg so that the output psi gauge is on the right... Tank pressure is on the bottom. Burst discs are all aimed away from the scope and barrel. Fill nipple is on the left.

Output pressure gauge:

You can see the gauge and fill nipple are kinda angled:

Barrel sleeve and LDC hastily painted:

YEMX · « **Reply #79 on:** July 18, 2020, 10:41:13 AM »

I had an "oops" yesterday- quite frustrating. I was correcting the color of this terrible camo tape from Amazon, and got a little over spray on the smaller gauge on my reg. "No biggie!" says I, and proceed to try to wipe the paint off with some Acetone. SMH [Morgan Freeman narrates: it's at this moment Tom realizes he's an idiot]. I didn't know the acetone would fog the clear plastic of the gauge... I really do feel stupid. I lightly sanded the gauge face down with 1500 grit sand paper to try to salvage the gauge, but no joy. I did get it clear enough to JUST make out the numbers though, so I used this opportunity to see if I sealed everything up well. LOL, well of COURSE I did!! Because now I'm going to have to replace the gauge

It's always something with my builds... It's fine though- the gauge face is ruined, it looks like there's hairline cracks in the formerly clear face plate; the gauge is too small for me anyway. So it's a good opportunity to just swap it out. Not really a huge deal. I replaced it with a normal sized gauge that's easier to read. All is well.

I also said frak it, and set the reg to 2800 psi. Bob's charts are probably spot on, and I should set the reg to 3k, but I might be able to eek out a few more shots at a lower fpe... I mean, I'm already going to see less fpe due to the shorter barrel. Again, 120 fpe is my goal. If I get more, cool. But I'm only looking to stretch this out to a MAX of 200 yards. On small game, I'm not sure if I need more than 120 fpe at the muzzle. Not sure how much fpe it will be at 100 or 200 yards, but surely it'll be more than enough to kill either a prairie dog or woodchuck... Of course, it may not be enough to allow a HP to expand. But I guess we'll just have to see, won't we?

Anyhoo, I'm currently filling the gun- I want to have a completely full gun and a full re-fill tank before starting today. From 0 to full in about 15+ minutes (maybe it was 20 min.)! I love this Shoebox more and more everyday

*sigh* Of course adulting rears it's ugly head to ruin our best laid plans... I'll post numbers sometime this weekend.

Thank you to our advertisers!

New Year, new... project

Author Topic: New Year, new... project (Read 9774 times))