New Year, new... project

[Rallyshark]

The new porting should definitely breathe some new life into this gun

[YEMX]

This build will be going back together sooner than I thought.  It's still a little ways out, but since I did some of the work myself (ugly, but servicable- no one will see it anyway!), all that needs to be done is the new bolt and TP.  I made a compromise on the deeper barrel sleeve boring.  It's currently deeper than .243, so I'll be fine with that.  I've also already epoxied on the replacement sleeve, that'll be cured tomorrow. 

I may even forego the new bolt and just have a new TP made...  I really want to shoot this gun! 

[YEMX]

I was doing some thinking on that Armada chassis.  I'm not going to fill anything in.  The purpose of using an Armada chassis (other than the trigger stuff) is because it's lighter than the RAI chassis.  So unless I'm doing some trimming, I'm just going to leave it alone.  Anything I do to smooth it out or fill in holes will just add weight.  I'm still going to paint it though

JB Weld is set, and I've sanded down the joint between the new sleeve and original sleeve.  I've also thrown on a layer of paint to blend everything together...  Looks pretty darn good (to me).  So now, I'm just waiting to mail off this TP and breech to have the new TP made.  We're still discussing the bolt design...   
 

[YEMX]

Not much of an update.  I switched up the configuration of the Flex reg.

Where the tank pressure gauge is now, used to be where the fill nipple was (on the left of the gun):


Fill nipple is where the tank pressure gauge used to be (bottom):


Output pressure hole is plugged and I moved the gauge to the right side of the Brod conversion block:


I'll make the Teflon tape look more tidy once I know everything is properly sealed up.  I don't know what I was thinking putting the tank pressure gauge on the bottom    I really should have known better! 

[YEMX]

The new porting should definitely breathe some new life into this gun

I sure hope so!  I'm not sure how I missed this response! 

I really REALLY hope w/the new port size that I'll see over 100 fpe at 2800 psi.  Lets all cross our fingers! 

[Backyard Shootr]

What did you use to take the gauge off? Vice grips? 

[YEMX]

What did you use to take the gauge off? Vice grips? 

A gauge wrench I picked up from some UK airgun store.  It's a chicom gauge I had laying around...  That's just paint scuffing.  The gauge works fine (it's a little off- reads 500 psi higher).  It does look pretty bad in those pics though...

[FuzzyGrub]

I was doing some thinking on that Armada chassis.  I'm not going to fill anything in.  The purpose of using an Armada chassis (other than the trigger stuff) is because it's lighter than the RAI chassis.  So unless I'm doing some trimming, I'm just going to leave it alone.  Anything I do to smooth it out or fill in holes will just add weight.  I'm still going to paint it though

When I was considering the armada stock for my Brod, was contemplating cutting off the gauge area.  I wasn't looking at it for any significant weight savings, but more of an ergo thing.  The balance point was on that angled section, and that was never comfortable to me.   I didn't have one in my hand to see if it was feasible or would pose any structural issues, though.  Just thought I'd throw that out to ya.   

[YEMX]

When I was considering the armada stock for my Brod, was contemplating cutting off the gauge area.  I wasn't looking at it for any significant weight savings, but more of an ergo thing.  The balance point was on that angled section, and that was never comfortable to me.   I didn't have one in my hand to see if it was feasible or would pose any structural issues, though.  Just thought I'd throw that out to ya. 

I was thinking the same thing- cutting it off just behind the gauge section...  I really only need from the stock screw back.  I just want to make sure there's enough left so the chassis won't crack when the stock screw is tightened down. 

[YEMX]

So in another Brod thread, buldawg76 brought something up that's always in the back of my mind:  putting a bipod on a tank.  Even though I've done it before, I'm always kind of leery of doing it.  Which brings us to this idea that I've had floating in my head...

I'm less leery of attaching things to the Mrod's main tube...  Like, with something like a scope ring...  I've just recently found out about Accuracy Solution's "BipodEXT".  Looks interesting, to say the least.  I'm not going to pay that kind of money for a extended bipod mount though...

So I'm thinking about building my own...  I'm going to get some 35mm scope rings- I'm going to have to shim them for use on the Mrod tube though.  I'll need to figure out the telescoping CF tubes, as well as the locking latches.  The base (gun-side of this contraption) will look goofy, since it will essentially be a block of Aluminium- but I need to be able to clear the bottle.  It'll be slow going, but I'll update when I can.  The idea has grown on me, as I've seen bipod extension rails done up for the Impact and Prophet (Priest).  Plus I can put the bipod out as far as I'd like.  Fully collapsed, the bipod will sit right at the end of the bottle.  Eh, we'll see what happens. 

[YEMX]

Whew!  Now I can see why that extendable bipod mount is so dang expensive!!  After finding some appropriate materials, what Accuracy Solutions is selling them for, almost seems like a bargain! 

The plan right now is 2 sections of telescoping CF tube, w/1 lever lock.  Just for those it's about $175.  There's also the sections of M1913 rail, and then there's the 2 sets of scope rings (35mm) for about $40 to attach it to the gun... I'm still going to try to make one, but just in the CF tube, lever lock and rings, that's close to or over half the cost of the real system...   

I want to keep the sections as short as possible, so they're more rigid.  I don't want this DIY version to extend out as far as the real version- I don't need it to.  I'm interested to see how this turns out and performs!

 

[YEMX]

So, I kind of did a thing...




Full bore (.250") TP from my .357 on the left, and the one I made for this 6mm on the right.  I only used the .357 one as a basic pattern for the one I made.  The TP I made tonight fits my breech and tube VERY well...  that's why it looks so much bigger than the .357 one.  It's also .250", to match the barrel and Cothran valve.  It may not work, and I'll make another if it doesn't.  But not gonna lie.  For as simple as this TP is, I'm pretty proud of it.  *crosses fingers* I hope it works...  I really want to shoot this thing!    I'm also not going to have a new bolt made.  I'm just going to run the one I have. 

The gun is back together, I'm going to fill it tomorrow to check for leaks.  I'm still waiting for the Armada chassis.  I also installed the RAW trigger blade back into the trigger group. 

[YEMX]

I didn't check for leaks- a member here graciously donated some gauges and rubber gauge protectors to the project, so I'm going to wait for those before filling and checking for leaks.

I ordered some 35mm scope rings and some 30mm O.D. CF tube today, so I can start figuring out how I'm going to do up this DIY bipod extension thing.  How it's probably going to be assembled:

-  35mm picatinny rings on the Mrod tube
-  Section of picatinny rail
-  Aluminium drop block (don't know how tall yet- but I'm only making it as tall as absolutely needed to clear the tank)
-  Section of picatinny rail
-  DIY bipod extension using 30mm quick release rings...  Probably a section of picatinny rail on the end of the tube to mount the bipod onto. 

I definitely want to use quick release rings on the bipod extension because I want the option of quickly removing it from the rifle if I want to.  I'm going to re-purpose some 30mm quick release rings I've got for this project.  I've also changed my mind about making this a telescoping bipod extension, and I'm going to experiment with just a single tube for now...  It'll be far cheaper this way, and faster to get a working bipod extension made.   

I'm going to machine some aluminium plugs for the inside of the tube, so on one end the scope rings have something solid to compress down on (not just a hollow tube), and on the bipod end, I have something solid to thread into, for the screws to mount the picatinny rail to the CF tube.  I'm thinking I'll machine a short plug for each scope ring- they'll only be slightly longer than the scope rings are wide.  That way, I don't have a 4" long aluminium bar on one end.  That would defeat the purpose of trying to keep this bipod extension light weight...  Same goes for the bipod end- Though I think it'll be just a single, longer aluminium plug, as I don't plan on having a long section of picatinny rail at the end of the tube.  Just long enough to mount a bipod.  Anyhoo, we'll see how it goes down. 

A real quick thought about the folding stock adapter...  I really don't like that it's not locking.  I don't necessarily need it to lock, I'd just like it to not be so easy to flop around...  I've been thinking of a way to achieve this:  Use some strong neodymium magnets to just retain the stock when folded.  Simple, strong, and nothing to push to unlock.  Simply pull it.  I'm definitely going to look into this when I get the Armada chassis in.  That was another thing bugging me about this build.  Even though I NEED the stock to fold (this rifle is LONG), having the stock flop around all willy-nilly will NOT do! 

[mackeral5]

That transfer port looks great.  I believe you will be pleasantly surprised with performance.  The Cothran can now breath, and believe it or not close faster at the same time......I have a theory as to why, but let's see what happens before I elaborate....

I am anxious to see how she does now.  Probably close to as anxious ss you are.

[YEMX]

I'm excited to see how this rifle will perform... I'm REALLY hoping this TP I made works out. I've got a new tool coming that will help make a better TP if I DO need to make another one. I've got some changes in mind if this one doesn't work.

It'll be a little bit, as I have no idea when the Armada chassis will be here. But that won't take long to set up for testing purposes.

I'm also still waiting on some new gauges to show up. I really dont want to get everything sealed up just to rip it apart again... AGAIN. LOL

[YEMX]

Good news and "I kind of expected this" news... 

Good news: I got my Armada chassis today, and there's more than enough room to lop off from the gauge hole forward.  Best part is, there's more than enough meat left so the stock screw can be snugged up and won't crack.  So...





I got a little ahead of myself, and didn't take that many pictures.  Obviously, those pics are post-chop.  "I kind of expected it" news- I had to semi fill in the front section.  It was just too ugly and jagged to leave alone.  You can still make out where all the voids would have been.  I currently have filled the rest in with PC7 and am waiting for it to dry.  Tomorrow evening or even Monday, I'll go ahead and shape it the rest of the way.  Then I'll slather on some filler and call it done.

The main reason I needed to cut the chassis back is so I had room to mount those scope rings for the bipod extension.  I might get really lucky and not need a spacer block, or if I need a spacer block, it'll be relatively thin...  Anyhoo, waiting on the 35mm scope rings, and the CF tube.  I might have to get a section of pic rail or two as well.  Not sure yet.  I'll have to see.

Oh!  I also should be able to do that neodymium magnet idea!  Will definitely double check later, but it looks pretty good!

[YEMX]

I rummaged around in my random parts bin, and found some useful things...  I now have a more solid plan for this bipod extension contraption.  Also, the CF tube I ordered is 500mm long, or 19+ inches.  It'll be just long enough to put the bipod mount around the end of the tank.  Which is right where I wanted it.  I've also got wiggle room to move around on the Mrod tube, should I want the bipod more forward or back.  Not much wiggle room, but it's there.

Which brings me to a snag.  I will probably have to mill down some of the ring caps to clear the barrel.  I don't like it- those caps look thin.  But I definitely don't want the rings touching the barrel.  We'll see what's up.  I've only got a hair over 1/8" space between the barrel and the main tube.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to shave some material off the ring caps...  There's little to no flex that close to the breech though...  So hopefully I won't have to take much off, if any.

[YEMX]

I was on PA's site looking for something else and came across something interesting:  Saber Tactical makes a picatinny clamp mount for CF tanks;  I didn't know they also make a version to fit tube guns...  i.e. like the Mrod.  So- if my version doesn't work out, I'll just get one of Saber Tactical's tube clamp mounts, and I can still use the rest of my idea as far as the bipod extension.  I hope my idea will work- but if not, I have a good backup plan. 

EDIT:  Or not.  I just emailed Saber Tactical, that mount may not be long enough to do what I want it to do, and at $70 each, I'm not ordering 2 of them! 

[YEMX]

I'm not sure if this will help or confuse y'all.  Here's a bad drawing of what I have in my head with regard to the bipod extension I have:


The Armada chassis is mostly done, I've got a layer of primer on it.  Still need to smooth out the front where I cut it down.  I'll just sand that area down a bit.  I also still need to do the mods so I can add the magnets and such.  I'll post when I have more work done.

[Backyard Shootr]

JMO Seems like a lot of connection and more weight. I would think all you need is something like what they use for the FX Impact.