Well it's been 15 months since I first ordered the parts. I was trying for something solid with the possibility of doing a switch barrel non-mag/mag combo. Enter the bighorn action.

I haven't yet ventured into loading ammo so thinking availability/affordability was forefront in my mind. Enter the 30-06.

After I had all my parts I was really tempted to first start with the 28 nosler, but decided to not scratch that itch yet.

I shipped everything off to Tim Cronin of Elkhorn Precision and before long it all came back!

I'm not fully set on the scope but for now I think it fits the package well.

Specs

-Bighorn SR2 long action.
-Manners EH6 w/ BDL chassis
-Bartlein 2b
-Hawk Hill bottom metal
-Jewel trigger
-Murphy Precision 2 piece base
-Nightforce 2.5-10x42 w/ ultralight rings

Sorry for the bad pic, but all I have for the moment.


The barrel came out a little shorter than desired. Curious what chrono readings people have seen with factory 30-06 ammo with abut a 21" barrel?

Wow! That turned out great.

The 21" tube isn't a deal breaker and I wouldn't change the scope unless you aren't going to dial. Even then, the illumination is a nice luxury.

Sad thing is that I went shooting today. Had I only waited I may have made it out with this rifle. However, the UPS man never makes it to my house as early as he did today.

Gled, my 30-06 has a 22.75 inch barrel. I can get 2900 with 165s and H4350 and 2800 with 180s and H4350. I'm not leaning on it hard, no pressure signs or anything.

Those are handloads, not factory, but I would still expect more than 2800 with 165s and 2700 with 180s.

Looks great BTW! I'm guessing around 6.75 lbs sans scope?

Looks great! Really diggin' that stock.

Even though the barrel length is shorter than hoped and the pic bipod rail was longer than expected I'm certainly liking it.

The scope is awesome. I know 10x is enough, but I do like extra mag.



Thanks for the info Joe. Your guess on weight would have been about spot on, but the are a few unknowns adding extra weight. Like the BDL chassis, pic rail, and two flush cups with the stock.

It was 7.4# sans scope.



The stock is awesome. Extremely glad I went with it.

I am considering an EH6, if you could snag a few photos from all around I'd owe you a 6-pack should we ever meet!

Looks good! What does it weigh? Where does it balance? And how does it shoot?

Hopefully this helps to some degree.

That is a great stock. Thanks very much for the pictures!

That's a beauty. Bet it shoots like crazy too. I've spoke with Tim on the phone several times and he seems like a real nice guy.

Nice rifle...what color is the stock, midnight? I like it...

Awesome build!! Everything about that is 1st class, congrats to you. Need to see that one propped up on a big bull elk:)

Very nice - Tim is a hell of a nice guy and even better gunsmith!!!

Did you use the 30-06 Serengetti reamer?? I am collecting parts as we speak to build a 30-06... gotta love that caliber!!

I like that.

is that a hawkins bottom metal or a hawk hill as stated in your text

Not stepping on OP's toes, just helping out...but that is Hawkins Precision bottom metal....Hawk Hill makes barrels!!

www.hawkinsprecision.com


www.hawkhillcustom.com

Lots of good people in the industry and Tim is certainly one of them.



Yes it's the midnight camo.



Agreed, just need to draw the tag



Nothing special on this one. There's a lot of love for the 30-06, it's my first time owning the cartridge.



I stand corrected. It's the hawkins bottom metal. Good catch.

I guess it'd be OK for truck gun........

Just kidding, I really like everything about it.

Nice stick! Tim is a great guy to deal with..

Nice rig. Stainless barrel and stock look great!

That is a really good looking build...and I know you've had a few prior. Glad you went with a custom action?

Thanks everybody. I'm real happy with the way this one turned out and am excited to get it out and shoot it. The Bighorn action is super sweet and the EH6 shoulders well and feels great!



Yes, I decided a while ago I would build a rifle to pass on to each of my children.



I'm at 3 and my wife still wants one more. I'm a little unsure but what's a man to do?

Very nice, good man!

I'd just "practice" making babies and actually build more rilfles.........

Talk about a do all hunting rig. Nice build, enjoy....I am just looking at it. Very very nice. Congrats.

Awesome, one of my favorite builds I've seen in awhile. Is the hawkins bm steel or aluminum?

Sound advice.



It is aluminum.

Nice setup you got there.

Nice work! Can't wait to hear how it shoots.

I just ordered the Bighorn Arms SR2 SA and I can't wait to get my hands on it...building a .260 for my youngest kid (the only rifle I'm going to buy/build for him).

Easy.......that turned out very nice!

How's she shoot??

You'll love the bighorn.



As luck would have it, snowstorms keep hitting on the days I have off. Itching to get out there.

Finally took her out today. I would say she shoots well for the first time out. Here is the only 3 shot group I did after getting it sighted in. I only put 6 rounds total. Thinking I may want a higher power scope.

Factory 165 gr NAB




Had a first for me today. As you can see I'm shooting prone out of the bed of my truck. A truck pulls up next to me, so I pop my head up a few time trying to determine what he is doing. After a few seconds he gets out of his truck and is starting to walk down range (mind you this is a one person lane). I yell, "what are you doing?". I startled him to the point he said he almost drew his weapon on me. OK? Then tells me he didn't know anyone was there. My remark, "was the truck not a good enough indicator?" Of course not, he then goes on to tell me that I remind him of this mass murderer who shot people lying in their vehicle just as I was.

Ha ha, Who the heck was this joker?

Tough neighborhood LOL!


Nice rifle!

So what action is your favorite and why? Borden, Defiance, and Bighorn. Nice choices!

Compare/contrast

Now go buy some darn reloading equipment ha!

Easy...which reticle are you using?

They are all nice obviously and do what they should, but I would give the nod to bighorn.

The integral lug and bolt head swap were a couple reasons I went with it. It's the smoothest of the three and I like it's handle.

I also like the Borden's handle and it has the better bolt lift, but it's also the only two piece of the three.

I thought if I built again I would use the defiance lightweight hunter, now I'm not sure.





MOAR

Can someone educate on me on the mini-chassis thing?

I was on the phone with manners about it, sounds like a machined aluminum block they inlet into the stock, and according to manners, eliminates the need for stock bedding.

They also said it adds around 12oz to the stock weight, which sounds pretty significant for a light stock like this. What has your experience been?

Congrats on a very nice rifle. I've been thinking over which action to use for my 2017 build and am leaning more towards a Bighorn every time I read a review of one. Thanks for posting.

Beltway Sniper

David

21 or 22" is my favorite 30-06 barrel length, and my favorite all-time 30-06 had a 21" barrel. Velocity readings were within 20 fps prior to cutting it from its original length.

Any rifle that will shoot a 165 NAB like that is a keeper... that bullet is not one for small groups usually.