I know a couple people requested some pictures of the muzzle brake a while back. So I figured I'd update with some additional pictures and where I'm at with the project.
Not counting optics I have about $439 into this rifle.
$199 purchase price
$150 Boyds stock
$35 Tubb's Final Finish fire lapping system
$27 muzzle brake from Amazon
$20 bolt knob from ebay
$8 JB Weld for bedding action
I'll preface by saying that I work in IT and have never done any of this kind of gun work before. I was nervous doing most of it, especially threading the barrel and grinding off the original bolt knob.
Bedding the action took way longer than I anticipated. Probably around 12 hours by the time I finished. The Dremel work cleaning up took the longest. But so far that seems to have had the best accuracy results. Probably 1/4 inch better at 100 yards.
It's hard to tell with the Tubb's system if it increased accuracy much yet. My barrel was dang hot after shooting the 50 polishing rounds needed. I was trying to give the barrel time to cool, but it was hot outside yesterday and I was in the direct sun so it didn't cool off much. I do seem to have less "flyers" after doing it though. I'm hoping it pays dividends when I learn what I'm doing better with reloading.
Since I started my accuracy testing with cheap Prvi ammo, that's what I'm still using to keep it consistent. I went out yesterday and shooting off of a wiggly bench (folding leg card table) every 3 shot group was under 1 inch at 100 yards. Many touching holes. I measured a few groups with my calipers. If I had to guess I would say average is .75-.80 inch 3 shot groups with the cheap Prvi ammo. That's measuring center to center which I believe is how you guys do it.
So far, I have no regrets with my modifications. My next steps are to learn what I'm doing better with reloading and seeing if I can work up an accurate load. If I could get to .5 inch with a $199 rifle, I would be pretty ecstatic.
Scope is SWFA and I'm using cheap UTG rings if anyone was interested in that.
Honestly the only thing I'm not thrilled with about the rifle is the trigger. Remington is truthful when they say 2 1/2 pound adjustable trigger. In fact, mine measures right below that. I just don't care for the trigger that moves inside of the other part of the trigger. Because as soon as that 2nd piece of the trigger moves the rifle fires. It's harder for me to resist the urge to flinch when I know when the gun will recoil. It doesn't even recoil hard with the brake on. But I prefer to be "surprised" when the rifle fires. That's not possible with this trigger. I did just order some Snap Caps to help and hopefully I can get used to this trigger. It's probably just my style of how I shoot bolt action guns from a bench. But I don't like to know when it's going to fire. Not knowing helps me to not flinch.
Good view of the new bolt knob.
Boyds Pro Varmint with adjustable comb.
Muzzle brake
Threading for the muzzle brake.
Also, using my home made rifle vise I wrote about here:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/my-memorial-weekend-gun-project-pics-included-154553/