This story was first published in 2010. We wanted to republish the article to celebrate our long-standing friendships, as 2024 is just hours away. Joe’s Eliseo chassis 6mmBR rifle produced some of the most amazing accuracy we’ve seen in any rifle or caliber. Amazing Accuracy with 6mmBR TubegunWhat kind of accuracy can you expect a tubegun to deliver when it is first broken in? Maybe 0.6″ at 100 yards or half-MOA, if conditions are perfect. You may want to reconsider your preconceptions regarding tubeguns and factory ammunition. The Lapua 90gr factory ammunition was shot into flat ONEs by this Eliseo R5 Repeater, smithed with a Pierce 5C barrel and a Pierce CM Action, during the break-in sessions. The gun then shot a 0.174” five-shot group in 8-14 mph wind, which was measured and witnessed by software. This would be impressive if it were a “full race” benchgun using precision handloads. It’s amazing that an across-the course rifle can shoot factory ammo. Eliseo tubegun shoots in the Ones
Joe Friedrich, a friend and expert trigger-puller, owns this accurate rifle. Joe Friedrich decided to use some Lapua 6BR factory-loaded ammo that he had in his arsenal during the initial break-in period, as his reloading tools had not yet arrived. Joe decided to test the Broughton barrel by shooting a 3-round group. To his surprise, the Eliseo R5 was able to put three rounds within 0.100”. (Photo below left). Joe cleaned the barrel once more, fired a few foulers, and then tried a four-shot group. The results were equally impressive — 4 shots in just 0.104”, but three in almost one hole (photo to the right). Joe’s Orange 6mmBR Tubegun SPECS
Chassis: Eliseo R5 repeater, equipped with Eliseo Front Sled & Rear Bag-Rider.
Gunsmithing: Pierce Engineering Ltd.
Chambering: 6mmBR Norma, .272” No-turn Neck, approx. 0.090” freebore.
Action: Pierce Engineering, Rem700 footprint, chrome-moly, fluted bolt.
Barrel: Broughton B5C (Canted Land), 27”, 1:8 twist, Medium Palma contour.
Trigger: CG Xtreme Two-Stage.
Optic: March 10–60x52mm
Ammunition: Lapua 6mmbr 90gr Scenar BT (#4316045, non-moly), 105gr Scenar BT (#4316046, non-moly ). You won’t believe how this gun shoots
Joe called your editor and said, “You won’t believe the accuracy of this gun with factory ammunition!” We arranged for a photo shoot the following afternoon so I could verify the accuracy of the rifle. It turned out that the conditions were much more difficult than when Joe had broken in the barrel the previous day. Winds were blowing 8-14 mph, and swinging 180 degrees halfway down the range. Joe opened a box Lapua 105gr factory ammunition and fired a few 90s into the Oehler Chronograph at my request. After cleaning the barrel the night before, it took four rounds to settle the barrel. Joe then got serious and, with your Editor watching over his shoulder he drilled an 0.174″ five-shot group, doping each shot. Joe thought the gun could have shot more tightly, but he missed a wind call. Serious Accuracy With a Multi-Purpose Gun
So, there you have it – a tubegun which shoots with factory ammunition. Joe says the Elesio R5 is as accurate as his 6PPC, at least when using 90s ammo. Joe said that “steering a tubegun is hardwork. You have to concentrate more than with a bench gun such as my PPC. The tubegun requires that every shot be perfect — hand position and cheek position as well as stock position in the bag. If you’re just a little off, it’s very easy to steer the weapon the wrong way.
Has Joe’s 6BR experiment been a success? The Broughton barrel 5C, while incredibly accurate, is a bad fouler. Over the first 25 or so rounds, copper built up fairly quickly. The barrel that had just been cleaned produced the best accuracy. The fouling should diminish as the barrel becomes more polished. The factory ammo is a bit slower in the barrel with the canted land. Lapua rates their 90gr naked bullet ammo with a 26″ tube at 2950 fps. In Joe’s barrel of 27.5”, we averaged only 2901 fps. We averaged 2694 fps with the 105gr factory ammunition, which is rated for 2790 fps. That’s quite disappointing. The ES of the factory ammo was also not very good, with slightly more than 50 fps on both bullet types. The overall results were still stunning. This gun is better than many long range benchrest rifles using carefully developed handloads, and it does this with factory ammo right out of box.
Joe Friedrich is a great benchrest shooter. He has won many matches, and set National Records for rimfire benchrest competitions. Joe Friedrich with his favorite.22 LR rimfire rig, “Sweet Pea”. This well-worn rifle, which has over 100,000 rounds in the Benchmark barrel set an ARA 4-target aggregate record! Sweat Pea Record – Read about it HERE.
