OK. A month to the day, and that was with waiting on a custom stencil for the barrel engraving, I picked up the 6.5SLR.
I lost more than the 4lbs I hoped to. I actually lost 5lbs 1oz after all was completed. From 15lbs 9oz scoped to 10lbs 8oz scoped.
Scale was bouncing between 10lbs 7oz and 10lbs 8oz.
A couple quick photos after slapping the scope on and boresighting. I will hopefully get some better outdoor photos this weekend if I get caught up on reloading.
I didn't do the bolt handle skeletonizing after all. But I think it turned out amazing.
Feels like the new chamber is about .001" shorter than the old one. Pretty good, as the previously FL sized cases still fit and you can just barely feel the bolt close stiffer. A fired case will not close, but I didn't muscle it. So I will set my die about .001" deeper and go to town on FL sizing the 200 or so fired cases I have. I will test my other loaded rounds to see how the new barrel likes them and go from there. About 250 still loaded up. 100 @ 140 HVLD full power hunting loads, 100 @ 140 HVLD light target loads, and 50 @ full power 127 LRX hunting loads. I am anxious to see how much speed has changed by taking off 6" of barrel length.
Phx Custom Rifles did another great job.