Battle of entry level custom actions

[Muzzprong]

I shoot a Terminus Apollo LT and really like it. I think the only difference is the LT is made to be lighter. The 60* bolt throw is nice. Never paid much attention to that in a action but it is a game changer with low scope rings especially being left handed with scope throw levers.

 

[7MMMAG]

if you search on here "nucleus preferred" (without the quotes) someone said that they had one made.

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/preferred-barrel-blanks-insight.237087/#post-2304739 post 4

pva as well https://patriotvalleyarms.com/rock-creek-custom-prefit-barrels/

I just saw it won’t accept BDL, that option is out for me but I’m sure it’s great.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Kelbly's can be had for under a grand in a multitude of configurations.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Keep in mind how you plan on feeding it, be it bdl or magazine. Not all of them can do both.

Trying to keep up with the latest jargon, What is bdl?

 

[wind gypsy]

I’m particular to lone peak just because of how smooth they run. For a hunting action where weight is a factor I’d be hard pressed to overlook a defiance anti.

 

[Lawnboi]

Trying to keep up with the latest jargon, What is bdl?

A hinged floor plate that must be loaded from above, vs a magazine.

 

[Bubblehide]

which actions have the shorter bolt throw?

You can add Curtis to that list

 

[ChrisAU]

Any one know the bolt throw (*) of the Origin and the Tenacity? I know the Nucleus is 80*.

 

[XLR]

Call the gunsmith that you are going to use and see what they like the best. Yea the 60 degrees bolt throw is cool but the 90 degree is normally a little bit smoother. I will guarantee whether you get a Defiance, lone peak, Kelbly, Bat, impact, or any other custom action you are going to be happy with it! All of these are big manufacturers and they have gotten their reputation for a reason! Check availability too..... that is the hard part right now with the custom rifle industry being so swamped!

 

[Lawnboi]

Any one know the bolt throw (*) of the Origin and the Tenacity? I know the Nucleus is 80*.

Tenacity is 90. I’d get the anti over the tenacity if it’s for a hunting gun, atleast I would have if they were avaliable when I got my tenacity.

I’d also get an action that’s already coated/treated. Just makes everything easier, one last thing to hold up the build process.

My current dream build is a nucleus in a manners LRH and a couple barrels and bolt heads.

 

[Aggies2014]

I’ve had a defiance tenacity, kelbly atlas tactical, and a few others. The tenacity was really smooth however I found once dirt and sand got into the action it struggled. The kelbly atlas tactical is my go to hunting action.

 

[tam9492]

Any opinions on the Mesa Summit? Looks like they’re readily available.

 

[7MMMAG]

Any opinions on the Mesa Summit? Looks like they’re readily available.

Integral lug, accepts Wyatt magazine and has 75 degree bolt throw, rem 700 footprint. I just haven’t heard as much about them as I have defiance, arc, zermatt and terminus. I only knew of them because AG composites builds their stocks

 

[tam9492]

Integral lug, accepts Wyatt magazine and has 75 degree bolt throw, rem 700 footprint. I just haven’t heard as much about them as I have defiance, arc, zermatt and terminus. I only knew of them because AG composites builds their stocks

This is why I asked. Seems like they have all the features most folks are looking for, but they rarely pop up in these conversations.

 

[eoperator]

The tenacity was really smooth however I found once dirt and sand got into the action it struggled.

We went through a nasty sand/dust storm last fall, sand literally dumped out while unloading magazines on our 2 defiance anti's without any problems. The deep bolt fluting without lube probably helped with that.

Excessive lube & sand will cause problems with any tight action.

 

[7MMMAG]

Integral lug, accepts Wyatt magazine and has 75 degree bolt throw, rem 700 footprint

This is why I asked. Seems like they have all the features most folks are looking for, but they rarely pop up in these conversations.

The only thing I hate is that bolt fluting. If you are hard on your equipment, I feel like Debris will get trapped in the honeycombs. If they fluted spiral and had a pinned pic rail I think I would buy it in a heart beat. I can’t tell if the bolt release is above or below stock line. And it’s unfortunate they don’t make the longer action/bolt face for lapua’s or RUM’s

 

[hereinaz]

Tenacity is 90. I’d get the anti over the tenacity if it’s for a hunting gun, atleast I would have if they were avaliable when I got my tenacity.

I’d also get an action that’s already coated/treated. Just makes everything easier, one last thing to hold up the build process.

My current dream build is a nucleus in a manners LRH and a couple barrels and bolt heads.

I have had my Nuke since the beginning, mine is Serial #00005. I love it. My smith has the numbers so he has spun up several barrels for me from .223 bolt head to magnum. I have an action wrench and vice and can spin a barrel on and off in minutes. American Rifle Company actions just run. They are made for field use.

You could set up any action for a BDL type if you ran it like a Savage action. A smith used to being creative could make it happen. Savage doesn't have feed lips cut into their action like Remington. They have their magazine attach to the floor plate.

The feeding port cut on the action is what matters. You have to find an action with a BDL cut option. Otherwise a lot of the custom actions come cut for AICS or AW mag cut.

 

[hereinaz]

You can add Curtis to that list

I know heavy shooters that started with Curtis, then went with Joel to Terminus, and eventually got out of those actions completely.

60 degree bolt throws can be much heavier on extraction. My OG Nucleus with 72' bolt throw is almost too hard, but I have it broke in and am used to it. When shooting long range, it is almost too much to pull me off target.

I think that is one reason Ted went to 80' on the revisions.

 

[hereinaz]

Check out the Teubor Legion, had a buddy buy one and he loves it. My smith said it was a very nice action.

 

[HaydenLane]

I think that greatly depends on what your intended use is and and your preferences in regards to what @TK-421 listed. Some of those actions are very different from each other and you have to decide what you’re after.

FWIW I’d look pretty hard at the Archimedes from ARC as well.