Battle of entry level custom actions

[Lawnboi]

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.

The only reason I want to try something other than a tikka for my match rifle. Not that it’s a huge deal for hunting but in matches that extra effort to cock the tikka can cause some movement if not completely controlled. The Archimedes sounds good to with no extraction happening on cocking.
Some day.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

Have you looked at Stiller Predator?

 

[7MMMAG]

Have you looked at Stiller Predator?

I have narrowed it down to:
•Integral Lug
•60-80 degree bolt lift
•Pinned Pic Rail
•Rem 700 foot print
•Ability to run BDL(Wyatt’s internal)
•If m16 style extractor must have dual ejectors
•Easy pre-fit availability

 

[7MMMAG]

If you’re solely looking for “bang for the buck”, I think Mack Bros SS Evo is it, but there will be a wait time.

Otherwise, I think you need to think about what options are/aren’t important to you:
Integrated recoil lug
Integrated scope base
Extractor or ejector preferences
Swappable bolt head
Bolt throw
Prefit availability
CRF vs Push feed
Barrel quick change
Wait time/availability
Etc

If you are looking to have something built by a particular gunsmith, you should speak with them first. Some are picky with what components they use and some stock their preferred components.

All that said, from your list, I’ve got a couple Lone Peak Razors, and I’ve been happy with both.

On the third page I have narrowed down to what I am looking for

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Get on Facebook and watch the latest videos from Straight Jacket Armory. Particularly March 18th live video.

 

[7MMMAG]

This video is worth watching

I don’t have permission

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Get on Facebook and watch the latest videos from Straight Jacket Armory. Particularly March 18th live video.

I realized after it posted and edited my post

 

[7MMMAG]

All my actions are 90* throw, so I won’t be much help. If I were in your shoes, I’d be looking pretty hard at the terminus options (assuming wait time wasn’t an issue).

Otherwise, I’d probably find whatever action/barrel combo that was in-stock and go from there - that’s what I did this year with my latest build. Including shipping and transfer, I had everything together in about a week or so from purchase. Last trip to the range was 5/8 MOA 10-round group with factory ammo. We have it too good with quality component & ammo choices nowadays.

My other option is keep my rem 700 action and get the action trued, recoil lug pinned, m16 extractor w/ dual ejectors. And a side bolt release

 

[HaydenLane]

My other option is keep my rem 700 action and get the action trued, recoil lug pinned, m16 extractor w/ dual ejectors. And a side bolt release

If you go that route, I’d take a look at the Mack Bros replacement bolt. I plan on doing that with an action I have laying around, but it’s certainly a waste of money compared to getting a custom with prefits available.

 

[7MMMAG]

If you go that route, I’d take a look at the Mack Bros replacement bolt. I plan on doing that with an action I have laying around, but it’s certainly a waste of money compared to getting a custom with prefits available.

I am having the bolt re-done as we speak

 

[hereinaz]

My other option is keep my rem 700 action and get the action trued, recoil lug pinned, m16 extractor w/ dual ejectors. And a side bolt release

You would be better off financially to sell that action and buy a custom, especially after you factor in subsequent costs. Given your constraints, I would buy the Zermatt Arms SR3 (same headspace as TL3 but has feed lips for BDL) or Origin with Remington feed lips and swappable bolt heads.

Zermatt (Bighorn) SR3 and Origin can use shouldered prefits or Savage barrel nut prefits. The Origin headspaces different than the SR3/TL3, but you can use TL3 shouldered prefits on an Origin with the Hunt's Long Range recoil lug instead of the Origin lug.

With Zermatt actions, you get swapable bolt heads, prefits, etc. Its an action you'll never have to sell. The 90' bolt throw isn't that big of a deal, and I'd rather have 90' than 60'. When the action is well timed to the trigger and manufactured like Zermatt stuff, the bolt throw is smooth so matters much less than a factory rifle with crappy lift. I like my 72' throw on my Gen 1 Nuke, but it is just a little more bolt lift than a 90'.

 

[7MMMAG]

You would be better off financially to sell that action and buy a custom, especially after you factor in subsequent costs. Given your constraints, I would buy the Zermatt Arms SR3 (same headspace as TL3 but has feed lips for BDL) or Origin with Remington feed lips and swappable bolt heads.

Zermatt (Bighorn) SR3 and Origin can use shouldered prefits or Savage barrel nut prefits. The Origin headspaces different than the SR3/TL3, but you can use TL3 shouldered prefits on an Origin with the Hunt's Long Range recoil lug instead of the Origin lug.

With Zermatt actions, you get swapable bolt heads, prefits, etc. Its an action you'll never have to sell. The 90' bolt throw isn't that big of a deal, and I'd rather have 90' than 60'. When the action is well timed to the trigger and manufactured like Zermatt stuff, the bolt throw is smooth so matters much less than a factory rifle with crappy lift. I like my 72' throw on my Gen 1 Nuke, but it is just a little more bolt lift than a 90'.

Im running a trijicon that seems to have a beefy ocular lens, that’s the only reason for the lower bolt lift

 

[hereinaz]

Im running a trijicon that seems to have a beefy ocular lens, that’s the only reason for the lower bolt lift

I run an MK5 that has a pretty big one, and runs a 35mm tube. So, I get it. I don't mean to tell you something if you already have considered this.

At matches, I've seen every combination, and there are guys that run the bolt far faster than me with giant scopes and 90 bolts. If you haven't run a custom bolt a lot, the thing with a good action like the SR3, is that you can run the bolt so easy that you don't even run it like you would a Rem bolt. Rem and factory bolts you gotta grab onto it like a wild rattler.

Customs, you can run it with your fingertips and barely break your hand out of the grip/shooting position. This is a pretty good article with a demonstration of basically how I run my bolt. I hate shooting most factory guns now for this reason when I help a friend zero and dope a rifle.

Bolt Manipulation in the Offhand Position

Since were talking Offhand, and I run a bolt gun, it seems prudent to have a discussion on bolt manipulation. Bolt action rifles have a special kind of elegance. Another plus is that yo…

artoftherifle.com

 

[vonb]

Can only respond based on owning an Origin and a Defiance Deviant. The Origin is the best bang for the buck. However, the bolt tends to bind somewhat on mine if any sideways pressure is put on the bolt. I do like the replaceable bolt heads and the fact that a shouldered barrel can be spun up without having the action.

The Defiance runs like glass. It’s super smooth and has the nicest finish of any of the custom actions out there. I also have a Surgeon and a Borden Alpine. Of all the actions I mentioned, Defiance would be my choice.

 

[7MMMAG]

I’d agree with others that you’d be better off to sell that R700 and pickup an origin or Mack bros or something. BUT, I’ve also built out R700’s, and they’ve been fine.

As far as bolt throw is concerned, and not to run too far off the rails, but I’ve got a couple of Zero Compromise scopes on top of actions with 90* throws. Wanna talk about massive oculars, haha.

In general, I think most people can benefit from going a little taller on their rings to get an upright head position instead of looking towards their eyebrow. It will usually give more room to get better eye relief and will result in less eye & neck strain. Plus, less of a conflict with large oculars.

Only thing is I’m in medium size rings right now on a pic rail and am running a sporter stock until I can figure out my upgrade. This is a hunting rifle after all and am trying to keep it under 10lbs