Which action to buy

[Lukeduke13]

been looking at the weatherby 307 action and mac bros element action. Wanted to see what you guys think? Is there any other actions in this price point that better?
Thanks

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Yes.

Tikka.

A budget custom REM 700 clone will not make you happy. My $1800 AnTi X action is going down the road in favor of a custom built on a Tikka action.

 

[Mojave]

I like custom 700 actions. I would buy an American Rifle Company or a Bighorn. If I didn't have the scratch for a Defiance or Bat.

 

[Samson7x]

Bighorn origin is easy to build on.

 

[JohnJohnson]

been looking at the weatherby 307 action and mac bros element action. Wanted to see what you guys think? Is there any other actions in this price point that better?
Thanks

What is the purpose of the build? Can't really recommend an action without knowing the build's purpose.

 

[Jim Row]

Yes.

Tikka.

A budget custom REM 700 clone will not make you happy. My $1800 AnTi X action is going down the road in favor of a custom built on a Tikka action.

Why is that? Just curious

 

[Lukeduke13]

What is the purpose of the build? Can't really recommend an action without knowing the build's purpose.

Hunting rifle

 

[Lukeduke13]

Hunting rifle

Prob a 6.5 prc

 

[Dtharvester]

Kelbly Nanook. Their AntiX adjacent light weight hunting action, but it comes nitrided by default.
Just bought a short action magnum for $1299 from a Kelbly vendor.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Tikka.

A budget custom REM 700 clone will not make you happy. My $1800 AnTi X action is going down the road in favor of a custom built on a Tikka action.

He's right. Don't spend money on an inferior action when you can get a Tikka 6.5 PRC. It's a better action and will likely have a great barrel.

 

[Lukeduke13]

He's right. Don't spend money on an inferior action when you can get a Tikka 6.5 PRC. It's a better action and will likely have a great barrel.

I just don’t really like having a magazine. I like a bdl style.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Why is that? Just curious

No comparison in smoothness of the bolt on a Tikka vs a Defiance, less debris entering the chamber with a solid bolt vs a heavily fluted one and the reliability of the Tikka in field conditions. Action cuts by Unknown lighten the Tikka up several ounces and a full Nitride to protect from the elements.

 

[Schmo]

Tikka, no question. Sold a $4,000 TL3 build to put together a custom Tikka. No regrets.

 

[amassi]

I just don’t really like having a magazine. I like a bdl style.

Get a center feed Wyatt’s if you’re going to run A BDL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ucsdryder]

My defiance anti was way smoother than my 2-3 tikkas and significantly lighter. The trigger tech trigger is crisper and has more adjustability. I like my tikka but it’s not a custom. I have a Borden Bigfoot and am a big fan as well. It’s hard to go from a trigger tech trigger to my tikka and back. Part of it is trigger pull, part is feel.

I’m building on a defiance classic right now. I think I paid 850 with the factory nitriding. Same action as the anti with a pinned lug.

I won’t give up my tikka, but for a light weight action I’ll take the defiance.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Long term and high volume use when factoring in overall reliability and repeatability favors Tikka. Their factory barrels as well, over high priced aftermarket units. An adjusted down Tikka trigger is a perfect hunting trigger for me as of late, I used to lighten them up with aftermarket springs, not anymore.

Anyone claiming a certain action is “smoother” and then runs their gun by side with my broken in and properly oiled Tikkas and Sakos, they laugh at how incorrect they were.

 

[Schmo]

I’ll bet a Defiance bolt will bind!

 

[Article 4]

Go with the Mack Bros - all Rem footprint actions are infinitely more able to be upgraded, customized and good solid parts and accessories are everywhere. Tikka is getting better but still way behind.

BAT machine or Defiance for me and I prefer the former. I run the Vesper, the Vampire and the M series - while have a few Defiance actions in the mix. BAT action is nearly perfect for a hunting rifle and I love the more positive extraction over the Tikka and others.

 

[Schmo]

Go with the Mack Bros - all Rem footprint actions are infinitely more able to be upgraded, customized and good solid parts and accessories are everywhere. Tikka is getting better but still way behind.

What needs customized on a Tikka that’s not available? They have a great trigger, an aftermarket options are available. They can be customized. What accessories are needed that aren’t available? Behind how? They work phenomenally, shoot phenomenally, and are affordable. Plus, they don’t suffer from the inherent design flaw of a Rem 700 trigger.

 

[JohnJohnson]

No comparison in smoothness of the bolt on a Tikka vs a Defiance

That really only speaks to the "smoothness" of the Defiance though. And even then it seems like another poster in this thread feels his AnTi is smoother than his Tikkas so there appears to be no agreement.

less debris entering the chamber with a solid bolt vs a heavily fluted one

I guess if the flutes were too deep that could be the case but flutes are not inherently detrimental to reliability. No one impugns Accuracy International's reliability and they use fluted bolts on most models. Has someone figured out an optimal bolt flute depth?

OP for a hunting rifle I'm in the Tikka camp unless you can't quite get what you want with the Tikka aftermarket. Which, for the most part, is rare. If you want two-stage triggers under 2 pounds, go with an R700 footprint custom. If for some reason you have your eyes on a stock that doesn't do Tikka inlets, then go with a R700 footprint custom. But that's pretty rare these days honestly. Or if an integral scope base/recoil lug is important to you I suppose.

I'm on board with the R700 footprint customs being inherently less reliable due to their trigger system compared to Tikka. As far as the stuff about bolt smoothness I think that goes a little too far and is too subjective based on what the person wants out of their bolt throw.