Why pay for a "custom" action?

[QuackAttack]

Custom rifles and actions make a lot of sense for special applications…target shooters, competition, desire to run unique calibers or projectiles.

However, modern factory rifle options are very good for most shooters. A decent factory Model 70 is a consistent sub MOA rifle with good ammo.

That said, I had a rifle built on a Stiller and it is a well Made action…even if it ejects into the scope turret. lol.

 

[Wrench]

I thought this was the case before this thread but I did more reading because of it and it seems in some cases smiths will cut the tennon threads a little smaller/looser on a pre-fit if they don’t have action in hand to validate fit. The perception I have is once torqued, that shouldn’t make a notable difference in performance. Don’t know how true that is.

Would love to hear @LRI_Chad or @Shooter71 weigh in on how they’d cut tennon threads for action in hand vs not and if the approach is different based on the action.

Like chad said, class 3 stainless on stainless is flirting with disaster. We have used silver goop with good results.....but moving closer to a class 2 helps a bunch.

The little details like broken edges and no stress hangers are where it shines to have an actual machinist vs a gun plumber.

I hear lots of people talk about checking headspace and rocking on....but who checks bolt nose clearance? I am happier shooting a custom headspace than a fat gap in the web.

 

[Mayrivercrab]

Because some people have more money than sense
For benchrest or F-Class comp the tolerances be tight, bolt lift smooth as not to break position. Hunt rig? Meh.
Personally, I would buy an entire Tikka rifle at the prices of the high end actions and build off it.

 

[Vern400]

It's most likely going to cost more to build a rifle than to buy a rifle. If you're not ready to go there, buy a rifle. Just like building an engine for your car.

Say you have a 700 action and you true it up and blueprint it.

Alternatively, you buy an aero Precision Solus action.

The money you spent might be very similar unless you just got your 700 action for free, or you decide to call it free.

But with the Solus you're getting the ability to swap barrels, prefit, on your own without worrying about headspace. And you get a monolithic top rail, AND you can swap the bolt face diameter.

I don't give a crap about feeling cool and having a bougie gun. I want to put lots of bullets in the same hole, where I want them. I wouldn't hesitate to build another m700 custom, but if I add up the dollars I'd probably get more features for the same money going with Aero.

Several people posting on this thread are suggesting that custom guns are owned by people with lots of money and a desire for being the dude with the coolest rifle. I don't think that's entirely accurate.

 

[Buzzsaw]

people who build and sell custom rifles think you need a custom-built rifle(action). I own and have owned sevearl. To be honest none shot much better than my Tikka, Browning X-Bolt. It is what the BUYER wants to spend his money on. The best part of buying a custom rifle is making the order with the builder and the unboxing after a year wait.

Now, if I'm shooting benchrest or competing in LONG range shooting, then its worth spending $5,000-$10,000 on your custom

 

[TaperPin]

There’s something cool about a unique custom action. Integral pic rails eliminate something we would otherwise be spending time and effort on. I must not be the only person who has ever been disappointed in the fit between a one piece rail and the receiver - bedding in epoxy or similar works, but . . .

I like the nice sharp machining of a quality product - even semi custom actions and many better factory rifles have much better machining and finishes than my old Remington. If I were building custom rifles, I wouldn’t mess with factory receivers - time is money - using something that doesn’t need to be fixed makes sense financially.

The real strength comes from material selection and heat treating - factory Remington receivers are softer than many others - the 338 Lapua models are known to create deformation in the locking lug recesses and more than one barrel maker won’t rebarrel factory receivers in that caliber.

The other big advantage is the huge amount of options not available in any factory gun. The option list often seems ridiculous, but if you want a rifle exactly a certain way, I can totally see the benefit being worth it.

Having said all that, a simple fairly straight, but not perfect factory rifle receiver with good barrel can be a 1/2 moa or better shooter and that is good enough for me. My entire used Remington action was $200 - I keep it as a teachable message to the kids in our family that want to drop big bucks on the latest flavor of the week.

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

Custom to me screams "problems."

Buy a tikka and be done.

 

[Mayrivercrab]

There’s something cool about a unique custom action. Integral pic rails eliminate something we would otherwise be spending time and effort on. I must not be the only person who has ever been disappointed in the fit between a one piece rail and the receiver - bedding in epoxy or similar works, but . . .

I like the nice sharp machining of a quality product - even semi custom actions and many better factory rifles have much better machining and finishes than my old Remington. If I were building custom rifles, I wouldn’t mess with factory receivers - time is money - using something that doesn’t need to be fixed makes sense financially.

The real strength comes from material selection and heat treating - factory Remington receivers are softer than many others - the 338 Lapua models are known to create deformation in the locking lug recesses and more than one barrel maker won’t rebarrel factory receivers in that caliber.

The other big advantage is the huge amount of options not available in any factory gun. The option list often seems ridiculous, but if you want a rifle exactly a certain way, I can totally see the benefit being worth it.

Having said all that, a simple fairly straight, but not perfect factory rifle receiver with good barrel can be a 1/2 moa or better shooter and that is good enough for me. My entire used Remington action was $200 - I keep it as a teachable message to the kids in our family that want to drop big bucks on the latest flavor of the week.

My sentiments too. You would want a custom because of want not need. I did it to make it just like I wanted. Reminds me of Tuco in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly when he took all the revolvers and made one like he wanted.

 

[ElPollo]

My guns are tools. Nothing out of a custom R700 clone gives me any increase in reliability, durability, and smoothness over a Tikka. I like the idea of short or mini actions, but am not willing to take the hit in those factors for actions that would get me that shorter action and weight savings. I’m also just not interested in long action magnums, so no Mausingfield needed.

 

[wind gypsy]

My guns are tools. Nothing out of a custom R700 clone gives me any increase in reliability, durability, and smoothness over a Tikka. I like the idea of short or mini actions, but am not willing to take the hit in those factors for actions that would get me that shorter action and weight savings. I’m also just not interested in long action magnums, so no Mausingfield needed.

I disagree on the smoothness and durability portion. Some 700 clones are just as smooth or smoother than my tikkas.

 

[ElPollo]

I disagree on the smoothness and durability portion. Some 700 clones are just as smooth or smoother than my tikkas.

Smoothness is the least important of the thee factors I listed.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I'll stick with Tikka actions until I see a reason to switch. I have seen at least one custom Remington clone action or trigger go down at every match I've been to this year.

 

[Syncerus1]

I have shot many rifles of almost all types. I only state this for background. The top end kit guns like GunWerks, etc, that are dialed with custom loads provided, top end glass, case, sling, range cards etc... are beyond wonderful for any hunting application, cartridge dependent. They are also beyond my budget. I recently bought a factory 24" CF Proof Elevation, added SRS Ti brake, Warne Mountain tech rings, Swaro X5i glass. I have shot it at ranges to 660 only as of yet. It is a sub 1/2" MOA rifle anyday, with factory ammo. The gun cost $2450 new, weighs 6 lbs. 6 oz. with rings and brake. Add glass for 32 oz. more. It is the equal of any of the very best kit guns I have shouldered. At the rifle only price point, IMO it is the best bang for the buck. Just sayin'... no brain damage...

 

[C Bow]

Been shooting Rem 700 actions 60 years and never never had 1 problem with them. Better action than I am shooter

 

[JohnJohnson]

1. Integral recoil lug
2. Integral scope base
3. Unlimited selection of stocks/chassis, for instance I have a new Foundation Centurion and they don't inlet for Tikka.
4. I'm a weirdo that really likes two-stage triggers and there's more of a (better) selection with R700
5. Some custom R700s are just as smooth or smoother than Tikkas so no loss there either

Tikkas are more affordable and their big advantage over the R700 is more reliable triggers from what I can tell, which isn't unconvincing either. I just have to weigh that against all of the stuff I mentioned.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Great question, I have been asking myself the same thing… I really want a 6mm creed in the future best priced one that fits most of my criteria is CA Mesa, to get to the same point with a tikka or a custom would be 2x cost maybe more. Only advantage I see which is and isn’t, you get a true SA in a “rem 700 clone” vs the tikka action, full disclosure my tikkas are all accurate and just as smooth as any semi custom rifle I’ve owned, never owned a true full custom

 

[nagibson1]

I have shot many rifles of almost all types. I only state this for background. The top end kit guns like GunWerks, etc, that are dialed with custom loads provided, top end glass, case, sling, range cards etc... are beyond wonderful for any hunting application, cartridge dependent. They are also beyond my budget. I recently bought a factory 24" CF Proof Elevation, added SRS Ti brake, Warne Mountain tech rings, Swaro X5i glass. I have shot it at ranges to 660 only as of yet. It is a sub 1/2" MOA rifle anyday, with factory ammo. The gun cost $2450 new, weighs 6 lbs. 6 oz. with rings and brake. Add glass for 32 oz. more. It is the equal of any of the very best kit guns I have shouldered. At the rifle only price point, IMO it is the best bang for the buck. Just sayin'... no brain damage...

I don't understand this. it looks like the 24" CF Proof Elevation is a $3400 rifle itself. How did you assemble a better kit for $2450?

 

[Syncerus1]

Bought the gun NEW @ the price stated from a TX dealer on the internet. I recently saw a 300 PRC 24" Elevation for $2695. These are GUN ONLY prices. Shop the web sites and be ready to buy. Enjoy! The Proof rifles I have seen/shot are lights out guns, whether $8k or less...

 

[Wrench]

Choosing your cam timing, trigger, extraction method.....going to the store and finding rings, that's worth a bunch.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

From my experience in the field, a bolt that doesn’t lock closed and a 90 degree throw is a non-starter for me. I wanted to use a custom for a light weight build, but non-locking bolt is a no-go. I will just have UM lighten up a tikka action.

After using UM tikka rings, I don’t “need” and integral rail either, the pinned UM tikka rings are bullet proof.

Moreover, every tikka I have owned or have been around is a tack driver, so I don’t need start with a custom barrel. Just start with modifying a tikka barrel (chop/thread or even re-chamber or throat) provided the barrel is a suitable host for the desired cartridge (bore diameter and twist).

Lastly, if I ever needed a COAL longer than what the factory tikka mag allows, UM has a solution for that too… but I doubt I ever will.

Therefore, for me, I objectively can not see any reason to use a custom action. Rather, it just makes sense to use a tikka and do any modifications I may “want”… and that’s want, not “need”.