Why pay for a "custom" action?

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”.
I agree - 90 bolt throw and non locking the bolt down safety are non starters. Did a lot of hunting with 700's and clones, and I'm pretty much done with them for any purpose wherein they're going to get carried. Why deal with it when there's better options?
 
Predicate all of what I'm about to say with the fact that "shiny sells," and there's a bit of raccoon in most people. BUT, if problem-solving is the goal, then there are receiver companies that make a valid effort to offer a solution. American Rifle Company is an excellent example.

The Mausingfield was born from the notion that if you take a couple of the most battlefield-proven components in the history of modern warfare and combine them, then it should be better. The Mauser and Springfield actions are the core DNA of the Mausingfield action. I've had the luxury of owning/running just about any receiver I want, and the ARC stuff does things others just won't tolerate.

In January 2015, a group of us began to prepare for the PRS season, and we had a mess of brass to fire form. I made a water-cooled barrel and set it up in the bullet trap so that we could rapid fire the job. When Ted from ARC gave me that action, the handshake agreement was to abuse it thoroughly and put it through the paces. So, before fireforming the brass, I attempted to make good on that promise. I tore the action down to its base components and washed every piece in methanol to remove all traces of lubrication.

We ran an approximate 12 rounds per minute cadence until we'd burned through something approaching 2,000+ rounds of ammo. The action never quit, and none of the bearing surfaces had any trace of galling. The layer of smokeless powder smog settled about a foot off the floor in my shop. It reminded me of dropping into Los Angeles on the drive from Vegas as you come down from San Bernadino. It was gross, lol.

That spring at the SHC in Colorado, I dropped a loaded magazine in the mud as the stage kicked off. I made the decision to "shoot it like I stole it." I got the first round down the pipe, and the bolt was not happy about it. I had to kick the handle open like I was trying to start a dirt bike. Many people witnessed this and eagerly anticipated either the handle breaking off or the extractor claw flying out of the action.

It worked flawlessly, and I was able to complete the stage successfully. It sent a message that ARC stuff is made at a high level.

Tikka makes some pretty decent stuff too, but it has its share of issues. If you stick a case, it is very possible to literally break the back portion of the bolt where the handle attaches in the dovetail. The corners in the dovetail are shear points, and they will fail without a whole lot of effort. If you look closely at the replacement bolts I make, you'll see that a fillet has been added to mitigate this. We killed some OEM stuff and our own when we went down the rabbit hole of developing this.


Hope this helps.

C.
Wish you were still making them and blueprinting tikka actions. You’re guys work is amazing.
 
Back
Top