Any ARC nucleus owners?

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laker415

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Just looking for first hand experience from actual owners. Found lots of old threads on the internets but I want to know if any members here are using them. It would be my first custom action. No competitions, just plinking.

Also not looking for other suggestions. Just first hand user experience. Thanks.
 
This is a big hole to jump into. I have a Nucleus. I also have many other actions, and shoot at one time or other most of the major brands out there. Thinks I like about the Nucleus, can easily rebarrel because of the savage style barrel, easy to change bolt heads for different calibers. Yes other actions do this too. There are some other cool stuff too like the 60 bolt through 3 locking lugs, so the handle doesn't come close to the scope. With that said if you shoot enough different actions you will find they are more similar than different. I found the Nucleus a little clunky. My advice for you would be to look at the Defiance (a higher end one) or an impact. They are about 300 more I think but worth the extra. In the end you need to decide which features you really want. If a switch barrel that you can order any barrel maker, get a Nucleus.
 
twosmokinspades said:
This is a big hole to jump into. I have a Nucleus. I also have many other actions, and shoot at one time or other most of the major brands out there. Thinks I like about the Nucleus, can easily rebarrel because of the savage style barrel, easy to change bolt heads for different calibers. Yes other actions do this too. There are some other cool stuff too like the 60 bolt through 3 locking lugs, so the handle doesn't come close to the scope. With that said if you shoot enough different actions you will find they are more similar than different. I found the Nucleus a little clunky. My advice for you would be to look at the Defiance (a higher end one) or an impact. They are about 300 more I think but worth the extra. In the end you need to decide which features you really want. If a switch barrel that you can order any barrel maker, get a Nucleus.
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That sums it up nicely. I have a early 1st Gen Nucleus. It's my backup match rifle. I have 3 bolt heads for it (.223, .308, Magnum) and mostly run it as a .223 for practice and have a 6mm Creedmoor barrel I spin on to take it as backup at big matches or when I have 2-day matches back to back as that way I don't have to bust my ass reloading the week in between. The only issue I ever had with the action was when I started shooting Hornady Steel Match .223 ammo in it (cause I could get it for as cheap as I could reload), I was getting occasional light primer strikes (I had no issues in the previous 5000+ rds of handloads). ARC sent the slight heavier firing pin spring (18lbs, I believe) and the problem was solved.

My main match rifle is built on a Defiance Deviant Elite and I do like it slightly better than the Nucleus but we're talking pretty minor preferences at that point.
 
laker415 said:
Thanks for that info as well. I'm ordering a 2.0 tomorrow
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I'm sure you'll enjoy it. My only suggestion would be that if you're buying prefit shouldered barrels for it (which is one of the benefits of an action like that), to also buy some headspace gauges to double check. I had to send back 2 barrels from a reputable shop because the first had waaaaaay loose headspace (like 40 thou over) and the 2nd had way too tight a neck. The company eventually made it right but it was a solid pain in my ass.
 
rugbydave said:
I'm sure you'll enjoy it. My only suggestion would be that if you're buying prefit shouldered barrels for it (which is one of the benefits of an action like that), to also buy some headspace gauges to double check. I had to send back 2 barrels from a reputable shop because the first had waaaaaay loose headspace (like 40 thou over) and the 2nd had way too tight a neck. The company eventually made it right but it was a solid pain in my ass.
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Thanks for the tip. I was eyeing the PVA shouldered prefits from gobigtactical as well. To start I'm using a savage prefit with a nut.
 
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