Action for a PRS Build

Slug870

Slug870

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Hey all,

So I am thinking that I want to do a build of a dedicated PRS rifle. I am trying to decide which action to use and my choices are Stiller Tac30, Defiance (?) or Cadex Sheepdog. Naturally, I am leaning towards Canadian made, however I can't seem to find anywhere with any actions listed or in stock. I checked Cadex's dealer listing and did not have any success locating just the action. To be honest, I can't find anywhere stocking/listing any of these actions. Now admittedly my search was not extensive or exhaustive, however I figured I'd post here in hopes that someone could point me towards stock and maybe even the best listed price(s).

For what it's worth, I plan on building with the following components;

Cadex Chassis (still undecided which model and which one of my testicles to sell to afford it)
Krieger Barrel (MTU chambered in 6.5x47L, twist TBD)
Action TBD (though I'm leaning towards Cadex)
Scope TBD (looking at the Athlon offerings after reading some great reviews here on CGN)

Still very much in the planning process, however I want the action in hand prior to going any further with parts ordering.

Can anyone help a brother out here in finding a dealer for an action and possibly some input on action selection?

Thanks in advance.
 
Gary at Bighorn sales imports a lot of different actions and can definitely help you get one once you decide which you want.

I did this dance a couple years ago and couldn't decide without handling a few. Insite arms helped out tremendously and gave recommendations but ultimately it was my decision to go with a Surgeon 591. Glad I did too, the thing is silky smooth and will run in any condition... a concern I had with some of the actions that have tighter tolerances (BAT, Defiance). Insite built my rifle for me and it turned out awesome! It's just the nut behind the bolt that needs some work.

That being said, I don't think there's really a wrong choice when dealing with actions of top quality.
 
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There is a sheepdog action sitting on the EE for $1,100 right now (I don't know the seller). Also, a Defiance Deviant there for $2,200.

If that is what you want go for it. I would probably go defiance/bighorn/impact or Curtis Custom if I wanted a 3 lug though if it was me.

There are a lot more of those running around the PRS world than their are Cadex actions. Not to say the Cadex is bad but that is just the way it is.

This is also my 2 cents. The Cadex Chassis is a super high quality product, very well machined with lots of great features. However, they are not necessarily the optimal design for PRS shooting. Yes people do shoot PRS with them, yes they have had success, but they are not the best for it. This is coming from a guy who shot an AI for a year and a half (the AX is a similar design to the cadex products). They are great guns, people compete well with them, people even win with them - shooting my MPA chassis is soo much easier.
 
Ryan.M.Anderson said:
There is a sheepdog action sitting on the EE for $1,100 right now (I don't know the seller). Also, a Defiance Deviant there for $2,200.

If that is what you want go for it. I would probably go defiance/bighorn/impact or Curtis Custom if I wanted a 3 lug though if it was me.

There are a lot more of those running around the PRS world than their are Cadex actions. Not to say the Cadex is bad but that is just the way it is.

This is also my 2 cents. The Cadex Chassis is a super high quality product, very well machined with lots of great features. However, they are not necessarily the optimal design for PRS shooting. Yes people do shoot PRS with them, yes they have had success, but they are not the best for it. This is coming from a guy who shot an AI for a year and a half (the AX is a similar design to the cadex products). They are great guns, people compete well with them, people even win with them - shooting my MPA chassis is soo much easier.
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Thank you for your post, lots of great info.

To be honest, I have yet to shoot PRS but my reasons for looking at Cadex are 1) Canadian and 2) I hear great things about their customer service. It would also seem that the Sheepdog action would be significantly cheaper. Now I am big on the "you get what you pay for", however I am also on a budget and a novice PRS hopeful, lol.
 
Why not contact PGWDTI??

They could build you up a nice Coyote in 6.5 X 47L.

Their actions are just as good as any of the top actions out there.........and they are Canadian. ;)
 
Have you thought of buying the whole rifle from Cadex if you decide to go with their chassis and action?
They use a Bartlein barrel on their rifles that is every bit as good as a Krieger and manufactured the same way. I have tried a Cadex trigger and they are as nice as my Timmeny or Jewel. (I still like my Trigger Tech the best.) I don’t know what type of brake you plan to use but the Cadex looks bad ass, though I have heard it doesn’t perform as well as a Terminator.
 
If you go custom call Gary at Bighorn sales.
I ordered a new Defiance Deviant Elite from him among other actions, barrels and components. He is a stand up dude and will help you out.
 
I know that Ken At Bulls Eye London is bring in some Kelbly Atlas action for a great price. This is one of my favorite actions on the market. Crazy smooth and packed with tons if features. I love buying Canadian made as well but the US guys have been making actions for the PRS alot longer. This action is crazy solid.

Ryan
 
Another shout out for Gary at bighorn, I run a defiance myself and it has never given me any issues no matter how dirty it gets, as stated above the Cadex chassis will work but there are considerably better options out there. I’ve tried very chassis out there and keep going back to a McMillan a5 Stock but that’s just me. As far as triggers go the best out there right now is the trigger tech, Canadian made, best customer service and best trigger I’ve ever used. Barrels are a toss up, lots of great offerings out there, benchmark is the top of my list followed closely by a Canadian made jc customs barrel.
 
I would go with Ryan on the chassis. I dont shoot PRS but have built a handful of PRS guns and have a cadex chassis (which I love) The first time I took an MPA chassis out of the box I was like WTF is this ugly mess. Then I shouldered it and realized that whoever designed that thing hit the nail squarely on the head.
 
As far as actions I really couldnt comment on Cadex as I have no experience with them. If budget is a major concern no harm in running a remington factory action if it means you can get a better stock or optic. The Ultimatum deadline is a nice action and canadian made. I hear good thimgs about the ks arms actions as well. Personally out of the whole system the action is the least important piece, you dont need Defiance ect ect to have a rifle that shoots great groups. If you run a quality barrel IE Benchmark, Krieger, Bartlein, Broughton, bedded in a great stock, with a quality trigger, and a good optic you will be driving tacs. But I hear that is somewhat irrelevant as well when you are shooting off of a tire swing or a wobbly barricade.... ;)
 
Who is bringing in Impact Precision Actions? Also Lone Peak looks interesting, just because no one mentioned them yet. Also Borden makes a Tac action as well. I have emailed and called Bordens at off times and got quick responses and usually get Jim.
 
There will be more to who builds it then to what parts are put in it. Most of the above parts are capable of producing a great PRS rig. All have a plus side and draw backs.
 
My 2 cents... I am not a PRS shooter but very interested in the technology and what is needed. Any or lets say most dynamic sports equipment ends up made in carbon fibre... like it or not. Why not look down that road right away and save time at least for the stock side. Barrels are not our expertise and I wouldn't know if a carbon barrel would or wouldn't be beneficial.
Action design, I have and have had many remmy actions and a few custom clones. They are lovely but have one disadvantage, the unique bedding and re-bedding once the barrel needs changing. "No" other action fits into that stock. We have spent quite some time around the T3 action and stock development as well as the bedding issues. We have found a way to bed T3 actions so that any other T3 can fit in. This was very important for European competition shooters who don't have much knowledge about bedding and custom rifle builders often treated like gods with year long delivery times. A T3 rifle can be bought, custom barrel fitted if needed and just dropped into a factory bedded stock. The great thing about this is one can fit several T3's into this one stock and therefore possibly have a cheaper training rifle in either 22lr or 223 sitting in your competition stock to train or hunt with. Saving the good expensive custom competition barrel for the comps.
I am not saying a T3 action is better, but overall it might be a more flexible system.

edi
 
EJG said:
My 2 cents... I am not a PRS shooter but very interested in the technology and what is needed. Any or lets say most dynamic sports equipment ends up made in carbon fibre... like it or not. Why not look down that road right away and save time at least for the stock side. Barrels are not our expertise and I wouldn't know if a carbon barrel would or wouldn't be beneficial.
Action design, I have and have had many remmy actions and a few custom clones. They are lovely but have one disadvantage, the unique bedding and re-bedding once the barrel needs changing. "No" other action fits into that stock. We have spent quite some time around the T3 action and stock development as well as the bedding issues. We have found a way to bed T3 actions so that any other T3 can fit in. This was very important for European competition shooters who don't have much knowledge about bedding and custom rifle builders often treated like gods with year long delivery times. A T3 rifle can be bought, custom barrel fitted if needed and just dropped into a factory bedded stock. The great thing about this is one can fit several T3's into this one stock and therefore possibly have a cheaper training rifle in either 22lr or 223 sitting in your competition stock to train or hunt with. Saving the good expensive custom competition barrel for the comps.
I am not saying a T3 action is better, but overall it might be a more flexible system.

edi
Click to expand...

Not much benefit to carbon anything in PRS as weight is really your friend. Definitely don't get a carbon wrapped barrel.There really is no need to bed a chassis either so all that about getting a tIkka vs a R700 clone is kinda moot.

All your action choices will serve you well. I'd also steer you away from the Cadex chassis. Like others have said, they're a super high quality product but really aren't optimized for PRS, if that is your actual end goal. You'd be much better served by an MPA, MDT or anything designed more from the ground up for PRS shooting.
 
I’ll add my two cents since I’ve shot PRS matches for a couple of seasons now. A few things to consider:

1) If you are shooting a 6.5 or 6.0 anything your barrel is likely only good for 2000 rounds and will have to be switched at some point. Lots of barrel makers are now making pre-fit barrels so it would be wise to grab an action that can accept a pre-fit.

2) Many 700-style actions out there have 90’ bolt throws. Unless you like hitting your knuckles on your scope, there are plenty of actions with 70’ or better holy throws.

3) Not all actions are created equal when it comes to smoothness. Running the bolt quickly in PRS is important and an action with tight tolerances can bind and slow you down.

4) Money can’t be ignored. I have a Cadex rifle, which is beatufitul but on the expensive end of things. I also have several Tikkas which I think are the best value out there since you are getting a good trigger, good action, and good barrel for 1500$.
 
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