Actions with interchangeable bolt faces or 2nd bolt?

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jayquiver

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I would like to streamline my shooting set ups…use the same stock, action, trigger, scope, for multiple caliber set ups. I believe I would need an action wrench, barrel vice, no go gauges, torque wrench and I would be in business.

I am considering either buying another bolt for my Defiance SA or looking into actions with swappable bolt faces. Any recommendations on either of these options...pros and cons of each?

Besides Zermatt, ARC, Krauger who makes actions with swappable bolt faces that would be good for a hunting/non competitive shooting? Any pros and cons of each brand and ease of swapping out heads?

I am currently thinking of building a SA rifle and a LA rifle and have approximately 4-6 barrels in total. Would like to use Hawkins M5 Bottom Metal and hunter mags or floor plate.
 
I built a switch barrel rifle on a Rem 700 action. There is no reason you can't just buy a second bolt and then headspace a second barrel to that bolt.

The real issue is the swapping out of the barrels. It's a bit more of a PIA than you think. The best method is a Savage style lock nut because torquing a barrel to the action is a pain. You will also need to find a way to pin the recoil lug to the action, or find an action with an integral recoil lug.

Also, having to swap out optics or re-zero with each barrel switch is another issue. I used the Leupold QRW rings and they do seem to hold zero fairly well but they aren't exactly cheap ... although not the most expensive either.

Honestly, the biggest problem was sourcing a second bolt. It took me a long time to find a bolt as they don't come up for sale all that often. I ended up ordering one from PT&G but that also has a very long lead time.
 
If you're not married to a Rem 700 footprint and swapable bolt faces you can do it on a tikka action. Run a 223 Rem to 300 win mag by swapping bolts, bolt stops, barrels and magazines.
 
Have you considered a Tikka T3?
Massive aftermarket for these now and many Canadian manufacturers or distributors for anything you probably need or want.
Shouldered prefits are even available (Canadian made too).
Bolt bodies are even available, again Canadian made.
I haven’t done it but I did a spread sheet on doing 3 separate rifles using 3 different cartridges requiring two different bolt faces (SA, LA & magnum).
I considered the T3, an aftermarket action like the Prestine and a Howa/Vanguard.
The T3 was the obvious affordable option and had multiple advantages.
Overall cost of any option has left this for a future project for me but the Tikka would be my choice if I were to undertake it.
 
thanks for the replies.

I would like to stick with a Remington 700 clone action, I currently have a Defiance XM Anti and a brand new Defiance Classic SA.

I will look into the Tikka's, as they have good support now. That could be a good option.

paperslayer said:
Personally, I would avoid interchangeable bolt faces like the plague on a precision rifle. Remember what you paid for my opinion.
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Why is this? Just curious.
 
Ultimatum precision deadline gen 2, zermatt tl3 and sr3, arc, falkor seven and lw7 are the ones off the top of my head that offer swapable bolt faces.

Buying a bolt face is significantly cheaper than buying a bolt. Bolts here in Canada run 550-700 where bolt faces are like 200-225 roughly which makes it a lot more affordable.

If you already have a defiance then trying to sell it to swap doesn’t make sense and just get another bolt if you need it or plan your calibers accordingly and when you buy a second action (long action) plan your calibers accordingly.
 
PR precision Tikka bolt bodies are avail in Cda, looks like 350.00 for what I can see, how well they headspace vs a prefit , no idea, haven't tried it. Depending on what a person has to spend on the barrel and headspacing, could make sense, be about the same as a t3x lite maybe, but would have the option of barrels that aren't avail on a factory unit.
 
I ran multiple zermatt(bighorn) actions. They are nice in respect to the swapable bolt heads and R700 footplates. The swapable bolt heads will have some play in them so you wont get 100% to the thou forhead spacing. Also found that the zermatt extractors don't like dirty chambers, will often leave the brass in the chamber.. On my 260 I couldn't go more than 70 rounds without having to clean the chamber, my 7wsm couldn't get more than 30 rounds. I tried recutting and rechambering the same barrels on a defiance and KS action and had no problem going a whole match (170+) rounds without incident.
 
blackburbot said:
I ran multiple zermatt(bighorn) actions. They are nice in respect to the swapable bolt heads and R700 footplates. The swapable bolt heads will have some play in them so you wont get 100% to the thou forhead spacing. Also found that the zermatt extractors don't like dirty chambers, will often leave the brass in the chamber.. On my 260 I couldn't go more than 70 rounds without having to clean the chamber, my 7wsm couldn't get more than 30 rounds. I tried recutting and rechambering the same barrels on a defiance and KS action and had no problem going a whole match (170+) rounds without incident.
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That’s strange, I’ve gone hundreds of rounds with a 223 no issues, and at almost 100’woth the 6.5 prc without issue. A buddy runs a dasher in 2 matches no problems there either. I wonder if there was a different issue. Never heard this before but will keep an eye on my incase
 
209jones said:
PR precision Tikka bolt bodies are avail in Cda, looks like 350.00 for what I can see, how well they headspace vs a prefit , no idea, haven't tried it. Depending on what a person has to spend on the barrel and headspacing, could make sense, be about the same as a t3x lite maybe, but would have the option of barrels that aren't avail on a factory unit.
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For the PR bolts you'll also have to buy the extractor/ejector kit from Stoeger. You can swap the bolt handle,firing pin assembly and shroud from the factory bolt.
 
I guess my first question would be, what cartridges are you planning on shooting? An awful lot of great choices are on a standard bolt face and a magnum face. Ultimately what I'm getting at is, does a SA standard face and a LA magnum cover most or all of your choices? I'm not sure about the custom action manufacturers tenon prints (if there is differences between Short/long etc.) , but if you were to get 2 rem 700 actions blueprinted at the same time, you could ensure your LA and SA barrels can be interchanged with a shoulder. The tikkas might be a good option, have no real experience with them, going rem 700 obviously gives you biggest aftermarket.
 
Budweiser360 said:
I guess my first question would be, what cartridges are you planning on shooting? An awful lot of great choices are on a standard bolt face and a magnum face. Ultimately what I'm getting at is, does a SA standard face and a LA magnum cover most or all of your choices? I'm not sure about the custom action manufacturers tenon prints (if there is differences between Short/long etc.) , but if you were to get 2 rem 700 actions blueprinted at the same time, you could ensure your LA and SA barrels can be interchanged with a shoulder. The tikkas might be a good option, have no real experience with them, going rem 700 obviously gives you biggest aftermarket.
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Not sure yet, but with the costs of stocks ( Manners $1500 TO $2000), Scopes ($2500 to $3500 Nightforce), Actions ($1500 and up) I would like to future proof myself and also have 2 setups to hunt and ring steel with, and buy barrels when needed.

For the SA - I have a Defiance Classic (new in box) with 308 bolt face. Will most likely buy a barrel in s 6 or 6.5 Creedmoor for it, this will be used ALOT for shooting and hunting. Would like something smaller like a 223 or similar - will need another bolt or bolt face.

For the LA I think I could get away with just a mag bolt face. Run a 7 PRC or 300 PRC and with the Hawkins Hunter mag and mag spacer kit I could run a 6.5 PRC or 7 saum.

I do thinking have a SA and LA set up is about perfect! Which complicates things as I currently I own a Defiance XM (med action in 7 saum) which I could sell to fund a LA with Mag bolt face.

I have a Manners Pro Hunter Adjustable Stock, on order for the SA. If I really like that stock I may order one in a LA and sell the 7 Saum.
 
jayquiver said:
Not sure yet, but with the costs of stocks ( Manners $1500 TO $2000), Scopes ($2500 to $3500 Nightforce), Actions ($1500 and up) I would like to future proof myself and also have 2 setups to hunt and ring steel with, and buy barrels when needed.

For the SA - I have a Defiance Classic (new in box) with 308 bolt face. Will most likely buy a barrel in s 6 or 6.5 Creedmoor for it, this will be used ALOT for shooting and hunting. Would like something smaller like a 223 or similar - will need another bolt or bolt face.

For the LA I think I could get away with just a mag bolt face. Run a 7 PRC or 300 PRC and with the Hawkins Hunter mag and mag spacer kit I could run a 6.5 PRC or 7 saum.

I do thinking have a SA and LA set up is about perfect! Which complicates things as I currently I own a Defiance XM (med action in 7 saum) which I could sell to fund a LA with Mag bolt face.

I have a Manners Pro Hunter Adjustable Stock, on order for the SA. If I really like that stock I may order one in a LA and sell the 7 Saum.
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You already have a short action standard face and a medium action with a mag face, why can't you just use these? What does a 7prc or 300prc do for you that a 7saum or 300wsm won't? As for the wanting something smaller like a .223, something like a 22br is around that wheelhouse and uses a standard face.

IMO there is just about no such thing as future proofing, especially a hobby. Your tastes will change, your needs will change, your life circumstances will change, you'll get tired of keeping track of 6 different barrels for one action with multiple bolts and scope zeros for each barrel etc..
 
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