Best action?

[NormB]

The machining quality does fall in the perfect category(not that its a term we use much in this metal cutting biz), they do a very nice job and definitely got a good process down.

Agreed... very good machining.



I've never had any extraction issue yet nor heard of it being a problem with them. Must be some pretty hot loads if its sticking eh.

They are great for .308/.223. I stand on the camming issue. A 2 lug action with conventional camming on the bolt lugs and at back of the action would be my choice for more straight bodied magnum cases. And as ATR pointed out there is a feed ramp issue.

What would you say is the perfect action?(when it comes to the higher end custom stuff) everything else I looked at so far had other features that personally I find to be a bigger concern(or less desirable), not that they aren't very nice as well and certainly get the job done. I just think barnard did a nice solid yet simple design and I'm likely getting another for the next rifle but I'm open to suggestions, always fun to test out other stuff.

You know I have been searching for the perfect action for 25 years. I have even helped with a custom BR action. ( I have 3 Wscislos). I haven't found one yet. But I have several that work. Stolle, Bat, Barnard, Stevens, MacClennan, Customized Remingtons. ( I own and shoot them all) Some come close, none are perfect.

NormB

 

[Baribal]

Agreed!

You forgot about the Husqvarna 1600 action. Not magnum strong, but a very fast, and a very slick action.

The 1640 action was used for 7mm Remington Magnum and the .358 Norma Magnum. There are also evidences that they made .308 Norma Magnum as custom or very small edition. The downside is the action lenght, which is slightly shorter than a M/98.

A 640 (FN M/98), especially a post '49 action is a great platform to start a hunting rifle, but I must agree that a Supreme (which HVA did not use) or any of it's spin offs is also very nice.