Choosing a Action

ripitup911

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Location
Fort St John BC
To start this off I have searched and found a lot about the actions i'm looking at but could not find opinions on some of the actions. The info I am looking for is whether these actions are available in Canada and where? Also looking to hear opinions on the actions and which ones you like the best and why and any Pros and Cons you know of.

The criteria I am searching for is a repeater action, weight is not a big concern but I would like it reasonable, I like the versatility of the rem 700 design for choosing stocks but am open to the other options. I am building a rifle to be used between 300 - 1000 yards. I am still undecided on the caliber but the ones I am looking at are 6br, 6.5-284, .284 shehane. this will be my first custom rifle build so I would like to build it right the first time.

So the actions I am looking at right now are listed below please feel free to recommend another one I may not have included. I am going to list them by manufacturer and type if I was able to narrow it down.

Surgeon 591, Defiance Rebel, Pierce Titanium, Barnard SM, Farley Black Widow, Stiller and Kelby/stolle

please give me all your recommendations and opinions.

Thanks for the replies and any help on narrowing down my search!

Edit: removed some choices
 
Last edited:
2 questions

Is money an issue?
How good of a shooter are you? Are you capable of placing in a match, or just getting started?

If the answer is yes & no...get a rem 700. A good smith and quality barrel can make a set up that will exceed the skills of 95 percent of shooters. Invest the extra cash in optics and ammo for practice.

If you're competitive and chasing that last edge over the competition, get a custom action.

Having said that......I still drool over some slick customs I've seen and will have one some day.
 
Money Isn't really a issue as I prefer to spend more money to get what's best the first time around. I consider myself a pretty good shooter but by no means a pro. I already have a rem 700 and many other rifles and want to take the next step.
 
Unless you plan to shoot Precision Matches (sniper matches) a repeater isn't required. For F Class single loading is required.
Barnards, Bat Machine and Kelby/Stolle are all nice actions but I wouldn't use any of these as a long range hunting action. They are just too nicely machined (close tolerences) for the dirty work environment, and too pretty.

For strictly range work I would go Barnard, RPA, Kelby/Stolle, Bat.
 
Like maynard said if for f-class I would also suggest a single shot.

If you are serious about shooting long range by all means go with a custom rather than a rem 700 or a savage or whatever, you dont need to true anything up and the resale would be better imo.
I think all the actions you listed there would make a nice rig my first choice would be a barnard if single shot but that is just me .
If you want something for 300 to 1000 6.5-284 or sraight 284 would be the better choice the 6br might be tricky past 600 if the conditions are there.
 
You can ask the Savage custom people to make you a repeater target action. It takes about 9 weeks from order to delivery. May not be the absolute best action compared to some of the others, but you also get the benefit of being able to change the barrel without too much trouble.
Denis
 
I have used, Barnard, Stiller and Nesika (now Dakota).

I would not hesitate to get a Barnard again. Since these are now easily available from Hirch Precision (and supported) this also plays a significant role in my choice.

Its no fun waiting 6 months to a year for an action .

There are many top F-Class shooters taking home hardware with the .284 and the 6.5-284, it is never a mistake to follow in the shoes of proven winners.
 
If money is not an issue and you're heading towards being very good than yeah, get a custom. Hirsch is suppose to get his Barnard soon and Jefferson had a 6mm BR I've been drooling over in EE
 
I would go with Surgeon for the reason it has a intergral recoil lug and base, second would be defiance and third would be one of the TAC series of actions from stiller. I also wouldnt mind trying one of the stiller actions and DBM triggerguards that use AW magazines, double stacked so you can top load also.
 
Back
Top Bottom