Lets talk Actions!

ultimate_monkey

ultimate_monkey

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So its new build time, and i was set on going with a surgeon action. How ever it seems they are very hard to come by and quite the wait to get them if ordered. Iv been reading alot of reviews on different action, Pierce, stiller, barnard and so on but hell its A LOT of info to be taking in and now im just even more torn on what to go with then when i started haha. im hoping some of the big dogs around here can chime in with what they have experience with. the build is going to be a "tacticool" gong basher for the most part, im not expecting to have BR accuracy but im still aiming for a 1/2MOA or better.

Im not really interested in your "i read on the internet" opinions, id like to keep this to "this is what iv used (preferable used alot) and this is what i think"

the list of requirements that i need to have met

long action with a 700 footprint
changeable bolt faces , .473 and 550. hell i don't even mind having to buy a 2nd bolt if i have to as long as that option is available
side bolt release
use of a 700 trigger
threaded bolt handle for use of oversize knobs
and or course be meg feedable with common available DBM systems


ON my list currently is

stiller Predator 1000 ( pretty sure its mag feedable)
Stiller Tactical 300
Pierce long action repeater
surgeon long action
 
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I also couldnt wait months of wait on surgeon actions so went with donor rem700 action trued to build one and its been giving me around 0.450" at 100 yards and trying to close her in bit more.

Have talked to a gunsmith as what you have in mind for creating changable bolt face, and the reply was to just get an extra bolt for it but i am sure there are other gunsmith that will want to create something fun but will be costly i guess.

I would like to ask if you are also going to have a different barrel for those two different diamiater for bolt face. hope everything works out with your build!
 
Haha ya 2 different barrels for sure ! Ones going to be a 300wm and one is still undecided somthing a bit smaller like a 6.5 creadmore or 6br I was having a hard time deciding on what cartridge I wanted to build this gun around. So just decides to go with 2 bolt faces and can do what ever I want at just the cost of barrel and instal

As far as useing a doner action well, by the time I buy one have it trued and blueprinted I still have a factory action so unless I wanna start paying for things like bolt shimming /sleeving , shined bolt race ways etc etc it will still be an inferior action to a good custome one and with all that work done cost as much if not more in the end so I won't be going Down that road
 
how much are you prepared to spend?

I like barnard and you can get extra bolts.

Of the 700 clones out there, the Defiance Rebel is decent and so are the Pierce actions. At the high-end, the PGW actions are nice too.
 
Your on the right track with the custom , the 700 action after trueing is still a better deal price wise just because you can sell the trigger and you get bottom metal so it levels out after a gun smith bill ... however if your gonna build something sick and you dont have a donor 700 around ... custom all the way. This is coming from a guy that bought a 700 and built a " Gong Basher " wich turned out unreal. My next rifle will probably go on a Pierce Titanium, Although ive priced it out and after a Jewel trigger, import fee's and bottom metal its gonna be $2500. Stillar has bin building custom actions alot longer than Pierce, but i dont think that actually gives them any more merrit than Pierce. Dont know much about Surgeon other than from what " ive read" there awesome. Big calibur ... i would go BAT for sure, and by big i mean 338 Edge or Lapua.

I like the Pierce Titanium , but for the action's you listed I think your biggest decision is trying to figure out which one you think looks the coolest !!! :) Good Luck and happy building !
 
Pilot thanks for the input , iv currently got a 700 that will be trued up when it gets rebarreled but that in about 1000rnds from now even tho it's already a 1/2 MOA gun. So this is kinda my "no expense spared" build where money is not a factor realistically I'm figureing ill be into this rifle for 8g +/- with scope Deffinatly more once I add in the 2nd barrel and bolt down the road.

I agree if I was going with a big boy callibers of .338lm or edge I'd probably go bat, but well I don't need 2 lapuas haha maybe a .408 or .50 next year but for now .300wm will fill the gap in my caliber selection I have now
 
I did look into the ATRS actions, however when I talked to Rick he's been very successful with them and is currently only offering his actions in his rifles until he gets caught up and has a few available for separate sales. And since I already have most other parts ordered , this won't be an ARTS rifle
 
I have worked with all the first mentioned actions. I like the Stiller from that list however the best made action is without question a Barnard. If you want a long action repeater then look at the Barnard PLM. If it has to be a 700 type action don't forget the Borden or Nesika or Defiance. Also there is a new UK made action, the DCR which may be good as well. Too many choices, all of which will do a 1/2" rifle.
 
Ian, when i was on the barnard website looking at the plm it said " in .338LM only, with 5 shot magazie" maybe i read it wrong but to me it says that the action is only available to use the 338lm bolt face...
 
Ian Robertson said:
I have worked with all the first mentioned actions. I like the Stiller from that list however the best made action is without question a Barnard. If you want a long action repeater then look at the Barnard PLM. If it has to be a 700 type action don't forget the Borden or Nesika or Defiance. Also there is a new UK made action, the DCR which may be good as well. Too many choices, all of which will do a 1/2" rifle.
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Why do you think the Barnard is such a great action ? I really dont know much about it myself ... I agree i over looked Borden they are real nice. Im definatly not a Defiance guy ... just me , somthing to do with the angle of the bolt handle.

Just looked at some pics , i hate how that bolt handle sticks straight out. Borden has an angle that is beautiful. Almost goes straight down, nicley tucked away. Pierce actions have a beautiful bolt handle too, nice angle on it. Tried and tested. Just about gonna bust out the wallet on one right now.
 
You should also consider a PGWDTI Timberwolf action.

I have to admit it does not fit your criteria for a Rem700 clone but unless you already have an inletted stock waiting to fit on it probably shouldn't matter.

I have several F class and tactical rifles built by PGW on both Timberwolf and Coyote actions. They are extremely robust and stiff actions to build on. I am very satisfied with how they perform and use them to compete in F class competitions all over North America.

The Timberwolf wil accept and Rem700 compatible trigger.
You would have to get two bolts as they do not have interchangeable heads.
The Timberwolf is available with it's own bottom metal and magazines.
 
i was thinking of going with the JAE stock, which is only availble for the 700 long/short actions and the m14 . so thats why i was thinking the 700 foot pring would be nice. im also ok with going with an A4/5 from mcmillian, so that could be inleted for what ever action i end up with
 
ultimate_monkey said:
i was thinking of going with the JAE stock, which is only availble for the 700 long/short actions and the m14 . so thats why i was thinking the 700 foot pring would be nice. im also ok with going with an A4/5 from mcmillian, so that could be inleted for what ever action i end up with
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There are plenty of other stock choices to think about. You did not say what your intentions were for the gun, i'm guessing tactical/precision if you want a repeater.
I have no experience with the JAE stocks so I cannot comment on whether or not it's worth tying yourself to a Rem700 footprint. I do have three guns siting in Mcmillan A5 and F class stocks and all three stocks are well made and very functional.
 
haha i said right in first post its gonna be a tactical gong basher :p i myself have an a5 currently and its a great stock for sure, just wanted to try something different!

my real main reason for trying to stick with something that's a 700 footprint was for availability of triggers, stocks, DBM kits and so on but for the right action i have no problem with having to go and special order every thing
 
I was going through the same debate a few months ago for a lightweight precision/coyote rig and decided to go Peirce Titanium. After several custom Remingtons, a few TRGs and a PGW Coyote I figured the Peirce Ti would be my best choice for lightweight, if I wasn't going lightweight I would probably go PGW or Barnard. Having said that, a very reputable gunsmith told me most custom actions will give very similar performance, they are all machined to very tight tolerances(ever tighter for bench guns), true, square... and the results are evident.

I don't know if this helped at all but maybe find the one with all of the features you like and that meets your criteria, get a good gunsmith to put it together and you'll be off to the races!
 
pilot2001 said:
Your on the right track with the custom , the 700 action after trueing is still a better deal price wise just because you can sell the trigger and you get bottom metal so it levels out after a gun smith bill ... however if your gonna build something sick and you dont have a donor 700 around ... custom all the way. This is coming from a guy that bought a 700 and built a " Gong Basher " wich turned out unreal. My next rifle will probably go on a Pierce Titanium, Although ive priced it out and after a Jewel trigger, import fee's and bottom metal its gonna be $2500. Stillar has bin building custom actions alot longer than Pierce, but i dont think that actually gives them any more merrit than Pierce. Dont know much about Surgeon other than from what " ive read" there awesome. Big calibur ... i would go BAT for sure, and by big i mean 338 Edge or Lapua.

I like the Pierce Titanium , but for the action's you listed I think your biggest decision is trying to figure out which one you think looks the coolest !!! :) Good Luck and happy building !
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Would like to know more about pierce from a guy that handled it. My own gift this christmas will be building one with Mark5 Action trued since i have old custom that barrel burnt out. But wouldnt mind trying out other actions with rem700 footprint. If you were to order one, which dealer do you deal with ?
 
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