hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
If money was no problem I would as well but Ive never seen a pre 64 for mush under $1000. Thats a little high for something that could be worn out and need a new barrel.
Limited to 1 action (short and long versions) what would you choose??
- Thread starter emerson
- Start date
If money was no problem I would as well but Ive never seen a pre 64 for mush under $1000. Thats a little high for something that could be worn out and need a new barrel.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
A bare pre-64 action is worth $650-$850. But they're so worth it.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Got a brand new fn m70 for $650. Little bit of a difference.
Mangosteen
Regular
- Location
- Okanagan BC/Alberta/ Peruvian coast.
Don’t miss the 416 Rigby.
My go to rifle is a 1979 Rem 700LA with a wildcat stock, Magpul detachable magazine in 280 Rem which is on it's 8th barrel . Short actions have some small advantages in weight and quickness but the long action seems more versatile. (I have a Rem 700 short action in 7-08 that is a joy to carry.)
- Location
- Fraser Valley, B.C.
Tikka T3X for or a few reasons.
1. They come in left hand.
2. You can get factory options with heavy barrels.
3. Trigger adjustment is a simple spring.
4. One action length to go from long to short. (Put a long bolt stop in all of them.)
5. Switching barrels is a breeze with the correct tools and makes changing cartridges super easy and cheap with factory barrels.
6. Lots of aftermarket support for the things I’m looking for.
7. Lots of factory configurations and opens from ACE to Superlites.
8. The bolt is truly buttery smooth.
I’m sure I could find more reasons but those are the easy ones.
B
1. They come in left hand.
2. You can get factory options with heavy barrels.
3. Trigger adjustment is a simple spring.
4. One action length to go from long to short. (Put a long bolt stop in all of them.)
5. Switching barrels is a breeze with the correct tools and makes changing cartridges super easy and cheap with factory barrels.
6. Lots of aftermarket support for the things I’m looking for.
7. Lots of factory configurations and opens from ACE to Superlites.
8. The bolt is truly buttery smooth.
I’m sure I could find more reasons but those are the easy ones.
B
As a lefty there are limitations that we experience that the right handed shooters do not have to suffer. That being said, we still have some good choices.
I started off with LH Rem 700 actions and built rifles on both short and long actions. I did have the bolt face opened up on my first SA for the 300 WSM, but the others are a 250AI, and a 358 Win.
The LA are a 280 Rem and a 338-06.
If I had to choose just one, it would the LA and I would add a 25-06 Rem, and a 9.3x62. Would work for a global battery including DG.
I also have LH Sako Model 85s that I really like. On the SA, I have a 338 Federal.
On the LA, I have a 9.3x62 and did have a 6.5x55, that I will likely replace at some point. I would like to find one in 7x64. Would make a nice European (metric) trio that would be cool to have, and also work globally incl/ DG.
Today, I would be hard pressed to choose between the Rem 700 and Sako 85...but with the DM, the Sako would likely get the nod.
The Ruger Model 77 Mk II is another great choice. I have the 416 Taylor, but would add the 7mm Rem Mag and 338 Win Mag for a magnum trio to cover the globe and DG.
One many wouldn't probably think of as a donor action for custom guns that I also like is the Browning X Bolt. I like the All Weather version best, but am otherwise limited to the Hunter, and currently have the 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 270 WSM, and 308 Win all on the short action. The 6.5s both have after market barrels; the CM has a 24" Benchmark barrel while the PRC has a 24" Wilson carbon fibre barrel. I just acquired the 308 in a trade, and if I don't fall in love with it, it may just become a 25 CM.
While not left handed, the Winchester Model 88 has some appeal for a lefty as a lever action, with a DM for use with spitzer bullets. While it wouldn't be my first choice for a one and only action, I do like it enough that I have them in 250 Savage, 7mm-08 Rem and 338 Federal. With my 38 year average of taking game at 132 yards, these will suffice to take the majority of game that I hunt locally on a regular basis.
The triggers are terrible, but having talked to noted gunsmith Joe Balickie on what he did to clean it up when he built John Wooter's 7mm-08 for John and his wife, the work resulted in an extremely improved version of the Model 88 in 250 Savage with a 22" Wilson barrel that is not only smooth, crisp and clean, but also very accurate. It has produced groups as small as 0.209" at 100 yards with HSM's 100 gr SGK ammo.
I started off with LH Rem 700 actions and built rifles on both short and long actions. I did have the bolt face opened up on my first SA for the 300 WSM, but the others are a 250AI, and a 358 Win.
The LA are a 280 Rem and a 338-06.
If I had to choose just one, it would the LA and I would add a 25-06 Rem, and a 9.3x62. Would work for a global battery including DG.
I also have LH Sako Model 85s that I really like. On the SA, I have a 338 Federal.
On the LA, I have a 9.3x62 and did have a 6.5x55, that I will likely replace at some point. I would like to find one in 7x64. Would make a nice European (metric) trio that would be cool to have, and also work globally incl/ DG.
Today, I would be hard pressed to choose between the Rem 700 and Sako 85...but with the DM, the Sako would likely get the nod.
The Ruger Model 77 Mk II is another great choice. I have the 416 Taylor, but would add the 7mm Rem Mag and 338 Win Mag for a magnum trio to cover the globe and DG.
One many wouldn't probably think of as a donor action for custom guns that I also like is the Browning X Bolt. I like the All Weather version best, but am otherwise limited to the Hunter, and currently have the 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 270 WSM, and 308 Win all on the short action. The 6.5s both have after market barrels; the CM has a 24" Benchmark barrel while the PRC has a 24" Wilson carbon fibre barrel. I just acquired the 308 in a trade, and if I don't fall in love with it, it may just become a 25 CM.
While not left handed, the Winchester Model 88 has some appeal for a lefty as a lever action, with a DM for use with spitzer bullets. While it wouldn't be my first choice for a one and only action, I do like it enough that I have them in 250 Savage, 7mm-08 Rem and 338 Federal. With my 38 year average of taking game at 132 yards, these will suffice to take the majority of game that I hunt locally on a regular basis.
The triggers are terrible, but having talked to noted gunsmith Joe Balickie on what he did to clean it up when he built John Wooter's 7mm-08 for John and his wife, the work resulted in an extremely improved version of the Model 88 in 250 Savage with a 22" Wilson barrel that is not only smooth, crisp and clean, but also very accurate. It has produced groups as small as 0.209" at 100 yards with HSM's 100 gr SGK ammo.
