School me on custom actions

Skiman

Skiman

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I missed a recent sale of custom actions from FOC. I am now a sad panda.

I have a good (sub moa) short action Rem 700 pattern rifle in an MDT ACC but boredom dictates that's not good enough.

What's the best bang for the buck if I want to start a build? I want to do the work myself, but I don't have a lathe.

My groups clover at 100. Should I even bother? I hope to shoot out to 1000m or more in the future.

Thanks in advance.
 
You can reuse your acc as it is Rem700 foot print, so any rem 700 clone action will work.
The Defiance Tenacity is in special at Go Big Tactical. See if trigger tech has any sale for their diamond trigger over Christmas.
Look for barrel blank as early as possible, if the one you want is not available, it may take over half year waiting time.

Your rem 700 should let you shoot to 1000, just the matter of the size of the group and whether you reload. You need to try your groups at at least 300.
 
One benefit to a custom action is the availability of prefit barrels. This can save quite a chunk of money versus buying a blank barrel and then having a gunsmith do the work to fit it.

Some other benefits include possibility of integral recoil lug and pic rail, which makes installation easier and with fewer points of failure / mistake / tolerance; action is stronger overall with those parts built in.

As to best bang for buck, there are a bunch on the market. Solus and Cadex are a couple to look at.
 
Best bang for the buck... put on a prefit match barrel on your current Rem700 and enjoy. Accuracy is in the barrel and ammo. And yes you can swap this barrel yourself. PM or email if you want more info.

Personally, I would go 6.5 CM, 8 twist and launch 140/142gr class bullets. Easy peesy 1000+ reach. The Berger 140gr VLD will easily reach 1500yds. Want less recoil? Then a big list of 6mms will also get the job done to 1000yds

There is nothing that a custom action offers IF the action you have is working properly... which it apparently is.

But if you have the money and like the bling, there are plenty of custom actions to choose from.

Enjoy

Jerry
 
I went with a cadex action for my 6.5 CM that I use on the bench, for distances out to 1400m, our range limit.

IBI usually has a great sale at boxing day with some barrels. I bought mine in the $600 range during last years sale. 26" heavy spiral fluted barrel, with threaded end. They threaded it for the cadex action.

I spun it on at home onto the action, played with the headspace as I wanted, (set a bit more snug than SAMMI spec) and added a braked tuner on the end. Been shooting great this last year since April with over 1000 rounds now down it.


There are several that are at prefit spec, and several barrel makers with prefit barrels to match so you can save the smith fitting work and fees of $500-$600 ish. Go no go gauges are $50 ish range.

Go big has several barreled actions on sale if you want to go that route and just add your stock and trigger group. I think he also has full blown builds in many different config and manuf types as well and they should be on sale this time of year.
RDSC I beleive also has barreled actions, Shield works, that they put together, or you can get barrels, and actions from them as well.

I find that more and more are offering barreled actions as well, as we transition to this spec of pre fits by the action makers, and barrel makers.

Reason I went IBI barrel is they use the barrel nut so I can easily do the work at home without a barrel vise and action wrench. These days the sky is your limit on what you want to accomplish.
 
Thanks for the input everyone. Neat to get some input from Jerry.

Honestly, my current 6.5 can probably do the job just fine but I will keep an eye out at those suggested retailers. As stated, I probably need more range time than anything, but it is winter and boredom sometimes sets in.

If anyone cares, I do hand load. The current rifle loves 129gn hornady sp over varget for some reason. Though I've tried various Sierra and 4350 combos that worked almost as well.

Prefit barrels look wonderful.
 
enjoy the barrel you have and just burn it out.... learn lots about ballistics and more importantly, DRIFT.

There is no issue pushing this bullet out towards 1000yds.

When you get past 1500rds, time to think about a new barrel as the lead time to manf will give you time to burn out the barrel.

If you shoot, you will get to that barrel swap sooner then you think... unfortunately, once there, you will likely never be satisfied by factory barrel performance again. :)

Jerry
 
To add to all this, once you start shooting more, you may start investigating various shooting sports. While a basic action can work just fine for PRS, BR, etc, you will start seeing custom actions at these events. In the hands of an experienced competitor, you can see where the money is going, and how these are being used.

If you’re like most and just having fun, you’re good with what you have. :cheers:
 
Skiman said:
Thanks for the input everyone. Neat to get some input from Jerry.

Honestly, my current 6.5 can probably do the job just fine but I will keep an eye out at those suggested retailers. As stated, I probably need more range time than anything, but it is winter and boredom sometimes sets in.

If anyone cares, I do hand load. The current rifle loves 129gn hornady sp over varget for some reason. Though I've tried various Sierra and 4350 combos that worked almost as well.

Prefit barrels look wonderful.
Click to expand...

Shoot with ORA(if you are not far from Borden) for a season first then you will have better idea what you need.
 
I'm going to hop onto this thread as I have basically the same question, only I'm sans any action. Specifically: a long-action in a non-magnum caliber, as LRM primers are somewhat un-obtanium at the moment and I have enough large rifle primers kicking about.

What brand do you guys recommend for an action? Nothing 'too' budget, just something with good bang for buck. I'm not interested in throwing cash at diminishing returns.

So far from my internet research, Savage is basically 'meh'. I've handled them and shot them... not a fan.

Do I go with Remington 700 for the aftermarket support? What's the quality like on your average 'Freedom Group/Cerberus' era Rem 700? Is a 783 (gasp) doable as well?

How does Howa/Ruger stack up in comparison?

I'm near Borden and a few crown spots that go out to 1000m and beyond, and would like to stretch it to 1200m on occasion... just need to build something, and the options are a bit staggering.
 
Tyler said:
I'm going to hop onto this thread as I have basically the same question, only I'm sans any action. Specifically: a long-action in a non-magnum caliber, as LRM primers are somewhat un-obtanium at the moment and I have enough large rifle primers kicking about.

What brand do you guys recommend for an action? Nothing 'too' budget, just something with good bang for buck. I'm not interested in throwing cash at diminishing returns.

So far from my internet research, Savage is basically 'meh'. I've handled them and shot them... not a fan.

Do I go with Remington 700 for the aftermarket support? What's the quality like on your average 'Freedom Group/Cerberus' era Rem 700? Is a 783 (gasp) doable as well?

How does Howa/Ruger stack up in comparison?

I'm near Borden and a few crown spots that go out to 1000m and beyond, and would like to stretch it to 1200m on occasion... just need to build something, and the options are a bit staggering.
Click to expand...

Factory actions aren't worth building off unless you already own the rifle or are doing a budget build. You need to research the features you want. Control round feed, push feed, swappable bolt heads, integral recoil lug and rail, 90 or 60 degree bolt lift and budget. Those answers will help narrow down the options. Remington footprint is usually the common feature which is preferred for aftermarket goodies and options in the used market. Savage small shank tenon can be nice for cheap barrels that come up for sale, but most if not all quality actions allow for shouldered prefits that you can install at home without sending your action to the gunsmith. The bighorn origin is a great "budget" action. I use air quotes because it's an awesome action that feels really good and functions as it should.
 
laker415 said:
You need to research the features you want. Control round feed, push feed, swappable bolt heads, integral recoil lug and rail, 90 or 60 degree bolt lift and budget.
Click to expand...

A bolt action is a bolt action, generally speaking. I've got several already with all features above mentioned. Push feed is preferred here because single loading is easier, but most come from the factory this way. A one piece bolt is fine. 60 v 90 degree... meh. I'm taking aimed shots from a few football fields away, the rapidity of the action isn't a concern here.

Thanks for the suggestion!
 
Tyler said:
A bolt action is a bolt action, generally speaking. I've got several already with all features above mentioned. Push feed is preferred here because single loading is easier, but most come from the factory this way. A one piece bolt is fine. 60 v 90 degree... meh. I'm taking aimed shots from a few football fields away, the rapidity of the action isn't a concern here.

Thanks for the suggestion!
Click to expand...

Sure thing. Push feed is better for single feeding? An action is an action? You seem to have a handle on things, lol
 
It's not rocket appliances, and you're kind of putting words in my mouth.

Try loose feeding a single cartridge over the extractor on a controlled feed action over and over, and let me know how that goes for you. Or maybe you know of an action where this is a thing and are eager to flex your internet knowledge. Dunno. I doubt the steel target at 1000m will care if it was shot with a bullet from a rifle with a 60 or 90 degree throw, or 3 lugs or 2... and so on.

I just asked how Remington/Howa/Ruger/et. all stacked up. Thanks for your suggestion.
 
Tyler said:
It's not rocket appliances, and you're kind of putting words in my mouth.

Try loose feeding a single cartridge over the extractor on a controlled feed action over and over, and let me know how that goes for you. Or maybe you know of an action where this is a thing and are eager to flex your internet knowledge. Dunno. I doubt the steel target at 1000m will care if it was shot with a bullet from a rifle with a 60 or 90 degree throw, or 3 lugs or 2... and so on.

I just asked how Remington/Howa/Ruger/et. all stacked up. Thanks for your suggestion.
Click to expand...

You posted your question in a thread that asks about custom actions. I assumed you were asking about custom actions because of that. You replied like you have alot of experience with everything but your original post makes it sound like you have very little. I have multiple control round feed actions that I single feed and could do so all day long. Imagine someone else comes to this thread and is looking for information about actions and you are writing incorrect information based on no experience. I'm not "flexing", just trying to answer questions that are asked. The target doesn't care what you shoot it with, but everyone is different and is looking for different features on their setups. You seem to think it's a one size fits all and that's great. Get yourself a Remington and fire away.
 
laker415 said:
I have multiple control round feed actions that I single feed and could do so all day long.
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Don't touch my K98's, lol. If by 'single feed', you mean throwing a round in loose and slamming the action home.

laker415 said:
Get yourself a Remington and fire away.
Click to expand...

That's what it's looking like. Unless I can find a decent 'custom' for around $1000 or under, but going by Mystic's posts in other threads it seems like it's not required. I only asked because I can't seem to find a stock Rem 700 long action for less than some cheaper customs, and was wondering if there's much of a difference.
 
Ah, you are referring to old guns. Then yes, single feeding isn't really recommended. Almost every modern control round feed supports single feeding and you honestly can't feel the case snap over the extractor.

A custom is not necessary if it doesn't offer something you need or want. Generally it's something you "graduate" to as you continuously upgrade factory rifles until you end up just wanting to build from scratch.

"Budget" customs up here would be the pristine action, ultimatum hmb, and then it jumps a couple hundred to the Kelbly Atlas tactical, bighorn origin, and the arc nucleus.
 
Tyler said:
I'm going to hop onto this thread as I have basically the same question, only I'm sans any action. Specifically: a long-action in a non-magnum caliber, as LRM primers are somewhat un-obtanium at the moment and I have enough large rifle primers kicking about.

What brand do you guys recommend for an action? Nothing 'too' budget, just something with good bang for buck. I'm not interested in throwing cash at diminishing returns.

So far from my internet research, Savage is basically 'meh'. I've handled them and shot them... not a fan.

Do I go with Remington 700 for the aftermarket support? What's the quality like on your average 'Freedom Group/Cerberus' era Rem 700? Is a 783 (gasp) doable as well?

How does Howa/Ruger stack up in comparison?

I'm near Borden and a few crown spots that go out to 1000m and beyond, and would like to stretch it to 1200m on occasion... just need to build something, and the options are a bit staggering.
Click to expand...

For custom there's Bighorn/Zermatt Origin, Kelbly, BAT Ignitor, ARC CDG, Defiance Tenacity, etc.

783 is "doable" but leaves you with no real path to upgrades. It's a footprint that has extremely limited support. R700 has the most support and options (triggers, stocks and chassis'), but you can debate if it's worth sinking money into an R700 action when you can spend a bit more and get a better built and feature rich "custom" action. Tikka's are good, and aftermarket support for them is pretty good and growing every day.
 
kthomas said:
For custom there's Bighorn/Zermatt Origin, Kelbly, BAT Ignitor, ARC CDG, Defiance Tenacity, etc.

783 is "doable" but leaves you with no real path to upgrades. It's a footprint that has extremely limited support. R700 has the most support and options (triggers, stocks and chassis'), but you can debate if it's worth sinking money into an R700 action when you can spend a bit more and get a better built and feature rich "custom" action. Tikka's are good, and aftermarket support for them is pretty good and growing every day.
Click to expand...

You Forgot Borden actions
 
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