School me on custom actions

WOW lots of choices when it comes to actions and barrels, I have a custom build Mack Bros Evo stainless action married to a 26" krieger barrel, bix'n andy tac sport pro trigger MTD XRS chassis AICS mag cerakoted and really when you look at some of the factory rifle prices you can easily spend what I paid for a full custom build.

I have 2 other christensen arms mesa long range rifles factory produced on Rem 700 actions, one short action and 1 long action very nice rifles the actions are smooth as butter and both will shoot 1/2" groups when I do my part, but from the factory you will never get a trigger like a custom target trigger, but again both those double as hunting rigs so you really don't want an 6 oz trigger pull on a hunting rifle.
 
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.
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My 2 cents...

The ejector spring on a Rem 700 or clone action imparts significant side load to the round both when chambered and during ejection.

This has 2 consequences,,, The first is that if the case is not fire formed, it will drive the round as far to the side as any clearances will permit... But the more important consequence is the damage it can do to the neck at ejection.

Ejected rounds will have a D shaped neck and that will contribute to neck splits and runout when reloading.

Controlled round feed does not impart the side load and does not initiate ejection until the brass has cleared the ejector port. So no neck damage.

Having said that, any precision target shooter worth his salt will simply shorten the ejector spring on a Rem 700 or clone to the point where it does not damage the neck, and for bench rest or F Class you can remove the spring completely.

For hunting or PRS style where ejection speed is key, you have to be carefull to make sure the round ejects, but with not enough force to cause damage.
 
If you were to subscribe to the, ‘’buy once, cry once’’ philosophy, then a top shelf action like a Borden or BAT, etc, will serve you for many years and be great for any type of precision shooting from PRS, long range plinking, F-Class etc. These more custom and very expensive actions do tend to be on the heavier side though, if you want a hunting rig, these actions are way overkill.
I have used lots of cheaper, mid range, and now top of the market actions, and you can’t go wrong with almost any of the mid to top actions others on the thread have mentioned.
Once you’ve shot a top end action though, it does spoil you, so be warned. I have shot a fair bit of F-Open matches the last 3-4 years and currently run a Barnard which is very nice, but once you run a Borden or BAT, then holy, they run like Swiss watches.
One other action you might then also consider that isn’t quite as expensive as those, is the Impact 737R, if it hasn’t been mentioned already. Excellent action, pre-fits available, not too expensive and built incredibly well. Available in Canada too thru Insite Arms. Easy Peasy.
 
redrams9 said:
If you were to subscribe to the, ‘’buy once, cry once’’ philosophy, then a top shelf action like a Borden or BAT, etc, will serve you for many years and be great for any type of precision shooting from PRS, long range plinking, F-Class etc. These more custom and very expensive actions do tend to be on the heavier side though, if you want a hunting rig, these actions are way overkill.
I have used lots of cheaper, mid range, and now top of the market actions, and you can’t go wrong with almost any of the mid to top actions others on the thread have mentioned.
Once you’ve shot a top end action though, it does spoil you, so be warned. I have shot a fair bit of F-Open matches the last 3-4 years and currently run a Barnard which is very nice, but once you run a Borden or BAT, then holy, they run like Swiss watches.
One other action you might then also consider that isn’t quite as expensive as those, is the Impact 737R, if it hasn’t been mentioned already. Excellent action, pre-fits available, not too expensive and built incredibly well. Available in Canada too thru Insite Arms. Easy Peasy.
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The good news is that the sooner in life you buy the good stuff the longer you will have to enjoy it.... And if you hold onto it long enough inflation may help you turn a profit on it one day.

Quality gear is always in demand.
 
Like everything else, the price on actions is going up. Personally I think the KS Arms actions are some of the slickest and well built for the value. A Defiance Tenacity is nice too, but what do you gain over a 700 besides being a little more smooth to cycle. Its still a 2 lug, repeater action.

I have a KS Arms SAR 3 lug (short action repeater) and its as smooth as my defiance, with the bonus of being a 3 lug so 60 degree throw, made in Canada with help being one phone call away and still cheaper than a defiance or most custom actions these days. When you could buy a Tenacity for $1100 they were perfect. Now unless you find a sale they're $1800+ and again, only a 2 lug repeater like your 700. KS Arms also makes their "Wolverine" action which is a 700 2 lug clone. They run $1400 and are well worth it, smooth as snot.

You wont regret going to a custom action, they hold their value over a 700 should you want to resell and once you run one, you'll realize there is more advantages to one.
 
laker415 said:
How's the bolt lift on the SAR? Any #### on close? I'm planning my next build and was looking hard at a Zeus. This action seems quite nice though and is significantly cheaper.
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Mike at KS Arms told me they designed it to be ran/timed with a TT Diamond which I have and the lift is very nice for a 3 Lug. Its not a heavy lift but its not a 2 lug either, you can easily do it with one hand and still maintain target. 0 #### on close its all when you lift the bolt after firing. I was really torn between a Zeus and the SAR and i'm glad I went this way. I would highly recommend one, if you have any questions give Mike a call at KS, he answered any question I had before I decided to take the plunge and was very helpful.

Not to mention their barrels are shooters. The Canada F-Class team uses em and thats when I decided to give one a shot and i've been impressed with accuracy and velocity. I have a 6BR 7.5T and it runs the 107 SMK at 2825fps with 30gr Varget and produce single digit SD/ES and 1.5" groups at 450 yards. Essentially running Dasher velocities in a straight BR.
 
hunter-4-life said:
Mike at KS Arms told me they designed it to be ran/timed with a TT Diamond which I have and the lift is very nice for a 3 Lug. Its not a heavy lift but its not a 2 lug either, you can easily do it with one hand and still maintain target. 0 #### on close its all when you lift the bolt after firing. I was really torn between a Zeus and the SAR and i'm glad I went this way. I would highly recommend one, if you have any questions give Mike a call at KS, he answered any question I had before I decided to take the plunge and was very helpful.

Not to mention their barrels are shooters. The Canada F-Class team uses em and thats when I decided to give one a shot and i've been impressed with accuracy and velocity. I have a 6BR 7.5T and it runs the 107 SMK at 2825fps with 30gr Varget and produce single digit SD/ES and 1.5" groups at 450 yards. Essentially running Dasher velocities in a straight BR.
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We exchanged PMs regarding the KS, after talking to Mike I was confident that their actions will work 110% with 6 BR using MDT mags, and he was absolutely RIGHT!, just got my barreled action just before Christmas, test fired with 108 Berger and 29.4 of varget, was already shooting.300” and the best 5 shot group was printing .208”.
Its the 3Lug action , 26” MTU 7.5 twist, just waiting for the 107 SMK and Scenar L 105 to arrive
 
ffgats said:
We exchanged PMs regarding the KS, after talking to Mike I was confident that their actions will work 110% with 6 BR using MDT mags, and he was absolutely RIGHT!, just got my barreled action just before Christmas, test fired with 108 Berger and 29.4 of varget, was already shooting.300” and the best 5 shot group was printing .208”.
Its the 3Lug action , 26” MTU 7.5 twist, just waiting for the 107 SMK and Scenar L 105 to arrive
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Im glad you like yours. Like I said mine feeds flawlessly and i've had it in 2 different chassis now. I honestly don't think you can get a better 3 lug at that price point. The boys at KS got er right!

I have to add that Dennis at Go Ballistic spoke very highly of them and first introduced me to them a couple years ago. Then after doing some researching, talking to a few buddies who have them and talking to Mike I decided to give them a shot. I will add I never did handle one before buying mine so I wasnt sure exactly how I would like it but after a couple hundred rounds through it and the barrel its a winning combo.
 
45C said:
What are the advantages of a 3 lug versed 2 lug?

Thanks
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Mainly economy of motion. 60* bolt lift versus 90. Of course, that comes at a trade-off of a heavier bolt lift, as the same amount of work (spring compression) has to be achieved over shorter travel.

Another advantage is clearance between your scope and fingers/thumb running the bolt.

Personally, I prefer a 90* action myself. But that's merely a preference.
 
Lots of information on the Solus on snipers hide. Quite a few YouTube videos as well. The $1199 price gets you some nice features. I question the feel of the action as you have to be giving up some refinement for that low price. Taking origin barrels is nice since gobig stocks so many of them.
 
45C said:
What are the advantages of a 3 lug versed 2 lug?

Thanks
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The bolt lift was one of my concern, and the idea that it will be on a 6br, I was a little big apprehensive. To be honest I can’t even tell the difference of lift needed vs my 2 lug Tenacity
 
Defiance Tenacity

- Ejection port is longer then all others and won’t match a R700 stock inlet perfectly. It will drop in no problem just looks not quite right if that matters.

- Straight bolt handle which can’t be changed can be a problem if mounting your scope low.
 
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