Action choice...

[nksmfamjp]

I'm thinking about building something off a custom action.

It will be:
308 bolt face
Short action
Either AICS or single shot


I really just want a strong, stiff, precisely machined, ultra smooth bolt throw, action.....ideally DLC or melonite.

ideally, I'd like the best price possible....thinking about Falkor Defense, but I'm open minded.

how do I choose?

 

[Rick Richard]

I am partial to Defiance because I have a few of these, but have owned Stiller with no problems and have a Kelby on the way. I think any top tier action will be fine.

 

[chetraguse]

I have a lone peak titanium one and it is super smooth and doesn't have hardly any bolt movement. I also have a Christensen titanium action and that doesn't even come close to the lone peak.

 

[cjl2010]

I've had a few Rems, lone peak ti, defiance deviant, and a kelblys. Kelbly is awesome for a "budget".

if money wasn't an issue I would love to order a BAT!

Message @Elk Hunter 338 or @Alex Wheeler and get as many questions answered as you can. Good luck.

 

[Ranger Rick]

I'm thinking about building something off a custom action.

It will be:
308 bolt face
Short action
Either AICS or single shot


I really just want a strong, stiff, precisely machined, ultra smooth bolt throw, action.....ideally DLC or melonite.

ideally, I'd like the best price possible....thinking about Falkor Defense, but I'm open minded.

how do I choose?

There are several great actions in the Falkor's $1,250 price range. I went with the BigHorn SR3 action because it offered CNC machining specific for my 300PRC build with an internal Extended magazine and BDL bottom metal. I chose the DLC option. BigHorn offers three styles of actions with multiple options, and their customer śervice rep was outstanding. I also have a factory Tikka T3x Lite Rifle, and it has super smooth bolt action.
Lots of choices for quality actions Whatever you choose, you'll like

 

[elf]

Friend of mine recently bought a Marsh action (based on Rem 700 footprint) and he loves it..

 

[reeldawg]

Check out the Defiance Tenacity actions.

 

[nksmfamjp]

What distinguishes one action for another....price? I can get a Defiance from $900-$1300....Zermatt Origin for $800, Falkor for $1000($1250 after preorder)

so what is the difference between the $900 actions and $1300 ones?

 

[Txhillbilly]

$400 !

There's really not much difference in any custom action. They all are 100% improvement over a factory action. It all comes down to the features that you want.

 

[muleystalker]

What distinguishes one action for another....price? I can get a Defiance from $900-$1300....Zermatt Origin for $800, Falkor for $1000($1250 after preorder)

so what is the difference between the $900 actions and $1300 ones?

One of the major things is the bolt timing and lockup. Try a Borden action and you will understand. When there is no effort when closing the bolt, you feel no cock on close.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

After speaking with Alex a bit I've been converted to the not all actions are equal crowd, and it's no longer something I'm willing to skimp on. With that being said I don't think price is the only factor you can go on...

I'm not going to say I totally or likely even partially understand what differentiates some of the best from the crowd, but I think a lot of it is in timing and their ignition systems. A lot of the long range benchrest guys are going to use whatever they think is the best, because they are out to set world records. Look at what they are using.

For me, the options I've considered for my last build, current build and future builds are as follows:

Defiance (what I went with for my LRH rifle)
Bat (what I went with for my current LR benchrest build)
Borden - Runner up for both, got a stupid deal on the Defiance that couldnt be passed up. Decided on the Bat for the benchrest rifle on a preferred extractor type.


for a tactical action I would also consider a terminus.

IMO if you want to know what the differences are in high end actions you need to talk to the guys who work with the best of the best every day and sees the results on paper and in records. They don't mess around with emotions and purchase justification.

 

[milo-2]

What distinguishes one action for another....price? I can get a Defiance from $900-$1300....Zermatt Origin for $800, Falkor for $1000($1250 after preorder)

so what is the difference between the $900 actions and $1300 ones?

Most of the $1300 actions are all integral, machined in lug, and scope base. A few companies have decided to offer actions w/o these integral machined options and are able to make them at reduced costs.

 

[milo-2]

One of the major things is the bolt timing and lockup. Try a Borden action and you will understand. When there is no effort when closing the bolt, you feel no cock on close.

Would you not have a stiffer bolt lift in this scenario? The original Mausingfield, as explained to me cocked at 105% upon bolt lift, closing the bolt took back the 5% of overkill.
Most guys I know in the positional game will take an action with easy bolt lift as opposed to easy closure.

 

[nksmfamjp]

IMO if you want to know what the differences are in high end actions you need to talk to the guys who work with the best of the best every day and sees the results on paper and in records.

Who is that?