.300 Dakota
Well-Known Member
Awhile back I was asking for direction on an action for a 6.5 GAP and was steered to the Defiance XM length anTI X. Great, but that's close to a year's wait unless I get super lucky.
I have another project in mind now that requires a long action. Most of the work will be done practicing at the range. Outside of that, it will be a dedicated hunting rifle.
I decided to start looking at every possible action that seemed like it could be at my FFL's door before hot weather gets here. What I found was that there are hardly any long action, standard (.473") bolt face actions anywhere. Not only that, companies with lead times posted make an exception for that configuration listing it several weeks farther out than all other configurations. I'm guessing the demand isn't there? Most everyone either seems to favor a short action or a super magnum action for the Norma, Lapua, or Chey-Tac magnum cartridges. Leave it to me to be an oddball.
I decided to see what features I could get for the money on the lower end of the cost spectrum that could be had without a 4 - 12-month wait and I found 2 actions that I could get my hands on relatively fast in long action, standard bolt face: Kelbly Atlas and ARC Nucleus 2.0. (Not even a Stiller available for months in that configuration!) When I started reading the features on the Nucleus, I couldn't believe it wasn't $300 more or higher. I did read that the original Nucleus (not so long ago) had issues. Supposedly, the issues have been corrected in the 1.1 version, and now the 2.0 even further. So here's what I like about the Nucleus:
Slightly shorter bolt throw,
Controlled-round feed
Bolt head size interchangeability
Accepts Remington triggers
Fits in Remington stocks
Anti-bind bolt design
Zero cock-on-close
In theory, excellent alignment to bore from the contact of the points of the 3 lugs.
Accepts Savage small shank pre-fits (now I can use my Carbon Six .284 Win barrel for something besides a door prop since I'll be able to get a stock that works!)
Reported fast cycling
Ability to single feed the CRF bolt head.
What I don't like or am concerned about:
That darn gosh-awful looking bolt knob! (Yes, I know it's suppose to be a fast design used in competition, but not sure how well it will work for me in the field. And I personally find it unsightly (maybe it will grow on me?).
Inertia ejector? I can see the potential here for a failure-to-eject if trying to cycle very slowly (quietly) loaded round or spent case. Maybe I don't understand the mechanism fully, so this may not be an issue. More of a concern at this point from a standpoint of ignorance.
The 3 points of contact between the lugs and receiver. Yes, this was a theoretical plus listed above. It is described as 3 legs on a tripod. In all my years, I've been taught/told that we lap lugs to ensure MORE contact between bolt lugs and reciever. This seems to be just the opposite. Very little contact, the way it's described. It is a concern just because of what I've learned about accuracy and having MORE contact there.
Weight. It isn't super heavy, but isn't super light, either. About 34 ounces. Lighter would be better, but I could counter this with the right stock (thinking AG Composites if they inlet one that will work with the Nucleus action).
Extra bolt heads are costly.
Recoil lug and rail aren't integral (lug is "keyed"?? They explain how this works, but I need to see it to fully understand it). This isn't a big deal to me. I've hashed out the theoretical differences here before, but could never find any proof that all parts must be integral to achieve exceptional hunting accuracy. I just threw this in because I knew someone would be quick to point it out as a negative. And there isn't anyone who makes an action that I know of in the $1000 price range with all integral parts. I think that's what makes the more expensive actions more expensive.
Also on the Nucleus, I've read about something called the BARLOC system. I haven't seen how it works in detail, but apparently lets you change barrels super easy (like in the field). It is offered on this action by one supplier for a $150 upcharge. Does anyone that knows anything about this think it's a must-have? I mentioned using a 284 Win pre-fit barrel, but the real project is going to be a much more potent wildcat. And if that doesn't work out, who knows (probably a bolt head change to magnum and then more wildcatting). So there is a need for modularity.
Now, if I add the BARLOC and a magnum extra bolt head, I'm in the same money as the higher end Defiance actions. But I have more potential.
Does anyone who've used the Nucleus or know anyone who has have a compelling reason for me not to get a 2.0 vs the Atlas?
Thanks in advance.
I have another project in mind now that requires a long action. Most of the work will be done practicing at the range. Outside of that, it will be a dedicated hunting rifle.
I decided to start looking at every possible action that seemed like it could be at my FFL's door before hot weather gets here. What I found was that there are hardly any long action, standard (.473") bolt face actions anywhere. Not only that, companies with lead times posted make an exception for that configuration listing it several weeks farther out than all other configurations. I'm guessing the demand isn't there? Most everyone either seems to favor a short action or a super magnum action for the Norma, Lapua, or Chey-Tac magnum cartridges. Leave it to me to be an oddball.
I decided to see what features I could get for the money on the lower end of the cost spectrum that could be had without a 4 - 12-month wait and I found 2 actions that I could get my hands on relatively fast in long action, standard bolt face: Kelbly Atlas and ARC Nucleus 2.0. (Not even a Stiller available for months in that configuration!) When I started reading the features on the Nucleus, I couldn't believe it wasn't $300 more or higher. I did read that the original Nucleus (not so long ago) had issues. Supposedly, the issues have been corrected in the 1.1 version, and now the 2.0 even further. So here's what I like about the Nucleus:
Slightly shorter bolt throw,
Controlled-round feed
Bolt head size interchangeability
Accepts Remington triggers
Fits in Remington stocks
Anti-bind bolt design
Zero cock-on-close
In theory, excellent alignment to bore from the contact of the points of the 3 lugs.
Accepts Savage small shank pre-fits (now I can use my Carbon Six .284 Win barrel for something besides a door prop since I'll be able to get a stock that works!)
Reported fast cycling
Ability to single feed the CRF bolt head.
What I don't like or am concerned about:
That darn gosh-awful looking bolt knob! (Yes, I know it's suppose to be a fast design used in competition, but not sure how well it will work for me in the field. And I personally find it unsightly (maybe it will grow on me?).
Inertia ejector? I can see the potential here for a failure-to-eject if trying to cycle very slowly (quietly) loaded round or spent case. Maybe I don't understand the mechanism fully, so this may not be an issue. More of a concern at this point from a standpoint of ignorance.
The 3 points of contact between the lugs and receiver. Yes, this was a theoretical plus listed above. It is described as 3 legs on a tripod. In all my years, I've been taught/told that we lap lugs to ensure MORE contact between bolt lugs and reciever. This seems to be just the opposite. Very little contact, the way it's described. It is a concern just because of what I've learned about accuracy and having MORE contact there.
Weight. It isn't super heavy, but isn't super light, either. About 34 ounces. Lighter would be better, but I could counter this with the right stock (thinking AG Composites if they inlet one that will work with the Nucleus action).
Extra bolt heads are costly.
Recoil lug and rail aren't integral (lug is "keyed"?? They explain how this works, but I need to see it to fully understand it). This isn't a big deal to me. I've hashed out the theoretical differences here before, but could never find any proof that all parts must be integral to achieve exceptional hunting accuracy. I just threw this in because I knew someone would be quick to point it out as a negative. And there isn't anyone who makes an action that I know of in the $1000 price range with all integral parts. I think that's what makes the more expensive actions more expensive.
Also on the Nucleus, I've read about something called the BARLOC system. I haven't seen how it works in detail, but apparently lets you change barrels super easy (like in the field). It is offered on this action by one supplier for a $150 upcharge. Does anyone that knows anything about this think it's a must-have? I mentioned using a 284 Win pre-fit barrel, but the real project is going to be a much more potent wildcat. And if that doesn't work out, who knows (probably a bolt head change to magnum and then more wildcatting). So there is a need for modularity.
Now, if I add the BARLOC and a magnum extra bolt head, I'm in the same money as the higher end Defiance actions. But I have more potential.
Does anyone who've used the Nucleus or know anyone who has have a compelling reason for me not to get a 2.0 vs the Atlas?
Thanks in advance.
