Best Budget Custom Action Currently

[Nowoolies]

Not looking for a Rem 700 want a full custom.

Been eyeballing a Bighorn Origin.

G'day.308
Go with the Big Horn put a Rock Creek heavy Palma match 1:10 twist and a MPA chassis,
that's what I've finished a few months back unbelievable in the accuracy dept built to run Hornady 212grain ELD-X
Can't go wrong I believe forgot it's a 33 inch barrel to start finished at 31 inch plus T3 break cal is .300 WM

 

[308cal]

G'day.308
Go with the Big Horn put a Rock Creek heavy Palma match 1:10 twist and a MPA chassis,
that's what I've finished a few months back unbelievable in the accuracy dept built to run Hornady 212grain ELD-X
Can't go wrong I believe forgot it's a 33 inch barrel to start finished at 31 inch plus T3 break

I'm planning to go lightweight, CF Proof or BSF barrel, and a McMillan Game Hunter Edge.

 

[Nowoolies]

Well this don't fit lol this baby comes in just under 18lbs unloaded

 

[Antarcticchamp]

I'm building on a bighorn. The prefits will save you a couple hundred on smith work.

 

[Txhillbilly]

Anyone try the Shilen DGR? It's pushing the OP's budget, but I've been interested in a switch barrel rifle I can do bolt head swaps on.

I have one. It's a nice action that's made for Shilen by Stiller. The bad thing is since it uses the Savage style "floating bolt head" design,it's not as smooth as other custom actions.
I also have an ARC Nucleus action. It is smooth,controlled feed,Mauser style extractor. I really like this action. There have been some guy's complaining about having light primer strikes with this action with the original 16# spring. Mine was the 12th Nucleus made,and I haven't had a single issue with mine,and I only shoot handloads out of my guns.

 

[Totoro]

PSA, Defiance Tenacity is now available in long action.

 

[smokepoler]

The OP asked for actions less than 1k. I am curious as to where I can get a Bighorn, an ARC Nucleus, and a lot of the others that list for hundreds over that price for 1k?

 

[smokepoler]

I'm curious about the custom actions, do any of them have a long Tang measurement? The longer it is the better it'll hold a heavy barrel

Bighorn

 

[bigngreen]

I would use the Defiance Tenacity or a Kelbly Atlas, several of the actions mentioned like the Mausingfeild use way to light of springs so they feel good because their geometry sucks, the Bighorn is also disappointing.

 

[arch408]

Remington M700's are less than $400 at Wally Mart. Toss the barrel and stock or sell them on eBay. Lap the bolt lugs to the reciever and face off reciever to insure that it is perpendicular to the horizontal axis. I installed a Broughton barrel and H S Precision Stock. My total cost including the reamer was less than $1600. I did all the work, but I got a really nice rifle for not much more than a stock rifle. I know I'm going to catch heck from custom snobs, but it works for me.

 

[flopearedmule]

Dont think you could go wrong with any mentioned here so far.

One that I'm kinda interested in n might be worth looking at is the PT&G B-12 or B-52 actions. They're $730 right now but I could of swore I've seen them for $650 a few times.

Anyone have any experience with the PT&G actions?

I am curious about the PT&G also? Anyone have one?

 

[bigngreen]

PTG does the worst work and has the worst customer service in the industry, you couldn't give me an action!!

 

[matt_3479]

Anyone try the Shilen DGR? It's pushing the OP's budget, but I've been interested in a switch barrel rifle I can do bolt head swaps on.

The shilen is made by stiller for shilen if I remember correctly and have heard both good and bad about it. The kelbly is build for switch barrels with the dual pinned lug it's not a problem. There bolt heads aren't replaceable but you can get difference face bolts for them for a decent price with no smithing work needed. Spoke with Ryan and Ian to confirm this. Running a 308 bolt face for my 6mm creed, looking at grabbing a 223 bolt for a 20 tac switch barrel on the same rifle. And spin up a 22creed for the 308 boltfacd as well

 

[yorke-1]

The OP asked for actions less than 1k. I am curious as to where I can get a Bighorn, an ARC Nucleus, and a lot of the others that list for hundreds over that price for 1k?

The list price on the Nucleus is $1000, the Bighorn Origin is around $850, Curtis Custom Axiom and Stiller are listed at $1050, the Kelbly Atlas is $925 and the Defiance Tenacity is $890. All of these prices (except for the Nucleus) just came from bugholes.com.

I'm partial to the Nucleus at the moment but I've used all of those and they're all good actions.