Best Sub $1K Action With Prefits Readily Available

[MLN1963]

I've been following the recent thread about trueing a R700 vs custom actions. It just doesn't add up in my mind to go that route when there are all these readily available custom actions.

I'm thinking of putting together another fun gun and I'm thinking of trying a two lug (already have a three lug I love) R700 form factor action. That gives me many options for triggers and stocks. Still haven't decided on cartridge, so if SA and LA are available that's good.

It must take prefit barrels as I don't want to rely on a gunsmith since I live out in the middle of nowhere and already have the tools to do it myself. I'm not partial to Remage or Savage thread pattern, either is fine with me. Barrel nut is fine, shouldered barrel is a bonus. Reasonably priced prefits that I know of are Criterion, Shilen, Proof SS. I'm sure there are others. I'm not a Impact $750 barrel kind of guy with this build.

With that said, what action would you guys recommend?

 

[Kimber7man]

Defiance

 

[WanderingGoatie]

I'm going to use a tenacity 2.0 for my next build

 

[adam32]

RHB Hell Betty (Defiance Tenacity) with prefits from them.

 

[matt_3479]

I've been super happy with my atlas tactical!

 

[reeldawg]

Another vote for Defiance Tenacity

 

[25WSM]

Really won't go wrong with any of them. Pick the one that has the features you like best. Really happy with the cheaper gunwerks action. Bolt fit is really nice and it's straight. The lug has intregal locks built in and the fire control parts are a simple twist with your fingers to get apart. It has dual cocking ramps also. Comes with pinned picitany rail too. Coned bolt nose. I wish I had bought more on the introduction price.
Shep

 

[Darktimber]

Big horn origin or kelbly atlas tactical with preferred barrel blanks shouldered prefit should meet all your requirements.

 

[25WSM]

I have never done a bighorn but the atlas is a very nice action. I use kelblys on all my match rifles and like them alot.
Shep

 

[Darktimber]

Yes sir the atlas tac is a great action, theres no doubt. I would also like to try one of those gunwerks grb actions. they have a lot of nice features for the price. I wanted to use one on my last rifle but they were sold out(as usual)

 

[25WSM]

For the money the GRB is my favorite. I just built a proof carbon 6.5saum on mine. Like I said wish I would have bought more.
Shep

 

[MLN1963]

Big horn origin or kelbly atlas tactical with preferred barrel blanks shouldered prefit should meet all your requirements.

I didn't know they were available for the Atlas, but I'm not keen on Preferred Barrel blanks. I seen a bore scope of a barrel and it was not impressive at all. Talk about rough! I contacted them and asked if they lapped their barrels and they said no. They didn't give me a warm fuzzy at all. I was looking at a shouldered barrel for my ARC Nucleus at the time. I have used their old company MGM and had good luck but they were using Shilen and X-caliber barrels at the time.

 

[MLN1963]

Really won't go wrong with any of them. Pick the one that has the features you like best. Really happy with the cheaper gunwerks action. Bolt fit is really nice and it's straight. The lug has intregal locks built in and the fire control parts are a simple twist with your fingers to get apart. It has dual cocking ramps also. Comes with pinned picitany rail too. Coned bolt nose. I wish I had bought more on the introduction price.
Shep

I see on the website it says that the Gunwerks uses unique barrel tenons. Does that mean no prefits? I definitely want prefits available.

 

[25WSM]

It's not really unique. It is 18 tpi and has a semi coned breech face. I'm sure a remage type nut could work. Prefits shouldn't be a problem on any action if they can keep the tolerance right. If the actions measured the same for head space it should be easy to have a prefit made. I make barrels for customers on the blue printed dimensions I write down. If you hit the headspace plus or minus .003 it would be good. This is the breech face.
Shep