Custom action help. Which one is best?

[Alex Wheeler]

Not all custom actions are good, there are some that are terrible and have more issues than a factory 700. Just because you spend a lot and its shiny doesnt mean much. My favorite actions to build hunting rifles on are Borden timberline/alpine, and Kelbly Atlas. No matter what action you choose, make sure you have a good smith that understands what to look for and have him check them out. Every time.

 

[Mikecr]

That's the first I've heard of a poor quality BAT, and I'm sure hundreds of competitors would imply the same if polled. I've had 4 myself, 2 of which were custom, and all flawless. Probably the number 1 action today in IBS benchrest.
There likely would have been some matter of safety, or obvious flaw of intent for denial in design request. Standard magnum actions need enough barrel steel around eventual magnum diameter cartridges. Maybe a smaller tenon would have required shorter/weaker lugs than he was comfortable with. I don't know

 

[solobigdog]

My vote goes to Defiance, i own Surgeon,not a great extractor, Stiller, a fine Action, Bat, very soft,gall very easily

 

[Edd]

My vote goes to Defiance, i own Surgeon,not a great extractor, Stiller, a fine Action, Bat, very soft,gall very easily

Surgeon uses Remington style and M16 style extractors. What does Defiance use that is better?

 

[Huntnpack]

Pierce & Bighorn (Zermatt Arms Inc)
Both good.

 

[reeldawg]

Defiance uses M-16 extractors.

Jay

 

[Okanogan]

I have been running Defiant and have been happy with them.
For those who have not read it, this may be of interest regarding recent trends with PRS competition:
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2017/04/21/custom-rifle-actions-2/

 

[eklarsen]

Stiller, They are a great product and great guys plus a ton of other stuff you will need like BDM,pic rail etc...

 

[Jeremy338]

Defiant. Outstanding action. Never heard anything bad. Run one on my 6.5 4s. Hammer

 

[odoylerules]

Do you guys think an action with an integrated rail and lug are superior? Like defiance for example. Those types seem to be more money consistently

 

[odoylerules]

Do you guys think an action with an integrated rail and lug are superior? Like defiant for example. Those types seem to be more money consistently

 

[Jeremy338]

Do you guys think an action with an integrated rail and lug are superior? Like defiant for example. Those types seem to be more money consistently

For sure. You get what you pay for. By the time you pin and true a factory rem you should of bought a custom anyway. Integrated rail and lug is two less things to worry about

 

[Jeremy338]

Do you guys think an action with an integrated rail and lug are superior? Like defiant for example. Those types seem to be more money consistently

I think the surgeon and defiant stand alone. You want stainless or carbon that's the decision. Run a defiance in the white. Surgeon should be coated

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I do not prefer integral rails. They add weight for no real gain. A pinned aluminum rail is not moving. Most customs offer this. Integral lugs are nice, but dont serve any real benefit either over a double pinned lug. Its really hard to beat a Borden for an out of the box action. They are the only action thats timed from the factory, they have enough firing pin fall and spring for top accuracy in any condition. I have not found any QC issues like, warped bolts, lugs not contacting, firing pin bind, lack of pin fall, exc. You would be surprised what I have found in custom actions. Kelbly and Bat are also very good in the QC dept. I dont use a lot of defiance actions so I cant speak on them, same goes for surgeon.