Custom action help. Which one is best?

[sable tireur]

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

They generally do cost more money because of the additional tooling and machine time it takes to create the feature. It also adds to the initial cost because of the larger size basic material you need to start with.

You can argue the points about features, technology and its application along with QC for as long as you want to. What it comes down to is this; we are fortunate to have the selection and variety of actions, stocks, triggers and barrel makers which allows us the ability to create almost any design of firearms we choose. Everyone will have an opinion, whether well founded in experience or simply because of what they've read. There is no right or wrong because it's simply an expressed opinion.

I use a lot of different actions, depending on the specified needs and desire of the client. Some I like better than others but the important part of this process is that the quality I want is intact and the client is pleased and satisfied with the end result.

Take the list of actions then review their websites and price lists. Create a 'pros & cons' list on a simple spread sheet and give it some study. Lay out your needs and wants to see if one or more fulfill your list. Handle as many as you can so you have the physical assessment of each or any. How an action functions in real life in a stock with the barrel and trigger attached will be vastly different from what you read. These can be expensive but very important decisions which should be given as much attention as possible.

Good Luck with your Journey.

 

[ENGUNEER]

Just my 2 cents, but I have assembled rifles from both Stiller and Defiance and they look, operate, and shoot great (and the Defiance is just plain beautiful). But I have also built rifles using tuned-up stock actions and they can be made to shoot just as good. As an example, I have a rifle based upon a Santa Barbara mauser action chambered for the 6.5 JRS (essentially a 6.5 Sherman) that shoots one hole groups all the time and all I did to the action was to grind in the lugs. I guess what I'm leading up to is that a good rifle will shoot well, but an aftermarket action will likely require less work to get it shooting. Nevertheless, enjoy the process of researching, planning, testing, and especially using the new rifle.

 

[rem.xp100]

As a custom rifle builder, I have used them all. My thoughts are to pick the one you like best based on the features you need for the specific build. 90% of your accuracy comes from a quality barrel and chambering job not the receiver.

 

[clyancey]

I would strongly advise you check out the Mausingfield action made by American Rifle Company (ARC). Granted, its the only custom I own, but I personally think it offers the "best" features for my intended purpose (no nonsense/always work hunting and PRS rig). I'd advise you do a little research on controlled feed, Mauser 98 claw extractor reliability, inertial ejection (i.e M1903 Springfield) and toroidal lugs. Then decided if those things are worth spending extra for. The Mausingfield is more expensive.

As others have said, many of the customs offer great quality and you would be initially happy with most of them. I would wager your hypothetical contentment might sour a little if you started running the customs hard in the dirt/snow/environment. Don't take my word for it, look at what Chad Dixon (and his team) at Long Rifles Inc. (LRI) says and uses. His company modo: "Remember, men will bet their lives on the work you do" underlines what he values most in terms of "performance."

I've personally met Ted from ARC and had him do work on my rigs. He is a innovative genius who stands behind his products.

My only complaints with the Mausingfield:
1) Rail is heavy; I put lightening cuts in it.
2) wish it could accept AW Mags
3) wish it already came DLC coated; its the best way to run this action in my opinion as it is even smoother and more corrosion resistant.

 

[larks99]

Custom is usually misnomer for aftermarket.
There are far fewer aftermarket actions that are actually 'custom'.
For this, if you want something truly one-off(custom), BAT comes to mind. Bruce can make anything for you.

But easiest, is any of the aftermarket actions mentioned & more -that are Remington clones. With this, you can choose from all the aftermarket parts to build a gun around it, and there are far more gunbuilders able to work with this.
IMO, forget gun'smiths', seek the best gunbuilder,, and let this influence your choice of components.

For instance, let's say you end up favoring GA Precision(GAP)(a gunbuilder) for your build. Of late they offer a Remington clone 'Templar' action. If you want the best from GAP, consider their action choice.

Just to clarify, the Templar action is built by Defiance and is not a Remington clone. It can be dropped into a stock that was cut for a Remington 700 if specified, but that's true of almost every other custom action.

 

[larks99]

I built mine on a Defiance deviant hunter action. They have been a top choice of shooters in the PRS for years. It took almost 6 months to get it from the time I ordered it so keep that in mind. If I didn't go with Defiance, my next choice was Surgeon.

 

[cjl2010]

Is bighorn tl3 a contender amongst the top actions?

 

[mrmax]

Mausingfield Are you serious they took all the worst features of the Mauser and Springfield and made a new action , duh ! Control feed is NOT a good system even if you have the extractor claw modified to pass over a round in the chamber, it breaks extractors just look at the Brno ZZK's , Mausers and Springfields with broken extractors. Control feed, well you better check the original Mausers and Springfields as they had the feed lips machined into the under side of the rails and all most all the new so called Control Feed rifles of today used the stamped magazine wells to act as feed lips, doesn't work the same. Springfield ejector system was its weakest feature it broke too often and was one of the spare parts in the spare parts on the butt of some of the issued rifles along with an extractor. Both Mauser and Springfield have to make modification of the actions for the added width of the claw extractor on the bolt. Sorry about the point that having won 5 US NRA National Championships , over 50 regional matches over a dozen National records in the US and the most number of notable scores in NZ , all were won with Remington 700's or 40-X's. I'll be shooting these forever with an endless supply of parts , buy a custom action and the stupid take your bolt out of your rifle rule in NZ and you may be permanently out of action ! Don't believe me look at the list of discontinued action in DeHass's book on actions .

 

[Rich Coyle]

The only jams I had while hunting were with control round feed. I have zero use for them!

 

[clyancey]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and mrmax brings up some interesting points. But I don't personally believe mrmax's comment necessarily pertains to Ted's modernized creation nor captures the whole truth.

I'll just come back to this point: look at what the guys actually running Mausingfields are saying (not Springfields, not Mausers), most notably Chadd Dixon of LRI. Then keep in mind most of of have run Rem 700's and other customs.

In the end, just make sure you prioritize what you value most in the action and proceed from there.

 

[brguide]

I love my Bighorn SR3 I also have a Shilen DGR (stiller) (newer style). I love the controlled feeding on the SR3 and the action feels like butter, i had the wyatts extended machined in, love the controlled ejection, don't know of anything i don't like. The Shilen is nice but hate the pinned lug, also smooth as butter and very reliable.

 

[KyCarl]

I have an Atlas Tactical from Kelby's and it seems to be fine?
Not the cheapest but it's very nice...

 

[Jeremy338]

Lots of valid points. Prob doesn't matter what you choose. I have trued rems and customs. They are all shooters. I can thank my gunsmith for that. Find a budget and try to keep it within. 10 guns later your in the doghouse anyway. Lol

 

[cjl2010]

Picking an action seems to be the hardest part of the build. Too many options!