Custom actions, are they worth it?

[Rob01]

Any good smith can make a prefit. Doesn't need to be from a company like Proof. I get mine at PVA and they are perfect.

 

[bultinkle]

People can buy whatever they want and everyone's opinion is just that.


from an accuracy standpoint maybe, but I'd probably default to something worked over by someone like Alex custom or not to make sure pin fall and straightness is perfect. There's a reason he measures customs too.

For hunting and field shooting I don't think the accuracy difference would matter, I think your substantial differences in actions come in reliability of feeding/ejection, durability and use in rough conditions. Binding, failure to eject etc doesn't matter on a flat range, it matters a lot in the field.

 

[VinceMule]

I have many rifles including most of the major manufacturers and also several custom rifles with custom and factory actions.

With most of the modern rifles, they have more than acceptable practical hunting accuracy. So…if that is the criteria, the answer is a resounding "no".

I have a couple of super high quality hunting rifles built around Defiance actions with top of the line barrels. They are great rifles, but considering the price and performance difference, the return on investment isn't there.

I am a Mechanical Engineer by degree, so my answer is from a "value engineering" perspective.

I would encourage you to buy a Borden Action, you will appreciate the details.

 

[JAYgs8163]

If you ever had a Remington RR serial# action then the answer is YES.

 

[NotLongRange]

I appreciate some of the aesthetic details on some custom actions. Plenty of "cool" details about custom actions.

But we're talking about bottom line performance per dollar spent. A custom action is not "worth" the money spent.

People are comparing apples and oranges. Rifles built around custom actions generally include custom barrels, premium stocks, and high quality bedding jobs.

From a pure value standpoint, buying a good factory rifle with a good accuracy guarantee is a much better value from a hunting accuracy standpoint.

 

[akmtnhnt]

Some people can shoot the difference and some can't. If you can't shoot the difference then it doesn't matter.

Almost no one alive can shoot the difference between a 10k custom and something like a semi custom or even a few better factory rifles in field positions on game at distance with any kind of wind.

Lol so hard at the 1/2 moa comments. Most people can't hit a 1 moa target at 500 yards with a cold bore shot from a field position, which in hunting is generally the only shot that matters.

If we're talking about hunting, which i think we are, show me your 1/2moa rifle while knealing at 200 yards. How about off a rock at a 30 degree angle? A chip shot for a full custom no?

 

[NotLongRange]

Almost no one alive can shoot the difference between a 10k custom and something like a semi custom or even a few better factory rifles in field positions on game at distance with any kind of wind.

Lol so hard at the 1/2 moa comments. Most people can't hit a 1 moa target at 500 yards with a cold bore shot from a field position, which in hunting is generally the only shot that matters.

If we're talking about hunting, which i think we are, show me your 1/2moa rifle while knealing at 200 yards. How about off a rock at a 30 degree angle? A chip shot for a full custom no?

I agree…simple as that.

 

[VinceMule]

If you ever had a Remington RR serial# action then the answer is YES.

Jay, I have some RR Remington actions with custom barrels on them, non trued, in Boyd's laminate stock that shoot very tiny groups, time and time again. My gunsmith checked them and said that they were machined more "true" than older 700s. You must have just got a bad one, eh?

 

[JAYgs8163]

Jay, I have some RR Remington actions with custom barrels on them, non trued, in Boyd's laminate stock that shoot very tiny groups, time and time again. My gunsmith checked them and said that they were machined more "true" than older 700s. You must have just got a bad one, eh?

They're known for having PE issues. Very common actually. Certain cartridges do better than others in them. It's not that they're not "trued", it's the bolt handle not being timed properly and doesn't cam properly.

 

[Rob01]

Almost no one alive can shoot the difference between a 10k custom and something like a semi custom or even a few better factory rifles in field positions on game at distance with any kind of wind.

Lol so hard at the 1/2 moa comments. Most people can't hit a 1 moa target at 500 yards with a cold bore shot from a field position, which in hunting is generally the only shot that matters.

If we're talking about hunting, which i think we are, show me your 1/2moa rifle while knealing at 200 yards. How about off a rock at a 30 degree angle? A chip shot for a full custom no?

Nope no one needs an accurate rifle! A good 2 moa $300 Walmart special will work for everything. LOL Those 1/2 MOA rifles will be 1-1.5 MOA when shot from those "field positions" so those 2 moa rifles should be 4-5 moa! More than accurate enough. LOL

Obviously sarcasm but do you get the point? Having an accurate rifle is important as when you factor in those other variables it will still be accurate.

 

[Korhil78]

I think a lot of you are missing the question...if you're building a rifle with a custom action then you'll have a custom barrel also, so it better shoot well!!

But, if you take a "not the best" barrel and spin it onto the "best" custom action, will you see an accuracy improvement?

Again, this is strictly about accuracy, not about looks or special features that don't mean squat for accuracy.

My point is...I believe your money goes further towards a good barrel and a good chamber rather than the "newest and greatest" action when chasing accuracy.

I can agree with that for sure.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Almost no one alive can shoot the difference between a 10k custom and something like a semi custom or even a few better factory rifles in field positions on game at distance with any kind of wind.

Lol so hard at the 1/2 moa comments. Most people can't hit a 1 moa target at 500 yards with a cold bore shot from a field position, which in hunting is generally the only shot that matters.

If we're talking about hunting, which i think we are, show me your 1/2moa rifle while knealing at 200 yards. How about off a rock at a 30 degree angle? A chip shot for a full custom no?

You're not wrong, the original question had nothing to do with field shooting.

 

[VinceMule]

They're known for having PE issues. Very common actually. Certain cartridges do better than others in them. It's not that they're not "trued", it's the bolt handled not being timed properly and doesn't cam properly.

I send all of mine off to Dan to get timed.

 

[JAYgs8163]

I send all of mine off to Dan to get timed.

Yup. How much does that cost? I had mine done at LRI.