Solus vs Origin

[JimFromTN]

I figured this had been discussed ad nauseam but I can't find anything on here. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place. I of course don't need another build but I can't help myself. I am wanting an action that has the rem 700 footprint but takes savage barrels and has an interchangeable bolt head. The reasoning behind this is that I can swap barrels fairly regularly and there are plenty of inexpensive savage barrels on the market. It would allow me to try different calibers without having to investment allot of money. I know I could get a savage action for less money but I prefer the options available for the rem 700 and I already have several nice stocks and triggers laying around my house that I can use. I have been looking at both the zermatt origin and the solus. Are there advantages of one over the other and are there other options in the same price range? They both have interchangeable bolt heads but the orgin is floating and I can't find anywhere that says the solus is. Does this make the origin more accurate than the solus? The orgin has a 90 degree bolt throw whereas the solus has a 60 degree bolt throw. Does the 90 degree bolt throw cause issue with the scope? I know some cz rifles have issues with the bolt hitting the scope and I don't want to have to deal with that.

 

[Justice1327]

I have several of each. The Solus is a slicker action that any Zermatt, including the TL3s. I dont believe the Solus utilizes a floating bolthead. Also, the Solus has dual ejector plungers...it isnt needed and is such a pain to remove them for setting up bullet to lands touch point and breaking in the brass. I tried to only put one back in, but it wont eject properly. I prefer the mechanical in the Origin. I do like the 60d bolt throw. I have upgraded some of my Defiance actions to the new 75d bolt throw. Will be something I look for any new action I get. The Solus gives better options for detachable magazines. Solus rail/lug is one piece...smoother for barrel swaps. Solus includes a trigger hanger if that matters to you.

 

[JimFromTN]

I have several of each. The Solus is a slicker action that any Zermatt, including the TL3s. I dont believe the Solus utilizes a floating bolthead. Also, the Solus has dual ejector plungers...it isnt needed and is such a pain to remove them for setting up bullet to lands touch point and breaking in the brass. I tried to only put one back in, but it wont eject properly. I prefer the mechanical in the Origian. I do like the 60d bolt throw. I have upgrades some of my Defiance actions to the new 75d bolt throw. Will be something I look for any new action I get. The Solus gives better options for detachable magazines. Solus is rail/lug is one piece...smoother for barrel swaps. Solus includes a trigger hanger if that matters to you.

Do I have to worry about how the scope is mounted with the 90 degree throw?

 

[Justice1327]

Do I have to worry about how the scope is mounted with the 90 degree throw?

totally scope and placement dependent. Do you have to worry about it now? If it is a problem go with the solus.

 

[JimFromTN]

totally scope and placement dependent. Do you have to worry about it now? If it is a problem go with the solus.

I just don't want to have to go through the pain of having to try ring and scope combinations until I get one that works. My nephew had to end up getting a new bolt handle for his cz and I know of another person that was asking for a scope, ring and base combination that would work with his cz because they did not make a replacement bolt handle for his.

 

[7.62 Gunner]

I figured this had been discussed ad nauseam but I can't find anything on here. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place. I of course don't need another build but I can't help myself. I am wanting an action that has the rem 700 footprint but takes savage barrels and has an interchangeable bolt head. The reasoning behind this is that I can swap barrels fairly regularly and there are plenty of inexpensive savage barrels on the market. It would allow me to try different calibers without having to investment allot of money. I know I could get a savage action for less money but I prefer the options available for the rem 700 and I already have several nice stocks and triggers laying around my house that I can use. I have been looking at both the zermatt origin and the solus. Are there advantages of one over the other and are there other options in the same price range? They both have interchangeable bolt heads but the orgin is floating and I can't find anywhere that says the solus is. Does this make the origin more accurate than the solus? The orgin has a 90 degree bolt throw whereas the solus has a 60 degree bolt throw. Does the 90 degree bolt throw cause issue with the scope? I know some cz rifles have issues with the bolt hitting the scope and I don't want to have to deal with

I'd get the Origin action without a doubt, it's better built and proven.
Haven't had any bolt handle clearance Issues using several scopes, I'm running mine on a match rifle and have about 1400 rounds through it now.
The action becomes smooth as silk after some good use

 

[Rob01]

I'd get the Origin action without a doubt, it's better built and proven.
Haven't had any bolt handle clearance Issues using several scopes, I'm running mine on a match rifle and have about 1400 rounds through it now.
The action becomes smooth as silk after some good use

What he said. Also with a HLR lug you can use TL3 prefit barrels on the Origin. I bought an Origin as I had two TL3s already and wanted something that could use their barrels. Works great. Solus is coming out with more bolt face options now which is good but Zermatt has them all now.

Also no issues with clearance of any scope I have put on any of my Zermatt actions. I have used quite a few scopes and used from 1" height rings to 1.34" mounts like the one shown below.

 

[crashlanding]

Origin takes aics magazines or bdl bottom metal. Its a Barbie doll for men, you can dress it up any way you want to.

 

[ranch manager]

I figured this had been discussed ad nauseam but I can't find anything on here. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place. I of course don't need another build but I can't help myself. I am wanting an action that has the rem 700 footprint but takes savage barrels and has an interchangeable bolt head. The reasoning behind this is that I can swap barrels fairly regularly and there are plenty of inexpensive savage barrels on the market. It would allow me to try different calibers without having to investment allot of money. I know I could get a savage action for less money but I prefer the options available for the rem 700 and I already have several nice stocks and triggers laying around my house that I can use. I have been looking at both the zermatt origin and the solus. Are there advantages of one over the other and are there other options in the same price range? They both have interchangeable bolt heads but the orgin is floating and I can't find anywhere that says the solus is. Does this make the origin more accurate than the solus? The orgin has a 90 degree bolt throw whereas the solus has a 60 degree bolt throw. Does the 90 degree bolt throw cause issue with the scope? I know some cz rifles have issues with the bolt hitting the scope and I don't want to have to deal with that.

This is an excellent topic as I am struggling with the exact problem. My shooting partner has a solus. From what information that is out there it is way slicker than I was anticipating. I ran a defiance the other day and to me the solus felt better. It opens with less effort than I was expecting also, really nice feeling action. The drawback for me is that it's not a mechanical ejector. The price for the solus is really good, it checks **** near all the boxes. For the price it's actually an easy decision, I guess I'm just hard headed about the ejector. In a perfect world with a bigger budget, or budget at all for that matter I would get both. In reality unless the rifle/action gets ran over by a dozer or dropped off a mountain the action is a one time expense and will last all the barrels you can afford to spin on it.

 

[bsnyder]

I'd get the Origin action without a doubt, it's better built and proven.
Haven't had any bolt handle clearance Issues using several scopes, I'm running mine on a match rifle and have about 1400 rounds through it now.
The action becomes smooth as silk after some good use

I'll echo the above from 7.62. I was amazed at how well my origin loosened up. It's also my comp gun and round count is just over 1k silky smooth. I built a rifle for my father in law also on an origin it hasn't "broke in yet" only has about 300 in it: still smooth just not as smooth as my comp gun. So moral of the story shot often and shoot a lot and you'll be better prepared all the way around.

 

[cm1021]

A lot depends on how tight of a budget you want to stay within and also what features matter the most. I have multiple origins, a tl3, and one solus.

The current issue is getting bolt heads from aero. They've been talking about them for a long time, but getting JUST the bolt head is troublesome right now. That's not an issue with zermatt. You also have the option of using the HLR recoil lug as someone else pointed out with the origin, so you can use other prefits for zermatt barrels.

If you're paying full price for each action, go with the origin. If you're able to find the solus for $650 or so, thats when the decision gets a little harder for myself.

I know the quality and customer service I get with zermatt, Aero can be hard to get in touch with and rectify a situation. All about tradeoffs in this game unfortunately.

I will also say that i have never had an idsue with actual scope clearance on my zermatt actions. I have tenebrex covers on one of my builds and the bolt hand does hit the cover, but that is optic and cover specific.

 

[BrentM]

I run a TL3 and no issue with clearance. I also run a trigger cam quite a bit and no issues.

 

[Revolting Peasant]

I have both Origin and Solus. Multiple Origins in short and long. I like Zermatt as a company.
I wanted another Origin short action and stumbled across a local store selling $640 Solus actions….No FFL fee or shipping. Decided to give it a try. It was a no brainer. If I didn't like it I could sell it at no loss with that price.

Origin is available in long and short actions, bolt heads, bolt handles, and some other parts are interchangeable. Parts are easy to get and Ray at Zermatt answers the phone and emails for customer service and stupid questions quickly and efficiently. Zermatt has reps at some Expos, events, and shows. Scope rails are removable and have options for MOA cant.
I have had no issues with the bolt hitting scopes, I tend to mount big scopes in 1.26" high rings for clearance and a slightly more vertical head placement. If you use scopes mounted as low as possible/ bell tight to the barrel you might run into scope/bolt handle issues but I haven't seen it anywhere. About the same as a Rem700.
The recoil lug is replaceable/removable allowing the Hunts Long Range lug to be used allowing fitment of TL3 shouldered barrels to maximize versatility/ broaden choices on the used barrel market.

Solus has 60 degree bolt throw. if that matters. Actual shooting in a hurry I don't notice the difference. Small .223 bolt face is hard to find, just becoming available. I believe the Solus has the option of also using AI magazines as well as AICS. Aero is a bigger company, I expect parts availability to get better. I have no experience with customer service. Scope rails are integral to the action. One less thing to come loose, but no options to replace. The trigger hanger is ok but does not fit in all chassis/stocks, you might have to grind out material for clearance. That modifies a stock and potentially hurts resale value if you buy/sell/swap a lot. I personally haven't had trigger hanger clearance issues—yet. The integral recoil lug is kinda nice if you switch barrels a lot or want a switch barrel rifle but hasn't been an issue with me.

I started years ago with Savage actions. It got me started rebarreling and I loved my time with them and the Savage community then. Later I became frustrated with the ever changing specs on bolt parts, action lengths, and lack of interchangeablity. Savage shot themselves in the foot trying to become Remington. My barrel inventory was a major bonus when the Origin came about.

So, long reply. A novel of war and peace (piece?). Both are incredibly accurate and well made. Fit and finish comparable. Both are smooth and precisely made to tight specs. I like both but prefer Origin for now. Parts availability and customer service matter. If the price really matters, and you find that great deal on the Solus, it will get you in the home built game with no real deficiencies. Close your eyes and open your wallet. Life is good, remember THESE ARE THE GOOD OLE DAYS. If you buy smart at good prices and change your mind, you can recover most or all your money on resale. Way ahead of racing or most any other hobby.

Just be aware, home rifle building is probably equivalent to heroin or crack. Way beyond the chips that you can't stop eating with just one.

Just my experiences and opinions. If we ever meet you owe me a cup of coffee lol, if you can still afford it after this.

 

[JuddL]

The ejectors have turned me off of the Soltus. In my experience with two different rifles with dual ejectors, they pressure up faster.

The Origin is a great action backed by an even better group of people. Plus, I now prefer a mechanical ejector over the plunger.

Good luck!