Which bolt Action?

[RebelGuard]

Trying to decide who to go with for my next rifle. What actions have you guys run that you've absolutely loved? Full custom action or mainstream manufacturer? I'm wanting to get just the action if possible since I'm planning on a Bartlein barrel and custom stock. However I'm also considering complete rifles too as long as it has a decent bolt and action to begin with. I'm eyeing the Bergara, they seem to be pretty good all around and they feel good. Thoughts? Recommended bolts/actions?

 

[Reelamin]

Savage if they make the chambering I want and pre-2000 Remington. I am seeing some 700 action only available, and you can go custom with way more features for less moneyh. Problem with Savage is few stock makers have the new stock materials or even make stocks for the Savage. The 700 has crushed the market with customs duplicating it.

 

[FEENIX]

Trying to decide who to go with for my next rifle. What actions have you guys run that you've absolutely loved? Full custom action or mainstream manufacturer? I'm wanting to get just the action if possible since I'm planning on a Bartlein barrel and custom stock. However I'm also considering complete rifles too as long as it has a decent bolt and action to begin with. I'm eyeing the Bergara, they seem to be pretty good all around and they feel good. Thoughts? Recommended bolts/actions?

Budget?

 

[RebelGuard]

Budget?

For just the action with bolt, probably $500-600. Complete rifle.. $1100-1200 or so

 

[Reelamin]

Savage factory gun will hit all your needs and shoot extremely well. We just priced one out last year at this time. Everything from A-Z and the best we could do was around 2-3K if we did the remage/savage build. We ended up going full custom for no other reason then for the chambering, end weight, etc. custom was the only way to go. We have not finalized the cost yet and it is looking like we will be right around 4K per rifle. Yes, we did some bling bling not required, and if you take that out....still pushing 3500. Edit. Just finished up my Savage Ultralight in 28N the other day and it shoots 160AB's at 3350 into .5". Total with rings, timed TI brake...out the door right about $1600.

 

[FEENIX]

For just the action with bolt, probably $500-600. Complete rifle.. $1100-1200 or so

You can do that using Savage actions ($300-$350); stay away from bottom bolt release as your stock option is scarce.

 

[RebelGuard]

Assuming budget isn't a factor...anybody have hands on experience with Defiance, Terminus, GA precision, etc. actions? Worth the money or not?

 

[Kmccord]

I have a custom rifle built on a Stiller Predator action and I have a Bergara B14 HMR rifle, operating both actions, the Stiller is like butter, the Bergara has some slop in the bolt. If you want an action to build your own, I would go custom action, since that is the most expensive in the build, buy once and be happy. I would look at Kelbly Atlas Tactical, Stiller, Bighorn Origin, Defiance, Terminus, Borden, etc. The above custom actions can be had with a 20 MOA rail already supplied. You can get a Kelbly for 899.00 from Ryan Pierce right now. Also, you could do the build yourself with the amount of pre-fit Barrel's that are setup for the custom actions along with stock inlets. Just something to think about.

 

[L.Sherm]

If I didn't need more than 3.4 mag box and factory action a tikka.
If I wanted to stay around 900.00 for custom Defiance Tenacity or Kelby Atlas.

 

[SteelBanger]

For a factory rifle the Tikka T3 has become pretty much the only option I look at any more. Steps ahead of the Bergara in my opinion but that's not to say Bergara's are bad ... if you handle and operate them side by side I think you'd see what I mean. I do generally prefer Bergara's stocks though but a KRG Bravo is a pretty cheap alternative to drop the tikka into.

For Custom actions there are a lot of great options out there but you'll have to determine which features are important to you. I went with the Terminus Zeus action on my last build because I like the switch barrel capability, that action is pretty incredible! Defiance has some great options and the Gunwerks GRB action is a pretty feature rich action for $850.

 

[Bud LaRoche]

Assuming budget isn't a factor...anybody have hands on experience with Defiance, Terminus, GA precision, etc. actions? Worth the money or not?

Defiance ,GA Precision, Mac Bros . All excellent choices. Top tier.

 

[Rick Richard]

Defiance. Whatever the cost is money well spent.

 

[ANARCHIST]

Montana 1999 is my current rifle, Winchester CRF or CZ, a good Mauser type is my preference..

Not familiar with the custom actions mentioned above, I am sure they are expensive compared to the ones I mentioned - love Remington too as long as its Model 798

 

[Greyfox]

While there are quite a few nice actions available, my favorite custom action has been a Surgeon for several years. Of late, I really like the Bighorn TL3 which I bought for PRS, and very successfully self-mounted a pre-fit in 6.5x47L. I currently have a Bighorn TL3 LA on order for a LRH rifle build. I really like the floating/interchangeable bolt head, CRF, and very easy dis-assembly design. They are nicely finished, smooth, and feed beautifully.