Input on Actions

[Mike in Oregon]

Recommendations for a righthand, left port ejection, single shot configuration, short action that would best be suited for a benchrest heavy varmint setup?

 

[riverwolf1]

Much depends on how much you want to spend! Bat Nuevo, Bat “B”, Kelblys Panda, my top choice would be a Borden action. Down from that a ways is a Kauger action. I think going to a heavy Varmint gun would not be the best thing to do if you are new to Benchrest.
You can only shoot a heavy Varmint rifle in the heavy 13.5 lb class at a match shooting groups or as a Varmint for score rifle.
However if you want to shoot in several classes like Sporter, LV, HV, you could build a Light Varmint rifle. Things will be way different if you want to shoot long range BR.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Much depends on how much you want to spend! Bat Nuevo, Bat “B”, Kelblys Panda, my top choice would be a Borden action. Down from that a ways is a Kauger action. I think going to a heavy Varmint gun would not be the best thing to do if you are new to Benchrest.
You can only shoot a heavy Varmint rifle in the heavy 13.5 lb class at a match shooting groups or as a Varmint for score rifle.
However if you want to shoot in several classes like Sporter, LV, HV, you could build a Light Varmint rifle. Things will be way different if you want to shoot long range BR.

Not a BR shooter, just trying to describe the purpose of the rifle. 100% varmint hunter, shooting off portable table. Something in the $1200 range. Sorry for the mix-up.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Not a BR shooter, just trying to describe the purpose of the rifle. 100% varmint hunter, shooting off portable table. Something in the $1200 range. Sorry for the mix-up.

Check out Kauger. I have the first BR3 model they built with input from Alex Wheeler and its a very nice action for the money!

Kauger Arms Actions

Kauger Arms action line has something for everyone, including benchrest and PRS shooting.

shop.kaugerarms.com

 

[Willow]

Borden BRMXD

 

[AlNyhus]

Mike, in todays world, you have to keep the stock you'll use in mind when looking at actions. Make sure the stock you want to use can be inletted appropriately for your action choice. A stock designed to take a 700 clone foot print will be a mess if you choose some square tang BR actions...and visa versa.

If it's going to be a bolt in, you have another decision to make about a recoil lug....integral, bolt on, 700 style. Some use the back of the flat square tang as the lug but that opens up more problems than solutions, in my opinion.

So...you want a right bolt, left loading port and left ejection?

Good shootin' -Al

 

[LVLAaron]

BAT

 

[Rat Rifle]

Not a BR shooter, just trying to describe the purpose of the rifle. 100% varmint hunter, shooting off portable table. Something in the $1200 range. Sorry for the mix-up.

Kauger BR II. End of story !

Of course, this is Just “My” preference

 

[AlNyhus]

As always, think company longevity, spare parts availability and customer support/service. I recently had an issue with a big name action mfg'er that was unacceptable, to say the least.

I'd recommend buying some spare pieces right from the start for some actions....firing pin, pin spring, cocking piece, etc. You don't want to get hung out there with no parts a few years down the road. There's a custom action on my bench right now that has that issue.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[stavey]

I was just looking at actions. I was looking hard at a Panda or a BAT . After reading what Alex Wheeler and others have said about the Kauger BR3. I’m going with a BR3 drop port.

 

[redrockranger]

Savage target action rblp .

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Savage target action rbl

Have one, don't want to deal with an aftermarket trigger. I've had no luck doing so. Thanks though!

 

[redrockranger]

The red trigger is not that bad, as see it. I believe that parts will be available for a long time. When others go belly up. Might be the shooter not the trigger. Cheap dam savages.....

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Mike, in todays world, you have to keep the stock you'll use in mind when looking at actions. Make sure the stock you want to use can be inletted appropriately for your action choice.

Mike, Al beat me to it. If the action, barrel and stock are not mated together perfectly, the entire project is blown.

I may be mistaken, but you did not make the actual intended use of this build clear. Am I correct that the primary use will be shooting rodents from a field bench, and not a BR competition or F Class rig, just recreational varmint shooting?

 

[LRPV]

BAT VR. 700 footprint/triggers etc. tons of stock availability.

 

[lawman29]

Something in the $1200 range

Pierce Engineering

 

[vonb]

What Al said on parts is spot on. I have three custom actions, all from different vendors. Each one of those vendors has either changed ownership or is no longer in production.

I used to think a Remington 700 was a safe bet for a factory hunting rifle.....My how times have changed.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Mike, Al beat me to it. If the action, barrel and stock are not mated together perfectly, the entire project is blown.

I may be mistaken, but you did not make the actual intended use of this build clear. Am I correct that the primary use will be shooting rodents from a field bench, and not a BR competition or F Class rig, just recreational varmint shooting?

Correct. It's pretty clear I am unable to put in writing what I'm in question about. You know I do not shoot competition. Yes, this is for the rat patch! I'm starting to regret I posted on this. Things will become very clear at Worthy's my friend.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I have a Savage 12 LRP with the HS Precision stock in the safe right now, ready for a varmint/occasional target rebuild. The Red trigger is adequate for the task.
I purchased the rifle used from someone that never cleaned it! For about a third of the new retail.

It's currently in 6.5 Creed and I expect the scrap value of the copper removed will pay for a new TrueFlite or Hardy barrel in some 6mm calibre, likely Creedmoor as it has a magazine, and that will save any mods BTW - once the poor head spacing was sorted (well done Savage), the firing pin adjusted correctly, half a tube of Iosso pounded down it, and despite having the usual chatter marks along the entire barrel (do Savage even use lubrication?), it doesn't shoot so bad.

It will have to wait a while though, I'm in the middle of another 223 build on a Barnard S action during the off season.

 

[Kings X]

I vote Kelbly F Class. Integral recoil lug. Three screws for bolting in. Integral Weaver scope base. Flat bottom.
Great service.