PTG Lonestar Action

[archerforkids]

Well....my optimism for finding an entro priced action to build off of is out the window with this action. I don't have the knowledge or tooling to rebuild/repair a "Walmart" grade piece of equipment.
Im not budgeted to jump into Vudoo, RimX or some of the like. I might try to find a second hand Bergara and give it a run.

 

[wsmallwood]

My Lonestar 2500 was made by Stiller. is the Lonestar everyone is talking about here m manufactured by PTG now?

The Stiller Lonestar was introduced around 2010 as the "perfected 40X rimfire". It was never really very popular for whatever reason. Maybe just because it was a 40X clone. Who knows. As I recall PTG made the bolts. Stiller does not offer the Lonestar that I know of so it kind of stands to reason that PTG bought or traded or was given the name since PTG also describes it as basically a 40X clone. I doubt that there were any new patents but the Lonestar name would have been copyrighted most likely not that it would probably matter.

PTG used to produce excellent products. So right now you could buy a Lonestar in the $500 range vs an actual Remington 40X rimfire action (used) in the $900 range. Seems to be a decent deal. But if the quality has deteriorated then maybe not.

 

[Deellwood]

That bolt bore absolutely is a contact area, and , as seen, a large potential ignition issue, any top smith would opine “ unacceptable”, result of shit machine work, needs to be polished out “ properly” for optimal performance since frequent use will do that to some extent over a long time, often with changing ignition. I’d suspect the whole bolt bore looks the same.
Sorry….them’s the facts.

Dear TRSR8, Sorry I may have incompletely described the firing pin/bolt function when making my point about rough milling. On a 40X, (and LoneStar) the rough machined area that is visible in the picture of the LoneStar bolt does not contact the firing pin in any manner. If you look back inside of the bolt, it is reamed from the rear of the bolt up to the cut-out for the bolt guide, and the bolt has a "neck up" that rides inside of the reamed and machine fit area. This area is larger in diameter than the rough machined area that is visible inside of the bolt guide area and provides a smooth section for the firing pin to ride in. I am just saying that where the cut out for the bolt guide is (the part shown in the picture that is roughly milled), is not a critical load bearing area and rough machining in that area has no effect on firing pin performance. The firing pin upset (right behind the flat spot on the firing pin assembly) creates a smaller contact footprint inside of the bolt where it is reamed and reduces contact friction. Look at one if you don't believe me. You should check out your responses before becoming vulgar about it. Sorry.... Them's the facts.

 

[wsmallwood]

Well....my optimism for finding an entro priced action to build off of is out the window with this action. I don't have the knowledge or tooling to rebuild/repair a "Walmart" grade piece of equipment.
Im not budgeted to jump into Vudoo, RimX or some of the like. I might try to find a second hand Bergara and give it a run.

Personally, and just my opinion. you could probably still go with the PTG. But you'll have to wait, which is not uncommon for these type things. Maybe there are other issues with PTG but it seems to be mostly that the wait time is much longer than 12 weeks. $505 does not seem bad.

 

[Richard308]

I had one and it had some extraction issues but after Gene Davis went through it and replaced the extractor and springs I never had another issue with it. Rifle shot extremely well, at the price they are now you have some room to play with them a little, It's basically a 40x, I think it's a step up from a CZ for a full build plus you can use a Remington 700 style trigger

Gene Davis barreled a Lonestar action for me a few years ago. Never had an issue.

 

[Richard308]

The Stiller Lonestar was introduced around 2010 as the "perfected 40X rimfire". It was never really very popular for whatever reason. Maybe just because it was a 40X clone. Who knows. As I recall PTG made the bolts. Stiller does not offer the Lonestar that I know of so it kind of stands to reason that PTG bought or traded or was given the name since PTG also describes it as basically a 40X clone. I doubt that there were any new patents but the Lonestar name would have been copyrighted most likely not that it would probably matter.

PTG used to produce excellent products. So right now you could buy a Lonestar in the $500 range vs an actual Remington 40X rimfire action (used) in the $900 range. Seems to be a decent deal. But if the quality has deteriorated then maybe not.

I don't know if this matters, but my serial number begins with LST, could this be a Stiller made action ?

 

[wsmallwood]

That''s kinda of the way Stiller numbered his actions LST for Lonestar and then the production number. Like the 2500X starts with 25X-XXXXX. I don't know if PT&G followed that convention or not.

 

[longrange223]

My Lonestar Ser # started with PTG-XXXX

 

[TRSR8]

Dear TRSR8, Sorry I may have incompletely described the firing pin/bolt function when making my point about rough milling. On a 40X, (and LoneStar) the rough machined area that is visible in the picture of the LoneStar bolt does not contact the firing pin in any manner. If you look back inside of the bolt, it is reamed from the rear of the bolt up to the cut-out for the bolt guide, and the bolt has a "neck up" that rides inside of the reamed and machine fit area. This area is larger in diameter than the rough machined area that is visible inside of the bolt guide area and provides a smooth section for the firing pin to ride in. I am just saying that where the cut out for the bolt guide is (the part shown in the picture that is roughly milled), is not a critical load bearing area and rough machining in that area has no effect on firing pin performance. The firing pin upset (right behind the flat spot on the firing pin assembly) creates a smaller contact footprint inside of the bolt where it is reamed and reduces contact friction. Look at one if you don't believe me. You should check out your responses before becoming vulgar about it. Sorry.... Them's the facts.

You need not describe a 40x rimfire bolt, Seen more than a few.
The full lenght of that bolt bore should be smooth….it’s not
Vulgar? Seriously? How would you describe it, magnificent?
Many reports on these….mostly disappointing, as stated, compared to the Stiller version, this thing is a boat anchor.

 

[Deellwood]

You need not describe a 40x rimfire bolt, Seen more than a few.
The full lenght of that bolt bore should be smooth….it’s not
Vulgar? Seriously? How would you describe it, magnificent?
Many reports on these….mostly disappointing, as stated, compared to the Stiller version, this thing is a boat anchor.

Your language was vulgar, not the bore of the bolt.

 

[TRSR8]

Your language was vulgar, not the bore of the bolt.

What are you a baptist preacher? K, machining was pretty poopy.
Nothing to see here, wander on back to RFC.

 

[Deellwood]

Well....my optimism for finding an entro priced action to build off of is out the window with this action. I don't have the knowledge or tooling to rebuild/repair a "Walmart" grade piece of equipment.
Im not budgeted to jump into Vudoo, RimX or some of the like. I might try to find a second hand Bergara and give it a run.

Well Archer, I have one of the PTG actions and I would not hesitate to jump on another one it if it was a good deal. Even with the few issues that have been noted, with a tune up it can be made into a very serviceable action. It's going to be the barrel and the gunsmith that will make it competitive.

 

[archerforkids]

Well Archer, I have one of the PTG actions and I would not hesitate to jump on another one it if it was a good deal. Even with the few issues that have been noted, with a tune up it can be made into a very serviceable action. It's going to be the barrel and the gunsmith that will make it competitive.

Now ask me if I am undecided.....

 

[Deellwood]

Now ask me if I am undecided.....

Sorry to muddy up the water. Just sayin' don't be afraid to buy a LoneStar if you can get a good deal on it. I would not order one if your'e in a hurry. It took nearly 6 months to get mine. You can get a 2500X tomorrow from Killough's (although at 2X the price of a LoneStar). Is the 2500X twice as good? I don't know. But Killough's is a lot quicker at making them, and they are top quality as evidenced by its widespread and successful use.

Bill Calfee's book, The Art of Rimfire Accuracy has a review of over 10 actions that you might be able to find on the used market and points out the pros and cons of each action. They include The Remington 40X, XP-100, Model 54 Anschutz, Winchester 52, Suhl 150, 2007/2013 Anschutz, Time, ULA, 37 Remington, Turbo, Hall and Kelby. Sadly the 2500X, Trident and LoneStar came after Calfee's review. Although most of the discussion and comments about the Remington 40X and XP-100 cover the LoneStar, with the LoneStar's re-design by Stiller fixing many of the issues.

BTW, Calfee's pick of all the actions he reviewed was the Turbo, specifically the Turbo V3. I see Turbo's for sale from time to time. You can still order a new one I believe, but I think the lead times are long and they are the same price as a 2500X or Trident.

Good luck with your search.