Action for F-T/R Build

[crewchef]

Previously posted in gear talk but thought I might get more responses in this section.

Wanting to build my first "custom" gun and looking for input on what action to use. Intended use is F-T/R mid and long range, .308. Unfortunately don't have unlimited funds so trying to make smart purchases.

Won't say I've narrowed it down but these are four I'm looking at;
Defiance, Borden Alpine, Surgeon 591 SS, Stiller Predator (or TAC30)

Will probably go with Krieger barrel, 28 to 30 inch. Will go as long as I can and still make weight once all the other pieces are figured out.

Any input appreciated!

If you have thoughts on triggers and stocks feel free to throw those in too.

 

[ChrisNZ]

Think you could well consider a Barnard P -do some reading up on it.

Chris-NZ

 

[gamma]

Borden without a doubt!

 

[clowdis]

I think I would choose a Kelbly Panda because of the weight, size and stiffness. The other actions you have mentioned are all Remington footprint type of actions and aren't quite as stiff as the Pandas (except the Barnards). Cost is about the same.

 

[woolenmammoth]

definitely look at barnard P and Pierce. Not only does Pierce make an excellent excellent action but they are fantastic smiths over there. They built a tube gun for me this year and its every part of amazing and then some...

 

[jscandale]

Why is the weight limit for F tr?

JS

 

[crewchef]

18.15 lbs

 

[jscandale]

I wonder why the .15...

JS

 

[crewchef]

It's = to 18.25 kilograms. I've read somewhere how they came up with this weight. I think it was Palma weight (don't know that number) plus an added allowance for wieght of scope/bi-pod. Seems like palma was 14 or 14.x but not certain on that.

 

[jscandale]

Ah, yes, the metric conversion, why didn't I think of that??

JS

 

[zipollini]

These should get ya started -

Bat - http://batmachine.com/products/products.htm

Barnard - http://www.barnard.co.nz/actions.htm

Stolle - http://www.kelbly.com/actions.html

Pierce - http://www.pierceengineeringltd.com/category/actions/product/pierce-mi-multi-flat-competition-action

Ross - http://www.rossprecision.com/products_action.htm

RPA - http://www.rangemasterprecisionarms.com/?page_id=80

Bleiker - http://www.bleiker.ch/FreigewehrFreeRifle_1.html

Grunig & Elmiger - http://www.gruenelshop.ch/ac_home.php?language=en&sid=1321066286000015055&lay=2&content=1

 

[deadlyswift]

The first build is always a tuff one. My advice would be to find a gunsmith that has a lot of knowledge in the discipline that you want to shoot. Get to know that person. Research him! Talk with others that he has done work for. There are those out there say the right things, and then there are those that do the right things. A good start for a FTR build would be Ray Bowman of Precision rifles and tools. http://precisionriflesales.com/

As Clowdis said the Kelby Panda is what I would go with. Its best to try and figure out the weight of all your chosen options before actually building. 18lbs seems heavy, but when you start putting everything together the weight adds up quicker than you think. Keep in mind with FTR your bi pod of choice is included into the 18lbs as well your optics. So consider everything.

 

[crewchef]

Thanks for all the replies. To update, decided to go with Pierce long action. John will also be putting it all together for me. Eliseo tube stock, Jewel trigger, Krieger heavy palma barrel w/ 1 in 12 twist, finish length 30 to 32 according to where we're at on weight. I'll be moving my Sightron SIII 8x32 to the new gun and putting a Leupold I have back on the tactical rifle.