Aluminum Gilkes Action Project

[Hengehold]

I have an aluminum GR action that I am going to mount into a conventional wood stock for NRA LR Prone matches. In addition to the action, I also have the aluminum mounting block which is approximately 3-4” long and 1.5-2” wide and it mates up with the recoil lug on the action. Presumably, this mounting block should be glued into the stock. The action was originally designed to be mounted into a stock in conjunction with this aluminum block, similar to what you would see with a V-block mounted action. I have had several Barnard actions mounted with a V-block and they perform very well so my initial feeling is that the aluminum mounting block for the Gilkes action may shoot very well also.

As you may see in the picture, there are 4 mounting screws on the bottom of the action that are at 45 degrees instead of the traditional 90 degree location. I am curious if the aluminum block mounting system is the best way to mate the action to the stock or if I should try a traditional pillar bedding approach. This would most likely require the drilling and tapping of new mounting holes at the 90 degree location on the action. In the past I mounted it with a barrel clamp so never had to mess with bedding the action.

Now for my question:

1. Does anyone have experience with this rare action and its aluminum bedding block? I would like to hear about your experiences with it. (i.e. did it shoot well, any problems associated with the bedding block design, etc.)

Thanks,

-Trevor

 

[jkl]

Call Doan Trevor

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I would glue the block into the stock permanently then run the screws in at the correct angle thru pillars you install in the stock

 

[pperez550]

I happen to have 2 left handed Gilkes actions in my safe. They’re the first left handed actions Tony made. Single-shot, switch barrel, switch bolt (standard .308 and .223 bolt heads) with barrel bedding blocks, I believe an action wrench and 2 Anschutz triggers. They were finished in the late 90’s when I was shooting Palma but I ended up moving for work and never got around to it. Mostly shoot PRS these days.

If anyone is interested, please direct message me. I’d rather have them go to a good home and see some action than stay in my safes.

 

[dannyjbiggs]

Back in 2000, Anthony Gilkes made a custom rifle for me using his aluminum action: A Palma barrel and a 6.5-284 barrel. They each shot very well and travelled overseas with US international teams. Due to the unusual width of the action, he enlisted Steve McGee to add a few more layers of side laminate to properly house the action. I marveled at the firing pin...a 2-piece affair...with which I NEVER had a miss-fire. Until a 1000-yard sling match at ORSA where I experienced some 7 miss-fires each in the two regular matches on Sunday. But each miss-fire fired on second shot...it was just a nuisance! Back home I found that the "striker portion", with a golf-Tee type head, had broken just above the flare. Seems I had been using a 3-piece firing pin for a couple of matches. (There is a great article in the Nov 1997 Precision Shooting about the Gilkes action.) And I installed the extra firing pin I'd gotten from Anthony, and he had left the business, so without a repair parts stream, I put the rifle on the block.

Fresh outa Palma in 2008, I added a 1-12" heavy Palma barrel, NF riflescope, Sinclair bipod, and rear bag to win the 2008 FTR nationals with it. Matched it up with a Barnard P action to win the 2009.

If you can retrieve the Precision Shooting article, you'll learn that Anthony did everything about the action at "45 degrees".

 

[Rat Rifle]

Is that tuner what I think it is ?

 

[Kurz]

I don't know.

What do you think?

 

[dannyjbiggs]

It was not installed there to be a "tuner", rather a front anchor for my mirage band!

 

[Hengehold]

As an update, I finally stocked my aluminum Gilkes action in a wood stock. I had Doan Trevor drill/tap a couple vertical holes and installed with traditional vertical pillars.