Borden Rimrock or Alpine bolt fit

[Gil P.]

Can someone help me understand the differences? I want to have a rifle built off a Borden in the future for tactical rifle matches. I'm mostly concerned with it binding and having issues in dusty environments.

 

[Hal]

Call Jim, l'm sure he could help you out.

Hal

 

[Gil P.]

Call Jim, l'm sure he could help you out.

Hal

He said both would work just fine. I was wondering about the experiences people have had with them.

 

[Evan]

My benchrest rifles are built on rimrocks: a BR and a BRL. Both bolts have a nice snug fit to the receiver and pretty aggressive fluting on the bolt bodies. I’ve never had them bind, but if they get dry and dusty, they don’t glide like they do on a thin film of oil.

 

[Gil P.]

My benchrest rifles are built on rimrocks: a BR and a BRL. Both bolts have a nice snug fit to the receiver and pretty aggressive fluting on the bolt bodies. I’ve never had them bind, but if they get dry and dusty, they don’t glide like they do on a thin film of oil.

Are your BR actions nitrided? I forgot to mention I'll be selecting that option on the build.

I won't be using it with oil on the bolt. It'll attract too much dust.

 

[Evan]

Are your BR actions nitrided? I forgot to mention I'll be selecting that option on the build.

I won't be using it with oil on the bolt. It'll attract too much dust.

My BRL is DLC coated, the BR is plain. Yeah, oiling the bolt and receiver isn’t practical for anything field oriented. I’m not sure how it would do since I exclusively run it clean and oiled, to the point of covering the whole rifle with a towel when I’m not actively shooting it to keep it all perfect for the next string. I’d trust Jim if he says it works in dusty field conditions.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Both would be fine. Some guys feel like a looser bolt is less likely to bind up but I have never seen anything to make me believe it. I have hade some pretty dusty rifles out hunting and doubt you would ever get one that bad in a match. Or that would not be a very fun match to be at! Since your not going to notice any accuracy difference go with the looser fit because thats what all your shooting buddies will say you should have done The thing that will actually make a difference is getting it nitrided and run it dry. Brake clean dry. I still do a pin head drop of tw25b grease one the lugs though.

 

[Gil P.]

Both would be fine. Some guys feel like a looser bolt is less likely to bind up but I have never seen anything to make me believe it. I have hade some pretty dusty rifles out hunting and doubt you would ever get one that bad in a match. Or that would not be a very fun match to be at! Since your not going to notice any accuracy difference go with the looser fit because thats what all your shooting buddies will say you should have done The thing that will actually make a difference is getting it nitrided and run it dry. Brake clean dry. I still do a pin head drop of tw25b grease one the lugs though.

I use the same for lugs. I was at a match in New Mexico that was very dusty. The wind suddenly picked up to close to 50mph. We still shot though. I thought I was going to ruin my action lol. I could feel the grinding of dirt on the lugs when I closed the bolt.

Is the Rimrock fit is the one with the Borden Bumps?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yes

 

[jkohler]

jim also sets up the bolt different on the two. The Rimrock is set up for a neutral hand off with the trigger and the alpine is set up with a small amount of cock on close. I believe he changed to that on the alpine and timberline a few years ago as some people was complaining that the opening was to hard.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Does Borden still incorporate the “Borden Bumps” which allow for a little more clearance when the bolt is open but tightens as it is closed into the lock position.?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

They are not bumps anymore, just large diameters behind the lugs and in front of the handle. But only on some actions. The alpine and timberline do not have them.

@jkohler I think you can still get the hunting action with a neutral handoff. At least I have in the past because I hate coc.

 

[Gil P.]

jim also sets up the bolt different on the two. The Rimrock is set up for a neutral hand off with the trigger and the alpine is set up with a small amount of cock on close. I believe he changed to that on the alpine and timberline a few years ago as some people was complaining that the opening was to hard.

It looks like the Rimrock is the way to go. I don't like cock on close.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

The Rimrock is his flagship action, even though his others are very nice too. But if your choice is down to "smoothness", you're splitting a fine hair. If that's a determining factor, I think you should cry once, buy once and go with his top of the line action as well as let him time your trigger to it. I'll never understand why this is so high on some people's list of priorities but will say that he has made the smoothest actions I've ever held in my hands when timed properly....fwiw. I'm also that guy that feels like we can split that hair too many times and potentially give up more important things over time. I'd rather have a tad extra pin fall and a smidge of cock on close than to be on that razor's edge, that bites me in a match or in extreme weather conditions. A Kelbly Panda has probably won more br matches than all others combined and they are not the smoothest action but they are very good and very reliable. That said, yes, I'm a Borden fan, just not for the inth degree of "feel" alone.

 

[jkohler]

Alex I was shocked when I received some right after he changed to COC. I did talk with Jim on it but can’t remember him saying if he would still do the neutral hand off. There a nice hunting action though.