Custom Action worth the money?

[Tulo2tass2]

First off I love this website and this forum... it is a fantastic place to gather info!

I have never owned a fully custom gun and I was wondering if a custom action would be practical for my needs. I am looking to build this gun for tactical shooting (hopefully in matches) and small game such as deer/coyotes. I do have a trued 700 action but I was hoping that it would be even smoother for bolt manipulation. I have looked at a couple different actions such a Surgeon, but I have never used one nor are they taking orders at this time. Sooo I was hoping to get some input on a good custom action for a decent price. I have heard a lot of good things about BAT actions but they seem more like a BR action. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

CAN YOU GUYS ALSO POST SOME OF YOUR BUILDS WITH PICTURES AND DETAILS SO I CAN GET SOME IDEAS?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[GSPV]

There are two ways to say this.

Way 1: Yes.

Way 2: A factory action can be made to shoot as well as a custom. For the money required to do so, you're better off buying the custom in the first place.

With that said, if you don't need what a full custom brings to the table, why spend the money? Maybe because you've had your hands on one, have the money and want it.

Review this thread for pictures and details. http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=2990828.0

 

[Raythemanroe]

Stiller Spectra has a built in 20 moa rail and looks like a Surgeon action..A good barrel and great machining followed up with good bedding may get you there if you do your part.

 

[Tulo2tass2]

Raythemanroe,

Have you used both the Surgeon and Stiller Spectra action? If so how do they compare?

Thanks

 

[Raythemanroe]

I haven't, my post was based on your interest. My experience of the two companies is with Stiller's Predator action and so far I love it..I feel the end result is a collective of everything done right. I'll post a picture of mine..

 

[ShootDots]

I have a friend of mine who is an excellent gunsmith.. He builds A LOT of tactical rifles for shooters in that discipline, who also hunt quite often... The "prevailing wisdom" in that genre is Surgeon actions. I have never owned one, neither am I into tactical shooting. However, I have seen and handled some of those rifles and they are awesome! The Surgeon action certainly is a very fine instrument indeed!!

 

[Benjerman08]

Another consideration is time. Some of the custom actions are taking 6-8 months right now.

 

[MarkS]

Tulo2tass2,

They are worth every penny? I have had both. You can get the Factory action to shoot with Custom action, but you can never get the as smooth as a Custom. I have a Bat B and a Stiller Diamondback. I can open the action with one finger after firing and not move the gun. I have handled a Surgeon, but not shot one. I like the Stiller DB, I would go with BAT.

When you are building a gun, every cost the same, but the action. By the time you blueprint a Remington you are near the cost of a custom.

Do what I did, buy used. If you can find a gun with a stock, trigger, and action, that you can use, you save a lot of money.

Mark Schronce

 

[Greyfox]

Your question covers a lot of ground and in the end only you can answer. Your trued 700 will probably shoot as well for the purposes you described. OTOH- you will almost certainly get a smoother bolt with a custom action and you can get a different bolt/port configuration if that's what you want.. The custom action will have a higher resale value as well.

As far as pricing, I'd be surprised to see any serious bargains on a new action as the mfcs can sell everything they can make with some wait time as well. You might consider a used benchrest rifle and then sell the stock, maybe even the barrel.

Rick

 

[Tulo2tass2]

Off topic... But where can I find a Jewell trigger because I can't find them in stock anywhere?

 

[ShootDots]

Presently you might be better off putting up a "wanted to buy" post in the GUNS, BARRELS, ACTIONS, etc,, section of this forum. You might just get lucky!

 

[fdshuster]

For a Jewell trigger, check the marketplace, under Commercial sales by paid sponsers, Larry Scott. An excellent source of Jewell triggers.

In addition to all the other advantages of a custom receiver, one that is very important to me is the ability to swap barrels between the same makers receivers. The tolerances are held that close. I have 2, Bat SV receivers and am able to swap any and all barrels threaded for the Bats. I have bought used barrels from as far as Missouri, (I'm in Pa.), and am able to screw it on and have perfect headspace. They are all inter-changable.

Many of the custom receivers are also available with dual bolt faces, will handle both BR and ppc cartridges.

 

[WyleWD]

It is YOUR decision. I have both tricked out Rem 700 actions and a high end custom or two as well. Of course the customs are very nice.

The next time that I do a start from the ground up build, I will DEFINATELY be looking strongly at the Haverkamp actions. I've looked these over very carefully and JMHO but they are one of the most overlooked and best kept secrets out there. And one heck of a nice fella to chat with too. They are very nice indeed. Here is a link. WD

www.haverkampactions.com

 

[chevytruck_83]

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3818141.msg36243517#msg36243517

seems most people I asked like the defiance deviant.

 

[GSPV]

Everyone has their favorite action.

 

[lpreddick]

my former gunsmith was a rem gunsmith before he retired and he could take a rem 700 and "blueprint" it to shoot like a custom...he said. most of these guns shoot a ragged hole. i just had to have a custom so i bought a stiller predator single shot and i'll never go the rem 700 route again! i shoot paper and varmints and constantly persue that one hole group. the cost of the custom(and all the bells and whistles) is a little bit more BUT the performance is fantastic. if your finances allow, treat yourself to just one custom action and don't scrimp on the rest.

 

[CJ6]

The custom actions also hold their resale value (in case you have a brain fart and sell it).

 

[gmorganal]

I have a gunsmith friend who shoots a Remington SA with a PTG bolt, and if you close your eyes and work the bolt, you cannot tell it from a Bat, Borden, Defiance or Panda. And it shoots quite well. just another option for you to consider.

 

[GSPV]

The question is how much time and money it takes to make a factory shoot and feel like a custom.

A wrinkle is the infrequent times that a custom needs work. I bought one second hand with a host of issues. The action wouldn't even open because the firing pin hole in the bolt face was too small for the pin. It is now a nice action, but it took time and money to make it that way.

 

[Kiwishooter]

For a Jewell trigger, check the marketplace, under Commercial sales by paid sponsers, Larry Scott. An excellent source of Jewell triggers.

In addition to all the other advantages of a custom receiver, one that is very important to me is the ability to swap barrels between the same makers receivers. The tolerances are held that close. I have 2, Bat SV receivers and am able to swap any and all barrels threaded for the Bats. I have bought used barrels from as far as Missouri, (I'm in Pa.), and am able to screw it on and have perfect headspace. They are all inter-changable.

Many of the custom receivers are also available with dual bolt faces, will handle both BR and ppc cartridges.

I have four BAT's two SV's a B and a DS and I can say that the barrels threaded for my first SV will NOT screw into the other SV, B or the DS........the threads are slightly larger in diameter........Kiwi