The arrow is only one item of importance.
Custom actions.... are they worth the $$$$?
- Thread starter Mr.Knowit all
- Start date
Alex Wheeler
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Prime example of indian/arrow is the deep creek club gun.
Sounds interesting...
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
Well, this thread is a year and a half old but it is still hot enough to boil some blood.
What I have heard recently is that in some ways the R700 action is currently better in many areas than the old ones. Then, in he same breath, I hear they really suck where it matters most.
Just to put a pencil to it (merely the way I see it) a Stiller TAC30 complete with 20MOA scope base can be had new for right at $1050.
It comes perfectly timed (at least the ones I've used) and trued. It also will have the ubiquitous (got that from a gun rag) tactical bolt knob, side bolt release, Sako style extractor, small firing pin hole, fluted bolt body and a pinned recoil lug. IF you find a $350 R700 action and IF your builder will even build on it now you could wind up spending around $900-1,000 on "making" it as good as the above mentioned Stiller.
Then let's talk of what the market thinks of resale value. While that $1,050 Stiller will sell for around $850-900 the "jazzed" R700 will eventually bring $500 tops.
Let's not even talk about custom action applications v. factory for the BR world.
What I have heard recently is that in some ways the R700 action is currently better in many areas than the old ones. Then, in he same breath, I hear they really suck where it matters most.
Just to put a pencil to it (merely the way I see it) a Stiller TAC30 complete with 20MOA scope base can be had new for right at $1050.
It comes perfectly timed (at least the ones I've used) and trued. It also will have the ubiquitous (got that from a gun rag) tactical bolt knob, side bolt release, Sako style extractor, small firing pin hole, fluted bolt body and a pinned recoil lug. IF you find a $350 R700 action and IF your builder will even build on it now you could wind up spending around $900-1,000 on "making" it as good as the above mentioned Stiller.
Then let's talk of what the market thinks of resale value. While that $1,050 Stiller will sell for around $850-900 the "jazzed" R700 will eventually bring $500 tops.
Let's not even talk about custom action applications v. factory for the BR world.
Are you saying you can buy Stiller Tac complete with trigger, bottom metal,scope base for $1050.
I realize they are mostly targeting the PRS crowd, but have any of y'all handled the Impact Precision 737r action? I am interested in how they are in compared to the Kelbly Atlas and Defiance Deviant in particular. Would really like to hear your opinion Mr. Wheeler if you have handled one.
urbanrifleman
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My gunsmith is a very practical guy and he has been building some really great shooting rifles. He has had TONS of the Stillers come through the shop and he says they are great. He also said that the newest stainless single shot Rem 700s, after a basic truing, is essentially the equal to the Stiller in function and trueness.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
I am saying exactly that. You won't get a R700 action, trigger and BM for $350 either. Even if you bought a special somewhere the trigger is junk.
http://www.bugholes.com/category-s/1841.htm
Plus, Greg is a good guy to deal with.
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Are you saying that after truing a Remington it is equal to a stock off the shelf Stiller,,,,he isn't saying much for the truing job he is doing then.....
I do not know what Alex is doing with actions nor have I seen any of his work , I don't think. It seems he has it figured out the same as Bob Brackney, Dale Hutchinson and Bob Adamowicz did on truing Remingtons 35-40 yrs ago straight is straight and if its not well then its not straight, either you fix it or sell and hope for a good one on the next one you buy.
moondog
Gold $$ Contributor
I own a Atlas Taticool. It shoots really well for me. Is it Straight? don't have a clue.There are some things I like and don't like about it for a repeater. I actually handled a Impact Precision a couple of weeks ago at a match.
looks nice. Is it straight and true? no clue.
My hunting buddy had a custom rifle built for him. Essentially the action and barrel is standard, but he had the stock made to his body dimensions (length of pull, choice of wood etc.) He then spent a lot of money on engraving etc.
He has hunted with the rifle for about 4 years. His opinion today is that he wished he had spent less money on the cosmetic side, and more on the working side. In other words a strong action, good barrel, good bedding and good scope and mounts.
He has a very nice rifle but:
We had to replace the nicely engraved scope mounts because they collapsed, with ordinary Leupold steel mounts.
We had to bed the action with pillar mounts.
So my advice would be that if you decide to go for a custom job, forget about the frills. Have a solid rifle built.
I personally had enough of custom jobs. Making the decision about which barrel, which profile, what action, what trigger is a pain in the ass. Then to deal with the custom builder another. In the end it is simpler to go to a gunshop, handle the rifles, find one you like and then tweak it up a bit with a bedding job.
He has hunted with the rifle for about 4 years. His opinion today is that he wished he had spent less money on the cosmetic side, and more on the working side. In other words a strong action, good barrel, good bedding and good scope and mounts.
He has a very nice rifle but:
We had to replace the nicely engraved scope mounts because they collapsed, with ordinary Leupold steel mounts.
We had to bed the action with pillar mounts.
So my advice would be that if you decide to go for a custom job, forget about the frills. Have a solid rifle built.
I personally had enough of custom jobs. Making the decision about which barrel, which profile, what action, what trigger is a pain in the ass. Then to deal with the custom builder another. In the end it is simpler to go to a gunshop, handle the rifles, find one you like and then tweak it up a bit with a bedding job.
I can't seem to pull up there site that includes bottom metal and trigger. I wasn't concerned about comparing to Rem action so please pull up site that list trigger/bottom metal as Bugholes doesn't list that.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
Maybe you should read my post again.
I read your post and understand and I'm not talking to Greg. If he cann't put price on action,trigger,bottom metal and up date his price why would you think I'd be interested in call him?
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
What a bizarre reply.
No, he was saying that for half the price, they end up being equally straight shooters, considering that a Stiller should not require trueing.
If you handle an Impact and then a Borden....the difference is night and day.
the operative words would be, SHOULD NOT REQUIRE TRUEING. they will. if you reread posts general consensus from us guys that have been doing accuracy work for 35+ yrs is there are very FEW straight actions. I have had Stillers hell I know Jerry fairly well and they are good but no they are not perfect ......sorry if my answer bothered you but if your gunsmith says his work is as good as an action that needs to be trued ,well I would be looking elsewhere...
Greg at Bugholes is a great guy to deal with, I've bought numerous blanks from him because he keeps a lot of on hand inventory. Call him in the morning, leave a message and he'll call you back that evening because he's on his lathes during the day. Greg runs a tight ship and is as honest as the day is long, as is Greg Taylor and Alex Wheeler!
Darrin
Alex, Lugs look great ,as you know that's only the beginning or the end if you started on bolt first....which is way more work...
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