Help deciding on an action

[Titletown101]

Yes another "please help me" post. Recently I purchased a Kreiger barrel #6 Heavy Bull Sporter for 6mm with a 1:7.5 twist. I want to build a really nice hunting gun in .243AI. I am looking to shoot 105gr VLD bullets. My question is what is a good action to marry to this barrel? I have looked at Nesika actions and I really like what I see, but I also hear such great things about BAT as well, and Kelby. No joke though when I look at the BAT website I feel like I am looking at a booklet of stereo instructions in backwards Greek. Any specific information would be greatly helpful and appreciated. I know nothing so please put on the kid gloves with me. Also I was wondering what is the difference between 2 lug and 3 lug I read about.
Thanks in advance
John

 

[Lapua40X]

Yes another "please help me" post. Recently I purchased a Kreiger barrel #6 Heavy Bull Sporter for 6mm with a 1:7.5 twist. I want to build a really nice hunting gun in .243AI. I am looking to shoot 105gr VLD bullets. My question is what is a good action to marry to this barrel? I have looked at Nesika actions and I really like what I see, but I also hear such great things about BAT as well, and Kelby. No joke though when I look at the BAT website I feel like I am looking at a booklet of stereo instructions in backwards Greek. Any specific information would be greatly helpful and appreciated. I know nothing so please put on the kid gloves with me. Also I was wondering what is the difference between 2 lug and 3 lug I read about.
Thanks in advance
John

John, I know it's tempting to want to build a rifle on a Nesika or BAT action. They are works of art. But before you decide to plunk down a big chunk of money for a hunting rifle with a high cost action , look into a Remington 700 action and the cost of having it blue printed. I think you'll find it quite suitable for your purposes and that it won't disappoint you. You can spend the money you save on a high quality scope.
Good luck with your build .................

 

[BigDMT]

I agree. Really no need for a $1200+ action on a hunting rifle. Of course its your coolaid and you can make it whichever flavor you want

So many options out there. Just gotta figure out what you like. Repeater, single shot, tang safety, side safety, machined scope base or not, recessed or barrel pinched recoil lug, etc...

Probably the biggest factor I would take into account is "stock selection". There are many very nice custom actions with a Rem 700 footprint that can keep you from pulling your hair out when looking for a stock.

In regards to the 2 lug and 3 lug question you had, they are talking about recoil lugs on the bolt. 2 lug has 90 degree bolt throw, 3 lug has 60 degree bolt throw and are generally a little tougher. The 3 lug with 60 degree throw is ideal for any hunting rifle in my opinion because hunting rifles generally have their scopes mounted lower so it allows more bolt handle clearance when cycling the action. Good luck.

 

[kjcpoint]

Call defiance and talk yo Mike Lee. They make a darn nice outfit.

Kule

 

[expiper]

it will cost about 400 dollars more to u'se a custom action...but it will be worth a thousand $$ more when done,,,,Im have two field rifles bu'ilt on Kelbly Kodiak actions ....can use jewell trigger with side safety,,integral recoil lug and 20 moa dovetail base,,,large load/eject window,,,can change bbls in 5 min...to an;y other cal using 308 or 06 size ctgs,,,lots of stocks avail.....or their new Atlas with Panda threads,which will allow the use of used benchrest bbls rechamberd for varmits....you wont go wrong..Roger

 

[AKShooter]

Not hyjacking. And maybe helping the OP out but hear about the kelby switch barrel. How exactly does that work??

For actions, patiently waiting on a 7saum to get finished up. It's on a stiller My first custom action. Wish I could tell you the pros of it

Most of my others are rem 700 Guess you really can't go wrong. You have a good barrel. Unfortunately that's about the cheapest part of your build depending on other components. Cheap the savage targets seem popular. No repeater. Used trued rem might be good. Past that. Start at 950 or so to 1400 or so for custom action. Have not heard too much bad on any of them. Personally my next just might be the kelby atlas. But need to do a bit more research.

But agree with other posters. Straight 700 would do for a hunting gun. My 300 win with a hart barrel that just had the face trued shoots better than I can

 

[Joe C]

Titletown101,

I'll probably get totally thrown under the bus for this one but oh well...

I recently had a new rifle built and choose to go with a Winchester M70 short action. My build is a 6mm wildcat developed by Randy Gregory called the .240NMC and with the 32" 1-7.5" twist Rock Creek barrel I am expecting to send 105-108 grain bullets down range at about 2950 when I'm done with the break in process. I'm also led to believe the barrel life in this caliber is very good.

There is a second M70 action, a long version, sitting here in the corner waiting to be built into what will probably be a .280AI/.260 switch barrel rig.

Why the M70 you ask? Well, it is rigid for one, by many accounts much more so than a R700 action due to the amount of metal and it being a square bottomed action vs. a round tube. It has an integral lug on the receiver. The trigger is fairly easily tuned (the one on my new rifle breaks at just under 1lb as done by Randy). I like the safety on the bolt personally. And did I mention I got both of mine in the form of donor guns for $400.00 and under each?

Would I like to have a custom action? Sure. Can I afford one? Absolutely. But in the end, after looking at all the options, the M70 fit my bill and happens to have a fairly long record of success both in the field and on the competition line. Yes, I understand they are not as "easy" to set up in a lathe to true, but I've also talked to some very accomplished smiths that have told me that they find the M70's, in general, much more true to begin with.

So, anyways, that's my $.02. Best of luck with whatever option you choose! I'm sure I speak for many here when I say we look forward to seeing pics of the finished product!

 

[WyleWD]

Agree with expiper on the custom action with a slight deviation.

Have you looked at or considered a Haverkamp action?? I looked them over at a match last May and talked to the owner. They are NICE!!! When building a rifle now I consider these items. 1) are there a good selection of stocks from multiple manufacturers readily available? 2) Will this action marry up to a Jewell trigger? 3) What scope bases and rings are readily available for it?. Just my 2cents. WD

 

[Titletown101]

Thanks guys, I have heard the discussion on the Rem. 700 from local smiths as well. I have some choices to make.

 

[Cort]

I have trued Remington 700 actions on my "hunting/plinking" rifles and custom actions on my target rifles. A trued Remington 700 costs around $600 while the custom actions start around $1000. I have stayed with the Remington 700's, and clones of the Remington 700, due to the availability of aftermarket components.

There is not a single solution to this question. Fit and finish of the custom actions are superb and the action retains its value over time. A Remington 700 action is worth around $400 no matter what you do to it. Lots of people have gone to the Savage actions due to cost and flexibility. The quality of the barrel is the biggest factor in the accuracy of the finished product. You have a high quality barrel so choose your other components and enjoy your new rifle.

Cort

 

[GSPV]

http://www.bordenrifles.com/Alpine_Timberline_actions.shtml

 

[Sully2]

it will cost about 400 dollars more to u'se a custom action...but it will be worth a thousand $$ more when done,,,,Im have two field rifles bu'ilt on Kelbly Kodiak actions ....can use jewell trigger with side safety,,integral recoil lug and 20 moa dovetail base,,,large load/eject window,,,can change bbls in 5 min...to an;y other cal using 308 or 06 size ctgs,,,lots of stocks avail.....or their new Atlas with Panda threads,which will allow the use of used benchrest bbls rechamberd for varmits....you wont go wrong..Roger

The more $$ its worth when re-sold to me is a non issue. Its ONLY if you desire to sell them....and since I dont...it doesnt matter to me if my remington actions are worth $50 or $5000 ....they are staying mine. And switch guns just dont hack it. Nice idea but a solid built rifle wins out every day.

 

[Sully2]

I have trued Remington 700 actions on my "hunting/plinking" rifles and custom actions on my target rifles. A trued Remington 700 costs around $600 while the custom actions start around $1000. I have stayed with the Remington 700's, and clones of the Remington 700, due to the availability of aftermarket components.

There is not a single solution to this question. Fit and finish of the custom actions are superb and the action retains its value over time. A Remington 700 action is worth around $400 no matter what you do to it. Lots of people have gone to the Savage actions due to cost and flexibility. The quality of the barrel is the biggest factor in the accuracy of the finished product. You have a high quality barrel so choose your other components and enjoy your new rifle.

Cort

Amen!

 

[jonbearman]

If it is just for hunting I would suggest a savage varmint action which Jim at Northland shooters supply has in stk and they are rigid and a repeater for 449.00 I believe and he can set you up with the barrel ,trigger and stock along with the few tools you will need to build your own rifle at home.Call him and keep trying as he is a busy guy but he will get back to you.1-763-682-4296. It is just a thought as I have built 5 or 6 of them and they are all way better than any factory gun with few exceptions.