How much does action play into accuracy?

[AKShooter]

Hello. Shot my first modified f class shoot. Was three strings at 600. Ended up going 570 14x. With my first round at 182 which killed me

Anyway. Hooked for sure. I'm shooting a 17 pound rig in 260. Savage tac action which is a repeater and a shilen bull 28. Purchased from northland so standard chamber

Super happy with rifle. And will keep running it but the whole grass is greener has me thinking of a custom rifle. Was actually looking at a bat b action and a kreiger tube

Anyway, how much does the action contribute to accuracy? My personal thought is the barrel and ammo first. Action third? Caliber. Well whole other topic.

I have the ability to shoot about 8 matches a year. Can also see 1000 yards sometimes. Going to run what I have but seriously considering building something specially built for purpose. And that means custom action too

Any thoughts. Btw. In barrow on hotel wifi so might be Wednesday before I'm back.

 

[AKShooter]

Part of me is simply looking to get a action ordered/ purchased. Build in the years to come. I've simply been wondering how much of a role the action plays a part

 

[GNERGY]

A friend of mine has 2 identically barreled .223's with Krieger heavy varmint contours. One is a Bat action and one is a Rem 700 that was faced and lugs trued ( threads were not recut ) which I think is a waste of peoples money.
They both wear the same optics.
There is no conciderable difference in accuracy between the two.
The bat action is smoother and nicer looking, but at 3 times the cost?
The rifles I have built using Rem. 700 actions get faced and lugs trued.
I think if you keep your headspace to a minimum and your cases sized to fit the action manufacturer doesn't matter.
Some will argue that some actions are stronger at holding a longer heavy barrel, ( which is true ) but I usually bed the straight part of the barrel when I Devcon bed the action.
Just my thoughts on your question.
Tarey

 

[FroggyOne2]

I have two Barnards and one Remington, I can't tell the differrence when it comes to accuracy. They all do the job above board. But I will say I like the triggers on the Barnard better.

 

[IA_shooter]

The most frequent response I see about accuracy is the "3 B's".........Bullets, Brass, and Barrel.

While I'd love to have a high end custom action just for the looks and feel of one, at this time I just can't justify 3 times the expense for one.

Maybe someday after getting my 2 older sons college expenses paid off I'll buy one of them fancy expensive actions.

 

[XTR]

The current F-TR national champion shoots a stock Savage target action, and I believe he still uses the AccuTrigger. The others are nice to have, and may be a lot prettier, but a well built Remington or Savage will run with anything out there at 1000 yards.

 

[AKShooter]

Thanks guys. Ya, I was thinking of the savage target at first but they are a large ring. Fact is, this barrel is the best I've ever had. Shot some .3's at 100. And cleans like a dream. It is the, if its not broke don't fix it thing. Figure I will run it as is. Need to improve skills anyway. Another shoot this weekend. Back to 3,5 and 600. I'll keep my eyes open hear for deals. I somewhat spoiled myself with a stiller hunting rifle build, and love the Jewell trigger too! Like the savage but its a bit clunky. Rifle basix trigger is good.

Maybe decent option too is to keep eyes open for a deal on a 700. Really would like to step up to a Jewell trigger and the 1.25 barrel. I know I can get that in my small shank savage but would need to loose the nut

This weekend running a different rear bag, fun stuff. Wish I'd found this sport sooner in my life, f class. Or any competition shooting

 

[WyleWD]

The current F-TR national champion shoots a stock Savage target action, and I believe he still uses the AccuTrigger. The others are nice to have, and may be a lot prettier, but a well built Remington or Savage will run with anything out there at 1000 yards.

Pretty much agree with this post. IMHO, The shooter and his amount of GOOD preparation, mentally, physically, ability to properly adjust for wind & conditions, and attention to detail in reloading and tuning his factory rifle will be able to overcome most of the short comings that a factory action has vs a custom action. WD

 

[articmp]

I am running a stock savage pta in a kelby stock. It tracks like a dream. First match on paper, I won my relay for score with a 46 1x, group was 10.0 and change, second relay shot a 7.686 which put me at 4th out of 9 shooters. I am running a cheap Burris and load all my ammo with cheap Lee equipment and whidden dies. Brass, bullets, barrel and bedding are key along with a stock that tracks. Shooting a Douglas barrel with a Harrel brake chambered in a no turn 6.5 284.

 

[broncman]

I have a Savage 308 FTR with the Savage PTA action and the bolt lift mod.
I also have a new Remmy 700 308 with the new X Mark pro trigger.

The Savage is smoother and LOVE the accutrigger. The XMark trigger is horrible...

 

[JamesnTN]

Obviously you guys haven't played with the big boys. Go to kelblys super shoot or to the IBS 600 yard or 1000 yard nationals with a factory action re barreled. There is a reason BAT Kelbly's stiller are in business and building custom actions and why there's a wait to have a bench gun built from most gunsmiths. Custom actions are just more consistent and in bench rest matches that's the key is being consistent oh and reading the wind. This also is providing you done your homework and got everything tuned.
Check out match reports and look at equipment lists you won't see any factory Remington or salvage actions in the winners circles.

 

[Nomad47]

Obviously you guys haven't played with the big boys. Go to kelblys super shoot or to the IBS 600 yard or 1000 yard nationals with a factory action re barreled. There is a reason BAT Kelbly's stiller are in business and building custom actions and why there's a wait to have a bench gun built from most gunsmiths. Custom actions are just more consistent and in bench rest matches that's the key is being consistent oh and reading the wind. This also is providing you done your homework and got everything tuned.
Check out match reports and look at equipment lists you won't see any factory Remington or salvage [sic] actions in the winners circles.

Ummm, I believe the current F T/R National Champion shoots a Savage.

Edit: There are lots of guys that want to compete but can't afford a custom action. I guess you're telling them not to bother.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I have a Savage 308 FTR with the Savage PTA action and the bolt lift mod.
I also have a new Remmy 700 308 with the new X Mark pro trigger.

The Savage is smoother and LOVE the accutrigger. The XMark trigger is horrible...

Have you ever shot a Jewell trigger?

 

[Erik Cortina]

The current F-TR national champion shoots a stock Savage target action, and I believe he still uses the AccuTrigger. The others are nice to have, and may be a lot prettier, but a well built Remington or Savage will run with anything out there at 1000 yards.

I've seen Jim's rifle with a Precision rifle stock and Brux barrel, not stock at all.

 

[JamesnTN]

Obviously you guys haven't played with the big boys. Go to kelblys super shoot or to the IBS 600 yard or 1000 yard nationals with a factory action re barreled. There is a reason BAT Kelbly's stiller are in business and building custom actions and why there's a wait to have a bench gun built from most gunsmiths. Custom actions are just more consistent and in bench rest matches that's the key is being consistent oh and reading the wind. This also is providing you done your homework and got everything tuned.
Check out match reports and look at equipment lists you won't see any factory Remington or salvage [sic] actions in the winners circles.

Ummm, I believe the current F T/R National Champion shoots a Savage.

Edit: There are lots of guys that want to compete but can't afford a custom action. I guess you're telling them not to bother.

That's not what I implied, all are welcomed if there rifles are within the rules set out for that particular shoot. I've shot plenty of benchrest have logged a few world records I'm just saying if you want to be in the winners circle you will need the equipment to get you there. Also I'm not familiar with F T/R so I don't know there format or style of shooting. But in the categories I listed a competitor is gonna need a custom action in order to win or place this day and time.

 

[Nomad47]

You just said it again, James.

Scenario: I want to compete in benchrest but I can't afford a custom action. You say I can't win WITHOUT a custom action. Then I won't compete since I cannot win.

 

[Nomad47]

James, the point I am trying to make is: How do you expect to attract new shooters to the sport when you tell them it will cost thousands to compete/win?

 

[Erik Cortina]

You just said it again, James.

Scenario: I want to compete in benchrest but I can't afford a custom action. You say I can't win WITHOUT a custom action. Then I won't compete since I cannot win.

Bill, I think the point he is trying to make is the same as barrels. If you want to play at the top level, factory is not good (consistent) enough.

 

[JamesnTN]

James, the point I am trying to make is: How do you expect to attract new shooters to the sport when you tell them it will cost thousands to compete/win?

We can beat this to death but reality is what it is in shooting short range or long range benchrest I've been there promise ya that. Every little bit of accuracy enhancement adds up no matter what. There are classes now for factory shooters and this is to allow those who can't afford 5000.00 rifles to compete with. It also allows them to test it out and see if they want to invest in a full blown BR rifle as well. Yes there are some good shooting factory rifles I have a few myself but I know they will never win where custom rifles are allowed to shoot. I've been down the route of customizing factory actions as well and no matter how much works done they still just would not compete consistently with a custom action. Yes I would love see more new shooters jump on board and compete and get involved but lets be realistic in the sport of benchrest. Again I advice those to look at the equipment lists of the top shooters and see what they use and win with. I'll offer and help any new shooter best I can with load development bench technique and any trick I know.

 

[Jayman_10x]

James - pop quiz: Do the winners shoot with top equipment because it's necessary or because they can afford it and they have time to practice more than others?