Rifle Actions

[michaeljdean]

I've decided to build my first custom hunting rifle. I've decided on the 6.5 284 Norma cartridge, a 24" McGowen 1-8 1/2 twist. I am considering using the Zoli 96 PF action.

If anyone could provide feedback on the Zoli action it would be appreciated.

 

[dtucker]

I have bought and used a lot of actions but i have never heard of that 1. Where are they made?

 

[Eddie Harren]

Zoli actions are listed as Husqvarna.

 

[potatoe]

like the lawn equipment?

 

[dtucker]

So i am guessing these are mainly used on big game rifles?

 

[rubbershotgun]

like the lawn equipment?

Husqvarna used to make all sorts of things back in the day.

 

[Larryh128]

Husqvarna actions are excellent actions. The ones that I've seen were mauser design actions with top quality workmanship.

 

[4xforfun]

Just my .02, but if you are going custom, why not either go with a true custom action like BAT, Lawton, Nesika, ect, or at least go with a factory action which has a good supply of aftermarket parts and a good supply of gunsmiths who can/will work on them....??

Savage comes to mind.

Remington would be my FIRST choice!!

 

[fdshuster]

At the top of my list of action choices for a build is the ability to use the ever excellent Jewell triggers. One of the reasons I prefer a Remington over a Savage, when not going the custom route.

 

[ReedG]

Not sure what you are going to build. Are you talking a walking hunting rifle? Sporter weight barrel? Repeater? The Zoli apparently isn't available for sale yet. http://www.americangunllc.com/catalog3.htm ... This appears as a modern Mauser action, similar to the FN Mauser. My guess is that it is not of the quality of a custom sporter action from Jim Borden, Nesika, Defiance, Big Horn, Haverkamp, etc.

Lots of experience in the guys on this forum. Give some more info on what your plans are and you'll get some good advice.

 

[Eddie Harren]

When I Googled Zoli, I ended up viewing a round bottom, push feed action that resembled a Rem in some respects. I saw no Mauser extractor. Zoli is an old Italian manufacturer of shotguns and a few rifles over the years.

 

[lpreddick]

as a 6-284 owner, get a longer barrel! 24 inches cannot give you the superb performance in this cartridge. 28 or even 30 inches allows this gun to SHOOT! when this cartridge first appeared the "experts" didn't give it much hope. this was probably somewhat true since there weren't a lot of slow powders then as there are now. with heavy bullets(105s) this cartridge can achieve 3350+ fps using rel22, rel25, h1000 and more. 4 extra inches can get you the extra speed and since this cartridge is considered "long range", speed and high bc are a must have. throat erosion is an issue which is another reason for a longer barrel in that you can have it set back 4 inches when that time arrives and you have what you are planning right now. around 1000 rounds is an estimate, perhaps less if you shoot hot and often. oh yea, on a budget, you can't go wrong with a trued rem700 action...the older, the better.

 

[Catfish]

I like the Savage actions. I have a 224 TTH and 2 , 6-284`s plus a few factory rounds on them. My main reason for likeing Savage so much is that it is so easy to change barrels on them. I even bought a 6-284 reamer and am in the market for a 22-284 reamer. Go with a longer barrel, you don`t have to saw off 4in. to rechamber, 1/2 in will do it. I have set the barrel back and rechambered the 224 TTH once so far and am ready to chamber another barrel for 6-284 when needed. If you want a good trigger Sharp Shooters Supply make and excellant trigger for the Savages.

 

[Frankr]

I think why not go with the trusty rem 700 action for a hunting rifle.
If you want a custom, a reapter. i would look at pierce action's, borden's . ect.
allthough i love my kimber 8400, i have thought about buying one just to rebarrel it.

Or if ya got to have a mauser type
http://www.montanarifleco.com/actions.html

 

[michaeljdean]

My intent is to build a long range sporting rifle that has the capacity to take down anything from Antelope to Elk. At age 57, and 5' 6" and 160,,, I'm not getting any younger or stronger and any weight reduction in the necessities I take afield is critical.

The 264 action is not, at present, available from McGowen. They do however have access to the Zoli 96 Mauser action. From what I'm learning, the action is a descendant of the Swedish Mausers and made from Swedish Steel.

The people at McGowen have been fantastic to work with and offer a tremendous value for barreled actions, tailored to your wants and needs. I am on their waiting list for the 264 action.

 

[michaeljdean]

Not sure what you are going to build. Are you talking a walking hunting rifle? Sporter weight barrel? Repeater? The Zoli apparently isn't available for sale yet. http://www.americangunllc.com/catalog3.htm ... This appears as a modern Mauser action, similar to the FN Mauser. My guess is that it is not of the quality of a custom sporter action from Jim Borden, Nesika, Defiance, Big Horn, Haverkamp, etc.

Lots of experience in the guys on this forum. Give some more info on what your plans are and you'll get some good advice.

The rifle I'm trying to build is one for day long walking hunts. The goal is to build the lightest, highly accurate rifle I can. One that has the capacity to take down an Elk but relatively mild in terms of recoil. Once I have the barreled action I will probably have a Mcmillin or MPI stock made for it. If you have other selections, that would be great.

I've got a couple dozen rifles I've collected over the years, everything from a 22 to a 375 H&H. Most of them are just to damn heavy to carry for an extended period of time. My goal is a complete scoped package at or below five pounds. The reason I'm limiting the barrel length to 24" is to minimize weight. The ballistics on the 6.5 284 with a 24" barrel should be more than sufficient to push a 140 grain accurately and with enough punch to kill Elk.

The reason for my choice in actions is I've always liked mauser actions and the Swedish is supposed to be one of the best.

 

[michaeljdean]

Just my .02, but if you are going custom, why not either go with a true custom action like BAT, Lawton, Nesika, ect, or at least go with a factory action which has a good supply of aftermarket parts and a good supply of gunsmiths who can/will work on them....??

Savage comes to mind.

Remington would be my FIRST choice!!

The reason for going custom is to build an ultra light rifle in the 6.5 284 cartridge. I'm looking for something that fits me well and a pleasure to carry

 

[bozo699]

Onelongshot,
I am a huge fan of customs and usually only buy factory rifles for doner actions I am also a huge fan of Mauser style actions and I am also a fan of Swedish built rifles thats why I only buy Tikka rifles anymore if I don't want to build a custom, 1/2" accuracy and 6 3/16 lbs. $500-$700 you can't even get a top shelf custom action for that. The Tikka isn't a Mauser action but it is smooth a silk and unbelievably accurate just my $.02
Wayne.

 

[PREMOD70]

Give these folks a look; http://www.newultralight.com/HTML/custom-rifles.html

 

[michaeljdean]

Thanks for the advise; two weeks ago I gave them a deposit to build a 270 Winchester short mag. I couldn't decide between cartridges so I opted to purchase two rifles; one from each company.