Rifle build thoughts and ideas

[JSH]

School me a bit.
This is an idea I have had for years and have decided to try and go forward with it.
First off, a switch barrel and switch caliber and cartridge. I look hard at the ARC and Bighorn offerings. Both are able to just switch bolt heads and use a Savage thread. I can go shoulder or nut of coarse. I see a nut being an easy cheap way to try out a cartridge and still being able to move it if I don’t like it.

Other actions I can get bolts for rather than swap heads.

Changing up cartridges and calibers. AICS mags look to me to make this a simple task as far as feeding? Or do the Wyatts magazines allow the same? I have not wrapped my head around the difference in the two.

Stocks. I am leaning hard towards a Manners, then look at McMillans offerings as well.

Cartridges, 308,6BR and 223 parent cases. Maybe 220Russian/PPC at some point.

Usage. Maybe some deer hunting, but most use would be varmints and targets.
What downfalls can I expect or see down the road? I just think using one action and one trigger and one stock would have some benefits.

TIA for critiquing or criticism on the idea.
Jeff

 

[silverbullet_99]

Not sure how much feedback you're gonna get in the buy sell trade segment of the forum but I will answer you here anyway.

The modularity of the rifle you describe is what I've been doing for over 15 years. I've never ran any ARC stuff but have heard many positive things about their stuff. The only detractor to ARC actions I see immediately is I feel the Bighorn stuff has a bigger following if you're shopping aftermarket parts and pieces on forums. I currently have 4 Bighorn actions and will acquire more as time and money allow.

As far as stocks...Manners and McMillan are both great choices.

I would recommend running AI pattern magazines. You have Accurate, AI, Magpul, and others to choose from. You get into Wyatts youre pretty well stuck there and you need more mags thats youre only option.

Only downfall I see, is once you start this you will want another stock/action/trigger and so it begins all over again.

 

[JSH]

Dunno what happened I was in projects and gunsmith it. Saw another gent last week had the same thing. Maybe fat fingers.

 

[Matt_3479]

So I have pretty much 0 experience with arc actions, but like mentioned above they are have great reviews and is a very innovative company. As far as bighorn goes, very strong following. The origin I have pretty limited experience with but own a tl3. The origin is a lot of action foe the money. Aftermarket parts are easier as they are more popular. The bighorn (tl3 unsure of the origin) is slightly more prone to binding vs many other actions on the market. If you are set on 1 action, then the cheapest option is these two for sure. If your willing to purchase spare bolts to do swaps, then the kelbly atlas tactical is fantastic. Depending on your price point, then something like the terminus Zeus with 2 bolts and the quick change feature is incredible!! Fast, unbelievably easy to change barrels, repeatable, top notch owner and customer service, smooth!!!! If your okay with barrel vise and wrenches then there is tons of great actions but realy like the impact for 90 degree actions, kelbly atlas tac for budget friendly 90 degree, terminus Zeus and ks sar for 60 degree!!

as for stocks, both companies are solid! I own 2 of each. I am preferring the manners slightly but the Mcmillan’s are awesome too! Can’t go wrong regardless! As for mags, ai style mags are the way to go unless you doing a more stream line hunting rifle then 100% bdl with a wyatts.

the down fall I see is the fact when switching calibers if you don’t keep super good notes you will need to sight in each time you swap barrels. While the idea behind 1 action/multiple calibers/barrels is great, realistically it’s a pain. The reason I say this is because If you want to go to the range and bring a do load work, it’s one barrel at a time unless you bring eveehthing and a way to mount the vise to switch calibers instead of just grabbing the other gun. The reason I like prefits is for when my barrels are on there last legs or half way through a season I can have a smith chamber me one up, and change it myself when needed.

I also wanted to do the same thing, and was the reason I wanted a bighorn tl3. But in the end, I have 7 different builds, on 7 different actions, with 9 different barrels and I prefer this.