Terminus Zeus action with Quick Change threading

[longrangeprecisionshooter]

I am wondering if anyone had any issue with Zeus action in Quick Change doing target shooting?

I've been told by people and even some gunsmith questioning the QC feature of the Zeus action, most related to the reliability of the threading holding the heavy barrel comparing to traditional action.

Basically the points I am concerned about are
1. Whether it is reliable/repeatable for target shooting using long(28-30") and heavy(MTU or straight contour) barrels with QC.
2. Whether it could cause any issue when shooting in magnum/lapua bolt face calibers e.g. 300PRC/300Norma/338Norma

It would be much easier when doing load test for different barrels at the range, just switch barrel and you can shoot in different calibers, no need to go home and switch the barrel on a vise every time.


Thank you.

 

[NateHaler]

I've never been able to reach Joel at Terminus, but maybe you can -- to discuss these concerns. Or, if you don't mind the rude/lewd/crude gang over at Snipers Hide, then you might post this there too.

But I'm going to watch this thread, because I've wondered the same thing. The SS prefit barrels offered by Proof Research are their 'Competition Contour', which is heavier than MTU. And they offer them for Terminus and Zermatt (including for the small shank Savage thread pattern that comes on the Origin).

 

[V35]

I like my Zeus, and have had no issues with the barrel staying tight. I snap it on good by hand and torque the set screws and thats it. I have 300 PRC, 28 Nosler, and 6.5-300 Bee barrels for it. None of them were prefits, i threaded ans chambered them myself. FWIW, i dialed that Zeus in on the lathe, ans found it to be very square.

 

[INTJ]

I have cut chambered for a couple of regular Terminus actions. They are well made, and Joel has always been responsive for me on the phone or e-mail.

That said, I do not like the hand tight and lock the barrel with a clamp or screw method. We have had issues with accuracy and consistency from another brand who had a similar system when using long heavy barrrels.

More importantly, it isn't expensive to get a barrel vise and an action wrench and change barrels yourself. That way you get solid engagement every time you swap barrels.

 

[Clancy]

Joel has never not answered the phone or an email for me in a timely manner. Most of the time it’s within minutes. I’m not sure why anyone would think he’s hard to get ahold of.

Mine is a full thread. I just couldn’t wrap my head around driving a set screw into the side of my chamber. I know it works for a lot of people, but I have a mental block up.

A barrel vise can be made portable in many ways though. Big C clamps on the bench, bolted to a tailgate, or mounted to 2” tubing and stuck in a hitch- to name a few.

 

[longrangeprecisionshooter]

I like my Zeus, and have had no issues with the barrel staying tight. I snap it on good by hand and torque the set screws and thats it. I have 300 PRC, 28 Nosler, and 6.5-300 Bee barrels for it. None of them were prefits, i threaded ans chambered them myself. FWIW, i dialed that Zeus in on the lathe, ans found it to be very square.

Thank you for the info.

Just to confirm the Zeus you have sounds like a long action version in Magnum bolt face, is it a quick change threading or it is full threading one?

 

[longrangeprecisionshooter]

I have cut chambered for a couple of regular Terminus actions. They are well made, and Joel has always been responsive for me on the phone or e-mail.

That said, I do not like the hand tight and lock the barrel with a clamp or screw method. We have had issues with accuracy and consistency from another brand who had a similar system when using long heavy barrrels.

More importantly, it isn't expensive to get a barrel vise and an action wrench and change barrels yourself. That way you get solid engagement every time you swap barrels.

Thank you.

For the other brand, which has similar system as Zeus's Quick Change feature, can I ask what kind of caliber the rifle was using? Something like a common short action calibers, 308win, 6.5creedmoor, 6mm one. Or something like 300Win Mag or even 300 Norma Mag and 338Lapua Mag kind of large bore ones?

Can I say the reason behind Zeus or similar action with quick change barrel feature, is the tenon not longer enough to hold the long, heavy barrel properly as the full threaded one? I know Accuracy International rifle's barrel has a longer tenon for their rifle to swap barrel and hand tight on the field with a side screw.

 

[V35]

Thank you for the info.

Just to confirm the Zeus you have sounds like a long action version in Magnum bolt face, is it a quick change threading or it is full threading one?

It is the QC.

 

[INTJ]

Thank you.

For the other brand, which has similar system as Zeus's Quick Change feature, can I ask what kind of caliber the rifle was using? Something like a common short action calibers, 308win, 6.5creedmoor, 6mm one. Or something like 300Win Mag or even 300 Norma Mag and 338Lapua Mag kind of large bore ones?

Can I say the reason behind Zeus or similar action with quick change barrel feature, is the tenon not longer enough to hold the long, heavy barrel properly as the full threaded one? I know Accuracy International rifle's barrel has a longer tenon for their rifle to swap barrel and hand tight on the field with a side screw.

Two 338 Lapua barrels, two 300 Norma barrels, and 7-300 Norma IMP barrel. All 26-28" long. I don't think it's the tenon length as much as I think it's best to have a barrel torqued against a square shoulder.

Also, this rifle was a chassis rifle and chassis are bad about allowing a lot of movement in larger cartridges.

 

[Matt_3479]

Ivr been running a quick change Zeus for 2.5 years now in 25 creed. While it’s not the big magnum your looking for I can tell you repeatability and precision as been excellent. I’ve been very happy with it.
This was shot last week

 

[shoot4fun]

I've had my Zeus QC SA for two years. Now on my second heavy contour barrel with zero issues.
First was a Competition Contour Hawk Hill and now a Proof SS Competition contour, both 26".
Also, don't know everyone's experience but if I call Terminus and leave VMS Joel has always called back in short order.

 

[boltfluter]

I have cut chambered for a couple of regular Terminus actions. They are well made, and Joel has always been responsive for me on the phone or e-mail.

That said, I do not like the hand tight and lock the barrel with a clamp or screw method. We have had issues with accuracy and consistency from another brand who had a similar system when using long heavy barrrels.

More importantly, it isn't expensive to get a barrel vise and an action wrench and change barrels yourself. That way you get solid engagement every time you swap barrels.

My thoughts exactly. There is a reason we torque barrels and it's because we have a joint! By using their logic we should put lug nuts on hand tight. Good luck with that, it's going to be a wild ride!