Which action for F-Class?

[LRCampos]

I have a Robertson GBF F-Class already inletted for Remington short action.

Now, I have to choose over some actions with this same footprint.
My main goal now is to have an action that has the better potential for accuracy. Price have secondary influence.

I have read on internet and talked to gunsmiths about each one of this actions. Some say good things, others says not so good things. I will write what reached my ears.

So, which action would you choose:

- Stiller Predator: it is my reference action. I read a lot of good reports from it. But one or two gunsmiths I talked said it is not tight enough for target and not very true.
Another problem is that it is not easy to communicate and have answers from Stiller by email,being abroad make phone calls almost impossible).

- Borden Alpine: I really liked it and it seems to be very well build with close tolerances and very true. The problems: about U$850,00 and 20 to 26 week waiting!!!!!

- Surgeon: I know it is used on Tactical style rifles. But I don't know how it compares with Stiller Predator! The problem: the price! It costs U$1.285,00,!!!).

- Lawton action: Looks like it is at the same class of the Stiller Predator. The price is similar too. I don't know about its tolerances and true. I heard some bolt problems on the earlier actions. May be it got fixed by now.

- Remington 700 action: The better part is the price,U$525,00 an SS short action RIFLE). But on the other hand, this action would need a lot of work to have it for Target purpose. True, lapping, bushing firing pin, sleeving etc. At the end, it probably would cost the same as a Stiller Predator, Lawton or even a Borden Alpine. The question is: will this trued action be good for target purpose, better than a Stiller Predator?


Please, I don't want to be inelegant on this. I know every action builder put great efforts on their work. But living on another country with no actions to sell or even touch and see in loco, gives me not much options.
My goal is to build the best F-Class rifle I can with a Remington short action footprint action.

I will appreciate any help you can give on this.

 

[billmo]

All these listed actions are high quality. In fact one may be as good as the other. But, I only own one of the Borden Actions. It is the Rimrock and I really like it alot. I own Remington actions also but nothing that has been blueprinted for BR shooting. You will probably get several different opinions that will all be good concerning these actions. Hope this helps. Bill

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

I'll echo the comments about the Stiller action. I have a TAC 300 which is the Tactical version of the Predator. A fine action, and not at all sloppy. You might find that small bit of extra play,over that of a strict BR action) an actual advantage for F-Class competition, as you'll be shooting down in the dirt as opposed to off the bench from a covered concrete line. I believe what you heard about the Stiller not being very true is a falsehood. They're every bit as true as an M700 that's been trued up by an accuracy 'smith. They really can't be beat for the price and you'll see many competitors switching to them for that reason alone!

I have always succeeded in contacting Jerry by telephone at around 8AM,his time) especially on Mondays. He's usually in the office at that time doing paperwork and always answers the phone promptly. He has normally returned my e-mails within two days, unless he's at an event like the Shot Show. I recently heard through the grapevine that Stiller is either enlarging his facility or moving to a larger one,I don't remember which) and if that's the case he might be very busy and communication with him may be compromised.

 

[butchlambert]

I don't know where you got the information that a Predator was not square and true. The receiver is made to the sames specs and same way the BR receivers are made. The bolts have a little more clearance and that is the way they are designed. Dave Kiff at Pacific Precision makes the bolts. If you think that you need tighter bolt clearence, buy a Diamondback or Viper. Jerry has had an export license. I am able to reach him by phone or email.
Butch

 

[wnroscoe]

I own a SS Viper F-Class and the fit/form/function is flawless in every way. A buddy of mine has one of the Predators and it's the same as far as F/F/F, Jerry does make several first class receivers.

 

[SlowpokeRodriguez]

FWIW---Speedy uses Stillers for his personal guns. Has a couple on his Desk last time I was up there and one will be used for his "F-Class" type rifle. Needless to say I have a few and they serve me very well from competition to hunting.

 

[LRCampos]

Thank you everyone for the answers!

I got to contact Mr. Stiller yesterday by email. He said my actions,I ordered 1 Tac30 and 2 Predators) will be ready next week.

I found out that in fact, one customer Predator action was out of spec and was sent back to Stiller and he sent another to replace.
I always heard very positive comments from Stiller products and Mr. Stiller. In every human production instrument, there is the possibility one bad apple show up. It happens...

What matters is the attitude of the manufacturer to make a customer happy. And Mr. Stiller has showed more than one time on my short time on this forum, that he knows how to make a customer happy, with his products and with his customer service.

That's why I will maintain my order with Stiller,a decision I made public a year ago on a thread at this Forum where Mr. Stiller was posting: http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=1227000&highlight=stiller&trail=48 ) and I will take great pride on have a Stiller Predator action on my first custom rifle.