Witchita actions ??

[manitou210]

Hi I was looking at Withita action 3 locking lugs on a older gun that was used for Target Rifle shooting in 223 Rem with 1/9 twist.
I want to make up gun in 223 Rem with 1/7 twist to shoot the bigger 224 bullets 80gr and up.
Ant thoughts on this action, are they still made ? Parts ? etc
manitou

 

[butchlambert]

They Are well made. Some of them you had to remove the bolt to extract the rounds.The bolt head was a shell holder.
Butch

 

[vlcakc]

I bought a used BR rifle about 30 years ago with a Wichita action. It was a 6PPC originally. I couldn't get it to shoot better than the mid two's,on a real good day) so decided to use it for a PD rifle. I had Nolan Jackson,Owner Wichita Arms) open the bolt face to .308 case head diameter. I still use it today as a switch barrel varmint rifle. Great rifle. I don't know if Wichita Arms is still around or not. The last time I was there they had an address on Ellis Street in Wichita, Ks. The only problem I have had with the rifle was the trigger went bad. Most any trigger for the Remington 700 will work. I used a Shilen first and now a Jewell. If the rifle you're looking at is in decent condition and the price right it should make a fine target rifle. Vic

 

[RICHP]

I have a Wichita action I was told was called a closed bolt. It has no ejection port and has the shell holder bolt face for .223 head size. I would sell if you are interested. Richard

 

[Chuckhunter]

manitou210, As butch stated, these are very solid actions. I have two of them, mine are the Model 1375, with three locking lugs. Wichita Arms is still in business however they no longer make these actions. I did just purchase an Action wrench from them so perhaps they still have some parts. I have been shooting my actions since the early eighties and they are still as tight and solid as the day I bought them. I personally would stay away from the shorter action with the shell holder bolt face. If it is the 1375, it's a great action.

 

[jadams]

Manitou210:
Wichita Arms is alive and well. They can be found at www.wichitaarms.com . It is still owned by Nolen Jackson, who built the actions and rifles. He stopped producing the rifles about 20 years ago, but parts & services are still available from him. His number is 316-265-0661.

The main rifle is called a mod.#1375 They are a all steel short throw 3-lug action. The bolt locks-up like a Swiss safe, consequently, they are a heavy action. The early actions came with a steel bolt shroud. Some time later they were changed to aluminum and they are available from Nolen.

Due to there all steel construction and thick body the action will handle long & heavy barrels. You do not need to sleeve a Wichita.
This extra weight hinders there ability to be used in Bench Rest shooting, alto it can be done with a shorter or lighter barrel.
Also due to it's stiff firing pin and it's short bolt throw when the bolt is lifted it usually jolts the gun a bit, this bothers the runners in the Bench Rest game.

For precision shooting the actions usually do not require any additional modifications. In my experience the bolts do need some attention. As they came from the factory the have a large fireing pin with a generous pin hole. This can cause a tendency to crater primers rather badly using higher pressure loads. The other problem is the heavy fireing pin spring. This causes a heavy bolt lift with a noticeable jerk or jump when the bolt is lifted & unlocks.

Both of these problems can be and should be addressed. I have Greg Tannel,new)970-878-5421 bush and re-drill all of my Wichita bolts. he of course turns the fireing pin to fit the new smaller hole. The service is about $50.00 with a seven day turnaround. While he has the bolt apart for a few extra bucks he will adjust the fireing spring pressure to about 23 pounds as I recall. At this time he can and will open the bolt face to a 6br/.308 bolt face.

To give you some idea how well the Wichita's work. Last week I shot my Wichita .22 x 47 Lapua in the NBRSA 600 yard Nationals in Sacramento,Ca. At the end of the first day I was 1st. in light gun score. At the end of the second day I was 2nd overall in the light gun score, this is shooting against so pretty good competition and some big guns.) On the third and final day,,,, Well I haven't decided what excuse to use yet, but I'm leaning toward it was the mirage. I think I ended up 5th overall in the Lt.gun group.
This last weekend I attended the 200 Thur. 600 yard metallic varmint shoot in Pala, ca. I finished first in AAA class with my .22 x 47 Lapua.,45 of 50) Ted L. won the match overall with a,48 of 50)using a Wichita in 6 Dasher. Ted W. used a Wichita in 6.5/.243 called a 6.5 SOS. He lost a few points by using a borrowed gun that he was not familiar with, but he said that the Wichita he used may be the most accurate gun he had ever shot. I believe he nailed all 10 of the prairie dogs at 600 yds.

 

[jadams]

continuing Wichita:

The Mod.# 1375 Wichita's were available with a standard or coned bolt face.
You could get them in RR/RL or LL/LR.

Buy the Wichita and enjoy it!
John

 

[FFEMT]

Well, I'm not sure how well it shoots. I bought it with the intention of using it, but from what I can tell it has only had the factory proof shots through the barrel. Built in 1977, Pic's attached:

 

[kitsap]

FFEMT,

You did outstanding with your purchase! Care to share the general price range you paid?

DougF

 

[FFEMT]

Kitsap, It hurt a little, but I paid $1700.00 for the rifle. It has not been altered in any way. This also included a set of Buhler 1' custom rings.......Just wish they were 30mm.

 

[ChuckMiller]

I've got one in 222 with the Octogon barrel, serial #14, it's called a Wichita Classic and has wood that would border on Exhibition grade. The round barreled rifles were called Varmints as your barrel marking indicates. Price you paid is right in line with their value.

 

[tdking]

Kitsap, It hurt a little, but I paid $1700.00 for the rifle. It has not been altered in any way. This also included a set of Buhler 1' custom rings.......Just wish they were 30mm.

At that price it is still a good buy. The action you get on the Varminter is a 1.200' diameter action. I have both a 1.375' action and a 1.200' action and can not tell the difference in the accuracy department. You should be very happy with the purchase.

TDK