Comparison of 6.5PRC Action Options

[Montana73]

I am going to have a 6.5PRC custom built for western hunting....not PRS or competition work. The gunsmith will do any action I want. I can get a Rem 700 tuned and blueprinted action for approx $500-$600. A Stiller Predator will run about $1K and a Defence Deviant for about $1300.

If I'm not going to resale right away, is there any major reason to spend 2x or 2.x more $'s for these actions? Is there anything these specialty actions do for me that the Rem 700 won't? Are we just discussing buying a Chevrolet or a BMW? Both will drive 75mph but just get there differently in style.

Hope some of you LRH hunters have made these choices. Thanks.

 

[Tangent]

You can backorder a Bighorn Origin from Brownells today with their 12% off code. I think it puts you at $740-ish. Far better choice than an R700 or Stiller IMO. Value is far better than a defiance as well.

My last Custom was ~$1,500, and the only reason I spent that much was to get a lightweight titanium action. Until something else pops up, I'm going to start buying those Bighorns for future builds

 

[KyCarl]

Why wouldn't it be fine? There have been plenty of good rifles built on 700 actions.
Lots of us, myself included buy rifles SO far beyond our abilities that's it's a waste of money! Watch the classifieds here..Paid ABC..Asking..XYZ Then the price drops
No one ever gets what they paid..Spend less Lose Less!

 

[elkaholic]

If you build it on a 700, you will need to build it on a LA to get the performance out of the cartridge. Even though it is considered a short action cartridge, like most, they are too long with the high b c bullets to fit without stuffing the bullet in the case and using up case capacity.

 

[FURMAN]

The BH Origin is not cut for Wyatts box so same issue as Rich is talking about.

Worth is very personal. I personally would not go with a 700. I would use a Tikka before I would go 700. The Defiance medium would be the "best" choice for a short mag.

 

[Montana73]

If you build it on a 700, you will need to build it on a LA to get the performance out of the cartridge. Even though it is considered a short action cartridge, like most, they are too long with the high b c bullets to fit without stuffing the bullet in the case and using up case capacity.

If getting the Rem 700 was already planning for a LA for these reasons. Thanks.

 

[CaptDru]

Nothing wrong with getting a Rem 700 LA. All my Remington 700's shoot 1/2in or less at a 100yds and they are factory actions with Timney triggers and the stocks bedded. So a blueprinted action should do better. For hunting you cant beat that and the price wont break the bank. You can spend that extra money on optics or a carbon barrel.

 

[Hespco]

Have several Rem 700 & Win 70 CRF non blueprinted actions with various brand barrels. There isn't a pennies worth of difference between them.. All very accurate . My use is for hunting only. 1/2" groups no problem. Save your self a ton of money which is near impossible to get back if you decided to sell. You will see many expensive custom rifles for sale . All kinds of questions by lookie loos, but very rarely a buyer. You sound like you understand this already. Use wisdom , not emotion ..

 

[X47guy]

Anyone that says there isn't a difference between a rem 700 and a custom action obviously hasn't had both side by side.

A custom actions fit and finish is far superior than rem 700. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with a rem 700 at all, to say there is no difference is crazy.

 

[Edd]

.......... If I'm not going to resale right away, is there any major reason to spend 2x or 2.x more $'s for these actions? .......

Yes there is, you can get an action length that will work well. Look at a Defiance XM length action. Some other companies make an action the same length as a Defiance XM. A 700 is not available in that length.

 

[FURMAN]

Again worth is personal. I can't tell you if a custom is worth it. I can guarantee the custom is much better in every aspect other than maybe the achievable accuracy. By the time you spent the money on a 700 to make it what a custom is you would at least equal the price of a less expensive custom such as Stiller. One example is cock on close. I hate it and every 700 I have touched has it. Some customs are better in this department but all I have touched are head and shoulders above 700s. Again, I can't tell you if it is worth it but that alone is worth it to me. It can be removed by a good smith but then you are pushing towards the price of a custom.

 

[KyCarl]

Who said they were the same? No one! All I said is that it will work.
why is there always that one that twists everything? I have 5 rifles all with various
custom actions. And I still say that a reworked Remington action would work fine
for a dedicated hunting rifle. Personally I have been happy with Rebel actions.
https://defiancemachine.com/actions/rebel/

 

[Mudder500]

No reason to go custom on a dedicated hunting rifle. I honestly wouldn't do no work to it either if it was me. I'm actually looking at doing the same and feel the work done to a factory action isn't that crucial. Now I have talked to few guys who shot before and after having one worked and loved it. But u can just get a remmage barrel and b done.

I would also consider a magnum action instead of a standard long action. This way u have plenty of choices down the road. U need a mag action for 300 prc and 30 Sherman magnum to work.

 

[dirthead1]

You can backorder a Bighorn Origin from Brownells today with their 12% off code. I think it puts you at $740-ish. Far better choice than an R700 or Stiller IMO. Value is far better than a defiance as well.

My last Custom was ~$1,500, and the only reason I spent that much was to get a lightweight titanium action. Until something else pops up, I'm going to start buying those Bighorns for future builds

Well crap. After seeing your post I went over to Brownells and ordered another TL3. I was contemplating another Bighorn build and the 12% off pushed me over the edge. Thanks!