Custom actions, are they worth it?

[ickes123]

There's Hyundia's and there's Cadillacs they will both take you to work.

 

[Rob01]

I also think the "for a few hundred dollars more, you can get a custom action" is funny. I'm not fancy by any means. If I can get a trued up 700 for a few hundo cheaper than a "custom" than I just paid for my brass and dies baby!!!

But you won't because once you start truing and then adding a scope base and then a recoil lug you are within a $100 of getting an action that was built right from the ground up and has a lot of other features.

 

[southpa]

But you won't because once you start truing and then adding a scope base and then a recoil lug you are within a $100 of getting an action that was built right from the ground up and has a lot of other features.

In my experience that's not true. On average I save a lot more. As for the OP I don't see many more features in my customs that are that much more impressive. Maybe a side bolt release. Integral lug and rail are not features I consider important. They just cost more money. The people I have working on my rifles are competent enough to make those features moot.

 

[Rob01]

In my experience that's not true. On average I save a lot more. As for the OP I don't see many more features in my customs that are that much more impressive. Maybe a side bolt release. Integral lug and rail are not features I consider important. They just cost more money. The people I have working on my rifles are competent enough to make those features moot.

A cheap 700 action now is about $400 then $100 for a base, $40 for a lug and then $200 on the cheap side to have a smith true it is $740. That's the cheap side. The Bighorn Origin is $900. You save $140 if you go cheap. The Origin comes with a pinned recoil lug to make changing barrels easier. That's extra for the 700 to have a smith set it up that way. Also you can change bolt faces so you can have a .223, 6 ARC, .308 and a 300WSM or any variety of short action cartridges on the same platform and on the same action. For someone wanting to do many different things with a rifle you just saved a lot of money instead of having to spend that $740 for all those different actions for different purposes. If you are getting one rifle and will never change it then yeah you save $140 and have a factory action and less value on the used sales market for it also.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

I've gotten the results I wanted, at the increased cost of custom actions. For me personally its the only way I will go.
I can NOT say that about some big name barrel makers, however. But they made it right like any reputable company would. And that made my Teslong purchase easy.

 

[southpa]

A cheap 700 action now is about $400 then $100 for a base, $40 for a lug and then $200 on the cheap side to have a smith true it is $740. That's the cheap side. The Bighorn Origin is $900. You save $140 if you go cheap. The Origin comes with a pinned recoil lug to make changing barrels easier. That's extra for the 700 to have a smith set it up that way. Also you can change bolt faces so you can have a .223, 6 ARC, .308 and a 300WSM or any variety of short action cartridges on the same platform and on the same action. For someone wanting to do many different things with a rifle you just saved a lot of money instead of having to spend that $740 for all those different actions for different purposes. If you are getting one rifle and will never change it then yeah you save $140 and have a factory action and less value on the used sales market for it also.

Origin LA are listed at $1000 plus taxes and shipping call it $1100.

$1100-$740=$360
My point exactly. Especially since the Origin alone isn't what makes your rifle accurate hahah

 

[Rob01]

Origin LA are listed at $1000 plus taxes and shipping call it $1100.

$1100-$740=$360
My point exactly. Especially since the Origin isn't what makes your rifle accurate hahah

Add those in for Rem to buy and get work on too. I wasn't adding tax or shipping. But yeah get your one caliber fixed 700 and save a couple hundred. At least you will be happy. LOL

 

[FEENIX]

This is why "I" never ask what rifle to build or buy or what action to use.

 

[southpa]

Add those in for Rem to buy and get work on too. I wasn't adding tax or shipping. But yeah get your one caliber fixed 700 and save a couple hundred. At least you will be happy. LOL

You can also rebarrel a remington or Tikka or savage action!

 

[Phil Rizzo]

I'm an XM Plus fan also, throws a lot of makers out of the mix up front.
The improved versions of SAUM cases do my deeds these days, with efficiency and accuracy. I'll have my 3rd going in a few months.
No need in limiting myself with a SA and a LA is excessive in that use.

I run LA in 25 Sherman and 300win.

 

[Rob01]

You can also rebarrel a remington or Tikka or savage action!

You can get anything rebarreled but I am talking easy at home. Can't order a shouldered prefit and swap them at home(Tikka can but then the action price is higher too and you lose the compatibility of the 700 footprint). You can go the Remage route and mess with barrel nuts but then you better get your recoil lug pinned. And you have to buy whole bolts to change calibers.

Again as long as you are happy.

 

[VinceMule]

I hope to start posting pictures this year. Guns, loads, and groups. Lots of guys are going to be banging their heads on the wall at the money wasted.

I do like wasting money on custom actions, Brux, and Krieger barrels, but realize that the vast majority can not spend this kind of money.
Learn to make the most of what you have with the disposable income you have, advanced reloading techniques, bench techniques, and some wind reading skill, and learn to keep your barrel clean(Teslong bore scope).

 

[wasskeet]

FWIW - A pretty decent pro/con of custom vs. factory with upgrades:

Podcast: EP 48 - Custom Rifle vs 1,000 Yards Out Of The Box

www.gunwerks.com

 

[adam32+P]

How many guys are ditching their custom actions when the rifle won't shoot like they want? Not many. Tells you (OP) it has little to do with the action. I think it's funny how some guys claim a custom action equals ultimate accuracy. I will tell you if my "full custom" aint shooting, I'm deff not blaming the action. Same with if my 700 builds are shooting excellent, I'm deff not claiming it's because of the action.

EXACTLY.

How many barrels get swapped out, scopes changed, bullets tried, powder burnt etc etc...when all a guy has to do is spend big money on an action!!! Viola 1/2 moa rifle all day long lol