Custom action advice

[matt_3479]

I live in Canada and prices on actions have gone way way up! I'm looking for some advice on which action you all prefer as I only have experience with a couple!

Actions available with costs are;

Stiller tac 30- 1450 before tax and shipping (1638+shipping)
Pierce- 1200 before tax and shipping (1356+ shipping)
Bighorn tl3 1750 before tax and shipping (1977+shipping)
Defiance deviant 2000 starting before tax
Kelbly atlas tactical regular 1575 before tax and shipping (1780+shipping) on sale for 1399 (1580+shipping)

What would be your choice and why? I can't seem to bring myself to purchase a defiance right now as I would probably be looking at 2200-2500 out the door. I currently have a tac 30 and love it but when I bought it I paid 1200 shipped to my door so it's hard to justify the extra dollar. Seeing my sitiuation which action and why? No experience with Kelbly tactical, bighorn tl3 or the pierce!

 

[Mcranch1242]

I live in Canada and prices on actions have gone way way up! I'm looking for some advice on which action you all prefer as I only have experience with a couple!

Actions available with costs are;

Stiller tac 30- 1450 before tax and shipping (1638+shipping)
Pierce- 1200 before tax and shipping (1356+ shipping)
Bighorn tl3 1750 before tax and shipping (1977+shipping)
Defiance deviant 2000 starting before tax
Kelbly atlas tactical regular 1575 before tax and shipping (1780+shipping) on sale for 1399 (1580+shipping)

What would be your choice and why? I can't seem to bring myself to purchase a defiance right now as I would probably be looking at 2200-2500 out the door. I currently have a tac 30 and love it but when I bought it I paid 1200 shipped to my door so it's hard to justify the extra dollar. Seeing my sitiuation which action and why? No experience with Kelbly tactical, bighorn tl3 or the pierce!

I just spoke to Norm today at Defiance, he stated they don't tax? Unless you are speaking of import tax? What are you building? I'm new so I hope I'm on the right page. Im considering a 300 win, Bartlein barrel 26 /25 finish. I do have a 30 Nosler in mind but shells could be hard to find in a pinch. I'm wanting to find out all preices that im considering. Bottom metal, threaded end for brake or can on a McMillan hunter drop down neck. It just where to start with so many blogs.

 

[Mcranch1242]

I live in Canada and prices on actions have gone way way up! I'm looking for some advice on which action you all prefer as I only have experience with a couple!

Actions available with costs are;

Stiller tac 30- 1450 before tax and shipping (1638+shipping)
Pierce- 1200 before tax and shipping (1356+ shipping)
Bighorn tl3 1750 before tax and shipping (1977+shipping)
Defiance deviant 2000 starting before tax
Kelbly atlas tactical regular 1575 before tax and shipping (1780+shipping) on sale for 1399 (1580+shipping)

What would be your choice and why? I can't seem to bring myself to purchase a defiance right now as I would probably be looking at 2200-2500 out the door. I currently have a tac 30 and love it but when I bought it I paid 1200 shipped to my door so it's hard to justify the extra dollar. Seeing my sitiuation which action and why? No experience with Kelbly tactical, bighorn tl3 or the pierce!

Defiance price was 1380, it's on their web page. I'm considering the mag hunter, initially was considering the tactical but it's 4 oz heavier. Last build I used a Sako action on a Krieger barrel 25" finish crowned in 280 Ackley 40 shoulder Mc Millan Classic, Leupold 3x10-50. I call it my work gun. I would like to get to the right blog that knows first hand on the Defiance and a heads up on the Bartlein, maybe a 4 fluted. I guess I just need to speak with them. Optics are also pricey, I'm considering a Vortex but I was watching a utube and it spoke of going with a front plane mil turret with a mil reticle or a Moa turret with a Moa reticle and not mix them. He was not happy with the Leupold 4, mill reticle with Moa turret.

 

[FURMAN]

Never had my hands on a Bighorn, Defiance, or Bat but I have pretty much every other custom. My favorite is Pierce. Very Smooth and truly custom.

 

[Mcranch1242]

Never had my hands on a Bighorn, Defiance, or Bat but I have pretty much every other custom. My favorite is Pierce. Very Smooth and truly custom.

Thanks will look into a Pierce. What's your take on a 300 win?
I think the fad now is the 6.5 creed. 15 years ago it was the 6.5 -284 Norma.
I spoke to a rifle smith in Houston Tx. Since I'm in Fort Worth and he mentioned the 308 Norma Mag? Should have asked why. Maybe better barrel life? I will start calling around next week. Just got out of hospital, gall bladder. Feels like Mike Tysan used me for a punching bag. Later.

 

[matt_3479]

Never had my hands on a Bighorn, Defiance, or Bat but I have pretty much every other custom. My favorite is Pierce. Very Smooth and truly custom.

Yah I've never handled a pierce, kelbly tactical, or the bighorn! Glad to hear pierce are good! Which are the three I'm considering most as I've been told the stiller is similar to the pierce and at 200-300 dollars more I wouldn't go with the stiller. But the kelbly tactical is on sale, and the bighorn tl3 just arrived in Canada and have read great things about them in the states

 

[FEENIX]

Yah I've never handled a pierce, kelbly tactical, or the bighorn! Glad to hear pierce are good! Which are the three I'm considering most as I've been told the stiller is similar to the pierce and at 200-300 dollars more I wouldn't go with the stiller. But the kelbly tactical is on sale, and the bighorn tl3 just arrived in Canada and have read great things about them in the states

I have the Big Horn Arms SR2 LA and it is silky smooth and accurately built.

 

[Mcranch1242]

I have the Big Horn Arms SR2 LA and it is silky smooth and accurately built.

Thanks for the reply and the Big Horn Arms, will look them up , so much homework so many options. It was posted by a gun guru from years past " only accurate guns are interesting ". That's my goal. Back in 94 I had a blemished Sako action AV I picked up for 60 bucks, a .284 blank from Krieger 235, Had just met a mr. Ed McMillan who got me a classic stock for around 285 drop in. Krieger sent the barrel threaded for the Sako action 30 inches long cut it down to 25, not like that anymore. Went to a gun sale picked up a glossy 3x10-50 Leupold for another 400 didn't have matte back then.Got it all put together for around 1200 total cost for everything . My working rifle a 280 Ackley 40, as I call it after three cups of coffee put down 5 at .583.
I guess that's what I'm after with a new build. A dependable go to piece of equipment. I'm sure that's what all are seeking. But this time I'm considering a 300 win. A rifle smith mentioned the 308 Norma, said it has more fps, my Nosler Book doesn't show that, anyone see the Norma with the that capability? The 30'Nosler requires 70+grains of powder for each shel. Thanks for your time. Defiance, BigHorn Pierce, Stiller. Bartlein, Krieger , Lilga, Douglas, a lot to consider. I'm leaning for,the McMillan Game Hunter vertices???? later

 

[Edd]

I think the 308 Norma Mag is a better design than a 300 Winchester Mag but it won't have more velocity because it is a smaller capacity case.

 

[FURMAN]

All things considered the 300 WM with a 215 Berger is probably the best 30 cal for hunting.

 

[Mcranch1242]

All things considered the 300 WM with a 215 Berger is probably the best 30 cal for hunting.

I have heard of Berger, been using Noslers exclusively. I also have been told to look at the twist 1/10 or 1/11. Would the slower twist be less effective on longer projectiles? Is the 1/10!fast enough for the over 200 gr. components? You probably can tell buy my questions that I'm still at the grade school level. Next week I'll know it all when I get with the guys from the club. Ha!

 

[FURMAN]

10 twist will work but 9 would be better with 200 plus. I don't see the point of shooting smaller billets in the Win Mag.

 

[FEENIX]

Thanks for the reply and the Big Horn Arms, will look them up , so much homework so many options. It was posted by a gun guru from years past " only accurate guns are interesting ". That's my goal. Back in 94 I had a blemished Sako action AV I picked up for 60 bucks, a .284 blank from Krieger 235, Had just met a mr. Ed McMillan who got me a classic stock for around 285 drop in. Krieger sent the barrel threaded for the Sako action 30 inches long cut it down to 25, not like that anymore. Went to a gun sale picked up a glossy 3x10-50 Leupold for another 400 didn't have matte back then.Got it all put together for around 1200 total cost for everything . My working rifle a 280 Ackley 40, as I call it after three cups of coffee put down 5 at .583.
I guess that's what I'm after with a new build. A dependable go to piece of equipment. I'm sure that's what all are seeking. But this time I'm considering a 300 win. A rifle smith mentioned the 308 Norma, said it has more fps, my Nosler Book doesn't show that, anyone see the Norma with the that capability? The 30'Nosler requires 70+grains of powder for each shel. Thanks for your time. Defiance, BigHorn Pierce, Stiller. Bartlein, Krieger , Lilga, Douglas, a lot to consider. I'm leaning for,the McMillan Game Hunter vertices???? later

I matched mine with 27" Lilja 3G 1:9" with a sendero VH contour on my .30 Lara (300 Jarrett with 37.5 shoulder angle) to primarily propel the 215/230 Bergers.

 

[Longtooth32]

Just to throw more choices into the ring...

I really like my Mausingfield long action... https://www.americanrifle.com/product/mausingfield-bolt-action/

It comes with a built in MOA rail for the asking price...$1600

I got mine with a barrel bolt...so if you do not like your choice of cartridge or twist...you can change barrels at home...you can even change the bolt face...

In fact...Stocky Stock is having a sale on the Proof Research pre-fit Savage barrels for $745.

I just bought a Proof Research, 6.5x284, 1-8 twist, 28" barrel to try out this 6.5 "craze"...Grafs is even selling the Nosler brass for the 6.5 x 284 for a buck a piece...

And what helped even more was that the Nosler store is having a sale for 20% off and then 10% more off (30%) if you are a vet...

ETA...Stocky Stock still has pre fit, Proof Research, 300 win mag barrels with 24, 26, 28 " 1-9.4 twists in stock...