what's the best action for a 338 lm build?

[Punisher]

I am going to start a 338 Lapua build. I am considering a Remington 700 LA and a Weatherby Vanguard LA for donors.

Which do you think is a better choice? Why?

Max pressure for the round is 60,900 psi, so both actions can handle it. There are things I like more about Wby/Howa's actions and things I like less.

Has anyone tried this yet?

 

[bigngreen]

Neither action is considered suitable for 338 Lapua sized case head. Stiller Tac 338 works well for the money.

 

[TH]

Get the BAT and cry once

 

[Punisher]

Neither action is considered suitable for 338 Lapua sized case head. Stiller Tac 338 works well for the money.

The thing with remington is that I can upgrade the entire bolt easily without having to machine it to fit something larger like the howa action. The bolt body and head is only about $175, I think PTG is still selling them.

I have over looked other actions like BAT and stiller be size they are not taking back orders right now. I also can't find a surgeon or a badger.

But I'm still determined!

 

[Edd]

Here is my opinion.

A cartridge with a diameter as large as a 338 Lapua needs to have a barrel with 1.125" threads. The only actions I know of that have threads that size are Surgeon, Stiller, and BAT. I think you also need at least a 1.300" barrel breech diameter for a 1.125" thread.

I don't know where to find a Stiller or Surgeon, I haven't looked for any, but I know where there are several BAT actions. You could have one of them in your hand next week.

 

[Edd]

I just looked for a Stiller and found some.

I also found a Surgeon and some Barrels with a 1.350" breech.

 

[LONGSHOOTER]

Edd,

Who has the 1.350 inch barrels?

 

[amf25]

I did an order for the Deviant magnum action from Defiance machine for a similar build. Just got it back from my smith for chambering and suppressor mount threading. Couldnt be happier. Tolerances close enough that the bolt would not fit with a layer of cerakote, had to be stripped. Smooth as butter. Defiance lead times are not that long as of recently. Another option to look into.

 

[bigngreen]

Bugholes has Stiller Tac 338 and Defiance Deviant hunter in Lapua bolt face, I usually use a 1.250 shank because I don't want to wait for a 1.350 but it's nice if you can.

 

[Punisher]

I looked for a BAT lat week and found two, a new short action and a used short action. I found some stiller predators, but never ran pacross one that would work.

 

[Edd]

Edd,

Who has the 1.350 inch barrels?

Southern Precision Rifles has 2 of them, look under Bartlein. They also have 3 Brux barrels.

 

[Punisher]

Found SPR has a single Stiller Tac 338

I will buy this one. Their availability says 4 total. Better buy two. To get ready for the next build.

But for the sake of the thread, I have seen a guy that built a very nice .338 out of a vanguard. Has anyone tried this?

 

[Pdvdh]

Here is my opinion.

A cartridge with a diameter as large as a 338 Lapua needs to have a barrel with 1.125" threads. The only actions I know of that have threads that size are Surgeon, Stiller, and BAT. I think you also need at least a 1.300" barrel breech diameter for a 1.125" thread.

I just went through this. BAT states a minimum 1.250" barrel breech diameter for their 1.125" threaded actions. Dunno what the other action manufacturers are recommending.

 

[Edd]

I just went through this. BAT states a minimum 1.250" barrel breech diameter for their 1.125" threaded actions. Dunno what the other action manufacturers are recommending.

I know BAT's position on thread and breech diameters. My opinion is based on theirs. There is a difference between a "minimum" and a "recommended" diameter.