Gunsmithing Bighorn Action Question

[lw8]

I am thinking about doing a 260 build on a Bighorn action in an AX Chassis. In looking at the Tactical model and the Sporter model, the tactical version with the closed top seems like it could be problematic if you had a stuck case, failure to extract, etc.

Is the gain by using the tactical version worth the risk with a smaller ejection port?

How much of a rigidity difference does using the smaller ejection port really make and does it actually provide measurable better accuracy or performance?

 

[squin]

I have 2 Big Horn tactical actions, one in 308 in an AX chassis and the other in 7mm RSAUM in a KMW Sentinel with integral mounting block, both feed and eject with no problem. The smaller port simply is not a problem for me even with the 7mm SAUM loaded at 2.96 OAL. Not sure if the heavier action provides measurable improvement in accuracy but thay are damn fine actions. These actions are smooth as butter.

 

[mkollman74]

Gotta try me one of these Bighorns one of these days... Darn good lookin' kit, and they seem to have universally good reports.

 

[pyplynr]

You won't be disappointed with the Bighorn Tactical. I recently had one build into a 6.5x47 and love it.

 

[lw8]

Will the action eject live rounds when cycled full speed? Any issue with the ejection angle and the size of the port with live rounds?

 

[9H_Cracka]

Please share with us your stuck round extraction technique that would benefit from a larger ejection port.

 

[squin]

Will the action eject live rounds when cycled full speed? Any issue with the ejection angle and the size of the port with live rounds?

I have not had any issues ejecting a live 7mm RSAUM round loaded to 2.96 OAL in the BHA short action. I do have to pull all the way to the bolt stop though.

 

[bohem]

Both of my BigHorns are tactical models. The first action has more than 10k rounds through it, I had early issues with springs in the ejector relaxing every few hundred rounds and it would start to hangup when cycled fast. I spoke with AJ about it and he sent me spares, tools to fix it and extra pins just in case I broke anything while he was waiting for new springs to be wound with different specs.

Excellent CS and I haven't replaced an ejector spring in that action for ~4000rd now.

I didn't have an issue clearing a double or a dropped case when it happened, though like I mentioned, it hasn't happened in a while.