Which way should I go?

cast1

cast1

Polyhobbyism sufferer
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 23, 2011
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1,374
#1
I'm ready to get a deposit down on my next custom and can't decide which one I should choose.

I currently own a 98b, which is a nice rifle. I am awaiting completion of a GAP 10, in the next couple months. I am either going to get an X-ray 51 from Mike, or a Surgeon Remedy in an AX folder. I'm torn because Mike is such an artist, but I can't afford one of his 338's, and I am a fan of surgeon as well. Any advice?
 
#4
The reason I asked is it seems like your going between a SA or a LA, just wondered what the application was, I can totally respect the idea of "just wanting another sweet rifle". Surgeon actions are hard to come by these days, you may want to find out what their estimated delivery time for a complete build would be. If I recall, the X-ray is a trued Remington action (a very masterfully reworked one), but I am a big fan of the Surgeon, The Surgeon feels better than any massaged Rem action I have felt, I own/owned many custom rifles built on Rems as well as Surgeon. I have started to build around calibers that I can obtain loading components for, since it doesn't do much good to get a rifle in a caliber that you cant find any brass/bullets for. I was in the market to build a 338LM, went with a 338 Edge since it seems brass for the 300 ultramag (necked up to 338) is easier to find these days, and cheaper as well, just an example.
 
#5
I've got components for 338. 308 would be more of a problem right now. It'll be a year before either rifle is completed, as I'm told, so supply should be better by then. I may just sell my Barrett and do both, but I like that ugly old thing and the only thing better than having a 338 is having two.
 
#6
Captain Kirk said:
The Surgeon feels better than any massaged Rem action I have felt, I own/owned many custom rifles built on Rems as well as Surgeon.
Click to expand...

Respectfully disagree. I've run a number of Surgeons, and a number of massaged Remingtons (though NOT a TacOps), and maybe it was just because the Remmys were more "broken in", but a couple of the Remingtons rank amongst the slickest, smoothest actions I've ever run.

My partner's R700 built and tuned by SAC is incredibly slick and smooth.

I imagine the TacOps would be just as nice.

Anyway, my opinion is if the OP really digs on TacOps, why not either get one, or save a little longer until you can? If he doesn't already have a nice 308, the Xray seems like a no brainer.
 
#7
Mike builds an awesome stick !! They are works of art, and his blueprint/massage on the Rem action is top notch. That being said, I love my Surgeon Actions - it's a shame they aren't more readily available.

I think you have a win, either way you go !
 
#8
turbo54 said:
Respectfully disagree. I've run a number of Surgeons, and a number of massaged Remingtons (though NOT a TacOps), and maybe it was just because the Remmys were more "broken in", but a couple of the Remingtons rank amongst the slickest, smoothest actions I've ever run.
Click to expand...

Its not so much about how smooth the bolt feels, but more the way it locks up, should have stated what I meant about "felt better". I have a few trued and worked over Remingtons, the rifles they are built on are just as accurate as the Surgeon, Pierce, AI and other custom or factory actions I have used in builds, its more of a preference.

I am of the mindset if you are doing a custom build and you do not have a action to start with, I would opt for a custom action vs a hours of smith time to true up a Remington action and get it to the point the Surgeon (or similar) action is right out of the box. Again, I realize at the end of the day, both actions will be just as capable.
 
#9
Captain Kirk said:
I am of the mindset if you are doing a custom build and you do not have a action to start with, I would opt for a custom action vs a hours of smith time to true up a Remington action and get it to the point the Surgeon (or similar) action is right out of the box. Again, I realize at the end of the day, both actions will be just as capable.
Click to expand...

In my pricing, custom actions cost nearly twice as much as a trued Rem 700.

In my world, money is a limited commodity, and since a Rem700 action can be just as safe, functional, and accurate as a custom, I'm going with the trued Rem700.
 
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#10
True, but it'll sell for more when you sell it also. And if you never sell it, then 5 or 6 hundred dollars spread over the rest of your lifetime probably isn't that big of a deal.
 
#11
If you can purchase a Remington action, have the action completely trued (recut threads, new precision ground recoil lug, reface bolt, lap lugs, square action face, etc) for half the price of a custom action, you are doing real good. You still have features on a Surgeon that the re-worked Rem doesn't offer, one piece bolt, integral scope base, integral recoil lug, side bolt release, Sako style extractor....One thing to consider in the equation is if you are supplying a action you already own (there is still a cost attached) or is the smith providing it. Most builds I have done using a Rem action, you end up saving far less than one would think, about $350 last build I did vs going with a custom action. It also depends on how much work the factory action takes to get it where it needs to be.

Again, nothing wrong with using a factory action that is trued, I have a few and they shoot just as good as the custom actions. I also like the integral recoil lug uption, switching barrels and/or calibers for one reason, which I understand may be of no interest to many.
 
#12
Go to bugholes.com It's southern precision and they have Stillers, Defiance, and several more in stock most of the time. Got a Stiller Tac 30 a few weeks ago and had it 5 days after I ordered it. Greg (owner ) is a great guy to deal with.
 
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