2 Barreled Actions, 1 Chassis

[rjacobs]

I have a Rem 700 AAC-SD built and I am about to order a Rock Solid chassis for it.

I have been planning to build an SPR AR15 for about 2 years now. I was going to build the SPR upper, throw a Vortex PST 2.5-10x44 on and use it on an existing lower. Somebody suggested I build a Rem 700 in .223 instead. My budget for the SPR upper was right around a grand and 800 for the optic plus mount. The issue I have with building a bolt gun is I cant swing(right now) another 800 for a second chassis. I was thinking I could get a barreled action setup for the .223 for a grand or so for a basic Rem 700 action with a 7 or 8 twist barrel on it. I dont need best of the best, but I dont want the Remington barrels because the twist sucks and I am a heavy bullet whore(or so I have been told). Throw the same scope on I was thinking for the SPR with a base and rings(so I stay in my $800 budget), then use one chassis for both barreled actions(my Rem 700 AAC-SD and the .223). I would obviously have to plan out my range trips, but thats not a huge deal. Eventually I would get another chassis a few months down the road, but for maybe 4 or 5 months I would swap between one chassis. I know its different mags, but both are short action.

Any issues with this for a short while?

 

[Captain Kirk]

Not really, you may need to check zero after each swap, make sure you torque the actions precisely each time. It may give you a unique opportunity to find the sweet spot on your front/rear torque settings and document it each time you reinstall either action. Its no more or less ideal than using one scope on two rifles, just document your required adjustments.

 

[rjacobs]

Ive got a Borka so would be good on torque settings. I guess my main concern was wearing out or damaging action screws or the action itself. Im not sure what the design intents are on those two areas, like action screws are ok to take torque a couple of 5 times, but after that should be replaced. Or the screw holes(whatever technical term they are) in the action could possibly be worn out.

I mean I am not talking like I am going to swap actions 5 times a day at the range, but it wouldnt surprise me to change the action twice a month as I try to shoot each platform I shoot(bolt gun, AR, pistols, shotguns) 2x a month.

 

[Captain Kirk]

55-70 in. lbs is not a lot for a steel receiver and steel hardware, it would take a lot of repetitive over torqueing to damage anything.

 

[rjacobs]

55-70 in. lbs is not a lot for a steel receiver and steel hardware, it would take a lot of repetitive over torqueing to damage anything.

That was my thought, but you know how that stuff goes, the way the threads are cut, or how many TPI, etc... so even a low torque setting can stretch things quickly.

Now to call up my smith and see what a barreled action would run me.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

My suggestion would be to build the upper. Assuming you aren't going to have a dedicated lower, all you have to do is pop two pins to swap lowers. If you want to bring two barreled actions to the range and use on one chassis you have to bring tools, you have to dick around with zero, and you have at least one trigger assembly that isn't protected.

I shake my head at people that continuously swap a scope around between several rifles, swapping the stock is one level worse.

 

[rjacobs]

My suggestion would be to build the upper. Assuming you aren't going to have a dedicated lower, all you have to do is pop two pins to swap lowers. If you want to bring two barreled actions to the range and use on one chassis you have to bring tools, you have to dick around with zero, and you have at least one trigger assembly that isn't protected.

I shake my head at people that continuously swap a scope around between several rifles, swapping the stock is one level worse.

I wouldnt bring both to a range and swap there, I would swap at home before going.

Im leaning towards building the upper though since I really prefer shooting the AR platform to the bolt platform. It was a suggestion by a friend to build a bolt .223 instead of the SPR upper so I figured I would explore it. It doesnt sound like I can "do it right" right off the bat so I think I will hold off for another gun down the road.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I still wouldn't want to be swapping a barreled action from chassis to chassis. Why not spend $200 on a used HS stock for now?