Action/barrel recommendations

[exx1976]

I'm planning to get an action and barrel this winter to replace my factory stuff. Availability is of some importance to me, I'd like to be able to begin shooting it by... March-ish, perhaps?

Requirements:

Based on a Remington 700 Short Action so it fits my current stock (AICS 2.0) and trigger (Jewell)
26 or 28" barrel, twist rate 1:10 or maybe 1:11 (bullet will be 185gr Berger Hybrid Target)
I'd like to have the barrel custom-reamed to exactly match the cartridge that I will provide to the smith.

I'm looking for recommendations on:


What action?
What barrel?
What gunsmith?

I'd like to keep the budget for the parts and labor to somewhere around $1500 if I can. Since this will be my first custom, I'm not sure if that is realistic. If it's not, please let me know. But, don't tell me it's not realistic if you have recommended a $1500 action. I'm sure there are very nice actions out there for less than that. LOL

Thanks!

 

[strike33]

for a custom action your budget is a little low. You can get a fully blueprinted Rem short action that would fit well within there. Any of the competent gunsmiths here can accommodate your build. If you source the parts yourself it would greatly reduce your overall build time.
If you wanted to stick to a custom action, The Stiller Tac 30 is about the least expensive I have seen and that will run you around 900-950. A barrel will be between 315-335.
Check out Southern Precision (Bugholes) for whets in stock

 

[scatsob]

Check out accurate ordinance. They have a special on barreled actions. $1675 for a stiller tac30 with a rock barrel. Not bad from what I have found.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

As Strike has said, with that budget you are hard pressed to find many custom actions and your other parts that fall within it. Suggestion is to have your action trued, add a Bartlein barrel to your specs. As for gunsmiths, I recommend Phoenix Custom Rifles as they very well may have the barrel blank you want in stock plus they can also upgrade your bolt knob while your action is being trued. All said and done, should be below or around your budget.

 

[exx1976]

I'd really rather not do anything to the action/barrel that I currently have. I'm going to put it back into some lightwieght/factoryish stock and use it as a hunting rifle, so that rules that out.

It seems that many of the decent actions are around the $1100-1200 range then? So, if we add another $400 for a barrel, what would I be looking at for smith work to have it reamed to my specs and assembled? I guess sort of turning this into a "what should my budget be" thread? If we figure $1500-ish for parts, what will the smith charge me? Another $500? More? I have no idea, I've never had any custom smith work done.

Also, I'm still looking for specific recommendations on an action and barrel, and why you recommend them. What do YOU have and what do you like about it?

Thanks!

 

[strike33]

look up Phoenic Custom Rifles. I'm very happy with the service from them

 

[turbo54]

It seems that many of the decent actions are around the $1100-1200 range then?

Yep, that's about right. Figure on a little north of $1k

So, if we add another $400 for a barrel, what would I be looking at for smith work to have it reamed to my specs and assembled?

Unless you want a fluted barrel, you will end up paying ~$350 for a premium barrel delivered.

Different shops charge different amounts for their services, so you'll need to shop around a little. Most all the smiths known/talked about on the hide have a services pricelist on their website. For a basic barrel fitting/chambering/coating though, you'll be looking at ~$350 or so. More if you want the muzzle threaded, brake installed/timed, thread protector etc etc.

A very budget-minded way to go might be going with Chad of Long Rifles Inc. He has a "group buy" going on barreled actions.

What do YOU have and what do you like about it?

I really like my Badger Ordnance actions. They're built like a tank, have a 60º lift, are ideal actions for switch barrel rifles, basically have a remington footprint, take remington triggers, and look badass. Basically, they're a Remington-ized AIAW.

I believe there is currently a group buy for them, too.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

I'd really rather not do anything to the action/barrel that I currently have. I'm going to put it back into some lightwieght/factoryish stock and use it as a hunting rifle, so that rules that out.

It seems that many of the decent actions are around the $1100-1200 range then? So, if we add another $400 for a barrel, what would I be looking at for smith work to have it reamed to my specs and assembled? I guess sort of turning this into a "what should my budget be" thread? If we figure $1500-ish for parts, what will the smith charge me? Another $500? More? I have no idea, I've never had any custom smith work done.

Also, I'm still looking for specific recommendations on an action and barrel, and why you recommend them. What do YOU have and what do you like about it?

Thanks!

Price will vary some from gunsmith to gunsmith, calling them is the best bet to figure for exact costs. Phoenix Custom Rifles lists their fees, as do some other Smiths. Those services and fees can be seen here: Prices and Services

My recommendations is to go with the following:

BigHorn Action
Timney trigger
Bartlein barrel
Phoenix custom rifles

I say this as I have had them build this rifle and put it in my AICS 1.5. The bighorn actions are works of art and seem to be a sleeper action that people are starting to realize are topshelf actions without the long waits. Bartlein barrels, well there are plenty of threads on them. With that said you could go krieger as well, either will serve you well. Twist,length,contour thats all on your tastes, no one can tell what is best for your tastes. I recommend PCR as I know they produce exceptional weapons and are relatively quick about it. There are others I would also rank up there with PCR but taking waiting time into consideration and turn around, they are the #1 choice on the list of smiths if I was in your shoes.

 

[exx1976]

Turbo - Chad's "group buy" in on services only - you have to provide your own action and barrel, so it's hardly a "group buy on barreled actions".... The group buy on the BO Actions is..... Expensive? like $200 per unit higher than what's listed on BO's website? Makes no sense! Not to mention, does that action fit a regular old R700 pattern? It'll fit right into my AICS? I don't see any info on that.

Papa - Thank you, I already have a trigger. I'll definitely check out that action, as well as phoenix custom. They seem to be the #1 most recommended smith in this thread.