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++Bighorn TL3 Builds++

Sheldon, GREAT looking rifle. A quick question for the TL3 guys. Can you chamber a round just thrown in the ejection port? I know it's controlled-feed, so it usually picks up out of the mag, but I was curious if you could just toss one in, say in a match if your mag runs dry.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 
Great looking rifle Sheldon, I bet you end up liking it a lot. I ran my TL3/Dasher combo in a match for the first time this weekend. Coming from an excellent Deviant/6.5x47L combo I was a little concerned the new rifle would leave something wanting, no longer. It ran flawlessly and it's pretty easy to get used to a near total lack of recoil. Also, despite my APA brake, myself and others thought the Dasher was less obnoxious than the rifles with 40+ grains of powder.

Mark, you can single load no problem. I was worried about it at first, but it's no factor, probably done it 100 times now. Sometimes the shorter Dasher needs a little direction, but thats a function of the chambering, not the action.
 
Man im jealous... For anyone who has both, do these Bighorns bind up less than the Defiance actions?
My Defiance will bind if i aim it straight up and try to close the bolt by putting pressure on the back of the knob. Hows the Bighorn?
 
In my experience the Bighorn is MORE sensitive than the Defiance to off axis bolt pressure, specifically if you press up on the bolt knob it can bind. Some of that abated as it broke in, mostly I've tweaked how I operate the bolt. If I grab it and try to operate it to make it bind I can easily if that is my goal. Running it in a match setting I never once noticed the action, it just got out of the way and let me shoot.
 
Thanks guys!

Appreciate the comments on the photography, another hobby though I've sold a lot of camera stuff lately to pay for gun stuff. Yes, expensive glass used in the photo... (5D III, 85 f/1.2 L II, 135 f/2 L). The Kahles 624i still costs more though. :)

The action is DLC coated. The bolt, bolt knob and top rail are untouched and same as they came from the factory.

Yes, AICS mags used in the photo with the spacer kit for the Dasher case. The action is cut for AW mags so I could run those if I wanted as well. I also have one of the new ARC 10 round double stack magazines on preorder that should be released in a month or two.

The bubble level is from MK Machining, as is the scope throw lever. The scope throw lever is plastic, the bubble level is their machined aluminum model.

Yep, single feeds just fine. Just need to close the bolt to clip the extractor over the case head, same as with a push feed action.

On bolt binding, my DLC coated action seems resistant to binding. The bolt is very forgiving for off axis pressure. I have to try hard to get it to bind, strong upward pressure on the bolt will do it or really strong left/right pressure. As it breaks in I'm sure it will improve further, but even right now in normal bolt operation it's almost zero effort to push the bolt forward with no catching or dragging. Bolt cycles very fast!
 
Should i cerakote the entire barreled action black and leave the interior stainless? Or get the receiver iobonded and then have the barrel cerakoted?
 
photo55343.jpg

Finally finished my dream build! Just waiting on my TBAC Ultra 7 to top it off. Absolutely love this thing.
 
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5RWill said:
Should i cerakote the entire barreled action black and leave the interior stainless? Or get the receiver iobonded and then have the barrel cerakoted?
Click to expand...

Im going the ionbond (or DLC) with black cerakote on the barrel route. IMO, If you are going through the troule to coat it, might as well coat it in something that also improves its performance!
 
SuperSneakySniper said:
Im going the ionbond (or DLC) with black cerakote on the barrel route. IMO, If you are going through the troule to coat it, might as well coat it in something that also improves its performance!
Click to expand...

I'm debating but i think i'm going to leave the interior stainless or bare if you will. Saves me a hundred or so and cuts down on time since i wont have to source out DLC. I had my Tempest DLC'd and while i do love it, it does take time. Idk i'll have to contact Chad and see what the lead time is. I keep going back and forth.

Have any of you left it stainless and felt that you needed to have it coated?
 
What does the DLC improve? Slickness and hardness? I love the coated TL3's just because they look even better black IMO. Mine is smoother than silk but I wouldnt mind having it all blacked out.

Who is the go to for DLC? i have never even looked into it....
 
ArmyJerry said:
how many of you use AW mags and do you have any issue ?
Click to expand...

I use the AW mags and love it. they load so easily and feed perfectly. I had some issues with it not ejecting or just dumping the case when I first got the rifle and was messing around with it. I was a little bummed at first because it wasn't ejecting em like I expected it to but once I was actually behind it shooting it completely changed. I can launch those suckers or go slow and just plop em out the side. I will be going to all AW mags for sure.
 
For a 2-lug action i wouldn't bother with AW mags anymore now that Ted has his AICS mag that is only 3/8ths of an inch longer than the AW, fits in an AICS footprint, built for 2-lug actions like his mausingfield, no cuts needed, and holds the same capacity. And this is coming from someone who uses AWs in his Tempest.

blarsonewu said:
What does the DLC improve? Slickness and hardness? I love the coated TL3's just because they look even better black IMO. Mine is smoother than silk but I wouldnt mind having it all blacked out.

Who is the go to for DLC? i have never even looked into it....
Click to expand...

I went to chad at Club Custom Guns. Which is who Mark at SAC uses. Josh at PVA does it as well. DLC while not the most corrosion resistant coating compared to a finish like cerakote, has a very very high lubricity factor and when oiled is silky smooth. It's also extremely thin so applying it to a tight tolerance custom action is ideal. Where as cerakoting a custom action with tight tolerances is not IMHO.

"This is a metal finish that is applied through a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process. If you've seen gold TiN coated drill bits, you've seen PVD. The coating process involves the depositing of diamond-like carbon coatings via a vacuum and an electrical charge. The result is a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating that will provide years of protection against wear while retaining a nice appearance. Ionbond’s unique application process makes it a finish that does not chip, crack or peel as it is a micron level coating. Diamond Black is generally 2 to 5 microns thin. This is not a conventional coating that adds thickness to the material; this is a micron level coating, which is an excellent choice for custom fit guns. There is no distortion of details or build up in the corners, which means consistent performance every time. Diamond Black provides the ultimate protection against holster wear, corrosion, bearing surfaces, and rough handling."

http://www.clubcustomguns.com/
 
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Sheldon N said:
Thanks guys!

Appreciate the comments on the photography, another hobby though I've sold a lot of camera stuff lately to pay for gun stuff. Yes, expensive glass used in the photo... (5D III, 85 f/1.2 L II, 135 f/2 L). The Kahles 624i still costs more though. :)

The action is DLC coated. The bolt, bolt knob and top rail are untouched and same as they came from the factory.

Yes, AICS mags used in the photo with the spacer kit for the Dasher case. The action is cut for AW mags so I could run those if I wanted as well. I also have one of the new ARC 10 round double stack magazines on preorder that should be released in a month or two.

The bubble level is from MK Machining, as is the scope throw lever. The scope throw lever is plastic, the bubble level is their machined aluminum model.

Yep, single feeds just fine. Just need to close the bolt to clip the extractor over the case head, same as with a push feed action.

On bolt binding, my DLC coated action seems resistant to binding. The bolt is very forgiving for off axis pressure. I have to try hard to get it to bind, strong upward pressure on the bolt will do it or really strong left/right pressure. As it breaks in I'm sure it will improve further, but even right now in normal bolt operation it's almost zero effort to push the bolt forward with no catching or dragging. Bolt cycles very fast!
Click to expand...

I got mine from Josh a few weeks ago and mine is as it left the factory. Makes my tempest (which was cerakoted) feel sticky and icky. Going to get that tempest stripped and DLCed ... Sheldon - that looks awesome, i took mine to the range yesterday - put 40 rounds through her ... 1 small hole, no recoil with the Mad Scientist ... makes the 6.5CM and 6.5x47 feel like recoil brutes.
 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BThIeW0FT69/

I'm really liking the 6-dasher in my TL3. It's the best shooting rifle/caliber combo I've ever owned. Hardly any recoil and easy load development. I don't even know how far I'm seating my bullets from the lands. I just guessed, loaded a bunch and shot it. The gun just shoots lights-out!

I'm using 32.9-gr of Varget and Berger 105 hybrids, getting 2,987 MV and an SD of 4.0 with a standard rcbs chargemaster. I love Lapua brass!
 
5RWill said:
For a 2-lug action i wouldn't bother with AW mags anymore now that Ted has his AICS mag that is only 3/8ths of an inch longer than the AW, fits in an AICS footprint, built for 2-lug actions like his mausingfield, no cuts needed, and holds the same capacity. And this is coming from someone who uses AWs in his Tempest.



I went to chad at Club Custom Guns. Which is who Mark at SAC uses. Josh at PVA does it as well. DLC while not the most corrosion resistant coating compared to a finish like cerakote, has a very very high lubricity factor and when oiled is silky smooth. It's also extremely thin so applying it to a tight tolerance custom action is ideal. Where as cerakoting a custom action with tight tolerances is not IMHO.

"This is a metal finish that is applied through a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process. If you've seen gold TiN coated drill bits, you've seen PVD. The coating process involves the depositing of diamond-like carbon coatings via a vacuum and an electrical charge. The result is a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating that will provide years of protection against wear while retaining a nice appearance. Ionbond’s unique application process makes it a finish that does not chip, crack or peel as it is a micron level coating. Diamond Black is generally 2 to 5 microns thin. This is not a conventional coating that adds thickness to the material; this is a micron level coating, which is an excellent choice for custom fit guns. There is no distortion of details or build up in the corners, which means consistent performance every time. Diamond Black provides the ultimate protection against holster wear, corrosion, bearing surfaces, and rough handling."

http://www.clubcustomguns.com/
Click to expand...

Question - Has anybody had their action and bolt "polished", then DLC'ed? Wondering if the DLC sticks to a polished surface and holds up well, vs bead blast and another coating or chemical bonding process.
 
steve123 said:
Question - Has anybody had their action and bolt "polished", then DLC'ed? Wondering if the DLC sticks to a polished surface and holds up well, vs bead blast and another coating or chemical bonding process.
Click to expand...

For 70$ or 90$ i had him polish the raceway and maybe the bolt IIRC. I'm 500rds in about to put another 100 through it this weekend and another hundred in june. I have no signs of wear at all.
 
earthquake said:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BThIeW0FT69/

I'm really liking the 6-dasher in my TL3. It's the best shooting rifle/caliber combo I've ever owned. Hardly any recoil and easy load development. I don't even know how far I'm seating my bullets from the lands. I just guessed, loaded a bunch and shot it. The gun just shoots lights-out!

I'm using 32.9-gr of Varget and Berger 105 hybrids, getting 2,987 MV and an SD of 4.0 with a standard rcbs chargemaster. I love Lapua brass!
Click to expand...


Earthquake... What do the case heads look like at that charge? I get lines from the extracter cut-out on the bolt face at lower charge weights with my dasher.
my primers are still round however.
 
Picked up the SR3 today. It's nice, after cycling it some i think i'm going to send the receiver off to be DLC'd. Ran my tempest today at the range with a couple of friends and with a little CLP or Slip 2000 the thing just glides. So definitely gonna Ionbond it.
 
Do any of you fellas know what the tl3 action weighs?I will be using mine in f/tr and have to make a certain weight limit.
 
Jimmy31593 said:
That's a pretty sweet hunting rig right there.
Click to expand...

I can't wait to get this build done. Should be the perfect hunting build. Right at 9-10lbs with enough barrel to sustain some range time but not be heavy. 6.5 SAUM should be a hammer.
 
I'll be honest i'd be outright lying if i told you the thought hadn't crossed my mind to save the SR3 for myself and get Dad a custom PTG 700 or something of the like. Truthfully he isn't going to care about the features of the action as long as it works and is smooth. But Bighorn isn't going anywhere and neither are the SR3s/TL3s so i'll just wait until later in life to build my hunting rig. Not like i wont get to shoot this one. I'll be the one loading, sighting in, shooting groups, and getting dope on it.

I do plan on an SR3 build for myself though. Something like this in a 6.5 or 7 SAUM.
Bighorn SR3
Manners EH1 Elite hunter
APA RTG
Bartlein Bull Sporter finished at 23"
B&A Tacsport 2-stage trigger
Vortex AMG
 
Are most of you guys using barrel nuts or shouldered barrels?
 
TheOE800 said:
Are most of you guys using barrel nuts or shouldered barrels?
Click to expand...

I'm using shouldered barrels. My gunsmith (PVA) chambers the barrel and ships it to me. I bought the new TL3 action wrench and with a torque driver, I cinch it to about 75 ft-lbs. and I'm done. No need to headspace or mess with go-gauges.
 
There's really no real benefit to using barrel nuts on these actions. Most smiths will do prefits. Now that pva is full time I think Josh plans to stock prefits so they will be a click away.
 
Interesting. I thought the whole big thing was pre-fit Savage barrels and their cheapness. I see I have much more to learn about this action, the Mausingfield, and the BugNut.
 
TheOE800 said:
Interesting. I thought the whole big thing was pre-fit Savage barrels and their cheapness. I see I have much more to learn about this action, the Mausingfield, and the BugNut.
Click to expand...

You're correct. You aren't getting a chambered and shouldered barrel with a threaded muzzle for $400. The question is whether, for you, the extra expense negates the hassle of the gauges and headspacing that comes with the prefit/nut method.
 
earthquake said:
I'm using shouldered barrels. My gunsmith (PVA) chambers the barrel and ships it to me. I bought the new TL3 action wrench and with a torque driver, I cinch it to about 75 ft-lbs. and I'm done. No need to headspace or mess with go-gauges.
Click to expand...

This
 
Im doing the 10-day shuffle... Cant wait till my TL3 is ready to be picked up from the FFL. Unfortunately, as soon as i get er' its off to get DLCd lol. Then a trigger timing plus barrel and its off to the races!
 
image_57752.jpgIMG_5330.JPG Just put my TL3 in a Manners. If anyone of you TL3 guys are looking, I've got a XLR Element w/folder I'm gonna be getting rid of soon...
 
My TL-3 build is finally finished. Planning to head to the range over the weekend.

6.5x47L built by PVA
Bighorn TL-3 SA
Surgeon DBM
Hawk Hill Marksmen Barrel
Manners T4-A Carbon Elite Stock (M/C by CGC)
Timney CE
SB PMII 5-25x56
Spuhr Mount
AW Mags
Barreled action coated FDE Cerakote

 

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Very nice!!! CG does some bad ass paint jobs.... I'd love to have my stock painted, just have always worried about its durability...
 
Pusher591 said:
Who polsihed your raceway?
Click to expand...

Chad Buie at Club Custom Guns. Same person who does SAC's DLCing, least last i checked. Originally i called SAC to see about sending them my tempest to get DLC'd, then they turned me to Chad.
 
5RWill said:
Chad Buie at Club Custom Guns. Same person who does SAC's DLCing, least last i checked. Originally i called SAC to see about sending them my tempest to get DLC'd, then they turned me to Chad.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks. I'm not going to DLC. Just cerakote and leave the raceway bare but anything to help keep it slick.
 
ICU22250 said:
Very nice!!! CG does some bad ass paint jobs.... I'd love to have my stock painted, just have always worried about its durability...
Click to expand...

I've found Cerakote to hold up great on metal; this is my first Cerakoted stock, though. I'm sure it'll get a few character marks over time.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
PVA Minuteman build from Josh. His painter, Zach, did a great job on the chassis. He calls it "Ghost" camouflage. 6.5 Creed, with 26" bbl and Mad Scientist brake. Placeholder optic until the new glass arrives.

Photos taken on a crappy iPhone by my dad, as I'm overseas. Once I'm back, and the new glass is on the rifle, I will shoot some better images.
 

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Bit the bullet. Ordered a TL3 and two bolt heads. Time to start stepping up my game!
 
2501 said:
PVA Minuteman build from Josh. His painter, Zach, did a great job on the chassis. He calls it "Ghost" camouflage. 6.5 Creed, with 26" bbl and Mad Scientist brake. Placeholder optic until the new glass arrives.

Phtots taken ona crappy iPhone by my dad, as I'm overseas. Once I'm back, and the new glass is on the rifle, I will shoot some better images.
Click to expand...

That paint job is sick!!!

I just sent my TL3 off for raceway polish + DLC. The wait begins yet again....
 
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