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Custom action choices

Mdfowlman2

Private
Minuteman
Sep 12, 2020
96
20
I have decided to jump headfirst Into the custom long range hunting rifle world. Through a good bit research I think I have narrowed it down to a bighorn action but I’m very open to others. I’m hoping to keep my rifle build to around $2k-$2500 without optics. I’m either going with a .300 or 6.5
thank in advance
 
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On custom actions I own the Lone Peak Fusion Ti and Defiance Machine Deviant and love them both.
 
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Not trynna push my stuff on you. But building a custom rifle at 2k is a pretty tight budget. I have a lightweight build on a nucleus LA in 284win if you wanna check it out on classifieds. Lemme know and ill dm you more details too. Its unfired and will fit your 2kish budget.
 
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Not trynna push my stuff on you. But building a custom rifle at 2k is a pretty tight budget. I have a lightweight build on a nucleus LA in 284win if you wanna check it out on classifieds. Lemme know and ill dm you more details too. Its unfired and will fit your 2kish budget.
Can’t seem to find it
 
I have decided to jump headfirst Into the custom long range hunting rifle world. Through a good bit research I think I have narrowed it down to a bighorn action but I’m very open to others. I’m hoping to keep my rifle build to around $2k-$2500 without optics. I’m either going with a .300 or 6.5
thank in advance


New for $2500. I've you think you can get more rifle for the money, let me know about it so that I can buy one too.
Ted
 
I currently have defiance deviant, terminus Zeus, stiller tac 30, and a kelbly atlas tactical. I believe terminus action are some of the best actions on the market and would highly highly recommend them! Best bang for your buck, I don’t think you can do better then a kelbly either. Incredibly smooth, very slick looking and both Joel (owner of terminus) and the kelbly family are some of the best in the industry for communication and customer service!!

I am also looking at trying a bighorn next I think. I’d like to get as many different actions as possible so that I can try and gather my own opinion!
 
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It’s possible. A bedded Boyd’s stock will run you a bit over $200 and work fine. You can pick up some very nice used custom barreled actions on the hide for $1400. That leaves you some cash for a sling, backpack, and a box of hunting ammo.

Not sure about long range hunting though. Stay under 300 yards if you are starting. Clean kills are harder to pull off at distance and you don’t want to track some poor bleeding injured angry creature for days. Some bow hunter was recently gored to death by the creature he failed to kill the day before.
 
For the price vs quality vs features I've been very happy with my Bighorn Origin. I can't see myself spending any more then what they charge for an Origin. Sure an integrated pic rail and recoil lug would be nice, but not a necessity.
 
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On second the origin. I had a defiance tenacity but sold it and built my origin. A origin, triggertech trigger and pva barrel or savage prefit if out of budget and a b&c stock would be under 2k. Or spring for a ag composites stock. Light weight
 
I went defiance tenacity. Integrated recoil lug, full stainless action, and esstetics sold me on it over the origin. My dealer hooked me up with one for about $25 more then the origin. Both are great options for the money. Ive heard great things about those terminus actions but have yet to get my hands on one.

My build is with a PVA prefit barrel, KRG bravo chassis, and triggertech diamond trigger. I have $1950 without optic
 
I went defiance tenacity. Integrated recoil lug, full stainless action, and esstetics sold me on it over the origin. My dealer hooked me up with one for about $25 more then the origin. Both are great options for the money. Ive heard great things about those terminus actions but have yet to get my hands on one.

My build is with a PVA prefit barrel, KRG bravo chassis, and triggertech diamond trigger. I have $1950 without optic
I have been looking at the tenacity all day, If I can find one I may jump on it
 
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Treat yourself to the LP Fussion Ti you will not be sorry.Here is a pic of mine.
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You’re not going to get a very great “custom” for your budget even if you skimp on some stuff and go the prefit route and a cheaper non bedded chassis.

You could get a very nice high end factory rifle though, if it’s mostly for hunting and 6.5 Creed works for you I’d get a Fix. You could probably get a gently used one in your budget, a new one would run you a few hundred more but would be 100% worth it.

Other options depending on what you’re looking for exactly are Seekins Havoc, Sako, Sauer. Any of those would be excellent choices for a hunting stick and they all make models targeted at long range shooting and hunting.
 
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Keep saving and go for it if you can. The action will last you a lifetime.
It’s not about saving, I need to be able to justify the $400 extra over the cost of a defiance, bighorn,surgeon and basically the rest of them.
What justifies the extra $$?
 
It’s not about saving, I need to be able to justify the $400 extra over the cost of a defiance, bighorn,surgeon and basically the rest of them.
What justifies the extra $$?
The weight savings, it looks like it'll save around 12oz vs the other options.

They will all work well. Pick your poison, what features are most important to you?
 
Although I haven’t put a round through it yet, I am very happy with my TL3. Waited a long time for a nucleus and ended up going this route instead , no regerts at all.
 
It’s not about saving, I need to be able to justify the $400 extra over the cost of a defiance, bighorn,surgeon and basically the rest of them.
What justifies the extra $$?
if the weight savings isn't what you're looking for the regular lone peak will be a great action

that said i run all Zermatt. want to build a Lone Peak next though
 
if the weight savings isn't what you're looking for the regular lone peak will be a great action

that said i run all Zermatt. want to build a Lone Peak next though
Don’t get me wrong less weight is welcomed but I think I’d rather spend that $400 towards better glass
 
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Don’t get me wrong less weight is welcomed but I think I’d rather spend that $400 towards better glass
you're not wrong with that and a steel Lone Peak would serve you well (so would an Origin or TL3)

going Ti is pretty extreme dollar per ounce savings
 
you're not wrong with that and a steel Lone Peak would serve you well (so would an Origin or TL3)

going Ti is pretty extreme dollar per ounce savings
I like both the tl3 and the origin, it may come down to what’s available without a lengthy wait time
 
If you want a lightweight action id check out the defiance anTi . Its a stainless action build as lightweight as most titanium ones. Comes in around $985 or so. Not much more then the tenacity but also not the biggest deal to me. Weight in the action can actually help to balance it especially if your running heavier and longer barrels or a can on the end.
 
I’m not dogging on defiance, lone peak, or anyone else, as they all make excellent actions. That said, I have heard several times that actions with extremely tight tolerances (defiance for example) run very smoothly when clean, but can bind up with dirt/dust/debris more easily than something with looser tolerances (such as bighorn). So consider the environment you’ll be hunting in, and/or what level of maintenance you are able to conduct in the field. Also consider the interchangeable bolt heads. You may want to use the same action and stock, only needing to swap the barrel and bolt head for a whole case head dimension. One rifle to fill several roles. This can be potentially easier with one of the offerings from ARC or Bighorn.
 
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I’m not dogging on defiance, lone peak, or anyone else, as they all make excellent actions. That said, I have heard several times that actions with extremely tight tolerances (defiance for example) run very smoothly when clean, but can bind up with dirt/dust/debris more easily than something with looser tolerances (such as bighorn). So consider the environment you’ll be hunting in, and/or what level of maintenance you are able to conduct in the field. Also consider the interchangeable bolt heads. You may want to use the same action and stock, only needing to swap the barrel and bolt head for a whole case head dimension. One rifle to fill several roles. This can be potentially easier with one of the offerings from ARC or Bighorn.
Basically every custom action nowadays has "tight" tolerances. That's why smiths can spin-up pre-fits without seeing the action. "Loose" tolerances would likely result in a higher percentage of bolts binding regardless of conditions.

Maybe you're trying to discuss clearances?
 
Basically every custom action nowadays has "tight" tolerances. That's why smiths can spin-up pre-fits without seeing the action. "Loose" tolerances would likely result in a higher percentage of bolts binding regardless of conditions.

Maybe you're trying to discuss clearances?
he means clearances

defiance very tight hence the reports of dust being an issue
zermatt being looser clearances and runs well when dirty. some people feel it's 'sloppy' but run the bolt like a normal person and its smooth as can be
 
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@Mdfowlman2 lemme know if you wanna make an offer on the rifle i PM u. Even if you swap out the barrel down the road with a prefit, not sure you could get a better deal. Also comes with a 5rd aics mag and redding die set.
 
No it doesn't end there. Weight for one. And there's more if we dive into the mechanical properties of both.
I meant my UNDERSTANDING of the difference ends there. Not arguing that they're similar. I guess I am asking about the mechanical properties of both and WHY MikeR or anyone would choose Ti over steel if the only diff is 1/2 pound lighter (which it's obviously not the only diff)
 
Titanium is lighter weight than steel and it is more corrosion resistant than steel, including stainless steel. Any other comparisons, steel has the advantage.
 
Titanium is lighter weight than steel and it is more corrosion resistant than steel, including stainless steel. Any other comparisons, steel has the advantage.
Yeah my experience with a Ti action wasn't really great.
I got heavy bolt lift before hitting book max loads
I later learned that titanium is not in fact stronger or even as strong as steel, and it stretches 3x more under pressure.
I switched to a LP Razor and it's awesome
 
I’ve got a SS LPA and a Ti LPA. Both are awesome. No issues with either.

For a $2k -$2.5k budget, I would say all lone peaks are out. Origin or the new SS Mack Bro’s for a budget build.