Has anyone used this action?

[Bacarrat]

http://bighornarms.com/

I got to breifly play with one of these thing the other day when I was at a store in Northern Colorado. I don't think I have heard anything about this action on the hide. Take a look at the bolt, very interesting design...

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[Nuttshooter]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

They look very nice. I would also like to know a little about them.

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

Well, I have never seen one, but for 995 I think there may be better options. The rail is not integral like a surgeon. And, it the bolt head is floating like a savage which should not be an issue in a custom action if the tolerances are tight enough (to me anyway). Would be interesting to see accuracy potential. The base price on a Lawton is 875 and between 825-850 for Stiller Predator or TAC action. I think you should shop around. YMMV.

Josh

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

Like not having a intergral rail and recoil lug is a problem? I have played with most of the customs available and have a Stiller. I like seeing other options available on the market. Most of the aftermarket actions seem to have the same deisgn with a little design differences here and there.

 

[Zak Smith]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

RayDog and Shane have been shooting a couple .260's based on this action since early this year (2009):


............... Larger version of above photo.

............... Larger version of above photo.

............... Larger version of above photo.

............... Larger version of above photo.

Their barrels came from here:

............... Larger version of above photo.

PS-- I'd also point you to other places on that web page. He actually has a lot of information there:
http://bighornarms.com/features.php
http://bighornarms.com/benefits.php

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

Thanks for the pics Zak. I was at Jensens at they gave me a really good price quote on a action, bottom metal and trigger setup. The one in the store was already sold. I really am thinking about picking one up for a .308 build.

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bacarrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like not having a intergral rail and recoil lug is a problem? I have played with most of the customs available and have a Stiller. I like seeing other options available on the market. Most of the aftermarket actions seem to have the same deisgn with a little design differences here and there. </div></div>

Bacarrat,

I was not saying it was a bad action. I said it was essentially on the same level as some actions selling for less money. I also just pointed out that I do not see the point in a floating bolt head on a custom action destined for a custom build. You are correct, it is better to have competition to keep the prices from going out of sight. Dude asked for opinions. Based on the actions I have manipulated those were mine. I even stated that "YMMV". And for some people, not me, the absence of an integral rail or recoil lug is an issue.

Josh

 

[skeetlee]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

I agree! Why a floating bolt head on a custom action? The floating bolt head is a savage thing. Actually in my opinion its the only reason why savage rifles shoot as good as they do. If they were built properly from the start they wouldnt need them. Not a bad idea i guess, just doesnt seem necessary. But what the heck do i know!!! Lee

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MinorDamage</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bacarrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like not having a intergral rail and recoil lug is a problem? I have played with most of the customs available and have a Stiller. I like seeing other options available on the market. Most of the aftermarket actions seem to have the same deisgn with a little design differences here and there. </div></div>

Bacarrat,

I was not saying it was a bad action. I said it was essentially on the same level as some actions selling for less money. I also just pointed out that I do not see the point in a floating bolt head on a custom action destined for a custom build. You are correct, it is better to have competition to keep the prices from going out of sight. Dude asked for opinions. Based on the actions I have manipulated those were mine. I even stated that "YMMV". And for some people, not me, the absence of an integral rail or recoil lug is an issue.

Josh </div></div>

When I was looking at the configuration it was in when I was at the store, it was 950 for the action, Surgeon bottom metal and trigger(not sure on the trigger though). So price it out with just about any custom action out there and it's just as competitive in pricing. I know I have more money then that in my Stiller Tac 30 and Badger M5 combo.

But going beyond the price. Yes, I knew the Savages, had a similar design. I wonder why haven't any other custom action manufacturer produced something like this before? Maybe it could be debated if it's needed or not like a integral base and recoil lug.

 

[Zak Smith]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

If you want to know why he used a floating bolt head, why don't you ask him? Two very smart guys designed this action.

 

[AJ_Goddard]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

First let me introduce myself. I am AJ Goddard the maker of this action. I see some think an action needs an integral rail and doesn't need a floating bolt head. I happen to disagree on both issues. I could go into my reasoning but it would be rather lengthy. The real issue is how does it perform, and that's where I have to say they are shooting amazingly well.

AJ Goddard
www.BighornArms.com

 

[Nuttshooter]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

Due to my own ignorance, How does it perform any better than a surgeon action or a badger action or any other custom action?

 

[memilanuk]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree! Why a floating bolt head on a custom action? The floating bolt head is a savage thing. Actually in my opinion its the only reason why savage rifles shoot as good as they do. If they were built properly from the start they wouldnt need them. </div></div>

Not all 'semi-custom' actions are as perfect as you might believe. Maybe people think they are, and just don't check them as closely.

If my Stiller TAC30 had had a floating bolt head, I wouldn't have had to pay to have it trued so both lugs were actually making contact... in addition to having to have the firing pin hole bushed so it didn't crater every single primer, even with factory loads.

YMMV,

Monte

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: memilanuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree! Why a floating bolt head on a custom action? The floating bolt head is a savage thing. Actually in my opinion its the only reason why savage rifles shoot as good as they do. If they were built properly from the start they wouldnt need them. </div></div>

Not all 'semi-custom' actions are as perfect as you might believe. Maybe people think they are, and just don't check them as closely.

If my Stiller TAC30 had had a floating bolt head, I wouldn't have had to pay to have it trued so both lugs were actually making contact... in addition to having to have the firing pin hole bushed so it didn't crater every single primer, even with factory loads.

YMMV,

Monte </div></div>

I can see that I am not the only one with those problems out of my Stiller.

 

[AJ_Goddard]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

Nuttshooter
It is obvious that you are not ignorant as you have chosen two very fine actions, made by a couple companies that have done much for our sport. I have used Badger rails and bottom metal on Remmy actions, and I use Surgeon bottom metal on quite a few guns and have found it to be top notch and my first choice, Preston has always been very friendly and helpful and he has a very fine company. That being said I also produce a very fine action that I believe has some very good attributes. My action is very rigid and does not need a picatinny rail to gain rigidity. Not all my actions get built into tactical rifles, thus you can use any after market rings and bases. Which I do favor on some hunting rifles. When I do want to mount a tactical scope, I have found that most tactical scopes are larger higher magnification scopes. Many times larger scopes need there mounting rings spaced farther forward, thus requiring a rail that extends past the front of the action.. To boot most are shot from the prone position which also moves the shooters head forward even more. Having an attached picatinny rail which extends in front of the action IMO is a excelant feature. As for floating bolt heads I do believe it adds to accuracy and just like skeetlee states he believes that is what makes Savages shoot. I have a few theries as to why I believe it helps and I can talk at length about that also. I also agree with memilanuk nothing is perfect.

 

[JJones75]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

Mr.Goddard , what material is your action made from and what is the bolt fit tolerance?

i've heard some folks like the "Savage" style bolthead as they allow a little more slop in the bolt for less binding without loosing accuracy

 

[skeetlee]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

My stiller's all shoot very very well. I dont doubt that they might have some run out or whatever but if the lugs didnt touch on one of my actions i sure they heck wouldnt have paid anyone to true them. It would have went straight back to stiller for a replacement! Lee

 

[AKA-Spook]

Re: Has anyone used this action?

Not much to dislike about the design of this action. I think the lug face will stay truer to the bolt raceway by virtue of how minimal the cuts are for the ejection port and magazine opening.

The floating bolt head is a good way to keep from stacking tolerances and the fact that they are interchangeable is a very big plus.

Questions: Dimensions of barrel tenon? Diameter of bolt body? price of different bolt heads? Price of scope rail? Long Action availability? Possibility for a threaded bolt handle?