Help, What Action to Use and Chassis for New Build?

[Strykervet]

I have a Satern bbl. on order and found out I have to change it since they likely won't be able to make the barrel since it's a complete one off.

I decided I'd go with a bolt gun instead. But I've never built one. This is also a very fine cut rifle barrel and I'd like to use the best parts if possible. I was thinking along the lines of a .300 magnum something or other (open to suggestions) but considered a 6.5 Creedmore as well. Long action, short action, haven't decided. Want to use it at matches around here and I think .338LM and above is what is prohibited. I'd like to stay clear of wildcat chambers, though I do handload, so I'm open to a plethora of chamberings.

I'm more of the shooter type and not the hunter or benchrest type, so adj. this and adj. that would be nice in a chassis. If I had to purchase a rifle outright, what I have in mind is perhaps an AI rifle or even the Army's new sniper rifle with it's adj. stock.

Any suggestions as to a quality action and chassis? Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[360moa]

You'll get a hundred different people with 200 different opinions. The important thing is to start with something and then develop your own opinions. If you think you'll get the "wisdom of the Internet" and save some money, then I recommend taking up ping-pong instead.

I suggest you try a Remington 700 short action .260.

 

[37841anarchy]

What's your budget?

 

[Strykervet]

Yeah, I know I'll get a lot of suggestions. I'm kinda looking for that. I considered .260 but there's other 6.5's that'll outperform that one. And I'm not so sure I want to go with 6.5, I may be interested in a .30 magnum. I wanna shoot at these long range matches here in WA that go out past 1000m but don't allow .338LM's. Gotta stay under that I think.

I'm mostly looking for suggestions on quality actions and chassis combos that folks on here have used and that work. Folks that have already built their own. I'm good at making stellar AR's that perform, and I'm looking for advice from those that have built stellar bolt guns.

Surgeon? That's the one action that for some reason comes to mind. But I'm not up to who is best and such.

Budget? Well I want a good rifle and I'm willing to collect parts, so I'm thinking more upper end. But I don't need parts that just cost more for the sake of it. Good, quality and rock solid parts will suffice if just as good. I just need suggestions. I don't want to marry a fine Satern barrel to a shit action though, that's a fact. So I'm not interested in rebarreling a stock 700 action (which may be fine, but I don't want to build it that way from scratch).

Let the ideas come. What have you guy's built, long range bolt guns using fine parts? If you could build whatever you wanted, what would it be?

 

[Strykervet]

Surgeon isn't taking orders, so I could use some ideas on comparable actions.

 

[Pusher591]

Defiance Deviant, BAT, Bighorn, or Badger. All of those are 700 footprint except Badger. Any of those you can't wrong. I say run a .260 or 6.5 Creed and reload the Berger 140 Hybrids, they should do quite well out to 1200, maybe further.

 

[Graham]

Help, What Action to Use and Chassis for New Build?

If you are a shooter, and want a match rifle, don't get a magnum.

There has never been a better time to buy a used AE or AW.

 

[rdgshooteer]

I personally like my Badger M2008 in a KMW sentinel stock. I haven't had a chance to try the new M2013 action yet. I don't know if weight is going to be a major consideration for you or not. I know my current setup is in the neighborhood of 17 pounds or so with optics. As far as caliber goes its currently chambered in .308 and I am looking at picking up a second barrel for it in one of the 6.5 offerings. I am thinking of building a .300 Win to compliment it as I don't need anything larger living in PA. The Badger will be on the higher end of the weight scale for actions.

 

[Masked]

Depends 100% on your budget.

IMHO, best deal out there right now is the AI MC. -- Unbeatable in terms of swap systems, value etc.

If you're going custom...I just finished my custom build a few months back. Stiller Tac 300, AX AICS in a 300wm...Couldn't be happier.

I am saving up for an AI MC but, Stiller is very HQ imo.

 

[Strykervet]

Yeah, I'd like an AI, but I have this barrel on order already and I'd like to make use of it. I may be interested in one of their chassis' though if they would yield a fine rifle with fine barreled action.

Thanks for the options, I'll look into those actions.

Why no .30 cal magnum? The longer, heavier bullets have good BC, do they not?

 

[Strykervet]

Okay, so .30 magnum would totally suit me then. Most of the targets are between 700 and 1200+. I figure the heavier bullet would help with wind too, considering the shoot is between mountains.

 

[Hunt4life]

Badger Action of either generation and Xlr chassis, any version. Pretty simple to just answer the question. I would go with one of the .26 cal cartridges. They are fine to 1200.

 

[garandman]

Love my 6.5 CM built on a trued Rem 700, with XLR chassis.

 

[lte82]

http://www.pierceengineeringltd.com/category/tube-guns

I'm building a tube gun in 6.5x47, which will stay supersonic out to nearly 1 mile at 3000-4000 ft when pushing a 123gr to 3100 fps. The 260 rem and 6.5 creedmoor may even do better than that when you use the 140's.

I'd consider the short action 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges if you just want to shoot long range target stuff. Easy on the shoulder and pocket book to shoot, plus there is lots of good brass available, and the ballistics are phenomenal.

 

[Strykervet]

I plan on building myself, but plan on using a gunsmith for barreling the action and other critical assemblies. I plan on assembling, not really "building" per se. I'd like to collect quality parts I want over time if possible.

But I looked at the Badger action, it's $1385 on their site, plus I'll need to include cost of the barrel, trigger and chassis (and does this action come with a bolt?). I figure I could get a DTA chassis and cover the action, chassis and trigger for approx. $3200, plus cost of barrel, bolt and barrel ext. (bolt and ext. run $500-$800 total, approx.)

So may I be better off just getting the DTA and then having the ability of switching calibers? I'm not sure if Satern makes DTA barrels, but given the extension needed I'm sure he can. I can ask. Or would I be better benefited by a fixed caliber, custom bolt gun in 6.5C using the badger action, quality trigger, and say, an AI chassis?

 

[strike33]

The DTA is a good choice, the conversion kits are more than you're accounting for. All said and done to complete the DTA it will run you $4,500-4,800. Tractus Arms stocks them and has a great layaway plan.
Short Action Customs makes top quality barrels for the DTA using Batlein blanks and DTA extension.
The Badger is a superb action and yes it comes with a bolt, as all the custom actions do