Light-ish Hunting Actions?

[drew hopkinth]

Building a 280 Ackley, and trying to save a little weight on the action without dropping serious money on a Ti action. It’ll be spending time hunting, shooting NRL hunter matches, and shooting the occasional PRS-style match.

I don’t really mind 60° vs 90° and I’m gonna be feeding from CIP mags. It’s a tricky choice to make without having hands on experience with any of these, so I’d love to hear from people who chose one or more of these actions.

 

[larryh128]

I think your best but not good $$ wise is TI. Steel actions really don't vary much in weight without significant elimination of material.

 

[jbuck88]

What is your goal weight? Barrel length? Chamber? Stock/chassis? Scope? Suppressor?

There are a lot of variables and places to save weight. The action isn't always the cheapest place.

Edit- seen your looking at the 280ai. So 7mm bore and can search around for weights on different contour barrels.

 

[drew hopkinth]

What is your goal weight? Barrel length? Chamber? Stock/chassis? Scope? Suppressor?

There are a lot of variables and places to save weight. The action isn't always the cheapest place.

Edit- seen your looking at the 280ai. So 7mm bore and can search around for weights on different contour barrels.

Trying to keep it under 13 lbs w/ can, optic, bipod, etc.

22” Proof Sendero CF barrel, Grayboe Phoenix stock, ZCO 4-20, CGS Hyperion. All of these actions get me to that weight according to my spreadsheet, just trying to see if there is preference or a clear winner amongst them all. One thing to note is that the Kelbly retails for ~$200 less than the others, which would be nice to save a little money somewhere.

 

[jbuck88]

If you are going proof, you can save yourself some money by getting a prefit barrel from them. So that might be worth considering since your saving $300-$500.

 

[drew hopkinth]

If you are going proof, you can save yourself some money by getting a prefit barrel from them. So that might be worth considering since you’re saving $300-$500.

There aren’t any proof prefits in 280AI… I’m planning on sending my barrel to LRI and getting it chambered by them

 

[jbuck88]

Didn't think about that. LRI does great work. My 2 hunting rifles were built by them.

I have only played with the Lone Peak on your list. It was great, but I'd imagine most of them are. Good luck.

 

[FuhQ]

Trying to keep it under 13 lbs w/ can, optic, bipod, etc.

22” Proof Sendero CF barrel, Grayboe Phoenix stock, ZCO 4-20, CGS Hyperion. All of these actions get me to that weight according to my spreadsheet, just trying to see if there is preference or a clear winner amongst them all. One thing to note is that the Kelbly retails for ~$200 less than the others, which would be nice to save a little money somewhere.

Here you go... This should get you exactly what you're hunting for to end up around 10 lbs or less. 5.7 lbs... Bare rifle weight...

Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 280 Ackley 22" 1:9" Bbl Black w/Gray Accents Rifle 801-06141-00

Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 280 Ackley 22" 1:9" Bbl Black w/Gray Accents Rifle 801-06141-00 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

I have the 24" version, and with Berger 175 Elites it shoots under 1/2 MOA @ 100 with handloads. My setup is well under 10 lbs. with the big TBAC Magnus on the end. The Zeiss V4 6-24x50 ZMOAi-T20 scope is only 23 oz. and has exposed turrets (locking windage), and the beefy ARC rings and factory 20MOA rail are rock-solid. If need-be I can weigh the whole rig for you, if you’re curious to know? I know I actually kind of am.

Magnus HUB w/ Otter Creek Labs ZR0-DTA 5/8-24 mount…

 

[1911Shootist]

Aero is coming out with a lightened version of the Solus action, but if you’re already targeting 13 lbs, which is above the 12 lb open light limit, you won’t need a lightened action.

 

[1911Shootist]

Trying to keep it under 13 lbs w/ can, optic, bipod, etc.

22” Proof Sendero CF barrel, Grayboe Phoenix stock, ZCO 4-20, CGS Hyperion. All of these actions get me to that weight according to my spreadsheet, just trying to see if there is preference or a clear winner amongst them all. One thing to note is that the Kelbly retails for ~$200 less than the others, which would be nice to save a little money somewhere.

Here’s my 12lb NRLH rifle in a similar config. NBK, 22” Proof 6.5C, LHT 4-22, nomad Ti & Atlas CAL. I’m switching to a 16lb build for next year though.

 

[fdkay]

Carbon six offers a 280AI prefit

 

[Supersubes]

Defiance classic is 23.2 oz in the long version.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

I am a Defiance fan but now have 4 Nanooks. They are fucking smooth….

 

[Franko]

You should look at a Defiance AnTi and BAT Vesper. If you are willing to go away from the Rem 700 pattern action a BAT Vampire is also worth considering.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

@lancetkenyon might weigh in here too

 

[R_A_W]

If I recall correctly, BAT cuts their raceways tighter/with less clearance. Someone else needs to chime in. There may not be enough dust to cause an issue in the Rockies, but around here the dust would probably cause anything with tight raceways to bind in field matches.

I’m partial to Impact & Lone Peak, but voted LP for this application. I am building a 6.5 PRC on a steel LP Fuzion Alpine Cut, in case I want to get under 12lb in the future. Note that the weight on LP’s website is a few ounces off, someone in the PX recently weighed their .308 SA Fuzion Alpine @ 28oz (not 25oz)

 

[drew hopkinth]

Didn't think about that. LRI does great work. My 2 hunting rifles were built by them.

I have only played with the Lone Peak on your list. It was great, but I'd imagine most of them are. Good luck.

Thanks man, I’ll make sure to post updates as stuff comes in

 

[drew hopkinth]

I am a Defiance fan but now have 4 Nanooks. They are fucking smooth….

Yeah I’ve heard good things from every Nanook owner I’ve talked to - especially with the anti-shear bolt stop instead of the old Atlas one

 

[drew hopkinth]

Here you go... This should get you exactly what you're hunting for to end up around 10 lbs or less. 5.7 lbs... Bare rifle weight...

Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 280 Ackley 22" 1:9" Bbl Black w/Gray Accents Rifle 801-06141-00

Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 280 Ackley 22" 1:9" Bbl Black w/Gray Accents Rifle 801-06141-00 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

I have the 24" version, and with Berger 175 Elites it shoots under 1/2 MOA @ 100 with handloads. My setup is well under 10 lbs. with the big TBAC Magnus on the end. The Zeiss V4 6-24x50 ZMOAi-T20 scope is only 23 oz. and has exposed turrets (locking windage), and the beefy ARC rings and factory 20MOA rail are rock-solid. If need-be I can weigh the whole rig for you, if you’re curious to know? I know I actually kind of am.

View attachment 8262261

Magnus HUB w/ Otter Creek Labs ZR0-DTA 5/8-24 mount…

View attachment 8262263

I’d be down to see how light the whole setup is, thanks man

 

[drew hopkinth]

Carbon six offers a 280AI prefit

Yeah I know a few companies have 280AI prefits but it’s quicker for me to just buy a blank and send it in to get chambered, and not too much more expensive. Still within my overall budget

 

[drew hopkinth]

You should look at a Defiance AnTi and BAT Vesper. If you are willing to go away from the Rem 700 pattern action a BAT Vampire is also worth considering.

I’m gonna cap the cost of the action at 1500ish, paying 2k for a Vesper or 1800+ for a Vampire isn’t in the cards. I’d also really like the action to be nitrided so the Anti is out for me

 

[Supersubes]

I’m gonna cap the cost of the action at 1500ish, paying 2k for a Vesper or 1800+ for a Vampire isn’t in the cards. I’d also really like the action to be nitrided so the Anti is out for me

You can get any defiance nitrided. I order them from bugholes that way. If they dont come from defiance nitrided as part of the order, and if they dont, dugholes sends it to the very same shop defiance uses. By the way, the classic is a poor mans anti. Having built a handful if anti’s for myself and customers, the classic looks like its got every feature thats important in the anti. Sub $1k too.

 

[FuhQ]

I’d be down to see how light the whole setup is, thanks man

I’ll weigh it this evening after work.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Here you go... This should get you exactly what you're hunting for to end up around 10 lbs or less. 5.7 lbs... Bare rifle weight...

Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 280 Ackley 22" 1:9" Bbl Black w/Gray Accents Rifle 801-06141-00

Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 280 Ackley 22" 1:9" Bbl Black w/Gray Accents Rifle 801-06141-00 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

I have the 24" version, and with Berger 175 Elites it shoots under 1/2 MOA @ 100 with handloads. My setup is well under 10 lbs. with the big TBAC Magnus on the end. The Zeiss V4 6-24x50 ZMOAi-T20 scope is only 23 oz. and has exposed turrets (locking windage), and the beefy ARC rings and factory 20MOA rail are rock-solid. If need-be I can weigh the whole rig for you, if you’re curious to know? I know I actually kind of am.

View attachment 8262261

Magnus HUB w/ Otter Creek Labs ZR0-DTA 5/8-24 mount…

View attachment 8262263

No more @ for Christensen in your posts? I guess that sponsorship request to shill for them didn’t work out?

 

[FuhQ]

No more @ for Christensen in your posts? I guess that sponsorship request to shill for them didn’t work out?

You’ve been extra-grumpy lately… Did the ATF top brass stop letting you blow them, or did they just stop letting you cuddle afterwards?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You’ve been extra-grumpy lately… Did the ATF top brass stop letting you blow them?

I’m peachy and your mom has still been stopping by daily.

 

[FuhQ]

I’m peachy and your mom has still been stopping by daily.

Yeah, she says she feels sorry for you since you have a micropenis, so she helps you out anyway, because it’s always good to help the mentally retarded.

 

[drew hopkinth]

You can get any defiance nitrided. I order them from bugholes that way. If they dont come from defiance nitrided as part of the order, and if they dont, dugholes sends it to the very same shop defiance uses. By the way, the classic is a poor mans anti. Having built a handful if anti’s for myself and customers, the classic looks like its got every feature thats important in the anti. Sub $1k too.

Yeah seems like the competitor to an Atlas Lite, but when I can get a Nanook for $1200…

The only thing keeping me from springing for the Nanook is the abundance of prefits for the NBK/737R barrel tenon

 

[Supersubes]

Yeah seems like the competitor to an Atlas Lite, but when I can get a Nanook for $1200…

The only thing keeping me from springing for the Nanook is the abundance of prefits for the NBK/737R barrel tenon

The ruckus prefits are likely equally abundant. Im sure the Nanook would be a very good choice too.

 

[4O6shootist]

Quite happy with my zermatt Ti3. Takes tl3 sr3 prefits. My only desire would for it to be aw cut like the TL3.

 

[fdkay]

Mack bros makes a dandy ti action

 

[FuhQ]

I’d be down to see how light the whole setup is, thanks man

Ok, so the rifle rigged up, minus the suppressor is 9 lbs. 4.3 oz.



The Magnus + OCL ZR0-DTA mount is 15.75 oz. Which is only 1/4 oz. shy of 1 pound.



So, total rig weight of a 24” CA Ridgeline .280 Ackley with a Zeiss V4 6-24x50, ARC M-Brace 30mm rings, a CA 20MOA base, with the quietest .30 caliber can currently on the market is roughly 10 lbs. 4 oz. So, under 10.5 lbs total.

 

[mercracing]

I’ve had fantastic success with my impact actions. I would pick one of those because it’s a company/product I trust and know works.

 

[lancetkenyon]

For lighterweight action options, I own a few.
2 @ Defiance AnTi X SA
2 @ Lone Peak Fuzion TI SA
5 @ Kelbly Nanook (4 @ SA, 1 @ LA)

I order of smooth:
Nanook>Fuzion>AnTi X

Kelbly are just phenomenally smooth.
Lone Peak are very smooth.
The AnTi X are smooth, but seem to chatter more than the others.

 

[R_A_W]

I order of smooth:
Nanook>Fuzion>AnTi X

Comparing Ti actions to nitrided SS actions is apples to oranges

 

[ohiofarmer]

Comparing Ti actions to nitrided SS actions is apples to oranges

Only if it’s a raw titanium action body. I have DLC coated Ti actions that are just as smooth, or smoother, than nitrided SS actions.

 

[jbuck88]

Comparing Ti actions to nitrided SS actions is apples to oranges

The Ti Lone Peak was very smooth, more so then lots of steel actions I've played with.

 

[drew hopkinth]

For lighterweight action options, I own a few.
2 @ Defiance AnTi X SA
2 @ Lone Peak Fuzion TI SA
5 @ Kelbly Nanook (4 @ SA, 1 @ LA)

I order of smooth:
Nanook>Fuzion>AnTi X

Kelbly are just phenomenally smooth.
Lone Peak are very smooth.
The AnTi X are smooth, but seem to chatter more than the others.

Good to know, the Kelbly seems to be what I’m gravitating towards most

 

[srt-4_uk]

There's also the Flavor LW7.

 

[4O6shootist]

There's also the Flavor LW7.

Falkor

 

[srt-4_uk]

Yes, that. Autocorrecting piece of shit keyboard