This is just
my opinion based on my use and preferences . . . .
By nature, integrally machined rails are almost 100% of the time limited to the length of the receiver and are a fixed height.
Pic rails machined to match a slick top receiver can be:
Perfectly matched for clean access to the ejection port the same as an integrally machined feature.
Can be of a correct height to be co-linear with front NV rails.
Can be designed as a longer monolithic rail to extend from the rear of the receiver to the front of the forend.
Allow cleaner and less expensive machining of the host receiver.
Using screws and locator pins can be exceptionally robust. If you tear one of these off, you likely have already trashed your optic and have bigger problems.
Non-integral recoil lugs that are pinned or keyed offer the same rigidity as an integrated one.
They most definitely are not going to move or shift since they are sandwiched between the receiver face and barrel shoulder.
Again, they allow cleaner and less expensive machining of the host receiver.
Integrally machined rails and lugs are one of those things that offer advantages on a technical paper but in reality any advantages are lost in the noise of actual use even in a high end precision competition environment.
I don't think there is a right or wrong here.
Actions with integrally machined features aren't going anywhere. They are popular and they work. I just think there are benefits offered with little or no penalty by manufacturing them as a 3 piece assembly.
In fact I think you will see almost 100% of the offerings go this way (integral features) as more and more actions migrate to production 3D printing.
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Kelbly's operate at a higher than average "rifle" IQ. Their vast experience and manufacturing expertise are at the top of the heap. Anybody thinking that Kelbly is dropping quality or lowering standards to offer their new action/rifle package is simply not looking at the big picture. They have and will continue to offer some of the best actions. Their Element was simply their best effort to offer a more affordable package without compromising performance. Their quality and top tier actions aren't going anywhere.
smoker 
