I have been looking at a couple of custom actions for a build and keep coming back to the Stiller. The information that I read appears to all be more or less positive. Does anyone have any experience with these actions? Would their tactical action make a good start for a 300 WM build or is there better in that particular price range?
Gunsmithing Stiller actions
- Thread starter head2h2o
- Start date
Re: Stiller actions
I had a rifle built on a Stiller Predator action & I hated it!! It seemed really sloppy to me for a custom action. Not bashing Stiller, just giving my honest feelings/thoughts on the particular Predator action I had.
Other guys really seem to like them though. I'd say if possible, take a look at a Stiller action and decide for yourself.
I had a rifle built on a Stiller Predator action & I hated it!! It seemed really sloppy to me for a custom action. Not bashing Stiller, just giving my honest feelings/thoughts on the particular Predator action I had.
Other guys really seem to like them though. I'd say if possible, take a look at a Stiller action and decide for yourself.
Re: Stiller actions
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buckey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had a rifle built on a Stiller Predator action & I hated it!! It seemed really sloppy to me for a custom action. Not bashing Stiller, just giving my honest feelings/thoughts on the Predator action I had.
Other guys really seem to like them though.
</div></div>
i believe the stiller tac and predator actions intentionally have a bit of "slop" in the bolt to raceway fit. they were designed to be used in the field, not benchrest conditions.
i when handling them, they seem like a very quality action. i really think they are a great value for the features you get.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buckey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had a rifle built on a Stiller Predator action & I hated it!! It seemed really sloppy to me for a custom action. Not bashing Stiller, just giving my honest feelings/thoughts on the Predator action I had.
Other guys really seem to like them though.
</div></div>
i believe the stiller tac and predator actions intentionally have a bit of "slop" in the bolt to raceway fit. they were designed to be used in the field, not benchrest conditions.
i when handling them, they seem like a very quality action. i really think they are a great value for the features you get.
Re: Stiller actions
I am quite the opposite! I think they are great! I dont have hardly any slop in my bolt when all the way open. I would guess around 2-3 thou. Maybe a bit to tight for a true tactical rifle action. Very smooth bot operation. You can feel how well the action is made when you close the bolt. It felt much better to me than the surgeon action i had, and it is definitely tighter!! I like them very much. I think they are a great value. the extractor system is a modified M16 and it is tops! The only bitch i would have is how the bolt handle is attached. That and sometimes you have to watch the recoil lugs as they have had a few get out the door that were not straight, or true. I paid 750 for my last predator, and i think the 20MOA rails are around 30 bucks. 20 bucks for a nice set of scope rings from them and your ready to go. great value in my opinion!! Lee
I am quite the opposite! I think they are great! I dont have hardly any slop in my bolt when all the way open. I would guess around 2-3 thou. Maybe a bit to tight for a true tactical rifle action. Very smooth bot operation. You can feel how well the action is made when you close the bolt. It felt much better to me than the surgeon action i had, and it is definitely tighter!! I like them very much. I think they are a great value. the extractor system is a modified M16 and it is tops! The only bitch i would have is how the bolt handle is attached. That and sometimes you have to watch the recoil lugs as they have had a few get out the door that were not straight, or true. I paid 750 for my last predator, and i think the 20MOA rails are around 30 bucks. 20 bucks for a nice set of scope rings from them and your ready to go. great value in my opinion!! Lee
Re: Stiller actions
Lets here from the guys that make there living building rifles. What do you fellas think about the stiller predator actions? I am curious to know if you agree with what i have said. Lee
Lets here from the guys that make there living building rifles. What do you fellas think about the stiller predator actions? I am curious to know if you agree with what i have said. Lee
Re: Stiller actions
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That and sometimes you have to watch the recoil lugs as they have had a few get out the door that were not straight, or true. </div></div>
Did you get an action with lugs that wern't square? I haven't heard of this.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That and sometimes you have to watch the recoil lugs as they have had a few get out the door that were not straight, or true. </div></div>
Did you get an action with lugs that wern't square? I haven't heard of this.
Re: Stiller actions
Yes i did. They sent another without question though. Lee
I dont want to give the impression that i didnt like the surgeon as i did very much! I was impressed with the machine work on that action. I dont have a nasty word to say about them. The action was just a bit to loose for what i was using it for. they are tactical action (at east the one i had. they do make them with tighter bolts) I needed a something a bit tighter for bench type work. If i had to pick one over the other and the money wasnt an issue, I would choose the Surgeon with the tighter bolt, But for the money i think the stiller is were its at. Lee
Yes i did. They sent another without question though. Lee
I dont want to give the impression that i didnt like the surgeon as i did very much! I was impressed with the machine work on that action. I dont have a nasty word to say about them. The action was just a bit to loose for what i was using it for. they are tactical action (at east the one i had. they do make them with tighter bolts) I needed a something a bit tighter for bench type work. If i had to pick one over the other and the money wasnt an issue, I would choose the Surgeon with the tighter bolt, But for the money i think the stiller is were its at. Lee
Re: Stiller actions
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: head2h2o</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been looking at a couple of custom actions for a build and keep coming back to the Stiller. The information that I read appears to all be more or less positive. Does anyone have any experience with these actions? Would their tactical action make a good start for a 300 WM build or is there better in that particular price range? </div></div>
What is the desired end result?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: head2h2o</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been looking at a couple of custom actions for a build and keep coming back to the Stiller. The information that I read appears to all be more or less positive. Does anyone have any experience with these actions? Would their tactical action make a good start for a 300 WM build or is there better in that particular price range? </div></div>
What is the desired end result?
Re: Stiller actions
Stiller actions are tops, and that's coming from a builder, me. I prefer Remington extractors but that's me and has nothing to do with Stiller.
The poster that was referring to the lug was talking about the "recoil lug" not the bolt lugs.
I have heard of only one guy complain about receiver bolt lugs and that was only what he was told and not first hand so take that for what it is.
I've handled the last two group buy of Stiller actions and from the amount of orders just in those two buys I would say lots of guys like them.
Stiller actions are tops, and that's coming from a builder, me. I prefer Remington extractors but that's me and has nothing to do with Stiller.
The poster that was referring to the lug was talking about the "recoil lug" not the bolt lugs.
I have heard of only one guy complain about receiver bolt lugs and that was only what he was told and not first hand so take that for what it is.
I've handled the last two group buy of Stiller actions and from the amount of orders just in those two buys I would say lots of guys like them.
Re: Stiller actions
Yes and sorry i was referring to the recoil lug, and not the bolt lug. I hope i didnt confuse anyone. Thanks HateCA for the heads up. Lee
Yes and sorry i was referring to the recoil lug, and not the bolt lug. I hope i didnt confuse anyone. Thanks HateCA for the heads up. Lee
Re: Stiller actions
I had GAP build me a 300RUM on the TAC300. It is very smooth and nice. For the price, the quality is very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another at all. I made a huge accident loading 104.5gr of IMR7828 thinking I had my retumbo in my dispenser. Max in Nosler book is 90, while I'm sure it wasn't good for it, it didn't hurt it either.
My 2 cents
Kc
I had GAP build me a 300RUM on the TAC300. It is very smooth and nice. For the price, the quality is very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another at all. I made a huge accident loading 104.5gr of IMR7828 thinking I had my retumbo in my dispenser. Max in Nosler book is 90, while I'm sure it wasn't good for it, it didn't hurt it either.
My 2 cents
Kc
Re: Stiller actions
I had Stiller put a 30" Bartlein Medium Palma barrel in 6.5-284 on one of his TAC300 actions right after he first introduced the TAC series actions at the Shot Show a few years ago.
I'm totally satisfied with it and would buy another Stiller action in a heartbeat. You can buy a more expensive action, there are several out there to choose from, but I don't think that there's a better action available for the money.
I had Stiller put a 30" Bartlein Medium Palma barrel in 6.5-284 on one of his TAC300 actions right after he first introduced the TAC series actions at the Shot Show a few years ago.
I'm totally satisfied with it and would buy another Stiller action in a heartbeat. You can buy a more expensive action, there are several out there to choose from, but I don't think that there's a better action available for the money.
Re: Stiller actions
I have a Tac 30, it's OK. Had the bolt handle come off the body of the bolt. Stiller fixed it and recoated the bolt for no charge. I think the firing pin hole on my bolt is oversized. It doesn't matter what load I use, the primers would crater ever so slightly. I am not sure if Stiller are making the bolts or are they using PT&G bolts.
I have a Tac 30, it's OK. Had the bolt handle come off the body of the bolt. Stiller fixed it and recoated the bolt for no charge. I think the firing pin hole on my bolt is oversized. It doesn't matter what load I use, the primers would crater ever so slightly. I am not sure if Stiller are making the bolts or are they using PT&G bolts.
Re: Stiller actions
Surgeon has a new long tactical action like their model 591 short action,should be out soon.
Surgeon has a new long tactical action like their model 591 short action,should be out soon.
Re: Stiller actions
Ok, recoil lug not such a big deal. I like both the actions I have gotten from Stiller. The second one is being done up now. Hard to beat for the money. I personally don't mind the "slop" that has been referred to. Alot of the time we shoot in freezing temperatures and I've seen BAT actions that wouldn't open, froze shut (should be written as very difficult to open). The newer actions are supposed to be tighter tolerances but I hope there is enough "slop" to operate.
Ok, recoil lug not such a big deal. I like both the actions I have gotten from Stiller. The second one is being done up now. Hard to beat for the money. I personally don't mind the "slop" that has been referred to. Alot of the time we shoot in freezing temperatures and I've seen BAT actions that wouldn't open, froze shut (should be written as very difficult to open). The newer actions are supposed to be tighter tolerances but I hope there is enough "slop" to operate.
Re: Stiller actions
i have built on bats, stillers, lawtons, and the new surgeon rsr. i REALLY like the bats but they are quite tight for a hunting rifle. the stillers and lawtons are in the same class as far as i can see. nothing can touch the new RSR from surgeon for value. once you have one in your hands and compare them you will see what i mean. stiller treated me very well when i had some self induced problems with a TAC30. i just dont think the TACS are NEAR as refined as the surgeon RSR. just an opinion from another gun nut.
chuck
i have built on bats, stillers, lawtons, and the new surgeon rsr. i REALLY like the bats but they are quite tight for a hunting rifle. the stillers and lawtons are in the same class as far as i can see. nothing can touch the new RSR from surgeon for value. once you have one in your hands and compare them you will see what i mean. stiller treated me very well when i had some self induced problems with a TAC30. i just dont think the TACS are NEAR as refined as the surgeon RSR. just an opinion from another gun nut.
chuck
Re: Stiller actions
I just had a build done a a stiller form the last group buy and I like it. I am going to try a Surgeon RSR next.
I just had a build done a a stiller form the last group buy and I like it. I am going to try a Surgeon RSR next.
Re: Stiller actions
I've got a 300WSM built on a Stiller. I'm quite happy with it. Jerry was great to talk with on the phone and treated me right. Even made me a deal when he found out I was a member here on the 'Hide. I would not hesitate to buy another.
If you are unsure I recommend calling Stiller and letting them know what you are up to. If you're experience is anything like mine, you'll place an order before you hang up the phone.
-Chris
I've got a 300WSM built on a Stiller. I'm quite happy with it. Jerry was great to talk with on the phone and treated me right. Even made me a deal when he found out I was a member here on the 'Hide. I would not hesitate to buy another.
If you are unsure I recommend calling Stiller and letting them know what you are up to. If you're experience is anything like mine, you'll place an order before you hang up the phone.
-Chris
