I’m looking at starting my first custom build and I think I’ve settled on a Bighorn TL3 action to build off. The question is, is it worth it to wait until Shot Show to see what else may come out as far as actions go?
Wait for Shot Show?
- Thread starter dgc357
- Start date
My opinion: I doubt you'd be unhappy with building off a TL3 regardless of what may or may not be visible at SHOT. Even so, it may not hit the market until months later.
Even if you wait to see what is going to be released it would likely be another year or so before they are available.
That's really up to you. Even if there's a new action released, it could take a year or more before it's shipping to customers. Just look at all the people who ordered ARC Nucleus/JH rifles and Bighorn Origin actions last years SHOT show. There's still several waiting to receive their ARC Nucleus barreled action / JH rifle.
I'm hard pressed to think that something new will arrive at SHOT which is so magical that you won't like your TL3. It's a very nice action and we have used hundreds of them to make very accurate rifles.
Plus, it's available now not in many months from now and the bugs are worked out of it. They're super reliable and well sorted.
Plus, it's available now not in many months from now and the bugs are worked out of it. They're super reliable and well sorted.
We’ll shoot. I was hoping you all would say wait. Now I have to spend a bunch of money!
Good points though. I am an impatient man. I don’t want to wait for something to actually be released or for the bugs to be worked out. I didn’t really think about that.
Good points though. I am an impatient man. I don’t want to wait for something to actually be released or for the bugs to be worked out. I didn’t really think about that.
Make sure you handle a TL3 before you buy (or any action for that matter) to make sure that you like it. If you like how it feels and it's features, then go for it. I wouldn't bother waiting for SHOT products - good chance you won't see it for a long time if it's revealed at SHOT.
I bought a TL3 for the wife prior to handling one, based on the rave reviews that they get. We both hated it. Excessive bolt slop made it terribly easy to bind. It doesn't feel like a premium action - not compared to my DLC'ed Mausingfield and Defiance actions. My wife has some rather choice words for the TL3.
Try before you buy. Don't wait for SHOT.
I bought a TL3 for the wife prior to handling one, based on the rave reviews that they get. We both hated it. Excessive bolt slop made it terribly easy to bind. It doesn't feel like a premium action - not compared to my DLC'ed Mausingfield and Defiance actions. My wife has some rather choice words for the TL3.
Try before you buy. Don't wait for SHOT.
I would love to be able to handle some actions first, but I'm honestly not even sure where I would go to check them out in my area (Sonoma County, CA).
The only guy I know of in CA that might have one is Marc Soulie from Spartan Rifles. Good guy, good rifle builder and has worked with Bighorns almost as much as we have.
Try to get your hands on a Bighorn Origin also, I have friends with both and I swear I think I like the origin better (of course the TL3's I have owned or played with haven't been DLC coated and that would probably make a world of difference). The Origin I have played with has been pretty heavily used to be a newly released action but its smooth as a greased minnow penis.... Needless to say it has worn in nicely. I only wish they had made them so you could just get TL3 shouldered barrels for them, but its easy enough for them to cut them for an origin I'm sure.
