Would like your opinion on the best action for my build

[Red_Beard]

I appreciate everyones help with advise on a Shilen action, but after finding out that I received false information about them having the model I need in stock, I have decided that I will just spring for a more widely accepted quality action for my build since I have to wait anyway.

I am trying to build for accuracy, so weight isn't much of a concern. I have an Obermeyer AMU contour barrel @ 28" and would like to do the build on the AICS (Not a matter of being tacticool, I just love the ergo. The thing just plain fits me.) Plus, I have a gunsmith who I am supremely confident in.

What I would like your help on is figuring out which action would work best for me. Surgeon seems to be the most popular, but I am sure there are some other companies that also make very high quality actions. It needs to be a lefty, long action w/ a mag bolt face. The cartridge is a 7mm rem mag if that makes any difference.

 

[PatrickChewing]

I have two Surgeons and have zero complaints. The hard part may be finding one.

The Bat Tactical action looks great but I don't know all the models and possibilities.

Im using a Defiance action for my 6CM build and they make it super easy to pick and choose all the characteristics/options that you want/need on your action.

Take a look at Bighorn actions. Everything that I have seen is very impressive.

Don't forget about the Badger actions.

Do not let wait times scare you. Just order what you want and be patient.

Edit: just saw it needs to be lefty! That may knock out some options.

 

[turbo54]

You'll have to give more indication of what you want to achieve aside from "accuracy", how you'll use the rifle, what conditions it'll be subject to, and what features you think are neat-o.

For example:

I am a field/tactical shooter and want an action suitable for tactical matches where I may be in the rain, mud and snow. The action must be reliable, accept Remington-type triggers, and McMillan must offer the A5 stock in letter for it. I really prefer AW magazines, so the action should come ready for them, or at least be able to be modified to work with them. Weight is a moderate consideration, but I'm not too concerned. I can't stand the Remington or Sako style extractor, so an m16 or Mauser style claw extractor is a must. I don't care if the action is the "slickest ever", but I need to run the bolt smoothly for tac match shooting. It's not super critical, but I'd love a 60° bolt lift as long as its not too too heavy to lift. Lastly, I want it to provide the feeling that a nuclear detonation couldn't break it.

....in which case, the folks here on the hide could steer me towards a Badger M2013...

 

[Red_Beard]

You'll have to give more indication of what you want to achieve aside from "accuracy", how you'll use the rifle, what conditions it'll be subject to, and what features you think are neat-o.

For example:

I am a field/tactical shooter and want an action suitable for tactical matches where I may be in the rain, mud and snow. The action must be reliable, accept Remington-type triggers, and McMillan must offer the A5 stock in letter for it. I really prefer AW magazines, so the action should come ready for them, or at least be able to be modified to work with them. Weight is a moderate consideration, but I'm not too concerned. I can't stand the Remington or Sako style extractor, so an m16 or Mauser style claw extractor is a must. I don't care if the action is the "slickest ever", but I need to run the bolt smoothly for tac match shooting. It's not super critical, but I'd love a 60° bolt lift as long as its not too too heavy to lift. Lastly, I want it to provide the feeling that a nuclear detonation couldn't break it.

....in which case, the folks here on the hide could steer me towards a Badger M2013...

Ok, I will add what I need to bring my post up to snuff...

It will be used for field/tactical matches, ELR steel popping and coyote/antelope hunting. Reliability is a must as it will be operating in all sorts of adverse conditions, but a 60 vs 90 degree throw makes no difference to me. I already clarified that I will be using an AICS (2.0 just to be specific) so it is implied that it needs to feed out of their mags and that it will need to have the basic footprint of a Rem700. What I want is 1) outstanding accuracy potential 2) an action that gives me the confidence that it will work flawlessly whenever I use it.

 

[Red_Beard]

Still really looking for input fellas. I looked at the badger, but they don't appear to offer it in a long action for lefty's.

 

[bohem]

I'd steer you again to get one of AJ Goddard's "BigHorn" actions.

I have 2, I'm saving up for a third. He makes lefty actions, his customer service rocks, and my "field/tactical" 6.5Creedmoor has been stunningly accurate (on a lark I shot and placed highly during one of my club's short range BR matches shooting off a bipod. Granted it was groups in the 0.2's that won, but that camo'd up field rifle turned a lot of heads)

The bolt clearance in the receiver means they run dirty and wet, the rotating gas block on the bolt sweeps debris off the lug faces and the action has more than 20k cycles on it, almost 10k of them are live fire rounds and the lugs in the receiver as well as teh bolt head look perfect. Not a hint of galling, bolt runs smooth when the action is dry and dirty. When I wiped it down and put some grease on it recently I actually got it to pass the Mannlicher test (hold trigger, bolt fully retracted and point it down to the ground. The bolt closed through battery and locked shut).

I was shocked, I've NEVER seen a modern built action do that first hand.

The OD is ground to the ID and it sits really nicely in a chassis such that I didn't have to bed anything, it's just flat out TRUE from the box. I check every single receiver that I get and the first Bighorn that I got was surprising when I found it true. First time for everything. The second one was true too.


ETA: Oh, and the other thing that I did recently with mine...

I called up AJ and sent him a check for a replacement bolt head in 223. To convert my 7 Creedmoor to a 223 I ordered a barrel blank, bolt head, and 2 AICS 223 mags. Under $500 to convert and I have a nice little varmint rifle. If you ever decide you've had enough of the 7 RM (which is a FANTASTIC long range round) you can put a standard bolt face on it and build a 280 Rem or a 284 and still get those screaming 7mm BC's with less recoil and longer barrel life.

 

[jwf100p]

All the above will do the job. Stiller makes a good one too. Also kelbly, pierce and Borden.