Custom actions, what brand, who sells them and how much?

[wadcutter]

I am looking at my budget for having a custom F-Class open rifle built and would like some input on custom actions that are available in Aus.

What's best, who sells them and what are they worth?

I would apreciate your input.

Thank you.

[dantheman]

Hi mate,try these guys.and have a chat with chris



http://www.actionclear.com.au/

[macca]

Barnard is popular in both open and standard.Keith Hills in Canberra.
BAT is available from various gunsmiths.
There are heaps of choices and no single action has dominated the winners circle.
I think choosing the gunsmith is the biggest factor outside your own prep work(loads and shooting).
As a matter of interest I run a Barnard,sleeved rem,BAT,factory rem and sako and have shot identical high scores with each rifle,making me the single common denominator in the shooting results.
That said,the BAT is very smooth and well made and feels the best action for what that's worth.
cheers,
macca

[doidge5781]

The good ol omark is a popular and cheap entry to a custom gun for fclass or bench

[Sam Walker]

Hi mate,try these guys.and have a chat with chris
http://www.actionclear.com.au/

They are making the INCH action which is a relative newcomer. It's one of the few that's not a Remington clone, and it's rear locking design has been a source of negative perception for some people, based on the weaknesses of other rear lockers. However every aspect of it's design has a sound engineering justification based on precision, rigidity, and concentricity (designer has a few actions on his resume). It's not as sexy in appearance as the Stolles,Stillers,Bats etc ,and not being a US made action, there's not many out there yet, about 50 so far mainly in TR and F Class. Last time I read up on it, the designer isn't willing to make dual port versions so that's going put BR and Fly shooters off it. Cost is around $2000...

[petevm]

I have a goodly number of suitable BAT and NESIKA actions in stock. Pls email petevanmeurs@bigpond.com or call on 03-52811380 for details. Pete

[Sam Walker]

Being readily available is a big plus...

[Ackley Improved]

each to their own, but I would not buy a INCH action on looks alone. If you are paying the money for a custom action.. tell why you wouldnt have one thats darn pretty as well. Then think resale as well.

Check out used guns. There is a 280AI, Barnard action, McMillan F Class stock....

Cheers

[Ned Kelly]

G'Day All,
seriously consider the follwing points for the Barnard at $1800- from the VRA shop; its a bargain (in no particular order):
1. Comes with a great trigger, i think it can be adjusted to be either single or double stage.......better check this one
2. Can be bedded to a V block which can allow you to have several stocks set up for different shooting styles
3. Replacement bolts are relatively cheap compared to a Bat/Stolle so a 223 or 308 bolt for one action is an option
4. Plenty of them around so good resale value if needed
5. Plenty of gunsmiths with plenty of experience with them
6. Action wrenche and barrel vise and it is very easy to swap calibres from short range to long range cartridges
7. Big solid stiff action and long loading port.
8. Savings over other actions will pay for either a barrel, stock or scope............
9. Recoil lug options, Rem700 style (no good for switch barrels), bolt on lug (& pillars), or V block & Pin

I looked long and hard at them for my varminting/F class rifle but ended up with a BAT so I could screw in my old BR barrels for varminting. But there is no reason why you cant do that with the Barnard either.

Definately consider them. the only disadvantage would be the action weight, but in F class that is hardly an issue worth considering.

hope this helps

Cheerio Ned

[Matt P]

G'Day All,
seriously consider the follwing points for the Barnard at $1800- from the VRA shop; its a bargain (in no particular order):
1. Comes with a great trigger, i think it can be adjusted to be either single or double stage.......better check this one
2. Can be bedded to a V block which can allow you to have several stocks set up for different shooting styles
3. Replacement bolts are relatively cheap compared to a Bat/Stolle so a 223 or 308 bolt for one action is an option
4. Plenty of them around so good resale value if needed
5. Plenty of gunsmiths with plenty of experience with them
6. Action wrenche and barrel vise and it is very easy to swap calibres from short range to long range cartridges
7. Big solid stiff action and long loading port.
8. Savings over other actions will pay for either a barrel, stock or scope............
9. Recoil lug options, Rem700 style (no good for switch barrels), bolt on lug (& pillars), or V block & Pin

I looked long and hard at them for my varminting/F class rifle but ended up with a BAT so I could screw in my old BR barrels for varminting. But there is no reason why you cant do that with the Barnard either.

Definately consider them. the only disadvantage would be the action weight, but in F class that is hardly an issue worth considering.

hope this helps

Cheerio Ned

And on top of all of that, there is no need for two bolts if you want 223 and 308, just buy a 308 bolt and install a 223 extractor and off you go.
Matt P

[Ned Kelly]

G'Day Matt,
I'd heard you could do it but I didn't know anyone who actually HAD done it................nice one!
Cheer's Ned

[petevm]

A couple of technical points. The Inch being a rear locker WILL have limitations to the pressure you can use before stiff bolt lift becomes an issue - this is simply a fact of life and don't let anyone try to baffle you with bullshit that their particular design does not stretch on firing (the otherwise excellent Schultz and Larsen was a perfect example). As for the Barnard - well made and good value BUT like most 3 or 4 lug designs it suffers from too little primary extraction. Once again a limitation on pressure that one can load to before bolt opening becomes an issue and a naturally stiffer bolt lift during the re-cocking motion. The only 3 lug design that I have encountered that is an exception is the 3lug BAT. Due to a number of subtle design features it rivals the 2 lug designs for smoothness and has sufficient opening camming to cope with tightish cases. I would always go with the proven 2 lug designs (Stolle, Stiller, BAT, Nesika etc), in fact I am happy to use tarted up Remingtons in a number of my own rifles!
Pete

[a.JR]

Hi all , I'd be very carefull about what you say on the WWW about some of the Actions sold in AUS.. I said on one post that i would not use a certain product because i did not think it would allow Benchrest pressures to be fully utilized and i was threatened with disqualification from any NRAA event that he and i turned up to because of an unsafe gun and he was a head RO.. All done by PM mind you ..JR..Jeff Rogers ps.. RO is Range Officer not Rank Outsider

[Ackley Improved]

Hi all , I'd be very carefull about what you say on the WWW about some of the Actions sold in AUS.. I said on one post that i would not use a certain product because i did not think it would allow Benchrest pressures to be fully utilized and i was threatened with disqualification from any NRAA event that he and i turned up to because of an unsafe gun and he was a head RO.. All done by PM mind you ..JR..Jeff Rogers ps.. RO is Range Officer not Rank Outsider

Conducting business well then these actions you talk of....... I'm on your side BIG time!!! Could be the same person who sent me a few PM's too! Shouldnt have deleted them!!!

Cheers

[wadcutter]

Thanks for the input fella's. Plenty to think about.

No one has mentioned "Lawton" actions. How does the Lawton 7000 and 7500 actions compare against the rest?