Price per value custom actions?

Matt_3479

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 12, 2009
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I’m looking for some opinions here. I live in Canada and our market value is so much different (higher) then yours. I’ve been shopping around both us and Canada to compare prices of actions. It looks like say bighorn origins, nucleus, atlas tac, stiller tac and Curtis axiom are pretty comparable in price. 850-999 range if I’m not mistaken. Then say tl3, deviants, Curtis vector, surgeon and similar actions are closer to the 1250-1400 range.

So when comparing actions in Canada the nucleus, axiom are closer to 1600, and the origins I believe are in the 1500 dollar range. Yet I can get the kelbly for 1250ish making it the best priced action I can find. When looking at your prices there marketed to look as all the actions are similar in performance and machining just different options available leading me to believe there all equal. And same goes with the higher priced actions. Yet I’d be looking at 1900-2150 for a tl3, vector, surgeon or deviant action with the vector and tl3 being closer to 1900-1950 and the surgeon and defiance at the 2050-2150 range.

What I’m mostly curious about is you see people running nucleus, or origin over say the atlas tactical. But in the price points you have plenty of options. But when we’re talking a difference of 350 dollars, would a nucleus or origin actually be any better then say the atlas.

It’s just tough when shopping for a build and our prices are through the roof right now and still going up, yet I can get a line on atlas for 1250 short actions and 1350 for longs.
 
I have two of the Atlas Tac actions and no complaints. They are very smooth come with nitride treated bolt and receiver and are a simple no extra bullshit design with fewer parts that in my mind and way of thinking is less shit that can go wrong with them or break or cause additional setup or tuning problems.
The only extra steps in setting one up that is different than most other 700 clones is the trigger hanger.
Some additional machining or relieving is needed on the stock or chassis you choose or just order it with the specific atlas inlet specification.
The Bighorn actions are very popular around here and a big plus if you plan on running different cartridges with varying bolt head sizes and I have allready considered getting one for that reason.
 
It's too bad you couldn't get in on the ARC Archimedes pre-order.

It was $1,120 and then redesigned with an integral recoil lug, a feature that usually adds quite a bit to the price.

It sucks that you can't get in on US pricing but for us it's a big value.
 
I have two of the Atlas Tac actions and no complaints. They are very smooth come with nitride treated bolt and receiver and are a simple no extra bullshit design with fewer parts that in my mind and way of thinking is less shit that can go wrong with them or break or cause additional setup or tuning problems.
The only extra steps in setting one up that is different than most other 700 clones is the trigger hanger.
Some additional machining or relieving is needed on the stock or chassis you choose or just order it with the specific atlas inlet specification.
The Bighorn actions are very popular around here and a big plus if you plan on running different cartridges with varying bolt head sizes and I have allready considered getting one for that reason.

See after speaking with Ian and Ryan kelbly I found out you can interchange any of there bolts into the similar action making it great for switch barrels as well.

It's too bad you couldn't get in on the ARC Archimedes pre-order.

It was $1,120 and then redesigned with an integral recoil lug, a feature that usually adds quite a bit to the price.

It sucks that you can't get in on US pricing but for us it's a big value.

Found them at one spot for 2100 and the Mausingfield 2500.
Do any work with bighorn and you'll understand their following.

But being in Canada and having had a Deadline. Itd be really really hard to look past that.

I’ve heard too many ups and downs with deadline it made me nervous
 
I’ve heard too many ups and downs with deadline it made me nervous

I'd try to seek an opportunity to play with one first. Personally, between my Nucleus (19lb spring) and buddy's Deadline, I'd probably still take the Nucleus if I had to do it all again. Bolt lift/close is nicer on the Nuke imho. The Deadline's cock on close is fairly noticeable. It also isn't truly a drop in fit for all 700 chassis/stocks. Buddy had bolt binding issues with his ACC (apparently MDT redid the inletting on the production ones after he notified them) and we had to remove material from a Bravo for his trigger Tech's safety to clear. The magazine latches also needs to be shortened.

Having said that, my buddy did eventually warm up to his after cycling it for an hour or two while watching tv and he has decided to keep it. They're also probably one of the cheapest custom actions around our neck of the woods. If you wait for their black Friday/boxing days sales of 25-26% off. $1500 for a barreled action is a pretty damn good price for a custom in Canada.
 
I’m looking for some opinions here. I live in Canada and our market value is so much different (higher) then yours. I’ve been shopping around both us and Canada to compare prices of actions. It looks like say bighorn origins, nucleus, atlas tac, stiller tac and Curtis axiom are pretty comparable in price. 850-999 range if I’m not mistaken. Then say tl3, deviants, Curtis vector, surgeon and similar actions are closer to the 1250-1400 range.

So when comparing actions in Canada the nucleus, axiom are closer to 1600, and the origins I believe are in the 1500 dollar range. Yet I can get the kelbly for 1250ish making it the best priced action I can find. When looking at your prices there marketed to look as all the actions are similar in performance and machining just different options available leading me to believe there all equal. And same goes with the higher priced actions. Yet I’d be looking at 1900-2150 for a tl3, vector, surgeon or deviant action with the vector and tl3 being closer to 1900-1950 and the surgeon and defiance at the 2050-2150 range.

What I’m mostly curious about is you see people running nucleus, or origin over say the atlas tactical. But in the price points you have plenty of options. But when we’re talking a difference of 350 dollars, would a nucleus or origin actually be any better then say the atlas.

It’s just tough when shopping for a build and our prices are through the roof right now and still going up, yet I can get a line on atlas for 1250 short actions and 1350 for longs.

Do you have a budget for the complete build?

I would call insite arms and talk to harley about some options hes great to talk to.

If your going to go all out on a build I wouldnt try and save a few hundred dollars just get what you want. Depending on where your located go to a match and handle a few actions and see which one you like.

Impact precision would be my recommendation they are around 1950. Super smooth, prefits available, comes nitrided, has a trigger hanger
 
Being in Canada (eh!), what about the Cadex action? Honestly, though, as someone else mentioned, the Tikka T3 action is absolutely stellar, as long as you're not looking to run true long-action cartridges (30-06, 300 WM, etc...), and if you can find them for less than a true aftermarket custom action, you wouldn't be giving up all that much, IMO.
 
Do you have a budget for the complete build?

I would call insite arms and talk to harley about some options hes great to talk to.

If your going to go all out on a build I wouldnt try and save a few hundred dollars just get what you want. Depending on where your located go to a match and handle a few actions and see which one you like.

Impact precision would be my recommendation they are around 1950. Super smooth, prefits available, comes nitrided, has a trigger hanger

I’ve been wanting to try an impact but believe next build is going to be a long action. Was looking into tl3 for the build. Rifle will be used more on the hunting side of things, so the controlled round feed really peaked my interest.

I have a rifle arriving tomorrow-Wednesday from insite arms actually. Very excited to get my hands on it. Been a long time coming
 
I miss my tikka but you cant go wrong with a Kelbly. Stellar actions and equally stellar folks to buy from. Almost went with one but ended up going the AI route. If I were to buy a custom action today, it would probably be a kelbly. Maybe a vector.
 
I’ve been wanting to try an impact but believe next build is going to be a long action. Was looking into tl3 for the build. Rifle will be used more on the hunting side of things, so the controlled round feed really peaked my interest.

I have a rifle arriving tomorrow-Wednesday from insite arms actually. Very excited to get my hands on it. Been a long time coming

If you've already been working with InsiteArms, why not give them a call and see what they can do for you?
 
Most of these prices came from them or others who price well.

I'm Canadian too and working with Insite was my best decision. They're always really good at giving advice when you tell them the direction you want to go with a build.

I'm not sure where you are in Canada but feel free to PM me if you want.