School me on titanium actions

Mr. Wolf

Mr. Wolf

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Feb 27, 2013
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#1
Searched but couldn't find a good thread on titanium actions.
Besides hunting applications and situations that call for lighter weight builds, are there any major advantages and disadvantages to Ti actions?

Does accuracy suffer from either flex or loss of weight near center of mass? Are there barrel tenon or muzzle device issues due to the differences in metal mating surfaces? Etc?

Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks in advance.
 
#3
Several action manufacturers have tried making them and ceased due to the liability involved. Titanium does not handle impact well and it was found that there was not much safety factor in them.
 
#7
owtlaw said:
Several action manufacturers have tried making them and ceased due to the liability involved. Titanium does not handle impact well and it was found that there was not much safety factor in them.
Click to expand...

While several may have tried and ceased making them, I really doubt it's due to liability. Ability to handle impact is a function of the heat treatment of titanium, same as other metals, and safety factor is a function of how strong it is compared to the loads it has to handle. Both of those just come down to basic engineering design. I wouldn't be surprised if someone claimed that as the reasoning, but it's a lot more likely they actually quit due to manufacturing costs; Ti is a lot more expensive to work with.

If Ti couldn't handle impact/shock loads, we wouldn't have all these options for suppressors made from it. Just sayin...
 
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#9
Titanium can be difficult to machine, and is prone to galling with metal/metal contact without appropriate lubrication. Proper maintenance is more critical than a steel action.

A friend of mine has a Pierce Ti action and likes it just fine. It is up to you if it is worth the cost. I have not personally analyzed the action strength associated with each action to comment on the associated safety factor.
 
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#10
Ti is stronger than steel comparing equal weights, however steel is stronger comparing equal volume. So a steel action is more rigid and holds psi better than titanium. Doesn't really matter much on 473 diameter cases, but once you step up to magnums and lapua bolt face. I've ran ti actions in 300 norma, 30 nosler, 7max, 65 suam, and now I've got them all in steel. I do have a 6 creed on a zermatt Ti3, and it performs at same level without psi signs as my steel short actions.

Since you can now get the defiance anti, Pierce shadow, and pure skltn all steel actions near same weight and cheaper than ti, I'd go that route myself.
 
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#13
tekmann2377 said:
Titanium can be difficult to machine, and is prone to galling with metal/metal contact without appropriate lubrication. Proper maintenance is more critical than a steel action.
Click to expand...
I went to a framebuilding school about 20 yrs back, we cut tubes on both vertical and horizontal mills. We focused on CrMo but the school also taught Ti classes. The instructor showed us tool dulling from various softness/hardness ratings of CrMo, and then brought out a Ti tube, the softest he had. Chucked it up and then rode the holesaw down gently, showing how it was basically bouncing vs cutting, as the tool's cutting teeth were hard enough for CrMo but nowhere near it for Ti -- soft Ti. We each got to feel the differences.

Then he chucked in a Ti cutter head holesaw and let us see how that did on the Ti. And on the CrMo. You had to be gentler on the CrMo because of the hardness of the cutter heads.

Instructor fielded Qs on working with Ti and he said basically -- "expensive, needs the sharpest cutting heads and they dull very quickly, relative to any cutters you'd use on steel. Not really worth the hassle as a machinist, unless your clients insist. Be sure to charge a premium."
 
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#14
I have 2 LP Fusion TI, no issues. There is a shooter here that uses one for PRS, states he had multiple barrels on, 0 issues on the action!
 
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#15
BCX said:
I have 2 LP Fusion TI, no issues. There is a shooter here that uses one for PRS, states he had multiple barrels on, 0 issues on the action!
Click to expand...

Does the ti version feel a little bit more "sticky" then the steel one?

My understanding is that ti actions feel a bit more sticky/grabby compared to steel actions.
 
#16
I don’t own a Fusion in steel, I will tell you my Fusion TI w elite cerakote on the body is way smoother and doesn’t bind like one of the big names I used in the past. You can PM me for details.
 
#17
Stainless is the safe bet. For the cost of a defiance anti that's where I start and end for a hunting action. The Falkor is also really close.


If you ever screw up and gall the action threads it becomes much more expensive on the barrel change. Not worth 1 or 2 oz to me. I'll take the weight out of the stock and scope first.


Now, to rant about the guys who build a carbon stocked titanium rifle and put a razor Gen II on it.... :ROFLMAO:
 
#18
I would rather lighten the action w titanium, use a CF barrel and use a heavier bullet proof scope… NF 😉 I have seen CF stocks from the top maker get damaged and thin tubed scopes go down on a hunt from a tumble. Never seen an action or barrel get damaged to the point of not being able to use it on a hunt.
 
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#19
kthomas said:
Does the ti version feel a little bit more "sticky" then the steel one?

My understanding is that ti actions feel a bit more sticky/grabby compared to steel actions.
Click to expand...
That’s seems to be something that’s regurgitated from Remingtons Ti actions they tried for gov contract.

I’ve got a fully nitrided Lone Peak Arms Razor Ti and an SS razor. The Ti hangs in well with the SS, it’s not sticky or gummy at all, and it’s better than many other SS custom actions. I do have a well broken in Defiance, fully nitrided, that is noticeable smoother than that Ti action, but I think that speaks more to the goodness of that Defiance.
 
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#21
I didn’t want to point out any manufacturers out but my 2 LP Fusion TI are way smoother than the 2 Defiances I owned and sold. Plus I get 0 binding w the LP Fusions. My full rail LP Fusion TI is smoother than my alpine cut but that may be due to the Elite Carakote on the body.
 
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#22
Good to learn from first hand experiences. Thank you.
Also good to know that there are steel actions that are nearing the weight of the Ti actions.

I don't think I've heard the pros and cons of Ti vs Steel action on Frank's podcast, might be an interesting topic.

Thank you and keep them coming.
 
#23
Yondering said:
That’s only true if you’re assuming they’re made to the same dimensions. Not really a good assumption, and no reason it has to be true.
Click to expand...

For actions based upon the standard R700 footprint, it's an assumption that holds up pretty well in practice since the basic allocation of cross-section was dictated long ago. There are other considerations that go beyond that of the material's modulus and yield, but there's only so much that a designer can do within the constraints of a drop-in replacement.

FWIW, I own one rifle with a Ti action, and it's chambered in 6 ARC.
 
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#25
I have a ti lone peak Fuzion and several steel fuzions. To me the ti feels smoother and it only has 100 rounds on it. My steel ones have thousands.
 
#27
4O6shootist said:
I do have a 6 creed on a zermatt Ti3, and it performs at same level without psi signs as my steel short actions.
Click to expand...
LOL

Associating the action's material with pressure "signs" on a cartridge is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. The twi have fuck all to do with each other.
 
#28
308pirate said:
LOL

Associating the action's material with pressure "signs" on a cartridge is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. The twi have fuck all to do with each other.
Click to expand...
I associate the actions metallurgy with its strength in the ability to resist flex. Ive personally observed a barrel spun to a razor ti that had bolt lift with that load. Moved it to a steel ti, bolt lift was not there, easy smooth opening. I've also observed a razor ti that had the lugs set back near 002 after 900 rounds. You go buy all the titanium you want, I think they're niche and have one application, the superlight hunting rifle. A titanium action will not handle the same chamber pressures as a steel.
 
#29
For the record I had a Defiance Deviant made of SS w .750 bolt show signs of lug setback under 500 rounds while my Surgeon XL made of Cromoly take it like a champ in the same cartridge. 😉
 
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#30
Looks like Pierce is offering TI in their 10x line soon to make weight for high pressure ELR cartridges.
 
#31
BCX said:
For the record I had a Defiance Deviant made of SS w .750 bolt show signs of lug setback under 500 rounds while my Surgeon XL made of Cromoly take it like a champ in the same cartridge. 😉
Click to expand...

For the bolt to get larger while the action OD remains the same, the material needs to come from somewhere, and it's the lugs. This is why I'm not a big fan of simply making the bolt bigger in a R700 footprint.

Surgeon did things correctly with the XL.
 
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#32
FWIW, building a Ti action with some sort of breech ring or lock ring (as used in the GAP Tempest and by AI) would likely provide satisfactory performance if combined with a cartridge that provides modest bolt thrust. I'd feel better about this approach than I would want to rely on fancy PVD coatings to prevent lug galling.
 
#33
Lug galling happens w stainless actions also. I’m happy w my LP Fusion TI actions and will run them into the grave. No early pressure signs or no bolt coming open. That full rail build I have shoots .25 inch not .25 moa groups at 200 yards. That tells me I’m not getting any crazy action flex! The 10oz I saved was worth it. You as the consumer need to decide if the extra cost is worth the weight savings.
 
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#34
I have owned several Ti actions and presently own 4. I really like them for light weight. I have two LPA with integral bases, a Ti Xtreem (?spelling) 700 foot print long action and a Mauser that is titanium in every part, spring, screw etc. All have been issue free, accurate and a couple have a lot of use and rounds. I would never hesitate to use one where weight is a consideration.
 
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#35
4O6shootist said:
I associate the actions metallurgy with its strength in the ability to resist flex. Ive personally observed a barrel spun to a razor ti that had bolt lift with that load. Moved it to a steel ti, bolt lift was not there, easy smooth opening. I've also observed a razor ti that had the lugs set back near 002 after 900 rounds. You go buy all the titanium you want, I think they're niche and have one application, the superlight hunting rifle. A titanium action will not handle the same chamber pressures as a steel.
Click to expand...
I don't give a shit about your layman's observations. You're assigning cause and effect with no actual knowledge of WTF is going on.
 
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#37
An aluminum action can be made lighter, and retain a much better feel than any titanium action. There really are only disadvantages.
 
#40
These lightweight skeletonized actions scare me. Action flex? My guess is yes? Safety idk! I was just thinking the other night about proofing! How many custom actions go to a proof house for design?
 
#41
IMG_4708.jpeg

There is alot of titanium here vs the new Defiance TI X
 
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#42
BCX said:
These lightweight skeletonized actions scare me. Action flex? My guess is yes? Safety idk! I was just thinking the other night about proofing! How many custom actions go to a proof house for design?
Click to expand...
Where exactly do you think the weight is being removed? Where on the action are you worried about flex? Seekins has been making an aluminum action with a steel insert for years now without any problems that I’ve heard of. I mean you need a certain amount of rigidity but we’re not talking about benchrest here, the OP was asking about pros/cons of titanium. For the price of a titanium action and difficulty in finding a smith that wants to work with one due to galling concerns, the skeletonized actions offer a great value. YMMV.
 
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#43
TS Customs, Short Action Action Customs, Black Canyon Customs and I’m sure there’s more that will build your TI on non TI rifle. There’s enough TI actions in circulation to prove, if treated correctly galling is an internet myth. Feel free to post pictures.,,along w stainless steel actions galling.
 
#44
BCX said:
These lightweight skeletonized actions scare me. Action flex? My guess is yes? Safety idk! I was just thinking the other night about proofing! How many custom actions go to a proof house for design?
Click to expand...
As @Long Range 338 alluded to, none of the weight savings comes from the front receiver ring, lug abutments, or bolt lugs. So from a kaboom standpoint, there’s no change from a standard action.

My guess is all of the action manufacturers test their actions to destruction. Some more publicly than others. ARC is an example of one who’s a little more public about it.
 
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#45
Supersubes said:
My guess is all of the action manufacturers test their actions to destruction. Some more publicly than others.
Click to expand...
I wonder if the proofing regulations are different re: USA vs. Europe?

I seem to recall reading that the USA’s regs on this matter were more lax, but that is probably my hazy brain or some unsubstantiated forum post.
 
#46
carbonbased said:
I wonder if the proofing regulations are different re: USA vs. Europe?

I seem to recall reading that the USA’s regs on this matter were more lax, but that is probably my hazy brain or some unsubstantiated forum post.
Click to expand...
Its been a while but from memory C.I.P. is much more stringent. In the US, guns are required to be “tested”, but there aren’t any govt run proof houses as there are in europe. I may be wrong.
 
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#47
I had a super light hunting rifle built on a Pierce Ti, and it was an awesome gun, I deeply regret selling it. I had another light rifle built on a Defiance AnTi that is every bit as light (within a few ounces) for way less money. No matter what I did, the Pierce was never what I would consider smooth. It was solid and positive in every way, just never had that butter smooth action, the Defiance absolutely has that great feel. I probably would not go down the Ti route again, the extra cost wasn't worth the little bit of weight.
 
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#48
I haven't played with many Ti actions. I will say the uncoated ones I've played with were horrible feeling. Felt like sand and grit in the action. However the LP was every bit as smooth as anything else I've played with. LP would be on my short list of Ti actions.
 
#50
valhal25 said:
Titanium is fine if it has been made correctly. Actually better than fine, it is a superior option in just about every way but price. Lone Peak has a good one
Click to expand...

Material characteristics strongly disagree with your assessment, which is why titanium is so rarely used in firearms of any type regardless of application or budget. The fact of the matter is that steel is usually the best choice even when cost is not the primary concern. If you want a lighter product, use a higher-grade steel and less of it; there are much better choices than what Remington has used, and cross-sections could be reduced accordingly.

Given that the majority of raw titanium product comes from China, your "if it has been made correctly" caveat is doing some heavy lifting. This is an extraordinarily difficult material to process at every step, and the consequences of errors are generally higher than with other materials.
 
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