Premium repeater action recommendation

thexman · Dec 23, 2024

Thinking to get another bolt action for my new rifle, most likely would be Short Action, but I am only to Long Action with just 308 and magnum bolts.

Have used Definance Ruckus, Terminus Zeus. Thinking between Impact 737R, Falkor 7even, Lone Peak Fusion and BAT Hammerhead or anything you would like to compare with these.

I would only use it for casual F class style long range competition shooting and some PRS local match, so bolt lift angle wouldn't matter unless it touches scope. Barrel would be cut by gunsmith instead of prefit.

Would like to get some end user experience in terms of bolt smoothness/cycling, easiness to tune(trigger timing if uses hanger) and any issue/improvements these action could have.

Any input would be really appreciated to help me make my decision.

Maurygold · Dec 23, 2024

Impact, TL3 or BAT hammerhead.

chevy_man · Dec 23, 2024

My BIL just picked up a Falkor... I'm sold. It's a damn nice action.

Being in Montana, my only choices were defiance and falkor. I'd take an anti-x for hunting, 7even for matches.

moosemeat · Dec 23, 2024

Defiance has less bolt "play" than impact (this is super nite picking). Impact will run in just about any conditions I have experience. Bat is right there with defiance although I haven't handled the hammer head.
I chose a impact 737 with the 70* bolt because it was available at GAP in store.
All the actions you have listed are so close that it comes down to what has the minor features you want and what you think looks cool.
My next one will most likely be a defiance single shot for dedicated F-Class stuff or a hunter build of a NBK.

Baron23 · Dec 23, 2024

Borden for F-class?

thexman · Dec 23, 2024

Baron23 said:
Borden for F-class?

His new Black Knight action is on my list, but it's a single shot action, what I am thinking is a repeater so i can load from magazine or single load if the rule doesn't allow.

King_beardsly · Dec 23, 2024

I’m a sucker for the Zermätt TL3’s but I’ve heard great things about the impact and lone peak

thexman · Dec 24, 2024

King_beardsly said:
I’m a sucker for the Zermätt TL3’s but I’ve heard great things about the impact and lone peak

Seems a lot of PRS shooters use impact's 737R, I heard Falkor's action is much smoother

thexman · Dec 25, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
I have a bunch of Zermatt actions and I like them. I've always thought Impacts were really nice. If I wasn't so invested in TL3 barrels I would buy an Impact. But out of your list the BAT Hammerhead looks really cool. Are you tracking it's $1900 tho?

Not on your list, but the only other action that's come out lately that has tempted me is the CSG. I was completely uninterested until I shot a buddy's rifle. It's a nice action.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah everything new is getting expensive, the Borden Black Knight XD is at $2300.

Coors Man 264 · Dec 26, 2024

If you tried the Zeus, what didn’t you like? That would be my recommendation.

thexman · Dec 26, 2024

Coors Man 264 said:
If you tried the Zeus, what didn’t you like? That would be my recommendation.

I bought the Zeus mainly for the QC feature and the 60degree bolt life is a bonus. It's a poor guy's choice for an AI alternative.

FNG1001 · Dec 26, 2024

some like impacts with the 75* bolt over the original 90*

4O6shootist · Dec 26, 2024

Go with the Hammerhead. Bat is very popular in the Fclass and benchrest game. They're now getting more popular in tactical applications. I have 5 bats, mostly hunting builds, but the igniter is a tactical style build. My two Lone Peak fuzions are fantastic, they're very much like the Falkor 7even. I just really wish the 7even was AW cut like a tl3, 737, or fuzion.

4O6shootist · Dec 27, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
It's hard to tell from their product page, but does the hammerhead have interchangeable bolt faces?

Yes. All the newer bats on have interchangeable bolt bodies*, it's not a head swap, but the bolt is two piece in front the rear section. I'll get some pics for you when I get home.

For some reason I cannot upload photos currently! Wtf

4O6shootist · Dec 27, 2024

Here's a link to the bat modular noses, cannot upload at the moment.

https://www.batmachine.com/product/bolt-nose-modular/

TheOE800 · Dec 27, 2024

Bro $350-$380 not even a whole bolt? Gotdam.

Nik H · Dec 27, 2024

TheOE800 said:
Bro $350-$380 not even a whole bolt? Gotdam.

AI complete bolt assemblies are 4X that

TheOE800 · Dec 27, 2024

Nik H said:
AI complete bolt assemblies are 4X that

As a percentage of the cost of the action, since AI only sells complete rifles, AI is a better deal though the last AI bolt body I bought cost only about 2x a BAT bolt nose.

4O6shootist · Dec 27, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
The 75° reduced bolt lift and short stroke BR bolt stop seem like really cool features. $2650 to set yourself up for 223 & magnum cartridges, although if you're swapping out your bolt stop that would probably discourage you from regular barrel swaps. I also just watched a video of the bolt changeover. Requires some tools and care.

It makes a tl3 look like an exceptionally good value. Just don't get the alacantra leather and left lane assist.

There's a lil tool to pull the sliding sleeve that traps the bolt body/nose together. That's it, very easy to do! I actually installed my 308 bolt body from my bumblebee onto my 75° bolt handle out of my Vesper, and threw on my barrel that was cut to my bat igniter action on the Vesper, and headspace was perfect. Bat holds really tight tolerances on their machining.

ACard · Dec 27, 2024

Borden

WeR0206 · Dec 27, 2024

4O6shootist said:
Go with the Hammerhead. Bat is very popular in the Fclass and benchrest game. They're now getting more popular in tactical applications. I have 5 bats, mostly hunting builds, but the igniter is a tactical style build. My two Lone Peak fuzions are fantastic, they're very much like the Falkor 7even. I just really wish the 7even was AW cut like a tl3, 737, or fuzion.

This ^^^. Seems like PRS is very heavy into Impacts (their "looser" feel allows for dirt etc. with less failures) while F Class and Benchrest are more into BAT, Borden, etc.

Someone else posted this link, it's the actions used by the top 200 PRS shooters. Impact 737r is by fart the most used (100/200).

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2024/04/05/best-custom-rifle-action-what-the-pros-use/

Curtis Customs Valor looks pretty awesome to me for the $$$. But for my next build I'm likely going with a 737r simply for the vast number of shouldered pre-fits available and general/all condition reliability.

4O6shootist · Dec 27, 2024

WeR0206 said:
This ^^^. Seems like PRS is very heavy into Impacts (their "looser" feel allows for dirt etc. with less failures) while F Class and Benchrest are more into BAT, Borden, etc.

Someone else posted this link, it's the actions used by the top 200 PRS shooters. Impact 737r is by fart the most used (100/200).

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2024/04/05/best-custom-rifle-action-what-the-pros-use/

Curtis Customs Valor looks pretty awesome to me for the $$$. But for my next build I'm likely going with a 737r simply for the vast number of shouldered pre-fits available and general/all condition reliability.

Curtis/Terminus suck in my opinion, dealt with qc problems, crap lug engagement, things they should have fixed but didn't for me. Lots of promised shipping dates that were missed by several months, f those guys. The 737 barrels spin onto a lone peak fuzion and headspace just fine, but the lone peak barrels don't work on a 737, has to do the with the recessed bolt nose the have don't quite match up, obv the 737 is a lil deeper.

WeR0206 · Dec 27, 2024

4O6shootist said:
Curtis/Terminus suck in my opinion, dealt with qc problems, crap lug engagement, things they should have fixed but didn't for me. Lots of promised shipping dates that were missed by several months, f those guys. The 737 barrels spin onto a lone peak fuzion and headspace just fine, but the lone peak barrels don't work on a 737, has to do the with the recessed bolt nose the have don't quite match up, obv the 737 is a lil deeper.

Yikes. That’s good to know re: Curtis & Terminus. Besides the 737 I’m also going to give lone peak a hard look

vno.helix · Dec 28, 2024

Just like the OP I am looking at some of the "finer" options out there.

Question;

Push feed vs control feed. If running AW mags takes priority over anything else, considering they are all offered with AW cut these days, is push or control feed better, more reliable and or smoother and can anyone help me understand why that would be?

Much appreciated

TheOE800 · Dec 28, 2024

vno.helix said:
Just like the OP I am looking at some of the "finer" options out there.

Question;

Push feed vs control feed. If running AW mags takes priority over anything else, considering they are all offered with AW cut these days, is push or control feed better, more reliable and or smoother and can anyone help me understand why that would be?

Much appreciated

If running AW mags reliably is your highest priority it’s not a question of push-feed or CRF, it’s a question of lug engagement and the American Rifle Co. Coup de Grâce is the answer.

Nik H · Dec 28, 2024

TheOE800 said:
As a percentage of the cost of the action, since AI only sells complete rifles, AI is a better deal though the last AI bolt body I bought cost only about 2x a BAT bolt nose.

The BODY is 2X. A complete bolt assembly is $1,300

HD1911 · Dec 28, 2024

Nik H said:
The BODY was 2X. A complete bolt assembly is $1,300

Can someone even get a RH AXSR striker assembly anymore? I haven’t found one in a long time… been waiting awhile for it.

Nik H · Dec 28, 2024

HD1911 said:
Can you even get a RH AXSR striker assembly anymore? I haven’t found one in a long time… been waiting awhile for it.

Not sure what is still available. I am LH, so I bought everything early (3 bolt bodies and a spare shroud assembly). I still haven't bought the AXSR..LOL.

HD1911 · Dec 28, 2024

Nik H said:
Not sure what is still available. I am LH, so I bought everything early (3 bolt bodies and a spare shroud assembly). I still haven't bought the AXSR..LOL.

smart move, LOL

TheOE800 · Dec 28, 2024

Nik H said:
The BODY is 2X. A complete bolt assembly is $1,300

What does that have to do with a BAT bolt NOSE? Add the BAT modular handle and complete firing pin for another $540 to make a complete bolt.

HD1911 said:
Can someone even get a RH AXSR striker assembly anymore? I haven’t found one in a long time… been waiting awhile for it.

Got one a couple months ago.

OREGUN · Dec 28, 2024

Borden.

HerCoStarNTheBeaverPictur · Dec 28, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
I have four controlled round feed actions. I don't know if they really feed more reliably. A couple years ago the theory was they fed Dasher and BR more reliably because they control the rim of the case. But what I will say is they're more sensitive to magazine height because the cartridge has to come out of that magazine at the right time to slide the rim under the controlling part of the extractor. If anything I think they can have a problem with weak ejection or the case falling off the bolt face while it's still in the action.

What I do appreciate about them is that when you eject your brass the case mouth isn't dented. This is nice when do you want to be able to make sure there's enough clearance in your chamber by sliding a bullet into a fired case mouth. If the mouth of your brass is dented, you won't be able to clear the dent without expanding the neck. And technically you might be able to get away with resizing using only a bushing. Maybe. Or maybe worth it to just mandrel anyway.

When I was looking at the hammerhead yesterday I was thinking that's really nice action but 1900 bucks and all your brass is going to come out with dented necks, lol. But seriously, I wouldn't choose an action over control round feed versus push feed.

Are you saying all push feed actions dent case necks? Because that has not been my experience

4O6shootist · Dec 28, 2024

vno.helix said:
Just like the OP I am looking at some of the "finer" options out there.

Question;

Push feed vs control feed. If running AW mags takes priority over anything else, considering they are all offered with AW cut these days, is push or control feed better, more reliable and or smoother and can anyone help me understand why that would be?

Much appreciated

I have cdg, fuzion, tl3 aw cut mags. They feed the best from the CDG, this is br gt creed. However the fuzion with proper mag height runs creed and X47 just as good. The tl3 runs creed cases fine from aw, but gt mags sometimes hangup going into battery, that's from a Gray ops gt aw mag.

K80/6.5 · Dec 28, 2024

Just watching impact shooting guy on YouTube he seems to have feeding issues with his Bat he never makes a big deal of it but if you watch him shooting he seems to have issues with it more than I have issues with my impact. Could be mag related or chassis related but I have noticed it after watching videos.

vno.helix · Dec 28, 2024

Thank you gentlemen.

I cant complain about my CDG, it runs flawless with AW mags. However, those high end 2 lugs seem so much smoother. Could very well be I am chasing an illusion.

I was wondering if controlled feed would be more sensitive due to cartridge pickup being more involving then a push feed. I had put the Defiant Deviant as my nr 1 to try but it looks like my safest bet to run AW trouble free in a 2 lug would be a Fuzion.

4O6shootist · Dec 28, 2024

HerCoStarNTheBeaverPictur said:
Are you saying all push feed actions dent case necks? Because that has not been my experience

Most push feeds that use a spring/plunger ejector can/will dent case necks upon ejection, how you work the action has a big influence. A mechanical ejector like Kelbly uses will not.

I was just at the range earlier shooting my fuzion, 25x47, ai AW mags, with a BnA tacsport trigger. That thing runs so damn fn smooth! You don't even know if it stripped a round from the mag.

reelserious · Dec 28, 2024

Impact 737 is all i use. 90 deg guy. Master race

bodhisafa · Sunday at 4:43 PM

Is the igniter from BAT an AW cut ?

4O6shootist · Sunday at 9:01 PM

bodhisafa said:
Is the igniter from BAT an AW cut ?

Negative, aics.

bodhisafa · Sunday at 10:13 PM

Who makes an AW cut with mechanical ejector ?

JR1200W3 · Sunday at 10:26 PM

ARC CDG. Three lug to feed out of an AW mag as well

King_beardsly · Sunday at 10:32 PM

bodhisafa said:
Who makes an AW cut with mechanical ejector ?

Zermatt TL3 is mechanical ejection and can be had with a AW cuts

4O6shootist · 2025-01-20T06:20:12-0500

bodhisafa said:
Who makes an AW cut with mechanical ejector ?

ARC Cous De Grace,
Kelbly Prometheus
Zermatt TL3 are the 3 that come mind.

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