Does Zermatt machine their own bolt assemblies?
Ray normally pops into this thread and answers questions. Any word why he's MIA here?
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Does Zermatt machine their own bolt assemblies?
Ray normally pops into this thread and answers questions. Any word why he's MIA here?
@padom of your 50,000 rounds, how many tensions/extractors have you replaced due to wear? I knew of some competitors swapping them out every 2000 rounds or so to not have any issues with a round not being stuck.
No, there was no mention of what could be causing this issue.Did Ray tell you what is causing the issue?
You'll be surprised thenThe people asking for RimX to make changes to the design of the action so it uses extractors I just dont see happening. Thats the whole reason the RimX design exists was a new design that didnt require timing and cutting extractors and setting headspace for specific ammo... If that happens, prefits are out the window and you have yourself a Vudoo. Every action will need to be sent to a gunsmith for the barrel to be properly timed and extractor grooves cut and you WILL have to set headspace based off your ammo of choice.. There is no way around that if you go the extractor groove route....
Maybe Zermatt comes out with a new bolt head that comes with traditional extractors for people to purchase and then you can send your action and new bolt head off to a smith to have them fit, time, headspace and cut extractor grooves... That barrel is married to that action only forever and prefits are out the window until you swap back to the original bolt head....
Not something Id do and dont find it necessary but gives more options to the people that demand it...
Thanks for that update.I'm sorry for the delay for those awaiting a reply. As was stated, we were all out for SHOT last week and are getting our feet beneath us now with a day and change back in the shop.
I greatly appreciate the feedback the majority of you have provided about Zermatt as a whole and myself, personally. It's great to see that positivity even when there are concerns to be worked through.
We've been working on sorting out the concerns of bolt wear now for a while and feel like we're getting closer to a final solution for those concerns, but have some further testing to conduct when we have final processed parts in hand. Currently, we've got bolt bodies out for a new process to change the material state in an attempt to remove the concern of bolt gouging. When we have them back from that process, they'll go out for one more process to yield us the final form of the part we're looking for.
We're not going to get into the weeds and address every comment made on the matter for a multitude of reasons. Hopefully that can be understood silently.
We've been able (as has been identified in this thread) to rectify the stiff bolt operation some have experienced by replacing those bolts with our current revision bolt body. But, we want to ensure that we eliminate the possibility of this happening moving forward, so we've taken a deep dive into the bolt body on the RimX. Not only are we exploring some material state changes, but we've changed the geometry on the leading edge of the affected area to drastically increase the amount of surface area that will interact with the receiver at the initial contact point. Combined, we believe we can greatly reduce if not eliminate the possibility of the gouging occurring as well as improve the overall function of the RimX as it's designed today.
For those holding extreme concern over the situation, please rest assured that we're actively working on addressing these concerns through product improvements on multiple levels.
We appreciate those of you with patience and grace on the matter. We will continue to provide the market with a high tier product for folks seeking such a thing.
Respectfully - Ray
I'd like to see a round "just jump in front of the bolt" I have two RimX rifles (TS Customs/Bartliens) one with 18,000+ (finishing up that 4th case) and one with 2500ish.@padom brings up many good points and info about the Rim-X bolt head and how it's designed to not rely on headspace interference fit between bolt face and barrel. It's a genius design but has its Achilles heel when a round jumps in front. Mag fitment and chassis compatibility is key. I've only had the Rim-X jam on me 7 times, mostly from a new shooter using my rifle or slow bolt manipulation during a COF. It unfortunately has costed me a few 22X matches.
Being able to square up the bolt face and traditionally headspace the action has made major improvements in reliability along with now the ability to adapt the Rim-X to a single shot benchrest which I am testing at the moment. Groups shot are 10 shot groups at 51 yards using our DPG barrel. I no longer use reamers to cut my chambers now and can profile any chamber design for testing with superior chamber finishes and virtually zero tooling marks.
Exactly! What you just stated is in my experience the #1 issue for malfunctioning of the RimX during matches.I'd like to see a round "just jump in front of the bolt" I have two RimX rifles (TS Customs/Bartliens) one with 18,000+ (finishing up that 4th case) and one with 2500ish.
#1 is extremely slick, when the bolt is open, and your moving to a new position the bolt can move forward and push the round partially to entirely out of the magazine. Do not pull back on the bolt, establish your position, close the bolt and go on. Understand your equipment.
What does that have to do with your zermatt action? So your posting on SH asking for a fix and never picked up the phone and called the manufacturer??
I figured that was the case
Exactly! What you just stated is in my experience the #1 issue for malfunctioning of the RimX during matches.
… or you could pay better attention repositioning the rifle during stages when you move with a open bolt. The bolt has to stay back.Sounds like MCR and DPG each came up with a fix for that.
You’re also not getting the top quality barrel work either. You do your rubber band thing.… or you could pay better attention repositioning the rifle during stages when you move with a open bolt. The bolt has to stay back.
A rubber band could do the trick
It’s slightly cheaper as the DPG or MCR version as well.
If a rubber band is too embarrassing for you to use, design a spring detent.You’re also not getting the top quality barrel work either. You do your rubber band thing.
I don’t have a problem with using a rubber band, but than again, I have no issues paying for a quality smith.If a rubber band is too embarrassing for you to use, design a spring detent.
Or learn to change positions without bolt movement.
Lots of great barrels out there without tension / extractor slots.
I don’t have a problem with using a rubber band, but than again, I have no issues paying for a quality smith.
You’re still deflecting the main issue that this was known back in July, and nothing from the manufacturer was said until recently. That just admitted they are still working on it. Calling them does nothing.
How many of these went out the door knowing there were issues with the hardness?
A rubber band doesn’t fix sending out parts that were known to be defective.
I never said only one shop. MCR is another, and I’m sure there are plenty of others. Those are 2 I’ve owned.Wait, are you here talking about only one shop produces quality RimX barrels?
Or only guys with modified bolts with extractors have problem free RimX's??
Or are here to bash a longtime commercial supporter that you didn't pick up the phone and call for a resolution??
I'm confused...but tread lightly
This problem has nothing to do with the mod. My whole team met Ray in person at SHOT 2025 and handed him a brand new Rim-X action I purchased days prior from Altus never opened, as clients where being told is how we manipulate or build the rifle.Or only guys with modified bolts with extractors have problem free RimX's??
You’re also not getting the top quality barrel work either. You do your rubber band thing.
This problem has nothing to do with the mod. My whole team met Ray in person at SHOT 2025 and handed him a brand new Rim-X action I purchased days prior from Altus never opened, as clients where being told is how we manipulate or build the rifle.
It gouged within 10 cycles when Ray manipulated and shared their QC process
I can sit here and share dozens of emails we received sharing the same expirence from many reputable shops, pro shooters and comon consumers. It still won't change some folks blindness defending. Again, regardless who builds the rifle. It forces accountability on anyone using/buying/resale/ or custom building a Rim-X on the product they use or produce. Their is no harm sharing awareness and proven facts. Unfortunately it has taken to these measures publicly to make the changes, or better said, undo the changes that where made without the consumers knowing. Since announcing, progress in the right direction has been made within days.
I was referring to off the shelf pre-fits compared to a custom smith barrel.No you didn't say that, you said this... are you implying who did his barrel isn't top notch???
I was referring to off the shelf pre-fits compared to a custom smith barrel.
Nothing directed at anyone here particular but on the subject matter brought attention. I can see how quoting you can be perceived that way. My apologies, theirs a saying however, "Throw a rock at a pack of dogs, the one that yelps is the one you've hit"Who said a word to you about anything in your post? I know ive never spoken to you or refuted your claims.
Won't change folks blindness defending? Was that directed towards me I assume??
Because if it was, I will absolutely defend a stand up company with some of the hands down best customer service in the game that ive had a relationship with for many years and $10's of thousands in products in my shop against a member that says he has no obligation to call them or give them the opportunity to make it right and demand answers publicly on a forum @J_D
If it wasn't directed at me, then you can carry on but see you quoted me....
I for one am very glad I saw your video on Utube, when I read that Vudoo had stopped making LH actions I was about to order aLH Rim-X to build. That caused me to start checking everywhere I could think of for a LH Vudoo and got lucky with MTU barreled 360. I really wanted to try a Rim-X as I already have a Vudoo S. Hopefully the bolt issue is resolved soon.This problem has nothing to do with the mod. My whole team met Ray in person at SHOT 2025 and handed him a brand new Rim-X action I purchased days prior from Altus never opened, as clients where being told is how we manipulate or build the rifle.
It gouged within 10 cycles when Ray manipulated and shared their QC process
I can sit here and share dozens of emails we received sharing the same expirence from many reputable shops, pro shooters and comon consumers. It still won't change some folks blindness defending. Again, regardless who builds the rifle. It forces accountability on anyone using/buying/resale/ or custom building a Rim-X on the product they use or produce. Their is no harm sharing awareness and proven facts. Unfortunately it has taken to these measures publicly to make the changes, or better said, undo the changes that where made without the consumers knowing. Since announcing, progress in the right direction has been made within days.
Having personally built and tested over 1400 Rim-X rifles alone
Or one every day for the last 3.8 year. That is impressive considering the RimX has been out for ~ 5 years now.If this number isn't inflated, you've touched half of the RimX actions that have been produced? That's impressive.
If it wasn't for EagleEyeShooting's video I would have never realized my RimX bolt had an issue, not having any context. I compared my bolt (serial # 3179) to my friend's bolts (2100 serial number range). I was very close to buyer's remorse, but Ray from Zermatt has been very helpful and they believe they are close to a workaround with the newer bolt material to end the premature bolt wear. They seem genuinely motivated to solve this problem.I for one am very glad I saw your video on Utube, when I read that Vudoo had stopped making LH actions I was about to order aLH Rim-X to build. That caused me to start checking everywhere I could think of for a LH Vudoo and got lucky with MTU barreled 360. I really wanted to try a Rim-X as I already have a Vudoo S. Hopefully the bolt issue is resolved soon.
Thank you.
I have no doubt that Zermatt will make it right, I’m curious why they changed the material/heat treatment from the original that evidently was working out fine.If it wasn't for EagleEyeShooting's video I would have never realized my RimX bolt had an issue, not having any context. I compared my bolt (serial # 3179) to my friend's bolts (2100 serial number range). I was very close to buyer's remorse, but Ray from Zermatt has been very helpful and they believe they are close to a workaround with the newer bolt material to end the premature bolt wear. They seem genuinely motivated to solve this problem.
Here are the lugs on my original bolt after only approximately 800rds. They have since replaced my original bolt with a new one, but after 600 cycles, I am still seeing the same wear pattern (same bolt material and hardness). I am waiting on the new bolt body with revised cam geometry and hardness to be released.
View attachment 8607973
AGREE 100%Well my bolt is showing wear like all the ones shown on here. Called Zurmatt and talked to them. I believe that Ray is genuinely concerned about this issue and is taking steps to get it corrected ASAP. Even with the bolt issue the rifle is a shooter.
Bad mouthing a product or Smith isn’t the proper way to resolve issues
Good question!I see a lot of talk about bolt lug wear on the newer Rim-Xs, how are the receiver lugs holding up?
Did Ray tell you a fix was coming? What do we do with our worn bolts?AGREE 100%
I have 5 actions - All 3000 and higher serial numbers and all but 1 have the issue.I was wonder
I was wondering the same thing... One video from one shop and we have a problem?? I havent heard a single thing about this from anyone or from any of the shops cranking out RimX's....
Any time frame mentioned?When I spoke to them they would be sending out new bolt bodes a the near future. I did follow up on the phone call with a email and got a quick response about the fix.
Yes, hard especially as compared to Vudoo and other actions! Waiting on Ray to come up with a fix.Are any of these actions exhibiting excessive bolt closer forces? Just looks to be quite a lot of "grind" going on.....
Is yours a custom job? My Vudoo and RimX feel the same.Yes, hard especially as compared to Vudoo and other actions! Waiting on Ray to come up with a fix.
All but 1 is a stock Vudoo build.Is yours a custom job? My Vudoo and RimX feel the same.