American Rifle Company New Archimedes Action, New Xylo Chassis, and major Mausingfield revision

[Ledzep]

If I remember I can check next time I stop by a family member's place. He's got a trigger pull scale. I know the TT special in my nucleus I was able to get well below what I'm comfortable with. I usually like them in the 1.5-2lb range, so it wouldn't surprise me if it was 1lb or less.

 

[hereinaz]

If I remember I can check next time I stop by a family member's place. He's got a trigger pull scale. I know the TT special in my nucleus I was able to get well below what I'm comfortable with. I usually like them in the 1.5-2lb range, so it wouldn't surprise me if it was 1lb or less.

My two diamonds will go well below a pound on two of my Nukes.

 

[DanGTG]

Thanks for the feedback, I think I'll go with the Special.

 

[tomcatfan]

My two diamonds will go well below a pound on two of my Nukes.

Same here. I sold my timney calvin elite after I compared it to the diamond on my Nuke. The diamond is easily the best trigger I own or have ever used.

 

[NWnewguy]

Same here. I sold my timney calvin elite after I compared it to the diamond on my Nuke. The diamond is easily the best trigger I own or have ever used.

I agree that the diamond is the tits on the ARC actions, but I also have a BnA that works and feels very good as well. Price is about the same but you can get the BnA in a 2 stage which some guys prefer.

 

[TheOE800]

I agree that the diamond is the tits on the ARC actions, but I also have a BnA that works and feels very good as well. Price is about the same but you can get the BnA in a 2 stage which some guys prefer.

I'll probably sell my Geissele and wait for the TT two stage trigger.

 

[BeAccurate]

There's a discussion going on in the other thread about how the Bighorn Origin has had an understandable stacking tolerance issue with the fact that it has a non-integral recoil lug.

Now that the Mausingfield is moving to a similar setup, will prefit shouldered barrels that are min. SAAMI spec run into the same issue?

More generally, I might be alone but I feel like with these revisions the Mausingfield offers less of a value proposition than it did before. The feature set now seems less distinguishable from comparable custom actions that cost anywhere from $200 to $500 less.

 

[tomcatfan]

There's a discussion going on in the other thread about how the Bighorn Origin has had an understandable stacking tolerance issue with the fact that it has a non-integral recoil lug.

Now that the Mausingfield is moving to a similar setup, will prefit shouldered barrels that are min. SAAMI spec run into the same issue?

More generally, I might be alone but I feel like with these revisions the Mausingfield offers less of a value proposition than it did before. The feature set now seems less distinguishable from comparable custom actions that cost anywhere from $200 to $500 less.

While I completely agree about the Mausingfield, the nuke doesn’t have an integrated recoil lug and people make shouldered prefits. I think you can manage recoil lugs and shouldered prefits.

 

[Skunkworx]

While I completely agree about the Mausingfield, the nuke doesn’t have an integrated recoil lug and people make shouldered prefits. I think you can manage recoil lugs and shouldered prefits.

My nuke didn’t headspace correctly with a shouldered pva prefit. So it’s not black and white.

 

[tomcatfan]

My nuke didn’t headspace correctly with a shouldered pva prefit. So it’s not black and white.

Well I need to do more research. I haven’t heard of that issue, what did Josh say the issue was?

 

[Skunkworx]

He hasn’t had a chance to inspect it yet. I’m shipping it out soon shortly.

 

[tripingram]

In a email from ARC I believe they are going to keep the integral lug on the Mausingfield.

 

[tomcatfan]

In a email from ARC I believe they are going to keep the integral lug on the Mausingfield.

That's probably the right call. Otherwise I would expect ARC to drop the price of that action significantly. Without an integrated lug, what does the mausingfield have over the nuke to justify the price difference?

 

[ThePretzel]

That's probably the right call. Otherwise I would expect ARC to drop the price of that action significantly. Without an integrated lug, what does the mausingfield have over the nuke to justify the price difference?

The only real significant difference would be the full Mauser claw on it, but I don't personally see that as being worth $600.

I wonder if Ted will put a heavier firing pin spring on the Archimedes compared to the Nucleus since the lack of primary extraction cams will make the bolt lift lighter from the get go.

 

[TSpork]

He hasn’t had a chance to inspect it yet. I’m shipping it out soon shortly.

Did you figure that out by installing it and checking with a headspace gauge? Or was there some other indicator that tipped you off

 

[Skunkworx]

Did you figure that out by installing it and checking with a headspace gauge? Or was there some other indicator that tipped you off

It wouldn’t close on a go gauge. It was really tight to close on virgin brass. I couldn’t get factory rounds to chamber. I had to modify a shell holder so I could bump my virgin brass shoulder back 4 additional thousands (keep in mind virgin brass is pretty much at minimum spec) to get the bolt to close.

Once I did all that I was able to use it, but if I can’t take advantage of running factory ammo from time to time I don’t really see the benefit of running a 6.5cm

 

[Ledzep]

I would say he's running on the tight side.

Apples to oranges here, but I have 2 barloc shouldered barrels that I chambered myself. The tennon length on them is the same, and the case (or HS gauge) exposure out of the breech face is within .001" on them.

My PVA prefit .308 barrel has the same tennon length but has .007" more case exposure ( shorter head space). With the barloc it works out because it expands to fit. Not all barlocs are the exact same thickness I'm sure, too. That's why I say apples to oranges, but mine had HS on the tight side also.

 

[earthtrekker1775]

Shoot, I just returned from a hiatus from SH, saw this thread and got all excited to pre-order an Archimedes action and Xylo chassis and it looks like I missed the deadline for the discount.

That chassis looks like a winner and the Archimedes looks like a great place to start my next build.

 

[moshek]

Earthtrekker1775, Did you pre-order the Archimedes in SA or LA , and what cartridge do you plan building it with? Curious minds...

 

[D2junky]

I know when I swapped from a barrel nut type Barloc with coned washer to a more “proper” setup with the coned recoil lug (they were unavailable at the time i originally got my nuke) it would NOT drop back in the bedding. I bed my lugs tight (flame away all you want I’ve never NOT had one shoot) so the second lug HAD to have been thicker by some small margin. I ground out bedding as I switched back to a shouldered barrel. I SHOULD have measured them when I had them apart but at that point I didn’t really care.

 

[earthtrekker1775]

Earthtrekker1775, Did you pre-order the Archimedes in SA or LA , and what cartridge do you plan building it with? Curious minds...

I am planning a SA, 6.5CM build and at the moment I haven't preordered yet as my famous indecision is in full gear. Torn between the Archimedes and the Bighorn TL3. I have time to do my homework.

 

[moshek]

I am planning a SA, 6.5CM build and at the moment I haven't preordered yet as my famous indecision is in full gear. Torn between the Archimedes and the Bighorn TL3. I have time to do my homework.

Those both look like good choices, enjoy the process ahead. Being new to precision rifles I don’t have proven experience that would add anything. I have a deposit on the Archimedes SA pre-buy, planning 6CM.

 

[earthtrekker1775]

Those both look like good choices, enjoy the process ahead. Being new to precision rifles I don’t have proven experience that would add anything. I have a deposit on the Archimedes SA pre-buy, planning 6CM.

Well you are in one of the best places to get knowledge and what you learn on the Hide will pay off big when you get to the best place to gain experience -behind a precision rifle. I havent been active here in a while but I have been around for a while, I have yet to find a more consistently excellent resource for precision shooting sports.

 

[W33b8t1]

Hi, any new updates to this? I registered here recently. I used to have an account on the old website, maybe it got deleted cause it was inactive for so long, who knows.

Anyway I was wanting to build a .338 Lapua AI with about a 28-30" bbl, so a few weeks ago I put a deposit on a Mausingfield bolt action. I liked the features it had. But after doing that I started reading about all the 2019 chaos and small shank bbls and action diameters and this and that and now I am maybe thinking I didn't plan very well in my action choice.

I sent an email to customer service a couple weeks ago asking questions, but never got a reply.

I guess my bottom line question is still the same, did I buy the wrong action for this cartridge?

 

[TheMammoth]

Hi, any new updates to this? I registered here recently. I used to have an account on the old website, maybe it got deleted cause it was inactive for so long, who knows.

Anyway I was wanting to build a .338 Lapua AI with about a 28-30" bbl, so a few weeks ago I put a deposit on a Mausingfield bolt action. I liked the features it had. But after doing that I started reading about all the 2019 chaos and small shank bbls and action diameters and this and that and now I am maybe thinking I didn't plan very well in my action choice.

I sent an email to customer service a couple weeks ago asking questions, but never got a reply.

I guess my bottom line question is still the same, did I buy the wrong action for this cartridge?

The Mausingfield is a really nice action. Beyond that you will have to decide. The explosion in people interested in precision shooting has left a lot of companies scrambling to keep up.

 

[Steel head]

If he makes a bolt head for it the action it will certainly handle it.
I’d definitely do a shouldered barrel for it though.

 

[NICETRY]

Hi, any new updates to this? I registered here recently. I used to have an account on the old website, maybe it got deleted cause it was inactive for so long, who knows.

Anyway I was wanting to build a .338 Lapua AI with about a 28-30" bbl, so a few weeks ago I put a deposit on a Mausingfield bolt action. I liked the features it had. But after doing that I started reading about all the 2019 chaos and small shank bbls and action diameters and this and that and now I am maybe thinking I didn't plan very well in my action choice.

I sent an email to customer service a couple weeks ago asking questions, but never got a reply.

I guess my bottom line question is still the same, did I buy the wrong action for this cartridge?

Go with the Mausingfield. I had a 338 Lapua built last year with a Mausingfield action and it’s very nice.

 

[ogrepraxy]

What is the LOP range on the Xylo?

Having a 79” wingspan, I need a 16” LOP. So I inquired about this, and Jon said the Xylos rods will get you out to 15.5” and that they’d provide longer rods for knuckle draggers like myself.

 

[pyplynr]

Will the long action Archimedes work with CIP length magazines? Looking to do a 300 PRC.

 

[TPatz]

Has anybody heard any updates on what changes ARC has settled on for the Xylo chassis?

 

[021411]

I think I'm going to place a deposit on an Archimedes. From reading the BARLOC stuff, should I skip making a note for them to install a BARLOC specific (conical) recoil lug when they assemble?

 

[TSpork]

I think I'm going to place a deposit on an Archimedes. From reading the BARLOC stuff, should I skip making a note for them to install a BARLOC specific (conical) recoil lug when they assemble?

From the PVA thread, ARC is going to discontinue making the Barloc

 

[Steel head]

From the PVA thread, ARC is going to discontinue making the Barloc

Talking to ARC about a week or two ago they said they have them back in a couple of months.

 

[Dooby]

I wonder if they'll let me exchange/return/refund (free of charge and free shipping) the Barloc I bought a month before they pulled it from their site. Haven't even used it, was gonna be for my Archimedes build.

 

[Skunkworx]

Did they ever officially come out and say why they stopped production?

 

[Dooby]

Not publicly. Only pass downs from SH members and the recent email.

 

[mirage98]

From the PVA thread, ARC is going to discontinue making the Barloc

I read something different. From the PVA thread, it looks like PVA has decided to convert orders with a barloc to a shouldered install, until ARC reintroduces the barloc.

I would be upset if my order was changed without my approval. This seems like a push on their end.

But an update from ARC would be nice........ (And what concerns, if any should existing owners be aware of).

 

[021411]

Thanks for the info. Looks like I’ll just stick to the standard setup.

 

[021411]

Finally placed my pre-order on the Archimedes. Wish I would have taken advantage of the presale but oh well. This gives me an opportunity to save my lunch money in the next 3-4 months. I'm expecting it to be much longer though. I'm in no rush really. I'll be a nice surprise when it's ready.

 

[021411]

For those that went to SHOT or picked Ted’s brain on the action, would a Nucleus prefit fit the Archimedes?

 

[Steel head]

For those that went to SHOT or picked Ted’s brain on the action, would a Nucleus prefit fit the Archimedes?

Everything forward of the bolt handle is identical.

They take the same bolt heads as well.

 

[Ledzep]

Nucleus/Archimedes barrels also fit in Mausingfields and visa/versa.

 

[Steel head]

Nucleus/Archimedes barrels also fit in Mausingfields and visa/versa.

That I didn’t know.

 

[021411]

Thanks. I’m looking at barrels right now for it since I have plenty of time. I noticed LRI sells shouldered Nucleus prefits hence my inquiry.

 

[Steel head]

Thanks. I’m looking at barrels right now for it since I have plenty of time. I noticed LRI sells shouldered Nucleus prefits hence my inquiry.

When my Shilen pre fit wears out a LRI or a bug holes bugnut/barllein barrel with almost certainly be it’s replacement.

 

[021411]

When my Shilen pre fit wears out a LRI or a bug holes bugnut/barllein barrel with almost certainly be it’s replacement.

I’m a fan of Bartlein barrels and I also looked at the Bugnut setup with their small shank prefit service.

 

[Skunkworx]

For those that went to SHOT or picked Ted’s brain on the action, would a Nucleus prefit fit the Archimedes?

Yes, any barrel that works for a nucleus will work with the Archimedes

 

[021411]

Yes, any barrel that works for a nucleus will work with the Archimedes

Good deal. Just wanted to make sure the shouldered Nuke prefits would headspace with no issues.

 

[Cody S]

It is a fair question. The striker spring is used to bias the handle in the forward position. If you pull the handle back and let go of it, it springs forward. So no slop.

I'll try and provide more info soon, like tomorrow, but I'm still busy preparing for shot. Nevertheless, I have attached a picture below of what you can do to a case after it has been hammered, with and actual hammer, into a chamber that it wasn't designed for. This was done by first hammering a swollen 6.5 CM case into a 6x47 chamber and then screwing the barrel into the Archimedes action until the case head contacted the bolt face. Pulling really hard on the bolt handle resulted in a broken rim. I then rotated the barrel by 180 degrees and pushed the bolt forward to take another bite. I pulled really hard again and, voila, another piece of rim breaks off.

The wonderful thing about this concept is that the force you exert on the bolt handle is reacted by your shoulder. You can use a good bolt handle to pull the rifle into your shoulder really really hard and, on the other end, this force can only be reacted by the stuck case, which will either pop out of the chamber or fail structurally, i.e. the rim breaks off. The limit is now the case and not you.

The rotary cam extraction of the now "conventional" actions works only if the case isn't stuck in the chamber too badly. Beyond that and a hammer of some sort is required.

In my opinion, the Archimedes completes the bolt action, at least conceptually. If it's not a game changer in the bolt action world, then nothing is.

TedView attachment 7007769View attachment 7007770

bahahaha the extractor sure took a bite outa that rim! extraction shouldn't be a problem out of these.
I'm going to take my time ordering one, still too smitten on my mausingfield.
ted, your actions are like stride gum...
maybe the flavor does last too long?...

 

[Tactical Taz]

I need to get out of my preorder spot for an archimedes if anyone is interested. Ordered on the first day of the preorder.