Barnard SMS action...any info as to quality, suitability for long rifle sport etc.?

[want2learn]

I was looking for a reloading part on the Whidden reloading site and came across this rifle action which is apparently a new action from New Zealand.

The action sounds nice from the description but i've not come across much discussion of the brand on SH. Wondering what people's experience was with the brand and type.

Been saving like crazy, still considering the new Savage long range rifle vs doing a build..

and along comes the new Sako S20....first world problems, i know.

 

[loveha]

Not sure what it offers over something like a Terminus Apollo?

 

[beetroot]

I was looking for a reloading part on the Whidden reloading site and came across this rifle action which is apparently a new action from New Zealand.

The action sounds nice from the description but i've not come across much discussion of the brand on SH. Wondering what people's experience was with the brand and type.

Been saving like crazy, still considering the new Savage long range rifle vs doing a build..

and along comes the new Sako S20....first world problems, i know.

Yes Barnard actions are made in New Zealand, their single single shot actions have been popular with Benchrest, F class, TR and FTR shooters for a long time. Their repeaters on the other hand aren't nearly as common.

I personally wouldnt bother unless you lived in NZ or outside the USA.
With so many great US made actions there is very little reason to buy from overseas, especially considering many of the other actions are tried and tested on hunting and PRS rifles unless you are saving a lot of money I don't see the point.

 

[bpd459]

Greetings,
New poster, long time shooter. I have 5 Barnard based Prone rifles. They are one of the absolute best actions out there. The S action is great.
Good luck
John

 

[GoLong]

Hi I've got one coming for my 6mm Creedmoor build (I live in NZ). Will give a update but look like a great action

 

[want2learn]

very cool,
looking forward to hearing more about your build and your experience with the action.

 

[Atanasius]

If you did not own one, please do not compare them with the others!
Barnard actions are exceptional. They are built like a Swiss vault!

 

[Dogtown]

I'll throw my hat in the ring too - Barnard actions are 100% GTG.

 

[hlee]

If you did not own one, please do not compare them with the others!
Barnard actions are exceptional. They are built like a Swiss vault!

Do you own a Swiss vault? If not, don’t compare...

 

[Atanasius]

Do you own a Swiss vault? If not, don’t compare...

No, I don’t. But I worked with many of them.

 

[GoLong]

So there we go folks.
6mm Creedmoor is finally done (or almost done till the MDT XRS arrives)
- Barnard SMS action
- Bartlein barrel (27 inch)
- Triggertech diamond trigger
- Delta Stryker 4.5-30×56
- MDT HS3 chassis (temporarily until the MDT XRS arrives)
Still contemplating between the terminator brake and the gun warrior shorty silencer.

This barnard action is something you need to cycle yourself to appreciate the absolute precision of it. Absolutely love this thing.

Will report on results. A youtube channel is on the books but we'll see where that goes.

 

[want2learn]

thanks for following up and posting this.....looking forward to your youtube review as well as reviews from others.

 

[68GT]

Barnard SM in 6.5 CM, Extreme CG trigger, Master Class prone stock, Rock 1:8, Premier 5-25 (put this together about 10 years ago) No complaints on anything, action is smooth. I did have to make a mag insert to single feed over the AICS pattern mags.

 

[308pirate]

Barnard SM in 6.5 CM, Extreme CG trigger, Master Class prone stock, Rock 1:8, Premier 5-25 (put this together about 10 years ago) No complaints on anything, action is smooth. I did have to make a mag insert to single feed over the AICS pattern mags.
View attachment 7420007

I want that

It might make me buy another shooting coat from Creedmoor

 

[Frank Green]

Not the S action but I've built two F class rifles on Barnard actions. There is nothing to complain about. Also being 3 lug actions I find them to cam/open the bolt easier then most others. Pictured is my last one built on the Barnard PL. Yes I'm a lefty. Stock is a Manners F class stock. Barrel is a 32" finish length in 300PRC. The triggers are awesome triggers as well. You can use it as a two stage or a single stage but I use all of mine as a two stage. The only thing I did on my was to replace the factory alum handle on the bolt and made a new all stainless steel handle. The one in the picture is the factory handle.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[bodhisafa]

Anyone used the new sms Barnard action to run any of the BR variants?

or know if the bigger bolt body of the Barnard run well in this repeater setup.

 

[GoLong]

I've been running a SMS in 6creed for about 6 months now (one pictured above but now with XRS stock)

It's a hammer. I would say only to run mags with binder rather than non binder mags because the bottom port in the action is a tad too small to run the extra long AOL.
Otherwise I'm very happy. Doesn't really answer your question but thats all I know

 

[bodhisafa]

I've been running a SMS in 6creed for about 6 months now (one pictured above but now with XRS stock)

It's a hammer. I would say only to run mags with binder rather than non binder mags because the bottom port in the action is a tad too small to run the extra long AOL.
Otherwise I'm very happy. Doesn't really answer your question but thats all I know

Have you shot it in matches? If so, any issues with dirt/sand/fine dust?

 

[kthomas]

Interesting.

Barnard makes great actions, from what I hear. Cool to see they are getting more in the repeater game.

I'm curious to hear how the reliability is, and how it handles adverse conditions. Being a company that mostly focuses on benchrest and F-class type disciplines, this is generally not a feature that's usually considered/designed for. Our disciplines can be very hard on rifle actions, seeing the conditions that we do. It took PRS type action manufacturers years to create actions that reliably perform in very adverse conditions.

Personally not a 3 lug/60* bolt lift fan. Interested to see if Barnard tries to get into the PRS/NRL type disciplines.

 

[slick19]

I’ve got a 6.5 CM SMS on order from Whidden now, I think it’s waiting on a JGS reamer. Once I have it in hand I’ll throw some updates in here too.

 

[slick19]

So I got the action this past Monday, and holy shit.
The action was a little choppy at first, but a little bit of oil and grease and about 200 strokes of the bolt and it’s unreal how slick it is. I have a stiller and the difference is laughable

 

[kthomas]

So I got the action this past Monday, and holy shit.
The action was a little choppy at first, but a little bit of oil and grease and about 200 strokes of the bolt and it’s unreal how slick it is. I have a stiller and the difference is laughable

Stiller's do a good job making other actions feel superb.

I've never handled a Barnard, but I've heard nothing but great things. They are very popular in the BR community.

 

[GoLong]

I'm through about 800 rounds and sometimes take the rifle out while watching Netflix just to cycle it. The way it locks, it's just different.

 

[OneMoreNoMore]

Search “mark and sam after work” on YouTube. He has several Barnard rigs, might give you an idea how they run and he talks about the actions in several videos.

 

[bodhisafa]

So I got the action this past Monday, and holy shit.
The action was a little choppy at first, but a little bit of oil and grease and about 200 strokes of the bolt and it’s unreal how slick it is. I have a stiller and the difference is laughable

Choppy? Could you elaborate

 

[slick19]

It was a little sticky at first, sharp edges and whatnot. But here, 200 strokes of the bolt later and it’s phenomenal

 

[WhiskeyWebber]

I have one with a 6xc Bartlein spun up by Mac Tilton and it's great. It's been reliable in regular matches. I can't speak to extreme conditions because I don't shoot in extreme dust or mud. I've never had a misfeed with it and I agree that the cycling movement has a dense smoothness to it. I'm faster with it than my Sakos and R700.

It got runover by an RO at a match driving a Mazda 3 so I've since named the rifle "Mazda 3". It never skipped a beat and is still accurate 10 yrs later.

 

[bodhisafa]

Anyone try a Barnard action and went back to another manufacturer?