^ This x10.
Pretty much my same experience. Try to find people near you who have the action youre interested in, ask them questions, feel the gun out if you can, it saves you the hassle of having to buy it, wait for it, then sell it if you end up not liking it. Figure out what you want most in an action so you can narrow it down.
Local matches are the number 1 spot to check out guns as long as the competitors are willing to let you get handsy (most people are happy to let you check their gun out). I only wish someone was there to tell me that before i started spending money lol.
Be friendly, ask questions, get to know your local competitors, let them know what youre looking for, have fun scoping out the venue and get integrated in your local shooting community while youre at it.
First time I went to a PRS style match, I had no gun and had no intention of shooting, i was just there to check out what builds people were using. Long story short, I got to handle like 10 different guns, and everyone wanted me to shoot their rifle and look down their scope (two of them were practically throwing their gun at me lol). They gave me a spotting scope to watch the competition through, and talked me through all my questions. They couldnt be friendlier and I couldnt be happier.
The same day, I ordered a Lone Peak and then an Impact Precision action.