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Big Horn action

[email protected]

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 11, 2012
711
3
32
In spite of surgeon being hard to get, im thinking about trying a different action; Either Bighorn or Deffiance Rebel.

Whats the deal with the Bighorn, does the free floating still offer great lock up and reliable accuracy? Also if i were to get this action with a manners stock with mini chassis, would i get the remington 700 or surgeon 591? Or would I have to have it custom inletted by a gunsmith?
 
Re: Big Horn action

I just ordered this action and was wondering about the same thing. Also I hope you don't mind me asking here is the stock different or have to be modified for the straight bolt handle ?I notice some stocks cut outs are swept back .
Sorry to hijack.
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Easy_E</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just ordered this action and was wondering about the same thing. Also ope you don't mind me asking here is the stock different or have to be modified for the straight bolt handle ?I notice some stocks cut outs are swept back .
Sorry to hijack.</div></div>

Great action, the machine quality is phenomenal. I have been fortunate enough to spend some time with AJ in the machine shop talking about action design.

These guys have a great thing going. The best of remington and savage design together with real focus on improved action body stiffness.

The impact to stock selection is minimal, if the bolt handle cutout is so tight as to interfere with the straight handle, modification is usually really easy to accomplish.
 
Re: Big Horn action

Bighorn is a fantastic action. AJ is a shooter and has put alot of work into his actions. One of the things that stuck with me is how much thought/work he put into the bolt including hardening the metal or the grade of metals to keep the bolt from galling. It is all about making the best action possible not cutting corners to save a few bucks in the manufacturing process.
I have seen alot and shot alot of them at the matches I shoot around here. They are top shelf all the way.
 
Re: Big Horn action

Bighorn would be tough to match, very tough to beat. Floating bolt head is designed FOR accuracy and lockup. Think about what is "trued" up on a factory Rem action and why.

IIRC, the inlet would vary by "generation". The LA Bighorn "under my mattress" required a lug spacer block to fit my AICS- a feature I liked for the added tenon length for my 9ish lb barrel.
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .300 AT&T</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is a phenomenal action. Made like a swiss watch. Very accurate. </div></div>

My thoughts exactly. I am using one for my current build.
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Regards,
Paul
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buckey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What triggers are you guys runnin on your Bighorn action built rifles?? </div></div>

Both of my Bighorns have Timney 511-U's (the LH version of the 510-U).

My 6.5CM is about 1/2way through its second barrel in as many years, I couldn't be happier with it or the CS that has come from AJ and Diane.

Both of them are the most accurate rifles that I've ever owned and I own a number of full custom builds either built by myself or other builders.
 
Re: Big Horn action

I might have to go with a big horn instead of the hard to find 591. What is the price for one of their actions?
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mine isn't the new style with the integrated lug. It's also in a Manners mini chassis. I'm using a Huber trigger in mine. </div></div>

Is that an APA mag release? I was wondering if you could mod the mini-chassis to use that style.
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigNoise</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mine isn't the new style with the integrated lug. It's also in a Manners mini chassis. I'm using a Huber trigger in mine. </div></div>

Is that an APA mag release? I was wondering if you could mod the mini-chassis to use that style.</div></div>

No sir. It is one of Randy's (HateCA here on the hide) for the badger M5 DBM.
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlouie87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I might have to go with a big horn instead of the hard to find 591. What is the price for one of their actions? </div></div>

1250.00 straight from Bighorn. Delivery is quite fast.
grin.gif


Regards,
Paul
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buckey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a stock inletted & pilar bedded for a Surgeon 1086 - wonder how one of the new BigHorn SL2 actions would fit into it??</div></div>

I bet it would be real close
 
Re: Big Horn action

Thinking of calling AJ & talking to him about sending my stock to him to see how closely his SR2 action fits into this stock.

I know a gunsmith could remove/re-do the bedding work but this bedding job is top-notch. I would hate to get rid of it & have to start over (gunsmithing wise & money wise).

I really want to use a 1086 action for this build, but from the sounds of it, they won't be available for any time soon!!
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buckey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thinking of calling AJ & talking to him about sending my stock to him to see how closely his SR2 action fits into this stock.

I know a gunsmith could remove/re-do the bedding work but this bedding job is top-notch. I would hate to get rid of it & have to start over (gunsmithing wise & money wise).

I really want to use a 1086 action for this build, but from the sounds of it, they won't be available for any time soon!! </div></div>

I suspect you're going to need to do some work around the rear tang big time.

The point of bedding is to get a great fit on the action, I wouldn't bother taking a stock and rebedding it from 1 1086 to another 1086 or one bighorn to another bighorn of the same type, but to have the kind of money in a custom-actioned rifle that we all do I think it's penny-wise and pound-foolish to avoid getting the rifle rebedded properly when switching out something as important as tang geometry.
 
Re: Big Horn action

bohem:

I completely understand & agree. Like I said, I really want a 1086 action but the wait looks LONG!!

I'll probably just order a new stock inletted for the Bighorn action - this will insure a correct fit.

Thanks for your thoughts & help!!
 
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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rtc111</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what is the wait time looking for the Surgeon 1086? Im having my gunsmith trying to hunt one down for my 300 win mag build. </div></div>

Last I heard it was 8 to 10 months....

From Surgeon's website:

"Current backlog on actions is undetermined. Actions that are surplus

to our rifle building meeds are sold as the become available."
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Danhalen7.62</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The new receivers AJ's releasing with the built in recoil lug are a straight drop in to Remington 700 stocks/chasis as well...</div></div>

I have a T6A on order for a Remington short action and cut out for the Surgeon bottom metal. Saying that this is a drop in fit for it would i need to call and get the cutout for the bolt handle in the stock done for the striaght handle on the Bighorn and will the bolt release be above the stockline?
 
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My next S/A will be a Bighorn. Compared my buddies Bighorn side by side to my Stiller Tac30, and there is no comaprison on how "beefy" the bighorn is compared to my Tac30. It wasnt even close. Beefy action = more consistant shooting. Consistant shooting is the name of the game.

AND thats to say nothing of the floating bolt head design the Bighorn offers.

A bit more money up front, but well worth it me thinks.

Regards,
DT
 
Re: Big Horn action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dan Tucker</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Danhalen7.62</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The new receivers AJ's releasing with the built in recoil lug are a straight drop in to Remington 700 stocks/chasis as well...</div></div>

I have a T6A on order for a Remington short action and cut out for the Surgeon bottom metal. Saying that this is a drop in fit for it would i need to call and get the cutout for the bolt handle in the stock done for the striaght handle on the Bighorn and will the bolt release be above the stockline? </div></div>

I in no way represent Bighorn and do not want to answer your question without knowing for certain, But you know who would...

AJ Goddard
[email protected]
303-655-8405

Give him a call, you will be glad you did.
 
I had Phoenix Custom Rifles put a 20" Bartlein 5R, 1/10 twist, 5/8 x 24 threaded end on my Bighorn action. The Bighorn Action really is a work of art, AJ does incredible work. Everything about this action screams attention to detail and quality, I'm amazed at how smooth the action is.

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Had a chance to walk around the shop with AJ and see his work....wow !

The only other action that seems in the same class is AI. Had I not gone that route it would be a Bighorn

Diane and AJ are flat good wholesome people to thier core !
 
Is Bighorn taking orders again? I went on their website last week, and thought I saw a note saying that they weren't accepting any new orders...

Also, do you know if these are offered in Left hand?

I'd love to build on one of these...

Thank you
 
I ordered mine in January, quoted 3 months. Called in April and was told 3 weeks. Still waiting.

One of the original selling points to me were no horror stories of waiting to get an action in hand.
 
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I think ALL of the good action builders are backed up. I just called Defiance this afternoon regarding a Deviant....16 weeks minimum. Sixteen probably means twenty... snow will be blowing here by the time I get it in hand.

The idea is to pick up the pieces little, by little, Easier on the bank account that way. But I hate the wait.
 
I have 2 TL2's that I ordered from AJ one 7WSM one soon to be 6 comp match, he was spot on his lead time. Have an SR2 ordered now, his leads are far shorter than most. Should have by end of July first of August, just in time to have new hunting rig built b4 season. These actions are my new favorite & it doesn't hurt that AJ & Diane are good peeps to boot!
 
Ive got a build on the first gen Big Horn and now a build on the 2nd gen action. Both are extremely accurate shooters and I really like how they are done.
They are smooth, robust, and easy to service if you need to do so. I run Timney 517 triggers in mine (510 with flat shoe).
 
I have a first generation Big Horn on my 260 tactical build which I have had for about 18 months and 1900 rounds. It is absolutely top quality and much smoother to operate than my Stiller TAC 30 and Remington 700s. My 5 shot groups average about .3 MOA using a standard Palma contour barrel. I have another build in progress using the Big Horn. I am using a Jewell trigger in both. I am totally satisfied with this action.