Gunsmithing Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

wnroscoe

wnroscoe

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 12, 2006
3,907
56
NW Louisiana
#1
Just spun two barrels up for two Big Horns headed to CA. Krieger Palma Contour's, .260 Rem. chambers.

Quality of the receivers are very high, as per usuall with any thing AJ does. First class all the way. Just trying to give props to AJ, thanks.
 
#5
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYS338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought one when they first came out. Built a 308 on a Sentinel stock and I love it. </div></div>

That's a dream rifle!
 
#7
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

My Bighorn has been nothing short of excellent, and AJ's been fantastic to deal with.

So much so that between myself and a friend there are several more ordered.



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been planning on a Surgeon action build next year, but leaning very hard on changing to a Bighorn. </div></div>

You won't regret either, however since I'm a lefty there's no foreseeable time when I'll own a Surgeon.
 
#8
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

I am a huge fan of AJ's action. After three of them you can not be.

243 AI
M1530007.jpg


Lefty GAP 7wsm
M1570002.jpg


7 SAUM AI
M1440016.jpg
 
#10
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

AJ does an excellent job. I had an extra barrel that was originally fitted to one of AJ's actions, then I bought another action from AJ. It not only timed up correctly, but the headspace was perfect. AJ's actions are machined so well that I feel confident doing spinning on his actions to other barrels fitted to his action.

Mark
 
#11
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> You won't regret either, however since I'm a lefty there's no foreseeable time when I'll own a Surgeon. </div></div>

Not to hijack the thread, but from what I hear, it won't be as long as we all expected for the lefty Surgeons.
 
#12
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> You won't regret either, however since I'm a lefty there's no foreseeable time when I'll own a Surgeon. </div></div>

Not to hijack the thread, but from what I hear, it won't be as long as we all expected for the lefty Surgeons. </div></div>

That's good news, thanks for the heads up.
 
#14
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

Has anyone else had trouble with the cases not being ejected? Had two in front of me down at RO for the bash, both of them would not eject if you ran the bolt to fast. It would just drop it right back in the action.
I will say it was one of the smoothest actions I've ever felt.
 
#15
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trigger time</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Has anyone else had trouble with the cases not being ejected? Had two in front of me down at RO for the bash, both of them would not eject if you ran the bolt to fast. It would just drop it right back in the action.
I will say it was one of the smoothest actions I've ever felt. </div></div>

I heard it was a left hand action, this was the same problem Surgeon had, the solution was a small adjustment to the back of the ejection port to upset the brass coming out. Not being there I can't say but I have seen other actions do this.

Also I heard one had a ejection issue was from a blown primer, which if they zapped the plunger that can happen to anything blowing the primers.

II have two, and my 308 was run hard to try this, having see it before and it never happened once. I did have to change the ejector spring after blowing a bunch of Hornady 178gr Superformance ammo, but it was that early lot and a 95 degree day. I blew no less than 5 primers so we changed the spring because of it. It was so easy, and prevented any problem.

BIghorns are pretty popular here, there are always a bunch on the line and you don't see or hear of this happening. In fact the last local match I shot AJ was there and I think tied for 1st, they run them hard here without issue.
 
#16
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

This was one lefty and one right hand. Shot next to Beanland up in OK a couple months ago and his was running like a top, as was he for that matter. Was hoping there was an easy fix for it.
 
#17
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trigger time</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Has anyone else had trouble with the cases not being ejected? Had two in front of me down at RO for the bash, both of them would not eject if you ran the bolt to fast. It would just drop it right back in the action.
I will say it was one of the smoothest actions I've ever felt. </div></div>

I heard it was a left hand action, this was the same problem Surgeon had, the solution was a small adjustment to the back of the ejection port to upset the brass coming out. Not being there I can't say but I have seen other actions do this.

Also I heard one had a ejection issue was from a blown primer, which if they zapped the plunger that can happen to anything blowing the primers.

II have two, and my 308 was run hard to try this, having see it before and it never happened once. I did have to change the ejector spring after blowing a bunch of Hornady 178gr Superformance ammo, but it was that early lot and a 95 degree day. I blew no less than 5 primers so we changed the spring because of it. It was so easy, and prevented any problem.

BIghorns are pretty popular here, there are always a bunch on the line and you don't see or hear of this happening. In fact the last local match I shot AJ was there and I think tied for 1st, they run them hard here without issue. </div></div>

I have a lefty with the issue. It's related to the ejector spring and I've discussed the issue at length with AJ.

My rifle works great for about 500 ejection cycles and then starts to slow down the ejection and when running the bolt fast I can get double feeds.

AJ is awaiting the latest batch of springs that are wound with a new alloy and a new process. In the mean time he has shipping me a 5x set of spares, as well as new cross pins and plungers.
 
#18
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JCH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm a week or two away from taking delivery of a Beanland build in 6.5x47L with a Bighorn Action. I'm super excited. </div></div>

That's the exact combo I am planning! What stock are you going with JCH?
 
#19
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

The Bighorn actions may be habit forming.......thinking about doing another in something short action.

Action was smooth as butter even iced up/snow packed and below zero while chasing elk this last weekend.
 
#20
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

I do know for a fact the AJ has some new springs for the ejector now that should solve all issues with weakness or getting weaker. I have run my action for the last year pretty hard and have never had a problem with the spring. Maybe i just got lucky. I have a buddy with a left and action and he has not had any problem either. We have run them hard and fast at times and they have always come out.

I did have an issue a few times with the extractor getting crud under it and then it would not work freely, thus it did not hold the case well and would drop it in the port. I solved this problem by running a surface grinder on the bottom side of the extractor giving more room underneath for debree. I have had no issues in the last 2000 rounds after doing this. I really think AJ has also added more clearance to the later models on the extractor (bottom side), I just gave mine a little more. I think mine is about .090 or .095 thick. It gets pretty dirty here in Oklahoma some times.

I will mention that we have all been running the 6.5 x 47 case. I don't know if this is the reason that we have not seen the issue with the case falling back in the port or not. I would think that the longer cases might come out even better because they should have more tension on them when the port releases them to extract further out or with more force.
 
#21
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

Which inlet from Manners would be best for the Bighorn Action? The Remington inlet will have the swept back handle and if I went with the Surgeon to get the straight handle inlet, it will have the notch for Surgeons bolt release.
 
#22
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Which inlet from Manners would be best for the Bighorn Action? The Remington inlet will have the swept back handle and if I went with the Surgeon to get the straight handle inlet, it will have the notch for Surgeons bolt release. </div></div>

The one for the BigHorn action...
 
#23
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Which inlet from Manners would be best for the Bighorn Action? The Remington inlet will have the swept back handle and if I went with the Surgeon to get the straight handle inlet, it will have the notch for Surgeons bolt release. </div></div>

The one for the BigHorn action... </div></div>

It doesn't show one on their site on the "Stock Builder"
 
#24
Re: Big Horn Receivers from AJ Goddard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Which inlet from Manners would be best for the Bighorn Action? The Remington inlet will have the swept back handle and if I went with the Surgeon to get the straight handle inlet, it will have the notch for Surgeons bolt release. </div></div>

The one for the BigHorn action... </div></div>

It doesn't show one on their site on the "Stock Builder" </div></div>

Call them, I have a T4 with a BigHorn, Short Action, Left Hand inlet.

They have one.
 
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