Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

[Chiller]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Terry Cross</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No.
The rumors are not justified.

Main reason is that all of the "problems" were caused by things other than the action.

You can hang a complicated target trigger on any action and quadruple the risk of the rifle going down in a dirty field enviromnent. It has been done many times and there is plenty of video of the guys struggling with the rifle because of it.

You can put a minimum headspace match type chamber on any action and quadruple the risk of the rifle going down in a dirty field environment. It has been done many times and there is plenty of video of the guys struggling with the rifle because of it.

You can load and try to shoot ammunition that is prepared with benchrest techniques (neck size only, tight neck, no shoulder bump, etc. . . . ) and quaduple the risk of the rifle going down in a dirty field environment. It has been done many times and there is plenty of video of the guys struggling with the rifle because of it.

You can fit a barreled action into a new whiz bang stock so poorly that the DBM doesn't work right and jack with perfectly good magazines in an attempt to correct the fucked up fitting to the point that the rifle does not feed correctly under most field conditions. It has been done many times and there is plenty of video of the guys struggling with the rifle because of it.

I could go on and on for a while. . . . . . .You can only imagine the outcome if you were to combine two or more of the above into one rifle setup.

The bottom line is you can build a rifle with the best action out there and still sabotage the complete package by making poor choices on the specs that follow after your action choice.

I have seen this exact thing happen with many actions including AI AW and AI AE.

My opinion only.
Be safe,
Terry

</div></div>

Why I read when you post....Thanks Terry.

 

[bengates]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

Wow, this thread is rocking along!

So, I did get the Bighorn action last week along with a Bartlien 5R barrel and took it over to my gunsmith to start working up. I really like the Bighorn's fit and finish, but there is one thing that really bugs me about it - it's called a Bighorn "Tactical". I just don't understand what's "tactical" about it. The brass ejection port is small like a benchrest gun and is very difficult to reach in and grab brass that may not have extracted properly. Also, the rails in the inside are so deep and sharp, that a peice of brass can get stuck on the inside rail, or if you have a missfeed and the cartridge pops out and falls to the side, the sharp rail actually lodges the cartridge against the back side of the action and you have to pry it out - which is difficult since the ejection port is small.

That being said, I think the action will function very well when built up, but I just don't understand the use of the word "tactical" in their name. It seems as though something tactical shoud be thought out for potential malfunctions and allow for easy solutions. I guess the bolt handle is black though!

Is this a problem with ayone else's actions? Thoughts?

I'll post some pictures as soon as I get the rifle built up. It should take about 2-3 weeks to get back.

 

[fw707]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: UncleBenji</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Is this a problem with ayone else's actions? Thoughts?
</div></div>

UncleBenji,
have you experienced these "problems" with a Bighorn action?

I don't remember hearing about them from anyone that's using a Bighorn.

 

[bengates]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: UncleBenji</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Is this a problem with ayone else's actions? Thoughts?
</div></div>

UncleBenji,
have you experienced these "problems" with a Bighorn action?

I don't remember hearing about them from anyone that's using a Bighorn.</div></div>

I haven't experienced it in the field since the action isn't even built up yet. However, I just took the action and stuck it in my ACIS chassis, threw in a mag, and cycled the action. It cycled great, but then I decided to insert one cartridge through the ejection port and thats when I noticed that the hole was small. The cartridge fell to the far side of the action and that's when it snugged up against the side and got stuck in the rail. I then tried to pull it out and realized that the hole is so small that it would be a pain out in the field.

I don't think I'll run into the issue as long as I'm always feeding from a mag, but I like to look at every possible scenario and try to overcome the problem.

Long story short, no I haven't had the problem yet (since the rifle isn't built yet) - I in essense created the problem inadvertantly and then thought I'd ask everyone about it.

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

You should look at the TRG ejection port. It's tiny. I can't even fit one finger inside the action. You don't hear any complaints about their actions.

 

[LRB45]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

I didn't know if such stories were the result of the action itself or other variables. Thanks for clearing it up because I'm thinking about doing a custom build in the upcoming year and just like to stay on top of things.

Just trying to learn as much as possible.

Thanks everyone!

 

[bengates]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bacarrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You should look at the TRG ejection port. It's tiny. I can't even fit one finger inside the action. You don't hear any complaints about their actions.</div></div>

Good point. But, what happens if a round does get stuck inside a TRG? Do you have to carry a tool to fish in there and dig it out? Am I splitting hairs here? I realize that this may be a non-point, but it just seemed odd to me.

Thanks for the sensable response Bacarrat!

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

I drop the magazine and it will fall right out. I usually run into this problem when I am trying to catch the brass.

 

[bengates]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bacarrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I drop the magazine and it will fall right out. I usually run into this problem when I am trying to catch the brass.</div></div>

Ah, see this doesn't happen with the Bighorn! The rail is so deep and thick that a 308 cartridge will get stcuk. Crazy, huh!?!

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

Brass can fall back into any ejection port if you cover the port trying to catch the brass.

 

[bengates]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

Well, I'm hoping that this is all a non-issue anyway.

 

[bohem]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

I did have an issue with my BigHorn. I'm not sure what "Tactical" is but I have a lefty short action repeater. I didn't order anything special about it except to put the bolt on the left side.

The issue that happened was that the ejector spring relaxed over the first few hundred rounds and it started dropping them in the action and double feeding.

I didn't have an issue getting them unjammed but it was annoying. I thought perhaps it was dirt or grime in the ejector so I cleaned it out and the problem persisted.

I spent about 1 minute explaining the issue to AJ Goddard, he was aware of 1 other customer that it happened to and he thought it might be a bad handful of springs. He had new springs on hand that had been tested and told me I'd get package shortly.

He got my home address and within 3 days I had 5 new replacement springs, a 1/16th steel punch, and a #59 drill bit to help hold everything in place while swapping stuff out.

Fantastic customer service, the switch took a whopping 5 mins and the rest of the stuff fits in my pack if I absolutely have to fix it in the field I'm pretty sure I can handle it.

It works just fine now, I've put 140 rounds through the rifle since I fixed it and about 400 dry fire cycles on it too. No more issues.

 

[psinclair]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

Now thats what I call customer service worth writing about. Says a lot about the company right there..

 

[bohem]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

Absolutely, I continue to be impressed by their operation. I'm sure I will order another one at some point not far down the road.

 

[fw707]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

bohem,
have you had any of the issues that UncleBenji was wondering about, or do you know anybody that has?

 

[bengates]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

Yeah, I've been really impressed with their CS thus far. I really like AJ.

 

[KevinU]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

UncleBenji, I just put a loaded 284 round in my Bighorn LA. Dropped the mag, round fell right out. Can't see how a round could possibly get stuck. I believe your concern is a non-issue.

As Bacarrat stated, I too have accidentally block a piece of brass from ejecting when I try to catch it in my Remington 700 action. Guessing it has happened to all of us one time or another. Drop the mag, brass falls right out. If I were to try to pull the brass out with my fingers, would have to change my body position, move my head, get off target.

 

[bohem]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bohem,
have you had any of the issues that UncleBenji was wondering about, or do you know anybody that has? </div></div>

Nope, I haven't.

I can see a smaller bodied case sitting between the mag feed lips and the bolt lug raceways in the receiver because I've seen it happen in other actions. A 223 or PPC sized case can sit in there, but as soon as the mag is dropped the case comes right out.

I haven't been able to replicate it with the 6.5 CM case or a 284 Win case. With the 223 I wasn't able to jam it in there enough that removing the mag didn't immediately free the piece of brass.

 

[223ai]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

I single feed my Bighorn, with and AICS mag in the stock, on a regular basis. I'm not gentle with it, and there are no problems with it. AJ makes a great action.

 

[Goldbeachman]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

I had some fired brass fail to eject and remain in the action on the Bighorn, however, it very well could have been my scope covers dangling to the side blocking the ejection port. It happened during a competition and under the time constraints I didn't analyze what had occurred and just removed the mag and continued to drive on. I gave A.J. a call later and even though we both determined it was probably just the brass being blocked on the way out, he was kind of enough to send a set of new springs just in case, on his dime I might add.

The other "problem" I've had with the action is that it is just so damn fine I pretty much ignore my other rifles which include the like of AW and GAP.

 

[bengates]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

I should have taken a picture of my issue, but of course I wasn't thinking about it at the time, and now the action is at the smith's shop. When I get it back, I'll try to replicate it and snap a photo. I hope that I can't though!

 

[pipewhiner]

Re: Bighorn Action or Surgeon Action?!?

I've never had a misfeed whether from the magazine or single loading. My long action has been flawless thus far.