Bolt gun. Where to start.

[Nipp]

Hi there! Please don't laugh to hard if I ask something stupid. I don't have any experience with bolt guns.

So, I want to get one. One caveat, I don't want to go with route I took with gas guns, when I bough a good one (BCM) only to figure out that I don't like one thing about it, then another, then more and more... And now I have a rifle that I enjoy and an original BCM in my safe
I do have means to get whatever I want, so it would be better to get more that I need right away, rather than chasing upgrades later on. There are some constraints, to my geography - I don't have any access to a long range, so I am not pursuing large calibers. 6.5CM sounds about right, for what I imagine.

My line of though was to get a barreled action and a chassis, so it would be relatively easy to put it together without a gunsmith. Sort of like complete upper and lowers in AR and some not too complicated screwdriver work on top of that, that can't mess up things permanently.

So, questions:
Pre-fit action/barrel combo - to go this route, I would need a gunsmith to put it together, right?
Barreled action: Is an action and a barrel put together, so all I need is to add trigger and mount it to a chassis, right?
Bottom Metal: This thing puzzles me the most. Here is what they offer on Altus:

DBL/DBM? As I understand, DBM is a detachable box magazine. And the BDL is load from top. And why it's not applicable in chassis systems? And what is M5?

What are the tricky points, that look deceptively simple enough for the beginner with a minimal knowledge, when you go with custom build?

Thank you.

 

[Kadams1563]

Ok you could do a few things.
Buy an impact
Buy a prefit barrel
Buy a foundation
Buy M5 bottoms metal from foundation (M5 is just the style many people make them)

or you could go with a chassis and pretty much do the same thing. With a chassis you don’t have to buy bottomed metal.

you don’t need a gunsmith to install a profit barrel. Just an action wrench, torque wrench, and a barrel vise.

With a profit you bolt the barrel into an barrel vise then place action wrench into the action. Thread action into barrel and torque to specs. Take barreled action, install trigger, then bolt into stock or chassis of choice.

what are you doing with the gun? What distance?

Also where are you located?

 

[celltech]

Or just get something like this and call it a day: https://www.americanrifle.com/shop/...-6-5cm-nucleus-gen-2-0-rifle-1200?category=26

 

[diverdon]

Mission defines gear. What do you want to do with it? What can you spend? Will a factory rifle do the job? Have you looked at Cadex, Barrett, AI. If so how do they fail to meet your needs?

 

[Nipp]

What do you want to do with it?

Shooting small groups to paper. Later on, may be some PRS.

What can you spend?

For example, I have a TT525p on my AR-15 DMR. So, the top-tier is in my reach.

Will a factory rifle do the job?

I would love to have a thing that I can change. It's bit harder to do with factory rifles.

Have you looked at Cadex, Barrett, AI. If so how do they fail to meet your needs?

They meet a bit more than I need. As I understand, the brand name provides the assurance of reliability and customer service. For me it's not the tool, that I use for work. I don't depend on that gun to keep me safe, so if it breaks or don't perform as expected, it won't be a big issue.

 

[Nipp]

Or just get something like this and call it a day: https://www.americanrifle.com/shop/...-6-5cm-nucleus-gen-2-0-rifle-1200?category=26

Looks nice.

I had in mind this list:
Defiance Deviant - action
Proof stainless - barrel
TriggerTech diamond - trigger
Woox furiosa - chassis.

 

[celltech]

I had in mind this list:
Defiance Deviant - action
Proof stainless - barrel
TriggerTech diamond - trigger
Woox furiosa - chassis.

I would argue that something like the Xylo package meets your needs and is superior to several of your choices. The Woox looks pretty, but lacks the customization features you would need for PRS. That forend gives you very little latitude to add weight, mounts, stops, etc. You could shoot out the Criterion barrel honing your skills and then step up to a Proof or Bartlein later....taking it apart is easy. It already has a Diamond trigger, so GTG on that. I don't know anything about the Defiance actions but all the ARCs have some very innovative features. Plus you will get full factory support with a pre-built system.

In the end you have a good choice of parts, but I would avoid the Woox. Good luck!

 

[Nipp]

In the end you have a good choice of parts, but I would avoid the Woox. Good luck!

I just love the aesthetics of it so damn much On other hand, I got some mixed reviews on it. Some users had an issues with the fit and the support was bit sketchy on Woox part, which is expected from a new company.

 

[Kadams1563]

Looks nice.

I had in mind this list:
Impact 737 - action
Proof stainless - barrel
TriggerTech diamond - trigger
Foundation - .

here I fixed it for you.

what distances are you shooting? Do you reload?

 

[Nipp]

If I forgo the Furiosa chassis, something like this would be pretty much it:

 

[Kadams1563]

That’s a FOUNDATION genesis....

in the picture anyway.

I would also advise against getting a stainless defiance and go with a black nitride one if your stick on defiance. The stainless are not near as slick as the Nitrided versions.

 

[Nipp]

here I fixed it for you.

Is Impact better than Deviant?

what distances are you shooting?

Promise not to laugh: 100yd. The closest range, that have anything longer is in West Virginia.

Do you reload?

Not yet.

 

[Landon4]

That’s a foundation stock in the pic

 

[jcmullis2]

Altus Shooting Solutions is who I’d recommend you get your Defiance action, trigger and prefit barrel from. They’ll put it together for you so you don’t need to purchase tools. If you like the big horn tl3 or origin check out Keystone Accuracy’s barreled action deals.

 

[Kadams1563]

Is Impact better than Deviant?

Promise not to laugh: 100yd. The closest range, that have anything longer is in West Virginia.

Not yet.

mom not gonna laugh BUT if you’re only 100 yards for most of the time and eventually maybe PRS I’d get a .223.

I prefer impact over defiance but my defiance was a great action too.

honestly I would find some local matches and guys to get involved with. They will have all high end gear and you could learn what you want and what not. Also you’ll connect with people that have places to shoot past 100 yards.

ammo is going to be the biggestchallenge. 6.5 creed will do well but yoir gonna want a heavier rifle or recoil management. Now that 6creedmoor has become popular I would look at that as an option as well.

and before you knock .223 we shoot them regularly at 900 yards.

 

[kthomas]

Is Impact better than Deviant?

That's a matter of preference. Both are solid actions, and will work for your intended purposes. Impacts seem to be a bit more tolerable of adverse conditions, so that may be something to consider.

As @Kadams1563 says, if you are going to go with the Defiance, at least go with the nitrided version and not stainless. Also, please don't consider cerakoting it.

 

[Nipp]

mom not gonna laugh BUT if you’re only 100 yards for most of the time and eventually maybe PRS I’d get a .223.

That's the thing - I have a gas .223 that is pretty good - Bartlein Wylde barrel from Craddoc, Radian upper/lower, TT Diamond, JP BCG and so on.

I prefer impact over defiance but my defiance was a great action too.

Thank you. I will do my research.

honestly I would find some local matches and guys to get involved with. They will have all high end gear and you could learn what you want and what not. Also you’ll connect with people that have places to shoot past 100 yards.

Also a great advice.

ammo is going to be the biggestchallenge. 6.5 creed will do well but yoir gonna want a heavier rifle or recoil management. Now that 6creedmoor has become popular I would look at that as an option as well.

Yes, the ammo is a major consideration. I am not planning to get into reloading right away, so the availability of a match ammo for a particular cartridge is a big factor. So far, I see some 6.5CM in stock. It seems to be easier to obtain than a Black Hills 5.56 77gr TMK (that I prefer).

 

[DocRDS]

No experience with bolts? Go get some experience with bolts. One of the hardest things is having no experience (been there myself).

1st thing you can do--Go to the gun store and start fingering rifles.
2nd thing--go to a PRS match. Shoot your gasser and finger other people's rifles.
3rd thing--buy a cheap ass rifle and shoot it. Cheap ass is relative. Now maybe you can drop $2500 to start off with. But as with the BCM, you could get something you didn't like. Custom rifles are just that--CUSTOM.

Try out a Bergara, Howa, or Tikka. All make fine guns that you can start with. DO you get a good check weld? need adjustments? Like the bolt handle? FInd out all this stuff BEFORE you buy a custom action. Personally I hate stocks--I need a cheek riser and extra length of pull. That means a chassis or special stock.

Bottom metal: aka how to get a magazine in into the rifle. Chassis come pre-made with bottom metal. A stock needs to have an opening for the magazine and a magazine release. Stocks (as a rule) need bottom metal, Chassis do not.

I think the worst (at potentially worst) thing you could do is drop a ton of coin on a custom action--if you don't know what those options are, you run a lot of risk of building something you don't like. Inveset in yourself and get some experience until you know:
I want X, Y, Z

I would never just hand a new driver the keys to a Ferrari. They get the Sentra first. If they wreck it, I'm out $50.

 

[Sprayed99]

I'm an Impact guy...been through several other actions and to me the Impact functions and feels the best. You could do a complete match rifle build with prefits through Altus. Call up Josh or Mike and ask them if Ern will bolt it together for you (he will). You could also get directly with Impact Precision. Call up Khianna (ext 12) and she can take your order. As far as a complete gunsmith build there are several out there, but my favorite 3 are ALTUS, Crescent Customs, and TS Customs in no particular order.

I'd be happy to chat with you just pm me and I will pass along my info.

 

[6brshooter]

Ai

 

[huntnh]

If you don't have the tools I agree with the advice given but a barreled action and bolt into your chassis of choice it's like hitting the easy button nowadays

 

[diverdon]

Shooting small groups to paper. Later on, may be some PRS.

For example, I have a TT525p on my AR-15 DMR. So, the top-tier is in my reach.

I would love to have a thing that I can change. It's bit harder to do with factory rifles.

They meet a bit more than I need. As I understand, the brand name provides the assurance of reliability and customer service. For me it's not the tool, that I use for work. I don't depend on that gun to keep me safe, so if it breaks or don't perform as expected, it won't be a big issue.

Great answers! The thing about a top factory gun is you can have it at the range next Wednesday. A custom or semi custom, if 2021 or 2022, sound good then ok. If I were getting my first bolt gun Ide want it Wednesday.

 

[OopsWetWedgie]

Keep looking until you develop a good feeling for what you like. When you are ready to buy, hold off a bit. Chances are your mind will change a little bit on what you like. You can overthink and over analyze things way to much in this sport. Try not to, I know its easier said then done.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Tikka Super Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor.
I've just bought one, no complaints.
I am biased to Tikka, Sako, and IA.
Reason being, none of them have let me down.
Once you get the addiction, you can always move to a custom.
I have two or three mates that are pissed that my "out of the box" Tikka is on par with their custom builds.
Bear in mind, that reloading is also an additional advantage.
Between rifles, reloading, and motorcycles, I'll never have money for drugs.
Win win!

 

[Franko]

If you are limited to 100y I suggest you look at a Vudoo or RimX 22 rimfire. They will allow you to learn all the mechanics of a bolt action due to them being built to mimic the R700 platform and shooting at 100 yards will be able to provide you with a challenge.

 

[Average guy]

Looks nice.

I had in mind this list:
Defiance Deviant - action
Proof stainless - barrel
TriggerTech diamond - trigger
Woox furiosa - chassis.

I would go with a Defiance Ruckus or Tenacity for the reason is the are shouldered prefit compatible