How is the Deviant stronger? Under which conditions, and to what extent does it matter? is this like based on FEA models, or testing you've done, or an article that's been published or???
Likewise for extraction? What's your reasoning?
Where are your stats on Bighorn shooters and how many rounds they've fired or how many actually change barrels that originally intended to?
If we're throwing up anecdotal "evidence", the only custom actions I've ever seen galled are Defiances and BAT, and one Nesika (hmm, stainless with tight tolerances). The only customs I've seen go down in local matches or give shooters trouble with dirt and debris are Defiance and BAT. I've never seen it with Bighorn. I've never even heard of a galled Bighorn (If someone has a story or pictures I'm all eyes/ears). It's Defiance shooters that are wiping their bolts down between every stage to keep them from hiccuping and giving them grief. Defiance is the only custom action I've seen rip through and mangle rims on stuck cases because the extractor has such little surface area. The stainless Defiances run softer by 3-6 points HRC than Bighorns and the solution to galling is to surface treat them with Nitride, further softening the internal material (complete temper) to get your hard shell.
Look, the machining and finish is outstanding. Clean and lubed they run smooth as hell. If you never intend to Cerakote it, and if you don't shoot often in dirty conditions, the galling/reliability issues aren't such a concern to you. If you're not running short cases (BR/Dasher), that aspect isn't such an issue for you. Defiances have their place and lots of guys like them. Good for you. My experience (9 months working at LRI building rifles with most every action out there and several seasons of local PRS style matches) pushes me away from them, especially for the money. Seen the initial build, the use, and the aftermath (@ rebarrel time). Not interested. That's my opinion and my experience. It's shared with several builders/shooters here and elsewhere, and there are also builders/shooters that love them so it is what it is... You got the freedom to like whatever you like but I still would like clarification if your statements are just feelings/opinion or if it's backed by anything...