I keep seeing a lot of the same questions pop up, "whats the best action" or "who makes the best bottom metal", etc. We are lucky these days to have so many quality choices for actions, bottom metal, stocks, chassis, ect, but this poses a lot of questions and takes a lot of time researching when choosing components for a build. I thought I would put a list together of some top components and list of manufacturers, listing features/specs and prices and have it in one place. This list will be updated as info on new products come available. If there is something you don't see and would like to add, let me know and I will modify the list. I will be focusing on "tactical" based components. NOTE; info and additional manufacturers will be amended, there is a lot of info and I couldn't include it all in the first post.
ACTIONS
There are a lot of top shelf actions available, it often comes down to options and availability. I will be listing only custom actions that are available, we will not discuss proprietary actions such as Sako, Tikka, Accuracy International, since they are not available separately. Some actions tend to have tighter tolerances and will not function as well in dusty environments, so consider your application. All of the actions listed will accept Remington 700 parts including bottom metal and triggers.
-Surgeon 591 short action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, integral recoil lug, integral 20 MOA picatinny base, side bolt release, one piece fluted bolt, optional bolt handles, 34.6 oz. price $1,295. The Surgeon action is a very good balance of accuracy and dependability, tolerances are not too tight, but the bolt face locks up solid which will provide smooth operation in dusty conditions and still maintain great accuracy. 591 Short Action | Surgeon Rifles
-BAT VR action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, integral recoil lug, integral picatinny base, one piece fluted bolt, weight 33.4 oz., price $ 1,150. BAT actions are better known in the benchrest and F-Class world, the VR action is better suited for tactical or field applications. Tolerances are fairly tight so it does not favor dusty conditions, the flutted bolt will help. Aviod painting the bolt and interior of the action, melonite for better operation in dirty conditions. Model VR - Bat Machine Co. precision rifle actions, machining and tooling
-BAT Tactical action 700 clone 2 lug 90 degree bolt lift. Designed for field use, the Bat tactical action features a integral 20 MOA picatinny base and integral recoil lug, welded bolt handle, fluted bolt, and side bolt stop/release. price (will update) http://battacticalactions.com/4801.html
-Bighorn Arms TL2 Rem 700 clone 2 lug 90 degree bolt lift, integral recoil lug, 8-40 scope base screws, one piece bolt handle and bolt body, unique floating bolt head for proper breach alignment, additional bolt heads can be purchased with a different bolt face for switch barrel applications. price $1,250 Actions
-Nesika KT action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, pinned scope base, fluted one piece bolt, weight not listed, price $1,400. Nasika is also better known in the benchrest and F-Class arrena. Their KT action is suited for tactical use or for a field rifle. It is a superbly accurate action, although tolerances are very tight, it may not be the best choice for dusty conditions. Nesika - Tactical Actions
-Defiance Rebel Action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, pinned picatinny base (optional MOA cant), M-16 style extractor (Sako style extractor available), pinned recoil lug, right or left hand, side bolt release, bolt fluting optional, other options available, weight not listed. 416SS action and 4340 bolt. price $950 - $1,270. Defiance is known for its "a la carte" approach, they offer many options such as multiple rear tangs, port side options, and much more. Defiance is used by many smiths which offer their own in house versions, GA Precision with the Templar, and the R Bros Rifles Rogue action to name a few. This action is very smooth and will still function in poor conditions. Rebel Action « Defiance Machine Defiance Machine
-Defiance Deviant Action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, integral 20 MOA picatinny base, integral recoil lug, side bolt release, M-16 extractor, compatible with AW mags, right or left hand, bolt fluting optional, weight not listed. price $1,220-1,330. The Deviant is the Defiance flagship action, yet still has some available options. Operation is very similar to the Rebel, which makes it a fine choice for field rifles which need to function in less than favorable conditions. The Deviant is compatible with standard AI 5 and 10 round mags, as well as the AW double stack mags. Deviant Tactical « Defiance Machine Defiance Machine
-Pierce Action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, 4140 chrome-moly steel with Cerekote finish, pinned recoil lug included, proprietary firing pin assembly, price $985. The Pierce action is very smooth, its slightly longer bolt handle gives the impression of a lighter bolt lift. It uses a enhanced firing pin assembly for faster lock time. Tolerances are on the tight side, the bolt tends to bind when forced, but opperates smooth as glass with a straight "push-pull". Pierce Action : Pierce Engineering
-Badger Ordnance M2013 Action Based on the 2008 action, the 2013 is an improved version. AI AW clone, 60 degree bolt lift, 6 lug on a 3 lug design. 4143 steel, integral recoil lug, pinned 20 MOA picatinny base, M-16 style extractor, compatible with AI or AW mags. Uses standard Rem 700 triggers and bottom metal, weight 2 lbs 5.7 oz. Price $1,180. The M2013 breaks tradition of the "standard" Rem 700 clone actions. It offers smooth operation and functions well in poor conditions. Bolt lift is on the heavy side due to its 60 degree bolt, bolt manipulation is very fast, it likes to be ran hard and fast. Inletting for the 2008 and 2013 is critical with its flat bottom, installing in a chassis will require additional machining, it is not a drop in fit to a 700 or clone stock. https://www.badgerordnance.com/prod...dard-short-action-ffl-required-to-purchase-2/
-Stiller TAC30/TAC30 AW Action Rem 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, 416R stainless, M-16 extractor, pinned recoil lug included, weight 27 oz, price $950
Stillers Precision Firearms
-Kelbly Atlas Tactical action Rem 700 clone, two lug 90 degree bolt. Action tolerances have been up to .005” bolt to body clearance to allow bind free use of the bolt, even in the grimiest of conditions, fluted bolt, 20 MOA pinned picatinny rail, TG mechanical ejector, Dual Pin Recoil Lug, American Precision Arms Tactical Bolt Knob, accepts both the AICS and AW Magazines, BlackNitride coating. weight 29.5 oz, price will update Custom Rifle Actions | Kelbly Rifles
ACTIONS
There are a lot of top shelf actions available, it often comes down to options and availability. I will be listing only custom actions that are available, we will not discuss proprietary actions such as Sako, Tikka, Accuracy International, since they are not available separately. Some actions tend to have tighter tolerances and will not function as well in dusty environments, so consider your application. All of the actions listed will accept Remington 700 parts including bottom metal and triggers.
-Surgeon 591 short action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, integral recoil lug, integral 20 MOA picatinny base, side bolt release, one piece fluted bolt, optional bolt handles, 34.6 oz. price $1,295. The Surgeon action is a very good balance of accuracy and dependability, tolerances are not too tight, but the bolt face locks up solid which will provide smooth operation in dusty conditions and still maintain great accuracy. 591 Short Action | Surgeon Rifles
-BAT VR action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, integral recoil lug, integral picatinny base, one piece fluted bolt, weight 33.4 oz., price $ 1,150. BAT actions are better known in the benchrest and F-Class world, the VR action is better suited for tactical or field applications. Tolerances are fairly tight so it does not favor dusty conditions, the flutted bolt will help. Aviod painting the bolt and interior of the action, melonite for better operation in dirty conditions. Model VR - Bat Machine Co. precision rifle actions, machining and tooling
-BAT Tactical action 700 clone 2 lug 90 degree bolt lift. Designed for field use, the Bat tactical action features a integral 20 MOA picatinny base and integral recoil lug, welded bolt handle, fluted bolt, and side bolt stop/release. price (will update) http://battacticalactions.com/4801.html
-Bighorn Arms TL2 Rem 700 clone 2 lug 90 degree bolt lift, integral recoil lug, 8-40 scope base screws, one piece bolt handle and bolt body, unique floating bolt head for proper breach alignment, additional bolt heads can be purchased with a different bolt face for switch barrel applications. price $1,250 Actions
-Nesika KT action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, pinned scope base, fluted one piece bolt, weight not listed, price $1,400. Nasika is also better known in the benchrest and F-Class arrena. Their KT action is suited for tactical use or for a field rifle. It is a superbly accurate action, although tolerances are very tight, it may not be the best choice for dusty conditions. Nesika - Tactical Actions
-Defiance Rebel Action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, pinned picatinny base (optional MOA cant), M-16 style extractor (Sako style extractor available), pinned recoil lug, right or left hand, side bolt release, bolt fluting optional, other options available, weight not listed. 416SS action and 4340 bolt. price $950 - $1,270. Defiance is known for its "a la carte" approach, they offer many options such as multiple rear tangs, port side options, and much more. Defiance is used by many smiths which offer their own in house versions, GA Precision with the Templar, and the R Bros Rifles Rogue action to name a few. This action is very smooth and will still function in poor conditions. Rebel Action « Defiance Machine Defiance Machine
-Defiance Deviant Action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, integral 20 MOA picatinny base, integral recoil lug, side bolt release, M-16 extractor, compatible with AW mags, right or left hand, bolt fluting optional, weight not listed. price $1,220-1,330. The Deviant is the Defiance flagship action, yet still has some available options. Operation is very similar to the Rebel, which makes it a fine choice for field rifles which need to function in less than favorable conditions. The Deviant is compatible with standard AI 5 and 10 round mags, as well as the AW double stack mags. Deviant Tactical « Defiance Machine Defiance Machine
-Pierce Action 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, 4140 chrome-moly steel with Cerekote finish, pinned recoil lug included, proprietary firing pin assembly, price $985. The Pierce action is very smooth, its slightly longer bolt handle gives the impression of a lighter bolt lift. It uses a enhanced firing pin assembly for faster lock time. Tolerances are on the tight side, the bolt tends to bind when forced, but opperates smooth as glass with a straight "push-pull". Pierce Action : Pierce Engineering
-Badger Ordnance M2013 Action Based on the 2008 action, the 2013 is an improved version. AI AW clone, 60 degree bolt lift, 6 lug on a 3 lug design. 4143 steel, integral recoil lug, pinned 20 MOA picatinny base, M-16 style extractor, compatible with AI or AW mags. Uses standard Rem 700 triggers and bottom metal, weight 2 lbs 5.7 oz. Price $1,180. The M2013 breaks tradition of the "standard" Rem 700 clone actions. It offers smooth operation and functions well in poor conditions. Bolt lift is on the heavy side due to its 60 degree bolt, bolt manipulation is very fast, it likes to be ran hard and fast. Inletting for the 2008 and 2013 is critical with its flat bottom, installing in a chassis will require additional machining, it is not a drop in fit to a 700 or clone stock. https://www.badgerordnance.com/prod...dard-short-action-ffl-required-to-purchase-2/
-Stiller TAC30/TAC30 AW Action Rem 700 clone, 2 lug with 90 degree bolt throw, 416R stainless, M-16 extractor, pinned recoil lug included, weight 27 oz, price $950
Stillers Precision Firearms
-Kelbly Atlas Tactical action Rem 700 clone, two lug 90 degree bolt. Action tolerances have been up to .005” bolt to body clearance to allow bind free use of the bolt, even in the grimiest of conditions, fluted bolt, 20 MOA pinned picatinny rail, TG mechanical ejector, Dual Pin Recoil Lug, American Precision Arms Tactical Bolt Knob, accepts both the AICS and AW Magazines, BlackNitride coating. weight 29.5 oz, price will update Custom Rifle Actions | Kelbly Rifles
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