How to Choose Action

[Hawk in WY]

I am researching alternatives for actions for two rifles, one short action, one long for hunting and the range. Calibers from .223 to .338 LM.

My list now exceeds ten manufacturers, most with multiple models. I believe many would be excellent choices.

My problem is how to decide and I am turning to our very knowledgeable members for input.

My list of Musts and Wants follows:

Musts

Goes bang every time (I'm looking at you Nucleus and Blaser).
Super smooth cycling. No binding
Ability to change out barrels at home. No need to ship to gunsmith or for go/nogo gauges.

Wants

60 versus 90 bolt lift
More lugs the better
Integral 20 moa base
Integral recoil lug
Controlled feed
AW magazines, maybe AI. I load heavy for caliber bullets with long COAL.
Quick change barrel better than needing action wrench and torque wrench. No barrel nuts.
Swappable bolt heads rather than multiple bolts.
Accepts Trigger Tech trigger.
Value for money.
Customer service.

Do I have my priorities right? What are the tradeoffs?

Which action or actions best fit these criteria? Short and long action can be from different manufacturers.

Actions only. Not looking for complete rifle.

I have more than one rifle including an AXMC, too heavy for some uses, and a Blaser, twist rates too slow and parts supply drying up.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

 

[Watchale]

tag

 

[Redeye3]

Curtis custom vector, has everything but long action, bolt head swap and control round feed. Love mine runs aw's perfectly after feed lip adjustment. I couldn't be happier with this action...

 

[PBWalsh]

Mausingfield can do all of that with an 80(ish) degree bolt throw on the newer model. The previous 90* one had an intergral lug and keyed rail. Can handle up to the .338 LM and now has .223 bolt faces. Would be a huge action for a .223 though.

 

[jbell]

Just to be that guy, a DTA with the SAC 223 conversion will do most all on your list with 1 rifle & 1 scope. And now that the A2 is so much lighter it’s come on my radar.

But I know this isn’t really the direction your headed.

 

[hotload]

sounds like you want an AXMC

 

[Hawk in WY]

sounds like you want an AXMC

Have one. Want to build something lighter. Different horses for different courses.

 

[Hawk in WY]

Mausingfield can do all of that with an 80(ish) degree bolt throw on the newer model. The previous 90* one had an intergral lug and keyed rail. Can handle up to the .338 LM and now has .223 bolt faces. Would be a huge action for a .223 though.

That's the reason I concluded I need two actions, one long action, one short. Again horses for courses.

 

[PBWalsh]

Ah didn’t notice you meant that. Then I’d still look at a pair of Mausingfields if you can swing it!

 

[Hawk in WY]

Ah didn’t notice you meant that. Then I’d still look at a pair of Mausingfields if you can swing it!

Looks like the new version can use any prefit, shouldered barrel but would still require an action wrench and torque wrench I assume. Are the specs tight enough to not require a gunsmith to see the action at least once?

Lock nuts of any kind would be a big negative.

 

[kthomas]

Looks like the new version can use any prefit, shouldered barrel but would still require an action wrench and torque wrench I assume. Are the specs tight enough to not require a gunsmith to see the action at least once?

Lock nuts of any kind would be a big negative.

Yes, would require an action wrench. I also believe that the newer Mausingfields are held to such tight tolerances that a gunsmith doesn't require the action in hand.

I know you want a "switch barrel" rifle, but honestly, all rifles are switch barrel rifles. It's really easy to swap out shouldered barrels, you just need the right tools. Plus, you don't get the POI shift issues with a shouldered barrel as you do with a "switch barrel" setups.

 

[kthomas]

Personally, I would recommend a Mausingfield. I have one, and I love it. It's a great action, with some very clever design features. While most other actions are essentially a refined rem700, the Mausingfield is designed from the ground up to incorporate the best features from different actions, to create the best action in the designers eyes (Ted).

It's not a 60° bolt throw, but I personally feel 90° bolt throws are superior in most cases (much like how I feel a shouldered barrel is superior to a switch barrel setup). A 60° bolt throw is doing an equal amount of work over a shorter distance, so you will be penalized in stiffness. The whole speed argument to a 60° is a crock, as smooth is fast in this game. Plus, a lighter bolt open/close helps to stay on target much better on compromised positions (such as a barricade).

Get a Zapp wrench from Gradous, a barrel vice (Viper is a good budget option), and a torque wrench (I bought a CDI one from Amazon), and you are set. I swap barrels on my Mausingfield all the time, between 6BRA and 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[sleeplz]

I'd go against a mausingfield. American rifle company actions have a movement where you have to push forward on the bolt while closing. It's a little annoying and you should physically try one before buying.

 

[kthomas]

I'd go against a mausingfield. American rifle company actions have a movement where you have to push forward on the bolt while closing. It's a little annoying and you should physically try one before buying.

The Mausingfield has a pin that needs to be compressed on closing. It really takes no energy or momentum at all.

I personally wouldn't let that persuade you, but it's always good to try an action before you buy regardless, if you have the option.

My Mausingfield has one of the smoothest and lightest bolt open and close out of a bunch of different actions I've owned and tried. Proper trigger timing plays a part in that as well.

 

[AllWorkAndNoPlay]

Badger ordnance M2013

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Not 60deg but Lone peak fusion would be my choice.

Otherwise, an AT, AX or Curtis vector

 

[Huskydriver]

Is there anything besides AI ??

 

[j741]

If you're looking for a pre-2019 Mausingfield - https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...tion-with-magnum-boltface-new-unfired.6914872

 

[j741]

Looks like the new version can use any prefit, shouldered barrel but would still require an action wrench and torque wrench I assume. Are the specs tight enough to not require a gunsmith to see the action at least once?

Lock nuts of any kind would be a big negative.

Yes, you can order shouldered pre-fits for the Mausingfield. PVA does it and pretty sure LRI does as well.

You could also look to find if anyone is selling a used ARC Barloc to handle your barrel change approach. The barrel would have to be cut for it if you're doing shouldered barrels. Or if you re-consider barrel nuts you can get a Barloc version that works with those as well. Just be aware that ARC has stopped selling the Barloc as present as there have been some issues reported apparently related to POI shift

 

[Bender]

Mausingfield. I would steer clear of PVA as they get through some growing pains. LRI will help you. I think Chad at LRI helped design the Mausingfield? I could be wrong. But LRI is how all custom shops should be run.

 

[POGPride]

sounds like you want an AXMC

The AT will also do that. I wish they would just sell the actions so you can drop them into a different chassis. MPA inlets for them... but that means tearing down a brand new 4k rifle and chucking half the parts. Curtis Vector is what I did to get these features.

 

[Dschapp44]

I like impacts and use them for match gun but I jut ordere a TL3 in long and short actions for my hunting rifles. Can’t do 338LM or 300NM as they don’t make the bolt heads but I’m doing a 300 PRC magnum which is pretty close and a 7 Sherman short in the other

 

[moosemeat]

I'm going to go against the grain, just to be differnt, and also recommend a TL3 pr Badger 2013. I think the TL3 covers about 90% of what you want and would be differnt than a ARC. I have a weird infatuation with the Badger 2013 and it maybe on the heavier side for you but I love how they feel.
3rd option, Kelby Blackbear tactical. Cause Kelby.

 

[Hawk in WY]

I'm going to go against the grain, just to be differnt, and also recommend a TL3 pr Badger 2013. I think the TL3 covers about 90% of what you want and would be differnt than a ARC. I have a weird infatuation with the Badger 2013 and it maybe on the heavier side for you but I love how they feel.
3rd option, Kelby Blackbear tactical. Cause Kelby.

All were on my short list. Mausingfield was not before I started this thread. New technology is great but the Nucleus light strike issue is pushing me back to what we know goes bang every time.

The TL3 does seem to be the safe choice.

 

[boomslang]

All were on my short list. Mausingfield was not before I started this thread. New technology is great but the Nucleus light strike issue is pushing me back to what we know goes bang every time.

The TL3 does seem to be the safe choice.

Same conclusion that I’ve come to after many comparisons and a lot of back and forth. The integral recoil lug, CRF and mechanical ejection are nice features and though the tl3 doesn’t have the integral rail you want, a pinned rail gets the job done.

I may have missed it, but which stock/chassis are you going to be using for your two builds?

 

[11aaguilar]

tag

 

[Hawk in WY]

Same conclusion that I’ve come to after many comparisons and a lot of back and forth. The integral recoil lug, CRF and mechanical ejection are nice features and though the tl3 doesn’t have the integral rail you want, a pinned rail gets the job done.

I may have missed it, but which stock/chassis are you going to be using for your two builds?

McMillan carbon fibre stocks for hunting rifles. MDT chassis for distance.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

I forgot ab the black bear. That is a great option. I still say go AT.

 

[Hawk in WY]

I forgot ab the black bear. That is a great option. I still say go AT.

Hard to go wrong with anything AI, but I have an AXMC and am planning building lighter rifles for different uses, antelope and elk mainly.

 

[moosemeat]

Hard to go wrong with anything AI, but I have an AXMC and am planning building lighter rifles for different uses, antelope and elk mainly.

I think you've said this about 3 or 4 times and people still say AI.
HE WANTS A LIGHTER RIFLE!!!


that may rule the Badger out as well.

 

[kthomas]

I think you've said this about 3 or 4 times and people still say AI.
HE WANTS A LIGHTER RIFLE!!!


that may rule the Badger out as well.

The hunting Mausingfield that was produced by ARC in collaboration with LRI may be a nice fit then...

 

[Hawk in WY]

The hunting Mausingfield that was produced by ARC in collaboration with LRI may be a nice fit then...

I saw that. The long actions are sold out, but this may be a good choice for the short action. I suspect they might find one more long action if I go that way.

I'm struggling to see a benefit in the Archimedes but most users seem happy with the Mausingfield.

I am spooked by the light strikes in the Nucleus. That's pushing me back to the TL3.

 

[kthomas]

I saw that. The long actions are sold out, but this may be a good choice for the short action. I suspect they might find one more long action if I go that way.

I'm struggling to see a benefit in the Archimedes but most users seem happy with the Mausingfield.

I am spooked by the light strikes in the Nucleus. That's pushing me back to the TL3.

The TL3 action has a great feature set. I would definitely recommend trying it out first if you can, the wife and I couldn't get past how sloppy the bolt is and it's tendency to bind.

If you are okay with how the bolt feels, it's a great action. I really wanted to like it, great features.

 

[Hawk in WY]

The TL3 action has a great feature set. I would definitely recommend trying it out first if you can, the wife and I couldn't get past how sloppy the bolt is and it's tendency to bind.

If you are okay with how the bolt feels, it's a great action. I really wanted to like it, great features.

Sloppy bolt. No good.