Mausingfield or Bighorn?

[silhouette]

I'm in the market for my first custom action and have narrowed it down to a Mausingfield or Bighorn. This will be for PRS type matches.
I tend to keep my rifles for years, so what I decide to go with will have to do me for a while.
Can anyone here give a first hand comparison?

 

[Temper]

They both hit all the major marks for me. Controlled round feeding, you can diy with a Savage prefit which are everywhere, swappable bolt faces, rem 700 footprint, integrated lug, mechanical ejector, etc. The Bighorn does it for 350 dollar less. The choice was easy for me.

 

[Milo 2.5]

I have both, MF hands down. Upside to Bighorn is AW mags.

 

[SuperSneakySniper]

I was making the same decision a few months ago. I handled both. I went Bighorn. They both do the same thing, pretty much the same features, just executed slightly differently, none noticably better than the other. The thing is that the Bighorn has cheaper swappable bolt heads for caliber conversion. It also costs less initially, and imo, looks nicer. I say Bighorn costs less "initially" because Mausingfields now come with a DLC coating at no additional cost, so if you want to DLC coat your Bighorn, the price becomes a wash.

I've shot Bighorns before, but I haven't had any experience with mine yet because I'm still waiting on my barrel. Once I get it though, I plan to shoot the crap out of it.
One thing I should mention, is that I do find the Bighorn to be a little more "grabby/draggy" than some other actions (including the MF) when running the bolt at odd angles. Not a problem if you run the bolt correctly, and not really a practical problem, it's just something I've found while playin' around with it. Not too concerned. Bolt lift on the Bighorn I think is one of the lightest I've felt.

 

[Ledzep]

Personal preference. Try to get hands on with both. I prefer the M5 because of the materials (stronger, tougher, harder) and because I'm a Mauser fan. I haven't felt a Bighorn T3, but Bighorn T2's were my favorites until the Mausingfield came along. I think the M5 is just a little slicker, and I like all the cool little features (toroidal lugs, extractor cam, keyed scope rail.... ).

You can't go wrong. "best" or "better" varies from person to person, but IMO these are the two best options to pick from unless you have something very specific in mind that deviates from the "norm" around here (PRS or LR hunting).

 

[silhouette]

Well thanks for the replies, if anything, I think I like the extraction and ejection of the Mausingfield a little better.

 

[missed]

I have a Mausingfield. I'm a electrical engineer, after almost 2 hours with Ted talking about the processes in design and implementation, along with the points of interest, shortcomings, and improvements that can be made in the system, I was sold on the Mausingfield. I have one of the single digit lefties in the white, I love this rifle, I give it hell and treat it like a rental car. Three days of varmint hunting, bouncing around in the back of the rzr, full of sand and dirt, my rifle was the only one that didn't give a shit, and kept blasting critters with no additional attention.

 

[LawnMM]

I have a Bighorn TL3, love it. Wasn't impressed with AW mags, though. Still run into feeding problems at field matches with the double stack. Went back to regular AI Mags, no issues.

 

[silhouette]

I have a Mausingfield. I'm a electrical engineer, after almost 2 hours with Ted talking about the processes in design and implementation, along with the points of interest, shortcomings, and improvements that can be made in the system, I was sold on the Mausingfield. I have one of the single digit lefties in the white, I love this rifle, I give it hell and treat it like a rental car. Three days of varmint hunting, bouncing around in the back of the rzr, full of sand and dirt, my rifle was the only one that didn't give a shit, and kept blasting critters with no additional attention.

Ok so next question, did you go with the 50/50 cocking or the 105/-5 ?

 

[leftyk82]

Both are very impressive actions and I've been interested to hear Josh Kunz speak about each on a few podcasts I've listened to. He sells them both, is close friends with Ted at American Rifle and simultaneously pushes a lot of Bighorns; one of which is in the hands of a fellow shooter at my local range. I have always been fascinated by Ted's take on the Mauser action and the intentional nature of him bringing those time-proven features into a modern action. I own a Mausingfield. It has fed and extracted flawlessly while never choking up. I get questions about it all the time and really enjoy interacting with shooters who have never seen any bolt gun that isn't a 700. I think it looks great and should be around and performing for many many years.

Would I buy (and be pleased with) a Bighorn? Sure. But I think I'd by a LA Mausingfield first.

 

[Andrewb]

My brother and friend and I are all building ourselves another custom rifle for prs matches. We have decided on the big horn tl3
we are all going to be using it with the 6.5x47 Lapua round. And my brother and I will have a .223 ai barrel and bolt to go with it.

 

[Supersubes]

Ok so next question, did you go with the 50/50 cocking or the 105/-5 ?

Pretty sure he said at SHOT they're not doing he 50/50 any more.

 

[NateVA]

I'll be going with the Mausingfield in a couple of months when I order a barreled action from LRI.

 

[DI Precision]

I just went with the Bighorn from PVA. I've never handled a MF but for me it was about price and looks.

 

[craigos]

Personal preference. Try to get hands on with both. I prefer the M5 because of the materials (stronger, tougher, harder) and because I'm a Mauser fan. I haven't felt a Bighorn T3, but Bighorn T2's were my favorites until the Mausingfield came along. I think the M5 is just a little slicker, and I like all the cool little features (toroidal lugs, extractor cam, keyed scope rail.... ).

You can't go wrong. "best" or "better" varies from person to person, but IMO these are the two best options to pick from unless you have something very specific in mind that deviates from the "norm" around here (PRS or LR hunting).

I like his reply I love the Bighorn, curious about the Mausingfield - though if you work with Josh@PVA and give him your criteria sure he will put you on the right path. What i love about BigHorn is Josh can spin me a barrel without having the action in hand - other gunsmiths require 4 weeks min turn around with action.

 

[craigos]

I have a Bighorn TL3, love it. Wasn't impressed with AW mags, though. Still run into feeding problems at field matches with the double stack. Went back to regular AI Mags, no issues.

I run my PVA 6 dasher with ARC mags all day long.

 

[5RWill]

I was making the same decision a few months ago. I handled both. I went Bighorn. They both do the same thing, pretty much the same features, just executed slightly differently, none noticably better than the other. The thing is that the Bighorn has cheaper swappable bolt heads for caliber conversion. It also costs less initially, and imo, looks nicer. I say Bighorn costs less "initially" because Mausingfields now come with a DLC coating at no additional cost, so if you want to DLC coat your Bighorn, the price becomes a wash.

I've shot Bighorns before, but I haven't had any experience with mine yet because I'm still waiting on my barrel. Once I get it though, I plan to shoot the crap out of it.
One thing I should mention, is that I do find the Bighorn to be a little more "grabby/draggy" than some other actions (including the MF) when running the bolt at odd angles. Not a problem if you run the bolt correctly, and not really a practical problem, it's just something I've found while playin' around with it. Not too concerned. Bolt lift on the Bighorn I think is one of the lightest I've felt.

I ran a buddies TL3 this weekend some granted it's left handed so it's odd angles for me, but i agree it does seem a little grabby/draggy compared to my Tempest. It's bare though, dad's SR3 should be done here this month, which is DLC'd, so i'll get to see for myself. Granted there is a bit of a cheaper side to DLC for the TL3 if you want. DLCing a receiver is only 200$, since the bolt is already coated in NP3. So you're looking at about 1450$ vs 1600$ less you want to coat the bolt too then it's a wash.

For a switch barrel rifle and cost saving it's pretty simple, the bighorn wins. If there is any thought of wanting to be able to run a switch barrel to avoid the cost of another complete build, Bighorn takes the cake.

For the other applications i'd probably go mausingfield honestly. Does seem like one of the smoothest actions around. Admittedly i've never handled a mausingfield, want to though.

Actually trying to sell my 700 to fund a TL3 hunting build at the moment. So instead of pouring money into perfecting a 6.5x47 built on a 700 and later building a 6.5SAUM for myself like dad's but on an EH1. If i get a TL3 i can just the 18" 6.5x47 spun up, buy a new bolt head, and have a 23" 6.5 SAUM barrel spun up as well. Seems like the perfect plan to me for a hunting platform. Maybe even make it a proof 6.5 blank to lower the weight for Elk hunt or something. Same concept could be used in a finite amount of scenarios for competition also. Say a TL3 with two barrels one for regular PRS and one for ELR PRS.

 

[SuperSneakySniper]

I ran a buddies TL3 this weekend some granted it's left handed so it's odd angles for me, but i agree it does seem a little grabby/draggy compared to my Tempest. It's bare though, dad's SR3 should be done here this month, which is DLC'd, so i'll get to see for myself. Granted there is a bit of a cheaper side to DLC for the TL3 if you want. DLCing a receiver is only 200$, since the bolt is already coated in NP3. So you're looking at about 1450$ vs 1600$ less you want to coat the bolt too then it's a wash.

For a switch barrel rifle and cost saving it's pretty simple, the bighorn wins. If there is any thought of wanting to be able to run a switch barrel to avoid the cost of another complete build, Bighorn takes the cake.

For the other applications i'd probably go mausingfield honestly. Does seem like one of the smoothest actions around. Admittedly i've never handled a mausingfield, want to though.

Actually trying to sell my 700 to fund a TL3 hunting build at the moment. So instead of pouring money into perfecting a 6.5x47 built on a 700 and later building a 6.5SAUM for myself like dad's but on an EH1. If i get a TL3 i can just the 18" 6.5x47 spun up, buy a new bolt head, and have a 23" 6.5 SAUM barrel spun up as well. Seems like the perfect plan to me for a hunting platform. Maybe even make it a proof 6.5 blank to lower the weight for Elk hunt or something. Same concept could be used in a finite amount of scenarios for competition also. Say a TL3 with two barrels one for regular PRS and one for ELR PRS.

My TL3 is DLCd, im beggining to think it doesnt help the grabbiness that much. When run correctly i think it does run smoother with the coating though.

I think if i were to get an action other than a TL3, it would have to have features the TL3 doesnt have (and in effect, the Mausingfield too), like the Tempest/Vector with 60 degree throws or something. For now though, i am going nuts waiting for the final pieces to shoot my build!

 

[missed]

My Mausingfield is a 105/-5

It's still easy enough my 9 y/o daughter can run through a mag without picking her head up, or needing additional leverage to run it. She wants me to make her CZ452 that easy to run.

 

[leftyk82]

A few have mention switch barrels and that's not a Bighorn exclusive. Josh at PVA can spin up a shouldered prefit for the Mausingfield also; no need for sending in the action.

EDIT: the above statement is not correct, as clarified by bohem in a subsequent post.

 

[Stag556]

I have both. I've run my Mausingfield all year in PRS matches. I like the feel and operation. Worst thing I did was cerakote it. That's coming off in a week and being sent out for DLC. I just finished the build on the TL3 so don't have much experience yet. And both are Switch barrel setups. One doesn't "win" over the other. I've run a Criterion prefit on Mausingfield. Can't go wrong either way, it comes down to your preference in looks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NateVA]

A few have mention switch barrels and that's not a Bighorn exclusive. Josh at PVA can spin up a shouldered prefit for the Mausingfield also; no need for sending in the action.

I thought I remembered that being the case but the other posts in this thread had me a bit worried.

 

[Milo 2.5]

Help me out here, a couple have mentioned "looks", is it the MF bolt handle? I'm about to set each of mine on my bench and check, doubt it'll come to me.

 

[5RWill]

A few have mention switch barrels and that's not a Bighorn exclusive. Josh at PVA can spin up a shouldered prefit for the Mausingfield also; no need for sending in the action.

It's exclusive to changing bolt faces though. You can switch barrel anything with an integral lug but if you can't change the bolt face without buying a new bolt you're limited to what you bought it in. You can take a bighorn short action and literally have a 223-6.5CM-6.5 SAUM and everything in between if you want. Less they're selling Mausingfield bolts, even then i can't imagine them being cheaper than bighorn bolt heads.

 

[leftyk82]

It's exclusive to changing bolt faces though. You can switch barrel anything with an integral lug but if you can't change the bolt face without buying a new bolt you're limited to what you bought it in. You can take a bighorn short action and literally have a 223-6.5CM-6.5 SAUM and everything in between if you want. Less they're selling Mausingfield bolts, even then i can't imagine them being cheaper than bighorn bolt heads.

That is true. I remember the MF design to have interchangeable bolt heads but I'm not aware of price or availability.

 

[bohem]

A few have mention switch barrels and that's not a Bighorn exclusive. Josh at PVA can spin up a shouldered prefit for the Mausingfield also; no need for sending in the action.

That's almost correct. The one thing to add is that the Bighorns don't require me to ever see the receiver, doesn't matter what bolt head someone puts in it. Bighorn is doing a fair bit of additional work to hold a tolerance stack this tight and having had literally hundreds of receivers through here they're doing it every time. With a Mausingfield I need the receiver the first time and then after that I don't need it again unless the owner swaps bolt heads and orders something on the new bolt head. Then I need to check it again.

This is the same with any receiver; R700, Defiance, whatever. Once I have it I don't need it again unless a piece of the action assembly changes or if there is machine work performed to it.

The Mausingfield has interchangeable heads though it's not a floating design. The swap kit is a head and an extractor, last time I checked the cost was $400 for the head and extractor together.

To the commentor above about the ejection on the Mausingfield being superior to the TL3... there is no difference. They both use a mechanically identical approach. The parts are obviously not interchangeable but the mechanism functions the same exact way.

 

[steve123]

At Shot 2016 I went back and forth to the booths where the Mausingfield and TL3 were. I put a deposit down on the Mausingfield and not that I didn't like the TL3 but it became my second choice. A few months later the action showed up and I was shooting the build 3 weeks later. At the time I made the right decision as far as wait time. I'm not a patient person. The ARC M at Shot was the smoothest action I've felt to date, it was DLC'ed. The short of it is I appreciate the genius features Ted designed into the action. I had a extra barrel that was on my M700 with 400 rounds through it set back for the ARC M. The new action/barrel combo turned out to be my most accurate yet in a precision rifle. With some mag tuning to overcome the short OACL of 6x47L, the feeding, extraction and ejection is phenomenal. I was at the Battle Royale where fine silty dust from high winds got into every crevice of the rifle, I literally had to take everything apart and clean it out in the shower when I got home!!! but it ran flawlessly. That meant a lot to me!

I'd prefer the cocking effort/bolt lift to be lighter is my only complaint. Ted, Mausingfield next gen idea, assisted opening - think stiletto, or cock on closing to take advantage of inertia doing the work.

 

[Milo 2.5]

Why is the Defiance CRF not mentioned much in the community? I'm close to pulling the trigger on one.

 

[nfoley]

I have both and go back and forth between which I like more. They are both outstanding. 2000+ rounds of 6 dasher through the mausingfield and a lot more through my bighorn TL2. Only issues I have ever had with either have been mag related.
The one thing I will mention (because I have run into a few others that have had this issue) is in my mausingfield a savage prefit will not work without a little work. The extractor contacts the breech face of the barrel prior to being able to adequately headspace. Had to have a couple thousandths taken off the back of the barrel to work. LRI did it for me for a minimal fee and very little downtime. So not a huge deal at all.

 

[nfoley]

I will add I never liked the bolt handle Mausingfield came with (just personal preference). Got a knob from LRI and absolutely love it. It seemed to make a difference in felt bolt lift effort.

 

[jsimonh]

I went Mausingfield just because I wanted something different. I did switch to the LRI bolt handle, and had my extractor "tuned". I had a little issue single feeding a Dasher before the tune, but everything is smooth now. Mine is not DLC'd, but I used Norells Moly Resin on it and it's very slick.

 

[silhouette]

So are the ones that aren't DLC'd just raw stainless? I think I read somewhere else that they need a coat/finish applied.

 

[missed]

So are the ones that aren't DLC'd just raw stainless? I think I read somewhere else that they need a coat/finish applied.

They are alloy steel. They will rust if not coated with something. I haven't coated mine, it looks pretty in the white! I just keep mine sprayed with Boeshield. It has not rusted at all. Even after shooting in the summer dripping sweat all over it.

 

[Ledzep]

Why is the Defiance CRF not mentioned much in the community? I'm close to pulling the trigger on one.

I've seen those on their website, also. Never seen one in person, or even on forums. I don't think many people know about them. Anyway, my biggest issue with Defiance is the action material, the stuff galls if you run it hard & dry. Saw several examples of it when I worked building rifles with deviants, the most notable was less than 1500 rounds through it. The M5 especially seems to be very resistant to wear/galling, and I don't remember ever seeing a Bighorn damaged like that, either.

Cleaning and lube or a surface treatment like nitride or DLC would probably prevent most of it.

 

[noisewaterphd]

Anyway, my biggest issue with Defiance is the action material, the stuff galls if you run it hard & dry. Saw several examples of it when I worked building rifles with deviants, the most notable was less than 1500 rounds through it. The M5 especially seems to be very resistant to wear/galling, and I don't remember ever seeing a Bighorn damaged like that, either.

Cleaning and lube or a surface treatment like nitride or DLC would probably prevent most of it.

Basically, don't run your action dry. Any will gall if you do dumb shit, I've seen just about every popular action do it. Take 5 seconds and make sure your lugs are clean and greased.

I've been running a TL3 this season and like it very much, I wouldn't hesitate to run one again. I've had ample trigger time behind a Mausingfield, also a very fine action. But, to be perfectly honest (and perhaps unpopular) I'm going back to a Deviant next year.

 

[M5B2CFF]

$250 for a new 223 bolt head and extractor for a MF switch barrel set up. Was just asking Ted last week.

As for pre-fits, the extractors on the new DLC actions have no portion protruding more than 0.115" from the bolt face. These extractors will work with the Savage pre-fits. Additional clearance between the breech face of the barrel and the forward end of the extractor can be had by facing the breech. Again, learned directly from Ted.

Criterion took a look at the action drawings and said their pre-fits should work without having to face them now, where some have had to in the past due to the extractor. They will also do TL3 specific pre-fits. These barrels are designed with a flattened breech face and no breech cone to accomodate the floated bolt head used on Bighorn Actions.

Just info for those looking for barrels in that price range. I felt it was good news on the MF front. Being able to buy a Criterion, or similar, Savage pre-fit was a big selling point to me when I bought mine. Hoping to pick up another and test these claims with a criterion pre-fit. Love that Mausingfield.

 

[missed]

$250 for a new 223 bolt head and extractor for a MF switch barrel set up. Was just asking Ted last week.

As for pre-fits, the extractors on the new DLC actions have no portion protruding more than 0.115" from the bolt face. These extractors will work with the Savage pre-fits. Additional clearance between the breech face of the barrel and the forward end of the extractor can be had by facing the breech. Again, learned directly from Ted.

Criterion took a look at the action drawings and said their pre-fits should work without having to face them now, where some have had to in the past due to the extractor. They will also do TL3 specific pre-fits. These barrels are designed with a flattened breech face and no breech cone to accomodate the floated bolt head used on Bighorn Actions.

Just info for those looking for barrels in that price range. I felt it was good news on the MF front. Being able to buy a Criterion, or similar, Savage pre-fit was a big selling point to me when I bought mine. Hoping to pick up another and test these claims with a criterion pre-fit. Love that Mausingfield.

223 on a Mausingfield? When did that happen?

 

[LRI]

A few have mention switch barrels and that's not a Bighorn exclusive. Josh at PVA can spin up a shouldered prefit for the Mausingfield also; no need for sending in the action.

Interesting since Ted himself has stated its a bad idea. The Toroidal lug system, as a consequence, means that the "in/out" distance between bolt face and receiver shoulder can vary slightly. What this means is tennon length will fluctuate, although very little, as a consequence.

As someone who has easily fitted 25% of ARC's total production, I can attest to this. On a barrel nut system it is of no consequence. With a conventional barrel tennon, you have no magic wand to address this.

Fitting a gun is still a trade and the liability should something go wrong is a reality. If you wish to absorb that liability yourself then by all means, play gun plumber at home. It's a common practice in shops to adopt the "you rig it, you ride it" policy. Meaning, you screw the thing on, you go test fire it. -if they even test fire at all.

 

[leftyk82]

Interesting since Ted himself has stated its a bad idea. The Toroidal lug system, as a consequence, means that the "in/out" distance between bolt face and receiver shoulder can vary slightly. What this means is tennon length will fluctuate, although very little, as a consequence.

As someone who has easily fitted 25% of ARC's total production, I can attest to this. On a barrel nut system it is of no consequence. With a conventional barrel tennon, you have no magic wand to address this.

Fitting a gun is still a trade and the liability should something go wrong is a reality. If you wish to absorb that liability yourself then by all means, play gun plumber at home. It's a common practice in shops to adopt the "you rig it, you ride it" policy. Meaning, you screw the thing on, you go test fire it. -if they even test fire at all.

I was not correct in my statement quoted above........Josh clarified that in a subsequent post. My information came from listening to Josh on a podcast; the details of which I either did not hear correctly or misinterpreted. I also have not had that work done nor requested it of any shop.

 

[Ledzep]

Basically, don't run your action dry. Any will gall if you do dumb shit, I've seen just about every popular action do it. Take 5 seconds and make sure your lugs are clean and greased.

I've been running a TL3 this season and like it very much, I wouldn't hesitate to run one again. I've had ample trigger time behind a Mausingfield, also a very fine action. But, to be perfectly honest (and perhaps unpopular) I'm going back to a Deviant next year.

That's fair enough. Preventative maintenance will almost always rule the day. The difference is that they seem more susceptable to it than a lot of actions. I think Nitride does a favor, but the root issue is stainless steel and the heat treat. Bighorn gets them harder and there were fewer galling issues in my experience (I never saw a galled bighorn). Additionally myself and Chad ran a mausingfield through 500+ rounds of false shoulder (long headspace) rounds as fast as we could (2 hours maybe? I don't remember exactly) with a water-cooled barrel for 6 comp match brass fireforming into a container full of sand. The shop was filled with dust from this, and there was dust and sand all over the action, we never lubed it, and there was no galling. Following that I ran my rifle dry in a few matches to see what the limit was, and never experienced galling.

Materials make a difference. It's all over-kill when you're talking aftermarket actions, but to be honest my personal preference leans to something like a Tikka T3 over some of these soft(er) stainless custom actions. It's all a give or take somewhere or another. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

 

[sleeplz]

Basically, don't run your action dry. Any will gall if you do dumb shit, I've seen just about every popular action do it. Take 5 seconds and make sure your lugs are clean and greased.

I've been running a TL3 this season and like it very much, I wouldn't hesitate to run one again. I've had ample trigger time behind a Mausingfield, also a very fine action. But, to be perfectly honest (and perhaps unpopular) I'm going back to a Deviant next year.

What are your reasons for the switch to Deviant? I have no time behind a custom action so I'm trying to decide what I'd like to dive into.

 

[.30kal]

At Shot 2016 I went back and forth to the booths where the Mausingfield and TL3 were. I put a deposit down on the Mausingfield and not that I didn't like the TL3 but it became my second choice. A few months later the action showed up and I was shooting the build 3 weeks later. At the time I made the right decision as far as wait time. I'm not a patient person. The ARC M at Shot was the smoothest action I've felt to date, it was DLC'ed. The short of it is I appreciate the genius features Ted designed into the action. I had a extra barrel that was on my M700 with 400 rounds through it set back for the ARC M. The new action/barrel combo turned out to be my most accurate yet in a precision rifle. With some mag tuning to overcome the short OACL of 6x47L, the feeding, extraction and ejection is phenomenal. I was at the Battle Royale where fine silty dust from high winds got into every crevice of the rifle, I literally had to take everything apart and clean it out in the shower when I got home!!! but it ran flawlessly. That meant a lot to me!

I had a similar experience at SHOT 2017. I was able to bind the TL3 action fairly easy, while the Mausingfield was flawless. The fact that DLC was being made the standard coating was also a plus in my book. The TL3 has gotten a lot a hype on this forum, so it was a bit of let down. The TL3 was nice, but the Mausingfield was nicer and had a lot of well-thought out features.

 

[Milo 2.5]

Again, I have both, the MF on it's 3rd barrel, Bighorn 1st, when the xc barrel on the bighorn is tits up, bighorn will be for sale, be on the lookout for a good buy.

 

[noisewaterphd]

What are your reasons for the switch to Deviant? I have no time behind a custom action so I'm trying to decide what I'd like to dive into.

It's hard to quantify. To me they just run better. When I'm running a Defiance the entire motion of running the bolt is subconcious. They run like glass. With the TL3 or the Mausingfield running the bolt seems to steal my attention more often for one reason or another. It probably just boils down to a lot more trigger time behind a Deviant.

I found the features of the TL3 (and the Mausingfield) alluring. CRF, mechanical ejection, floating bolt heads. What I have learned this year is that I really don't care about any of those things (I . feel like we might have already learned this back when 700's took over Mauser/M70 customs). I will kind of miss the mechanical ejection a little bit in some practice situations, but that's about it. I don't switch barrels out even though I thought I would, and if I really wanted to I could do the same thing on a Deviant. As for CRF, it's neither here nor there. I never needed it before, but it hasn't made any difference having it either.

So, TLDR; I'm switching back because I run a Deviant better, and the features of a TL3/Mausingfield make no practical difference to me.

I will say that if it is your first custom action don't over think it. They are all phenomenal and head and shoulders above a stock action. You pretty much can't go wrong.

 

[silhouette]

I appreciate every reply to this thread, I have certainly learnt a couple of things. My conclusion is that I couldn't really go wrong with either action, so it's down to personal preference. The Bighorn does look a little more attractive, but there's something about the Mauser type extractor that I find appealing. My current comp rifle is a Tikka and with a couple of careless hot loads, I've blown the extractor (and retreived it) off the bolt.
I'm unlikely to be changing barrels before I wear one out so that piont is fairly irrelevant. There are a couple of Bighorns in my club, so I'm leaning towards the Mausingfield just to be different, provided I can get one DLC'd.

 

[LRI]

I appreciate every reply to this thread, I have certainly learnt a couple of things. My conclusion is that I couldn't really go wrong with either action, so it's down to personal preference. The Bighorn does look a little more attractive, but there's something about the Mauser type extractor that I find appealing. My current comp rifle is a Tikka and with a couple of careless hot loads, I've blown the extractor (and retreived it) off the bolt.
I'm unlikely to be changing barrels before I wear one out so that piont is fairly irrelevant. There are a couple of Bighorns in my club, so I'm leaning towards the Mausingfield just to be different, provided I can get one DLC'd.

I am jaded as I sell/fit up many M5's here. If it means anything there's a reason for it. It's the only aftermarket action to truly capture my attention. -ever.

You've made a good choice. The learning curve on the ARC MF is very, very short. In fact, there isn't one. You'll soon discover that you spend your time shooting instead of chasing gun parts or learning to run the bolt "just right" so that it doesn't hang up. It'll deliver hot, cold, wet, dirty, dusty, etc. I've gone to great lengths to kill mine. As of yet I am unsuccessful.

All current prodution ARC Mausingfields arrive in a C12 DLC suit of clothes. Just how they are done now.

Good luck, have fun.

C.

 

[lukejr985]

I have a mausingfield built by Chad and i can attest its the best custom build/action i have ever put my hands on, bolt manipulation becomes super easy no thought required, all positives

 

[NateVA]

I am jaded as I sell/fit up many M5's here. If it means anything there's a reason for it. It's the only aftermarket action to truly capture my attention. -ever.

You've made a good choice. The learning curve on the ARC MF is very, very short. In fact, there isn't one. You'll soon discover that you spend your time shooting instead of chasing gun parts or learning to run the bolt "just right" so that it doesn't hang up. It'll deliver hot, cold, wet, dirty, dusty, etc. I've gone to great lengths to kill mine. As of yet I am unsuccessful.

All current prodution ARC Mausingfields arrive in a C12 DLC suit of clothes. Just how they are done now.

Good luck, have fun.

C.

I didn't want to bother you on the phone with this question so I think I'll ask here.

I'm going to be ordering a Mausingfield/Proof barreled action from you guys soon but I first have to get my hands on the Proof barrel. I'm going to be placing an order for one from Stocky's. What has been your overall experience with Proof carbon fiber barrels? If there's no reason to avoid them I'll order one today.

 

[Ledzep]

Go to range report section of the forum. I have a fairly detailed review of my MF and proof barrel. Haven't noticed any difference vs any other match barrel.

 

[NateVA]

Go to range report section of the forum. I have a fairly detailed review of my MF and proof barrel. Haven't noticed any difference vs any other match barrel.

I'm very glad to hear that because 10 minutes after that post my impulse control went away and I ordered a Proof carbon fiber barrel from Stocky's. I just got the shipping notice.