Moving on from Defiance Deviant

[shax2lex]

I have a Defiance Deviant. I love it and it runs like a dream but I’m thinking of moving on from it. I really am thinking about getting a switch barrel action that can take prefit barrels. Something like the Terminus action comes to mind. I think the option of being able to change the barrel and bolt without having to take it all apart is a good option. I mean instead of buying a 223 trainer, just shoot that same rifle. If I wanted to shoot a 6.5 magnum (that fits), change bolt and barrel and go. There has to be a cost savings. Am I crazy?

 

[briang7511]

look at it this way. your currently driving a cadillac and you want to drive a ford taurus cause its cheaper.

 

[shax2lex]

Do you not consider the Curtis custom and the Terminus Zeus action on par with the Defiance Deviant? I thought the quality would have been the same but just different action designs.

 

[47guy]

look at it this way. your currently driving a cadillac and you want to drive a ford taurus cause its cheaper.

what does this even mean? have you owned both actions the OP is asking about?

 

[Adam B]

I own them both, They are both great actions. The Zeus gives noting up to the Defiance and you get switch barrel capability.

 

[Matt_3479]

Do you not consider the Curtis custom and the Terminus Zeus action on par with the Defiance Deviant? I thought the quality would have been the same but just different action designs.

I’ve owned all three, ans currently still own 2 of them (defiance and terminus, have since sold the vector). I can guarantee you that you aren’t giving up nothing with the terminus and if anything I prefer it to the defiance. Set screw quick change barrel, set screws for trigger pins is amazing, 60 degree, crazy smooth, super fast. Awesome actions! The defiance are great.

Now I know the way your thinking makes sense to you financially, but I promise you that you’ll be happier if you just save up and build a second rifle. I had your same mind set and it’s not bad for certain things (trainer and hunting set up for my last one) but a trainer and comp gun are used at the same time of the year meaning every time you switch you have to verify zero. It’s simple but a pain.

The trainer/hunter means I can shoot the trainer side by each with my prs set ups, then switch over to my hunting barrel for coyotes late season.

 

[jmw]

Once a smith has barreled a deviant he can make all the barrels you want for it without needing the action again.

 

[47guy]

Once a smith has barreled a deviant he can make all the barrels you want for it without needing the action again.

this works with any action.

 

[briang7511]

what does this even mean? have you owned both actions the OP is asking about?
[/QUOTE

i like ford, chevy and dodge, but i like cadillacs more. all will get you there. everyone has an opinion. mine is higher of the defiance. seems so do others.

Custom Rifle Action – What The Pros Use

I recently surveyed the top ranked shooters in both the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and the Nationa...

precisionrifleblog.com

 

[briang7511]

Do you not consider the Curtis custom and the Terminus Zeus action on par with the Defiance Deviant? I thought the quality would have been the same but just different action designs.

MY opinion is the deviant is and has been the flagship standard for a long time. nothing wrong with the quality of other actions. I think that they are all fine choices. cant go wrong with any of them. if you set them all on the table and said i get to have one, i will pick the defiance. the deviant is just one of my favorites.

 

[47guy]

you realize thats from 2018 right? also i have personally shot a deviant a ruckus and most recently a tenacity...are they nice solid actions? YES! BUT LIKE a cadillac you dont want to get them dirty...personally ill take a ford chevy or dodge because when i take one off road and get it dirty i know its going to run flawlessly.

 

[jmw]

this works with any action.

Yes I know

 

[Tokay444]

Every rifle that doesn’t have the barrel welded into the action is a switch barrel.
Buy a .223 bolt from defiance and have a barrel spun up.

 

[dgheriani]

Every rifle that doesn’t have the barrel welded into the action is a switch barrel.
Buy a .223 bolt from defiance and have a barrel spun up.

This. If it's solely so you can run a "switch barrel" then just get a barrel vise, action wrench, torque wrench (if you don't already have one) and a .223 bolt and get a barrel done up. I have 2 R700 SAs, a Defiance Deviant Elite and a Nucleus and all of them have multiple barrels that I can just swap around. It's not as fast as a "quick change" setup but only takes about 10 minutes. I do it at home, on a bench at the range, hell I've lag-bolted my barrel vise to a large stump and swapped barrels in the field.