NEW From Zermatt Arms - RimX Actions

[Defender32]

Still waiting for my call to send mine in for the conversion. Going to build a second rimx as well in a lighter config for just playing around and as a backup to the main comp rifle.

Thoughts on it after conversion?

My ModX conversion has over 1K flawless rounds on it now. I have shot it out to 300y and no issues. I run both Vudoo and RimX Mags without any issues as well. I like it way better than when I was a regular RimX. NO need to worry about the bolt bouncing a round ahead of it and having to dig it out with a knife. Side the bolt home and fire the round on target.

My 2 Gen1 Vudoo builds ave been set off in the corner for now. When its time to re test at lapua we will see which of the 3 gets the best groups and shoot them rifle from that point on.

 

[021411]

I’m going to send MCR my RimX probably some time in January. I just have to decide which barrel I want to have converted as well.

 

[padom]

My ModX conversion has over 1K flawless rounds on it now. I have shot it out to 300y and no issues. I run both Vudoo and RimX Mags without any issues as well. I like it way better than when I was a regular RimX. NO need to worry about the bolt bouncing a round ahead of it and having to dig it out with a knife. Side the bolt home and fire the round on target.

My 2 Gen1 Vudoo builds ave been set off in the corner for now. When its time to re test at lapua we will see which of the 3 gets the best groups and shoot them rifle from that point on.

So did you have new barrels cut after having your ModX conversion? Or did you have your barrel set back and headspace then set? What ammo did you set headspace for? I know headspace for a standard RimX with tensioner is minimum 0.0455" and most shops set it something 0.046-0.0475 which would be excessive if no longer using the stock tensioner.

The whole point of the RimX design was to remove the burden of setting headspace for a certain type of ammo (lapua, Eley, etc.) because by RimX design, the case was held firm against the bolt face so the round couldn't move during ignition. This is what allowed the prefit precision 22LR market.

When you remove that design, your back to the age old 22LR method of having to set your headspace for the ammo you planned to shoot unless ultimate accuracy and ignition isnt a concern. Your now essentially shooting a Vudoo once you do this mod.

For example, before the RimX, using the age old method of chambering precision rimfires, if you were shooting Eley you set headspace to 0.0385-0.039" headspace vs Lapua you set 0.041-0.043" headspace...

 

[Defender32]

So did you have new barrels cut after having your ModX conversion? Or did you have your barrel set back and headspace then set? What ammo did you set headspace for? I know headspace for a standard RimX with tensioner is minimum 0.0455" and most shops set it something 0.046-0.0475 which would be excessive if no longer using the stock tensioner.

The whole point of the RimX design was to remove the burden of setting headspace for a certain type of ammo (lapua, Eley, etc.) because by RimX design, the case was held firm against the bolt face so the round couldn't move during ignition. This is what allowed the prefit precision 22LR market.

When you remove that design, your back to the age old 22LR method of having to set your headspace for the ammo you planned to shoot unless ultimate accuracy and ignition isnt a concern. Your now essentially shooting a Vudoo once you do this mod.

For example, before the RimX, using the age old method of chambering precision rimfires, if you were shooting Eley you set headspace to 0.0385-0.039" headspace vs Lapua you set 0.041-0.043" headspace...

I had new barrels cut. I have a 13t MW at 23' and a 25" 16t Brux.

100% understand that im essentially shooting a Vudoo. It is a Vudoo with a better ignition system and a flawless magazine. I do use a Vudoo mag for a 10 round mag and RimX mags for my extended magazines.

 

[padom]

I had new barrels cut. I have a 13t MW at 23' and a 25" 16t Brux.

100% understand that im essentially shooting a Vudoo. It is a Vudoo with a better ignition system and a flawless magazine. I do use a Vudoo mag for a 10 round mag and RimX mags for my extended magazines.

Gotcha, that makes sense. What did you have headspace set to for the 2 new barrels? Are you now only buying and shooting ammo for the headspace you set?

 

[Defender32]

Johnathan set it based off the Lapua I sent him. It has been great with all Lapua & SK so far.

 

[littlepod]

I haven't gotten my ModX yet, but you can also just get your Vudoo bolt modified to take in bolt shims, then you can add a shim to cover the headspacing for Eley. My goal with the ModX was basically to shoot a Vudoo with RimX mags

 

[padom]

Johnathan set it based off the Lapua I sent him. It has been great with all Lapua & SK so far.

Gotcha so probably something in that 0.041" - 0.043" range for Lapua.

 

[Csafisher]

I had new barrels cut. I have a 13t MW at 23' and a 25" 16t Brux.

100% understand that im essentially shooting a Vudoo. It is a Vudoo with a better ignition system and a flawless magazine. I do use a Vudoo mag for a 10 round mag and RimX mags for my extended magazines.

How is the brux shooting compared to your other barrels?

 

[Defender32]

How is the brux shooting compared to your other barrels?

I like my Brux better than any barrel I have cut. It is the least picky on ammo that I have ever seen.

The Krieger I have on a Gen1 Vudoo is awesome as well.

 

[Csafisher]

I like my Brux better than any barrel I have cut. It is the least picky on ammo that I have ever seen.

The Krieger I have on a Gen1 Vudoo is awesome as well.

Did you order directly from Brux? Website says they have a 12mo lead time.

 

[rimfired]

Always have to have that 1 who wants to be a little different, 10 shot group at 100 yards today with Center X.

 

[Defender32]

Did you order directly from Brux? Website says they have a 12mo lead time.

I bought them from Rachel Precision. He keeps lots of Brux barrels in stock and on order.

 

[021411]

My RimX is headed to MCR for the ModX conversion. I was given the green light by Jonathan not long ago but I wanted to wait until after Christmas to send in the action. I was initially going to use an existing prefit but noticed Krieger had exactly what I wanted in stock ready to ship. Also thanks to Defender32 for the heads up on MCR’s new Eley specific chamber that looks very promising. Since Eley is super easy to get right now, that’s what I’m going with.
Good thing about all this is reverting back to stock config later on for whatever reason. I just need a new bolt head and slap on another barrel.
Edited to add: I’ll eventually pick up another RimX action and continue to run my Manzella barrel since it shoots so well.

 

[rimfired]

I haven't tried any yet but do have some left over Eley match I tried lot testing my previous rifle, asked about shooting Eley and he mentioned he uses a different Eley specific chamber if that's what you plan on shooting.

 

[padom]

I got my latest Manzella Green Mountain to the range for the second time yesterday.

It was blowing 20-25mph and I was there to test my new Geiselle cut rifled ar barrel so didn't have a lot of time.

I shot a 5x5 with Eley Team then a 5x5 with CenterX and it hammered.

First 2 5rd groups of Team on clean cold bore was sub 0.5" then the next 3 were 0.2s..

First 5rd group CX was 0.4s then the rest were 0.1s and 0.2s.

Nasty blowing wind and this GM shot as good as the rest. No lot testing just grabbed some random half shot boxes in the cabinet..

 

[padom]

Anyone shooting a Sidhe triggers from Italy?? Essentially an upgraded Flavio...

I just got 2 to test here. Their BR Evo and and Target Evo with flat 90 degree shoes..

I just threw the BR Evo in my single shot TL3 for some barrel testing and it feels AWESOME..

I'm going to throw this Target in my RimX to test but these Sidhe triggers feel great.

https://sidhe.it/en/production/rifle-components

USA reseller

Sidhe BR evo | Par Solutions Llc

Developed for Bench Rest F-ClassAdjustments Sear Engagement Over Travel Pull Force Technical features Single stage - 4 Levers - 5 bearings Body in anodized ERGAL 7075 TOP Sear is hardened 55 HRC coating EZO High-precision stainless ball bearings made in Japan. Adjustable between 0.9 and 2.1 oz...

www.parsolutions.llc

 

[littlepod]

Anyone shooting a Sidhe triggers from Italy?? Essentially an upgraded Flavio...

I just got 2 to test here. Their BR Evo and and Target Evo with flat 90 degree shoes..

I just threw the BR Evo in my single shot TL3 for some barrel testing and it feels AWESOME..

I'm going to throw this Target in my RimX to test but these Sidhe triggers feel great.

https://sidhe.it/en/production/rifle-components

USA reseller

Sidhe BR evo | Par Solutions Llc

Developed for Bench Rest F-ClassAdjustments Sear Engagement Over Travel Pull Force Technical features Single stage - 4 Levers - 5 bearings Body in anodized ERGAL 7075 TOP Sear is hardened 55 HRC coating EZO High-precision stainless ball bearings made in Japan. Adjustable between 0.9 and 2.1 oz...

www.parsolutions.llc

Question, after using the Bix&Andy, where I had to buy different sear heights for Vudoo and RimX, how would something like Sidhe just work? Compatible with both?

 

[padom]

Question, after using the Bix&Andy, where I had to buy different sear heights for Vudoo and RimX, how would something like Sidhe just work? Compatible with both?

You didn't HAVE to buy different sear heights to "work." You bought different sear heights to be optimal for sear engagement.

If you look at the BNA chart. Both low and medium fell in the Zermatt measurement.

Also, from what I understand Zermatt made a change and low is no longer than optimal BNA sear height and it's now the medium sear (@Zermatt Arms) Ray please confirm..

Bolt cycling feels great with the Sidhe BR Evo, no premature firing.. trigger pull is crazy light and crisp around 1.5oz out of the box. I'll adjust it to around 4oz for my RimX.

I literally just mounted this trigger and dry fired it 50 or so times..

I have a lot more testing and some measurements to take so stay tuned. I'll start a new thread. Was just wondering if anyone was running one..

 

[Zermatt Arms]

Also, from what I understand Zermatt made a change and low is no longer than optimal BNA sear height and it's now the medium sear (@Zermatt Arms) Ray please confirm..

Correct - cocking piece geometry was changed in mid 2023. Sear height concerns have been completely mitigated to my knowledge.

Thanks - Ray

 

[Csafisher]

Correct - cocking piece geometry was changed in mid 2023. Sear height concerns have been completely mitigated to my knowledge.

Thanks - Ray

Do you know what serial number the change was made at?

 

[Zermatt Arms]

Do you know what serial number the change was made at?

R02680 was the last with the older revision.

 

[Csafisher]

R02680 was the last with the older revision.

I have a 24XX number. I have used a bix and now a trigger tech. Haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary with it.

 

[Agracer]

Anyone else experience lug wear on their RimX?

Kenny at Desert Precision Gun Works is currently holding all RimX builds because new actions are showing excessive lug wear on the bolts with just a few cycles on them. Claims the bolt material is too soft.

Live stream on YouTube



To save time go to 5m and 30m ( he shows a brand new out of the box action shows wear after just a few cycles).

 

[021411]

Up until yesterday I’ve never heard of it. I guess his customer base was tired of waiting almost a year with nothing to show for it. They get mad and so he gets mad.
You would think if it was a wide spread thing you’d hear more about it here. I know forum members make up a teeny tiny portion of the owners but still.. something would have popped up. But to answer your question, nope. No issues with mine but then again I’m in the low 1100 serial range.

 

[Agracer]

Up until yesterday I’ve never heard of it. I guess his customer base was tired of waiting almost a year with nothing to show for it. They get mad and so he gets mad.
You would think if it was a wide spread thing you’d hear more about it here. I know forum members make up a teeny tiny portion of the owners but still.. something would have popped up. But to answer your question, nope. No issues with mine but then again I’m in the low 1100 serial range.

His claim is that it’s a recent issue bc of a material change by Zermatt. Not something that would be widespread right now.

But to your point, they also announced their new in-house action will be coming in about 6 months.

EDIT: my mistake, his claim is this has been going on since July. Also, several of his customers are seeing the same issue on rifles he’s shipped earlier in 2024. Also non-clients have shared photos online ( he shows them at 7m mark).

Watch at the 30m mark. He takes out a new action and it binders after just a few bolt cycles.

 

[chillywig]

I'd guess my action has more than 5k on it. The coating is barely rubbed off the bolt lugs. My serial is R021xx

 

[padom]

Anyone else experience lug wear on their RimX?

Kenny at Desert Precision Gun Works is currently holding all RimX builds because new actions are showing excessive lug wear on the bolts with just a few cycles on them. Claims the bolt material is too soft.

Live stream on YouTube



To save time go to 5m and 30m ( he shows a brand new out of the box action shows wear after just a few cycles).

@Zermatt Arms

 

[Schütze]

Why would he spend so much time creating a YouTube video about this?
I don’t even want to watch it….

IMO, a professional in this industry would work with Zermatt directly instead of trying to hurt them on social media.

Ray is always very helpful and doing anything possible to support their products.

After thousands of rd’s and dry firing, the lugs on my RimX bolt lock normal, very little wear. Of course I lube them slightly after cleaning.

 

[kbiss]

He says it's 3000+ serial #'s

 

[021411]

He says it's 3000+ serial #'s

You would figure since July there have been many sold in that serial range or higher. Not a peep from anyone that I’ve seen. As mentioned above there are non customers seeing the issue but honestly I haven’t read about it. But I’m also not on every forum or FB group.

 

[pronelife]

That video is way too long and very repetitive after the first 10-15 mins. I purchased mine, serial #2998, on 1/29/24. After 1552 rounds the nitride coating on the lugs shows wear appropriate for that many rounds; nothing like what was presented in the video. I am not experiencing any of the bolt open/close behavior described in the video.

 

[Agracer]

Why would he spend so much time creating a YouTube video about this?
I don’t even want to watch it….

IMO, a professional in this industry would work with Zermatt directly instead of trying to hurt them on social media.

Ray is always very helpful and doing anything possible to support their products.

After thousands of rd’s and dry firing, the lugs on my RimX bolt lock normal, very little wear. Of course I lube them slightly after cleaning.

He states in the first 5m that he’s been in contact with Zermatt since he discovered this issue in July with no resolution from Zermatt. He’s basically saying they’ve (as in DPG) have not shipped any RimX stuff bc of this issue as he does want customers with bad products.

And just to be clear, I have zero affiliation with this guy. I recall Eric Cortina basically saying he was wrong about videos he posted last year (kind of called him a fool) and I’m not some fanboy. I just posted to see if anyone else has heard of this as I have an action on order and wanted to know if I was going to be dealing with a big mess once it’s built by another smith.

 

[Edward_Stussy]

Anyone else experience lug wear on their RimX?

Kenny at Desert Precision Gun Works is currently holding all RimX builds because new actions are showing excessive lug wear on the bolts with just a few cycles on them. Claims the bolt material is too soft.

Live stream on YouTube



To save time go to 5m and 30m ( he shows a brand new out of the box action shows wear after just a few cycles).

Yes, I experienced this within the first mag I put through my action (serial: 35XX) which I have had in my possession for less than a month. When the barrel was installed and a round loaded, bolt closure was not smooth. Once the bolt pulled and inspected after the initial firings I noticed the lugs were worn to shiny bare metal with a slight groove towards the outside. I also noticed the lug recesses on the action has chatter marks. Needless to say, I’m extremely disappointed that this has been happening even after being brought to the manufactures attention.

I’ve already sent an email to ZA describing my issue and I really hope they make it right because this is wholly unacceptable from @Zermatt Arms and the only correct course of action I will accept from them is if they send a replacement bolt body made with the original 41-series steel.

 

[littlepod]

He states in the first 5m that he’s been in contact with Zermatt since he discovered this issue in July with no resolution from Zermatt. He’s basically saying they’ve (as in DPG) have not shipped any RimX stuff bc of this issue as he does want customers with bad products.

And just to be clear, I have zero affiliation with this guy. I recall Eric Cortina basically saying he was wrong about videos he posted last year (kind of called him a fool) and I’m not some fanboy. I just posted to see if anyone else has heard of this as I have an action on order and wanted to know if I was going to be dealing with a big mess once it’s built by another smith.

I want to know more about how / what hold the records at the Lapua test centers.

 

[chillywig]

I want to know more about how / what hold the records at the Lapua test centers.

When I went to OH test center last they had some of the best groups posted on the wall. Most we benchrest single shot guns so I didn't pay too much attention

 

[Masojoh]

I had an action that had this issue with the locking lugs being “rough” for the lack of a better word. Bolt close felt really bad. It started this way almost immediately after I bought it. I can’t get the picture to transfer from my phone to this iPad, but they look the same as what is shown in the video.

Picture of my bolt. This was reported in late May. I believe that action was delivered in early May.

For me, issues happen with every product. It’s how the manufacturer deals with them. I sent pics to Ray on a Saturday, had a shipping label Monday and the action back in my hands Friday. I shot that rifle a few hundred rounds after getting it back, and it was just as smooth as I was expecting. I did sell it, and to my knowledge, the buyer is still shooting it with no issues.

I bought a new RimX action the week of Christmas. I have over 1,000 rounds through it already with zero issues.

 

[littlepod]

When I went to OH test center last they had some of the best groups posted on the wall. Most we benchrest single shot guns so I didn't pay too much attention

Yeh that's what I saw and thought too but Kenny said in his video his new barrel holds both records...

 

[thaflash_la]

Question for running a tight chamber. This is my first rimfire rifle. I got padom’s chamber on my barrel and it’s very smooth with eley match and tenex. I got the mag height set where I can run the bolt and I don’t see any deformation except slight marks on the tip of the bullet.

But I accidentally bought some eley club instead of team and it takes some pressure to close the chamber on that. I’m assuming I shouldn’t fire those out of the barrel? Or would it be OK? I see the same marks on the tip of the bullet and no other deformation on the rounds.

 

[Daniel G. Banting]

I expect that other more experienced will chime in with more info.

. I too have a tightly chambered custom barreled gun. I was experiencing the same issue as you are. On contacting the barrel manufacturer I was told that Eley use different rim thickness brass on their economy ammo as opposed to Tenex, Match and Team. Those rims are .039-040". The economical stuff runs thicker .041-.043"

That might result in what you re experiencing.

 

[Daniel G. Banting]

I was not too clear in my post above. You potentially have two things at work here. One is a tight headspace issue which could possibly impact things irrespective of chamber/reamer dimensions. ( I suspect ). The other is that the bullet loaded in Club has a different profile and your tight chamber is engraving the rifling to a greater degree than with the premium stuff.

 

[thaflash_la]

Thanks! The engraving looks the same between them so it sounds like the former (though it’s not unlikely that the differences would be finer than I can see with my eye). But I’ll email the barrel maker for their advice. Worst case, I just save the club ammo for my friend’s .22’s.

 

[Redfisher60]

Revisiting my RimX. I've predominantly been shooting my Vudos for the last couple of years, but I have an early RimX (R00230) I'd like to start shooting again. Have there been any changes that require an upgrade or new parts? Curretly running a Proof Pre-fit but thinking about rebarreling it with something a little longer and heavier.

 

[Edward_Stussy]

Revisiting my RimX. I've predominantly been shooting my Vudos for the last couple of years, but I have an early RimX (R00230) I'd like to start shooting again. Have there been any changes that require an upgrade or new parts? Curretly running a Proof Pre-fit but thinking about rebarreling it with something a little longer and heavier.

What length prefit are you running, and is it carbon or steel?

 

[Franko]

Revisiting my RimX. I've predominantly been shooting my Vudos for the last couple of years, but I have an early RimX (R00230) I'd like to start shooting again. Have there been any changes that require an upgrade or new parts? Curretly running a Proof Pre-fit but thinking about rebarreling it with something a little longer and heavier.

There was an update to the extractor so you might want to order a new one to have a spare on hand as some of the early ones weren't lasting as long as they should have.

 

[padom]

I was not too clear in my post above. You potentially have two things at work here. One is a tight headspace issue which could possibly impact things irrespective of chamber/reamer dimensions. ( I suspect ). The other is that the bullet loaded in Club has a different profile and your tight chamber is engraving the rifling to a greater degree than with the premium stuff.

Your not crushing rims if your barrel was properly machined.. RimX tenon print has a minimum headspace of 0.0465" (really clearance, not headspace per Zermatt) which is larger than your rims thickness.... You don't set headspace on a RimX by design, their minimum clearance is so the bolt is clearing the tenon face..

By design, RimX captures and holds the round out of the mag and inserts it into the chamber dead straight. We don't set traditional "headspace" on a RimX like we used to do on all previous precision rimfires.


In the past, we would cut headspace based on ammo used.. less headspace (0.038-0.039) for Eley with their thinner rims and more headspace (0.041-0.043) for Lapua with their thicker rims.... This was done for optimal ignition, so the round didn't move forward when struck by the firing pin or so rims weren't crushed... This provided consistent, optimal ignition for the ammo being used in the specific rifle...

With the RimX, that is out the window and doesn't apply.. The RimX was released with a brand new design that didn't exist to my knowledge previously. The round is captured against the bolt face when its stripped off the mag and held against the bolt face the entire time via the extractor and tensioner. It cannot move forward when struck by the firing pin because its captured behind the extractor and tensioner...

Because of this, headspace doesn't matter because you don't have to worry about the round moving forward when struck or crushing rims.. Now you just cut your tenon to the Zermatt print, pick your preferred reamer, set your amount of engraving and your good to go.

 

[Redfisher60]

What length prefit are you running, and is it carbon or steel?

20” comp contour stainless.