QC Action Choice

[TubbyT223]

I have been doing a ton of research and I feel like I am drinking from a fire hose. This post will probably go the same way. I am wanting a quality bolt action that I can get prefits for. I have narrowed it down to impact, terminus, and Curtis. I could be missing some but that’s what I found. My thought is to get a couple barrels and could swap them out here and there.

I have started rimfire PRS so the thought would be maybe a 223 Wylde trainer barrel then season starts a 6GT or creed.

Any suggestions. Is swapping 223 to 6.5 even feasible. Figured I would get some thoughts.

Edit- to clarify the feasibility. I was more thinking changing calibers/ barrels during the season. I get the feasibility of actually doing it. Bolt face and barrel etc. I am more looking for yeah I do that and it’s a good idea or that’s dumb. Takes more time than it’s worth just have 2 actions.

 

[LuvDog]

Sure, but you need a bolt/face swap along with the barrel swap

 

[oldrifleman]

223 and 6.5 creedmoor use different bolt faces. Any barrel changes with prefits are not hard but can be tricky if you have to pull the action. A QC action like Zeus are much easier.

 

[TubbyT223]

Sure, but you need a bolt/face swap along with the barrel swap

Correct. I just didn’t know if it was for vs Chevy type deal or there was some real difference that actually mattered for example trigger hanger versus threaded pins etc. looking for more of I hated x action because of this problem. Or loved it.

Pretty much everyone at my range shoots a certain action. 1 because it is the newest hotness but also the shop with the range stocks them. Just trying to do due diligence before sinking money. Cry once buy once type thing.

 

[oldrifleman]

Correct. I just didn’t know if it was for vs Chevy type deal or there was some real difference that actually mattered for example trigger hanger versus threaded pins etc. looking for more of I hated x action because of this problem. Or loved it.

Pretty much everyone at my range shoots a certain action. 1 because it is the newest hotness but also the shop with the range stocks them. Just trying to do due diligence before sinking money. Cry once buy once type thing.

I have 4 Impacts and I Terminus Zues QC. The impact have a lower bolt lift, but in reality no big deal either way. Impact is a 2 lug action the Terminus is 3 lugs. I use ASIC mags and they work great. I can leave my action in the stock and change barrels with the Zues, with the Impact I take it out and remove the scope. One takes 30 min the other takes 4-5 ( I am kind of slow). Both are great actions, I do kind of like trigger hangers as I can change a trigger faster if needed.

 

[LuvDog]

Correct. I just didn’t know if it was for vs Chevy type deal or there was some real difference that actually mattered for example trigger hanger versus threaded pins etc. looking for more of I hated x action because of this problem. Or loved it.

Pretty much everyone at my range shoots a certain action. 1 because it is the newest hotness but also the shop with the range stocks them. Just trying to do due diligence before sinking money. Cry once buy once type thing.

Gotcha. If you are settled on those 3 then it is mostly Ford vs Chevy. They are all great.

Terminus was built when Joel left Curtis and he included some design changes that he wanted. They are still close but the threaded trigger pins are a nice feature on the Terminus. They both offer quick change actions

Impact came out with a 75* bolt, so now you can get a short throw. But no quick change barrel option

If you really think you’ll be swapping barrels a lot then get the Terminus or Curtis. You won’t be disappointed with either.

All that said, I wouldn’t want to re-zero my scope that often and would rather have 2 rifles. Since the cost of a bolt is over $500 - $600 that’s not cheap. You might just think of picking up a couple of Origins for the same total cost or 2 used actions from your list

 

[oldrifleman]

All that said, I wouldn’t want to re-zero my scope that often and would rather have 2 rifles. Since the cost of a bolt is over $500 - $600 that’s not cheap. You might just think of picking up a couple of Origins for the same total cost or 2 used actions from your list

I agree, I am not one to actually switch calibers on my rifles unless it is permanent. My purpose was to ease replacement of 22 Creedmoor barrels every 10-12 months.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Almost everyone I know Including me who built a trainer almost never uses it. You train with what you compete with. The cost delta is not that much.

 

[TubbyT223]

Gotcha. If you are settled on those 3 then it is mostly Ford vs Chevy. They are all great.

Terminus was built when Joel left Curtis and he included some design changes that he wanted. They are still close but the threaded trigger pins are a nice feature on the Terminus. They both offer quick change actions

Impact came out with a 75* bolt, so now you can get a short throw. But no quick change barrel option

If you really think you’ll be swapping barrels a lot then get the Terminus or Curtis. You won’t be disappointed with either.

All that said, I wouldn’t want to re-zero my scope that often and would rather have 2 rifles. Since the cost of a bolt is over $500 - $600 that’s not cheap. You might just think of picking up a couple of Origins for the same total cost or 2 used actions from your list

That makes sense and kinda what I was thinking. I’m leaning towards a Zeus but Impact is the go to around here.

 

[TubbyT223]

Almost everyone I know Including me who built a trainer almost never uses it. You train with what you compete with. The cost delta is not that much.

I just like shooting 556. Not really for cost savings

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Why? Not much less recoil than a soft shooting 6, not much cheaper and anemic ballistics.

 

[oldrifleman]

I just like shooting 556. Not really for cost savings

I live shooting my 22s as well, but hey, I am a boomer who doesn’t compete and who’s favorite rifles are .308s

 

[Secant]

I’d just buy another 6GT or creed barrel.

 

[TubbyT223]

Why? Not much less recoil than a soft shooting 6, not much cheaper and anemic ballistics.

It’s kinda my thing. I have been shooting 556 for most of my life. Hence my user name. I always go back to it. That’s a reason for exploring the actions that can have different barrels. I can try new things. See if I like it or not.

 

[TubbyT223]

I live shooting my 22s as well, but hey, I am a boomer who doesn’t compete and who’s favorite rifles are .308s

I’m not a boomer but I also enjoy 308.

 

[oldrifleman]

Both my son and I have discovered the joy that is a 223 bolt gun. Mine is an impact/CRB/Foundation/ZCO rig. Love it with 80.5 grain Bergers and Varget.

 

[TubbyT223]

Both my son and I have discovered the joy that is a 223 bolt gun. Mine is an impact/CRB/Foundation/ZCO rig. Love it

That sounds like an amazing set up.

 

[oldrifleman]

It is

 

[Ty21]

Honestly just pick one and shoot it.. I bought my zues qc love it.. I changed barrels at the range a lot just because I can and to show how good it is a returning to zero lol.

 

[st1650]

Both my son and I have discovered the joy that is a 223 bolt gun. Mine is an impact/CRB/Foundation/ZCO rig. Love it with 80.5 grain Bergers and Varget.

223 bolt gun with a 24-26in barrel with 80.5 and varget with a long throat is one of my favourite ...

 

[TubbyT223]

223 bolt gun with a 24-26in barrel with 80.5 and varget with a long throat is one of my favourite ...

I wish I could get back into reloading. With the speed of life lately it’s not possible but that load out always surprises people.

 

[LuvDog]

I get the appeal of 223. I’m building a Zeus 223 with a muller barrel.

 

[TubbyT223]

I get the appeal of 223. I’m building a Zeus 223 with a muller barrel.

Bet it’s gonna be a hammer

 

[MouthMechanic]

I have impact Curtis and Zeus. I personally run my Zeus actions the most now bc I run the bolt a lot smoother which matters in matches for me. I wouldn’t buy another Curtis but it was the MPA one I took in a trade. Impacts are awesome for prefits but the Zeus is awesome bc you can leave the scope on and action in the chassis and switch calibers and bolt if needed in about 2-3 minutes. I would sell the impact action if someone asked. I would not sell any of the 5 Zeus QC I have. Impacts run but for me it’s Zeus

 

[anon]

An Origin is in the $900 range and an extra bolt head is another $125.

There are multiple vendors selling shouldered prefits.

Get a Viper barrel vise and the rear entry action wrench and don't look back.

 

[JR1200W3]

I've been swapping barrels on a TL3 from .223 to 6Dasher to 308 for years. You don't need some sort of grub screw barrel retention system. Have a smith cut some wrench flats a'la AI style in the muzzle end of your barrel and use a crescent wrench to torque the barrel while the gun is still assembled. Screw the barrel on by hand, then sit the butt on the ground muzzle up, trap the body of the rifle with your knees and apply torque on the flats with the wrench. A barrel chested healthy corn fed American will be able to apply about 40 - 50 ft/lbs of torque this way. And the specific amount of torque doesn't matter. There is no effect to accuracy or return to zero. Once the shoulder hits the action face, the barrel can't tell how much it's torqued. I used to use a torque wrench but realized after a while, when the adjustment on the bottom of the wrench slipped, it didn't matter. No need to disassemble anything. Don't fret over your action screws. The real key to making your own switch barrel gun is tooless bolt disassembly and swappable bolt faces. I had closed cell foam custom cut for a 1750 that has a spare barrel channel, inserts for additional bolt faces, and multiple magazine inserts. You can take .223 Accurate mag AICS mags, and standard AICS mags, a 223 barrel, and a 223 bolt face with you to the range and swap the barrels right there in the field.

What you will find as the real challenge is managing two zeros on one scope. Locking turrets and holdover reticles work well for this application.

 

[Baron85]

I have a few origins I swap between 223, 223ai, 6.8spc, and 6 dasher on. I leave the action mounted in the chassis and leave scope mounted.

Clamp barrel in vise.

Use action wrench to break it free.

Screw action, chassis assembly off barrel.

Place vertical and hand thread new barrel on being careful with the recoil lug and pin.

Place back into barrel vise and torque.

Takes longer to round up the tools than to actually swap the barrels.

With all that said, an action with built in recoil lug would make it easier, but the tl3 wasn’t worth the extra cheddar to me

 

[Tailwater]

The "Switch Lug" manufactured by West Texas Ordnance looks too simple to be true. Hand tighten the barrel, torque the switch lug and go shoot. Advertised as no shift in POI. Might be something the OP would want to investigate.