Terminus Zeus

[Nelius88]

Hello everyone,
I am planning on purchasing my first custom action for 6.5 CM (big surprise). I’m am interested in the Terminus Zeus since terminus has prefit options from Proof. If anyone has any experience with it, good or bad please share. I’m not looking to use it for other calibers so would the quick change barrel action still be a good option over the full length threading for barrel swaps when I need to replace a shot out barrel? Also I’m looking to drop it in a magpul pro 700 chassis so if anyone has any info on fitting for that I’d appreciate it, thanks.

 

[gnochi]

1. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Terminus actions.
2. I personally like quicker-change features and am willing to trade some theoretical consistency for easier apartment gunsmithing. If you have a solidly bolted down workbench or something else a barrel wrench can securely clamp to it’s not needed at all. That said, Terminus’s solution for quick change really isn’t that useful, though. It’s technically a nonzero help preventing the barrel spinning off but the other options of putting actual tension on the threads (ARC Barloc, traditional torquing), or clamping the action around the barrel (AI Quickloc), or having a cross-pin style screw to prevent rotation and pulling (MRAD), is much more effective.
3. Speaking professionally as an engineer, the length of threading really doesn’t matter that much for keeping the barrel secure. By the time you have 5 threads engaged you can’t even measure how much load is carried by any additional threads. You do get a very slight benefit in having more material to resist expansion from the chamber pressure, though, which is a large driver for oversized barrel tenons for the more energetic chamberings.
4. The Magpul Pro has good adjustability and such, but personally I prefer other options in that price range. I’ll won’t buy another chassis that doesn’t have integrated ARCA in the near future - perhaps excepting the XLR Element 3.0 Magnesium for a hunting rig, since it’s the second-lightest adjustable-cheek option on the market. I prefer other aesthetics - MDT, MPA, ARC - and the folder doesn’t matter enough to me to consider it a perk even if it is cheaper than the other folders. That said, you do you. Chassis systems and stocks are so much personal preference.

 

[Nelius88]

1. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Terminus actions.
2. I personally like quicker-change features and am willing to trade some theoretical consistency for easier apartment gunsmithing. If you have a solidly bolted down workbench or something else a barrel wrench can securely clamp to it’s not needed at all. That said, Terminus’s solution for quick change really isn’t that useful, though. It’s technically a nonzero help preventing the barrel spinning off but the other options of putting actual tension on the threads (ARC Barloc, traditional torquing), or clamping the action around the barrel (AI Quickloc), or having a cross-pin style screw to prevent rotation and pulling (MRAD), is much more effective.
3. Speaking professionally as an engineer, the length of threading really doesn’t matter that much for keeping the barrel secure. By the time you have 5 threads engaged you can’t even measure how much load is carried by any additional threads. You do get a very slight benefit in having more material to resist expansion from the chamber pressure, though, which is a large driver for oversized barrel tenons for the more energetic chamberings.
4. The Magpul Pro has good adjustability and such, but personally I prefer other options in that price range. I’ll won’t buy another chassis that doesn’t have integrated ARCA in the near future - perhaps excepting the XLR Element 3.0 Magnesium for a hunting rig, since it’s the second-lightest adjustable-cheek option on the market. I prefer other aesthetics - MDT, MPA, ARC - and the folder doesn’t matter enough to me to consider it a perk even if it is cheaper than the other folders. That said, you do you. Chassis systems and stocks are so much personal preference.

I appreciate the feedback. I’m not dead set on the Zeus, I was just looking for some insight. Really, I just want an action that I am going to be satisfied with that has a good combination of smoothness and tightness that I can do easy enough barrel swaps with Proof barrels. If there are any other suggestions out there I’d appreciate some suggestions. I know Proof makes prefits for the defiance line as well. As for the chassis, I already have the magpul pro 700 so I’ll probably stick with that haha. Thanks for the response!

 

[gnochi]

I appreciate the feedback. I’m not dead set on the Zeus, I was just looking for some insight. Really, I just want an action that I am going to be satisfied with that has a good combination of smoothness and tightness that I can do easy enough barrel swaps with Proof barrels. If there are any other suggestions out there I’d appreciate some suggestions. I know Proof makes prefits for the defiance line as well. As for the chassis, I already have the magpul pro 700 so I’ll probably stick with that haha. Thanks for the response!

I don’t think Proof prefits specifically should be a deciding factor, given how many other good options there are. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but they aren’t the be all and end all of excellence.

As far as actions are concerned, it depends what features you care about. The Zeus ticks a lot of boxes. Impact is excellent. Lone Peak is awesome (with sometimes questionable customer service). ARC has super neat engineering to excellent results.

 

[Bravo6niner]

The Zeus is an awesome action and Joel offers customer service that is second to none in this industry!!!!

 

[Praeger]

The Zeus (and the rest of the Terminus lineup) are without question top tier. They are probably the smoothest actions I've used. The quick change barrel design has proved to be reliable and simple to use. Combine that with outstanding customer service and it is a tough package to beat.

There are a number of excellent custom bolt actions available. At this level it comes down to personal preference. A 90 degree bolt throw action will feel different than a 60 degree action. Figure out your preference. If it is a 60 degree bolt throw, then look no farther than the Zeus for your build.

 

[Birch7]

I wouldn’t depend on those Proof prefits being in stock...I’ve seen a few at Optics Planet-good luck with them. Are you finding them stocked anywhere?

It looks like the Zeus sets the bar from what I’ve seen. I like my Zeus better than my Origins, which cost about a proof prefit less.

 

[Nelius88]

I wouldn’t depend on those Proof prefits being in stock...I’ve seen a few at Optics Planet-good luck with them. Are you finding them stocked anywhere?

It looks like the Zeus sets the bar from what I’ve seen. I like my Zeus better than my Origins, which cost about a proof prefit less.

Sort of, I have a local custom action shop near me (Pierce Engineering) which from what I hear also makes very good actions. But they do all their business with Proof so I figured it would be easier to drop in there and get a barrel in person rather that waiting.

 

[b6graham]

Terminus Actions

Most of you know that I separated myself from another custom action company because I was unwilling to compromise on my demanding standards and fundamental business practices. I played key roles in that business that included designing actions to being solely responsible for making the original...

www.snipershide.com

anyone can spin a prefit barrel for a Zeus

if you're not gonna quick change get the full thread zeus and full thread barrels (not proof prefits)

 

[Kanati]

I have a couple Terminus actions, an SA (Zeus) and LA (Kratos). Both perform flawlessly and are silky smooth, and when you pair the Terminus fire control system with a Trigger Tech, each shot is perfectly crisp. I also like the fact that I can swap SA calibers on my Zeus at will. Lastly, Joel also brings a different level of customer service to the table. You can not go wrong with a Terminus action!

 

[Danrobberg]

If you prefer a 3 lug with a shorter but stiffer bolt lift you will be very happy with the Zeus. I had one but just didn’t love the short stiffer throw. It was very smooth and exceptionally well thought out and made. If you have shot a 3 lug before and like it I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the Zeus. If you are shooting 6.5 creed exclusively I wouldn’t bother with the quick change barrel feature. I would prefer the longer thread tennon. Although Joel says that you don’t lose anything at all with the quick change threads and I tend to believe him. I’ve seen plenty of great shooters use that style action with the quick change threads and their results speak for themselves. Bottom line is that the Zeus is a fantastic 3 lug action and I’m sure you’d be very happy with it.

 

[_308_]

i love the Zeus i have, came from a Curtis after having issues with it, night and day difference.

I have an extra 24” Bartlein CF barrel cut for the quick change feature if anyone is interested? 1:8 6.5creedmoor

 

[aviumvenator]

After owning a Savage and several Remington rifles I purchased a Zeus for my first custom action and in retrospect, I should have done that much sooner. I chose it primarily for the quick change option reasoning that I can buy one good scope instead of 3 or 4 lower-tier scopes for different rifles. Currently, I only have one barrel but plan to sell a couple of rifles and buy replacement barrels in the same calibers. I have limited experience with custom actions but I have no complaints about the quality or functionality of the Zeus. It is impressive. The only thing I would change is cosmetic and that would be a different font (serif instead of sans serif) for the Zeus text but again that is cosmetic. The CS is stellar. Joel called and text with updates and answers to all of my questions and took time to explain things in detail when asked. It is definitely a good value.