Just ordered the defacto in .308, I was able to get 20% off, anyways Im looking to put a krg chassis on the barreled action. I haven't thought about breaks or optics yet. This is my first bolt action rifle build, I'm looking for any input on optics under the $800 range, Aics mag brands that are good to own, and muzzle breaks. Any and all feedback would be great.
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Ultimatum Precision Defacto
- Thread starter 85castle
- Start date
So, the Defacto is not yet out in the wild as far as I am aware, and may not be a great choice for a first time bolt action build - let me explain why.
[Disclaimer - I do not own, nor have I ever owned an Ultimatum Precision product, but I have been following them for some time.]
I have met the guys behind Ultimatum Precision and they seem smart and really nice but they seem to make some really weird decisions with their designs that can cause headaches for owners. The Deadline is actually the second generation of their original Rem 700 clone product and it has some quirks - notably the really thick bolt body means that many users need to tweak the magazine fitment into their stock/chassis usually by trimming the magazine catch. This isn't the end of the world, but it's a PITA and I'm personally not sure what the benefits of the thicker bolt body are to justify breaking 100% drop in compatibility with the Rem 700.
The DeFacto is their take on a Tikka action, and again there are some weird things going on. The choice of a Tikka footprint is a little odd, although the Tikka T3/T3x family are great (own several) and the aftermarket is picking up steam for them. Still, there is a LOT more choice in the Rem 700 world, so the Tikka clone seems odd. Additionally, the DeFacto uses a Rem 700 trigger - on paper that's a great idea as it gives you way more options than the Tikka trigger. But the problem is the Tikka and Rem 700 triggers are not at all the same so to drop a DeFacto into a Tikka stock/chassis you are going to need to do some milling so the Rem 700 trigger fits. This is just plain odd. Effectively they haver created their own weird footprint that is neither Rem 700 nor Tikka. Additionally, they describe the barrel as proprietary on the website, so who knows what that means for replacements.
Chatting with the Triggertech guys, they may be working on a Tikka trigger, and the DeFacto ships with a Triggertech Rem 700 trigger. It would have made a lot more sense for Ultimatum to encourage Triggertech to get the Tikka trigger done and then sell the DeFacto as a three-lug 100% drop in for the Tikka. That is something that many a Tikka user would be interested in, especially if they could use a common, existing barrel tenon arrangement so that prefits are easy to buy. Hell, even using the Tikka tenon would be fine as there are more and mroe options out there for the Tikka now.
So, in summation, I would honestly suggest you get a refund and look elsewhere (and it hurts me to say this as a fellow Canadian like the guys at Ultimatum).
[Disclaimer - I do not own, nor have I ever owned an Ultimatum Precision product, but I have been following them for some time.]
I have met the guys behind Ultimatum Precision and they seem smart and really nice but they seem to make some really weird decisions with their designs that can cause headaches for owners. The Deadline is actually the second generation of their original Rem 700 clone product and it has some quirks - notably the really thick bolt body means that many users need to tweak the magazine fitment into their stock/chassis usually by trimming the magazine catch. This isn't the end of the world, but it's a PITA and I'm personally not sure what the benefits of the thicker bolt body are to justify breaking 100% drop in compatibility with the Rem 700.
The DeFacto is their take on a Tikka action, and again there are some weird things going on. The choice of a Tikka footprint is a little odd, although the Tikka T3/T3x family are great (own several) and the aftermarket is picking up steam for them. Still, there is a LOT more choice in the Rem 700 world, so the Tikka clone seems odd. Additionally, the DeFacto uses a Rem 700 trigger - on paper that's a great idea as it gives you way more options than the Tikka trigger. But the problem is the Tikka and Rem 700 triggers are not at all the same so to drop a DeFacto into a Tikka stock/chassis you are going to need to do some milling so the Rem 700 trigger fits. This is just plain odd. Effectively they haver created their own weird footprint that is neither Rem 700 nor Tikka. Additionally, they describe the barrel as proprietary on the website, so who knows what that means for replacements.
Chatting with the Triggertech guys, they may be working on a Tikka trigger, and the DeFacto ships with a Triggertech Rem 700 trigger. It would have made a lot more sense for Ultimatum to encourage Triggertech to get the Tikka trigger done and then sell the DeFacto as a three-lug 100% drop in for the Tikka. That is something that many a Tikka user would be interested in, especially if they could use a common, existing barrel tenon arrangement so that prefits are easy to buy. Hell, even using the Tikka tenon would be fine as there are more and mroe options out there for the Tikka now.
So, in summation, I would honestly suggest you get a refund and look elsewhere (and it hurts me to say this as a fellow Canadian like the guys at Ultimatum).
I agree with everything said here.
Ultimatum makes some very "interesting" design decisions on their actions, which confuses me as a consumer of precision rifles. If you don't understand the nuances of the Ultimatum actions, I can see it resulting in a pretty frustrating first time custom rifle build. In fact, I know someone that went through that with Ultimatum, and it was a very frustrating experience for them. They went back to Savage rifles
I would look at Bighorn Origin, Kelbly Atlas Tactical, or Defiance Tenacity for very well made actions that come in at a good price point. All these actions are held to tight enough tolerances that shouldered prefit barrels are available, making rifle assembly a breeze. All are Rem 700 footprints, accepting R700 aftermarket components.
The KRG Bravo is an excellent chassis at a budget price point. Lots of accessories available for it, so you can really dress it up as needed. If you want to spend more, they have other options as well. Hard to go wrong with KRG, good choice there.
For muzzle brakes, I would look to any of the self-timing brakes that are currently out there. Insite Arms Heathen, APA lil bastard, PVA jetblast, Area 419, etc. Personally, I've had most of them, and the Insite Arms is my favorite. In my opinion, it's the most refined design of them all, but they all do a good job of mitigating recoil.
For optics, give Doug (@gr8fuldoug) at CameraLand NY a call. He'll have a few options in that price point.[/QUOTE]
As a counter to the above observations and statements, I have a Deadline and absolutely love it. It resides in a Manners T2A with Mini Chassis. Manners have the Deadline Action profile in their library, so that wasn't any problem. When I received the Stock, the first thing I did was check the fitment with the Action and everything was just fine. The only thing I did have to do was to trim the top/engagement surface of the (Manners) mag release lever back about .040" for my AICS Mags. No knock on Manners, it wasn't a big deal. There were no other modifications/fitment necessary.
Yes, there was a little fitment on the release lever, but pretty minor by comparison. Everything works great. I spoke with a very well experienced guy at Manners when I ordered the Stock and asked for recommendations on which AI mag type to go with and he wholeheartedly recommended going the AICS route, which I did. I then had the same conversation with Derek at Ultimatum and he said the same thing. I'm very happy with it.
I cannot speak to the other comments above as I have no experience with the details that the various posters are speaking of. I do have Bighorn TL-2's and I am very happy with them as well. When I look at the quality of the design and the product, I am equally as happy with the Deadline as I am with the TL-2's.
Yes, there was a little fitment on the release lever, but pretty minor by comparison. Everything works great. I spoke with a very well experienced guy at Manners when I ordered the Stock and asked for recommendations on which AI mag type to go with and he wholeheartedly recommended going the AICS route, which I did. I then had the same conversation with Derek at Ultimatum and he said the same thing. I'm very happy with it.
I cannot speak to the other comments above as I have no experience with the details that the various posters are speaking of. I do have Bighorn TL-2's and I am very happy with them as well. When I look at the quality of the design and the product, I am equally as happy with the Deadline as I am with the TL-2's.
I agree with everything said here.
Ultimatum makes some very "interesting" design decisions on their actions, which confuses me as a consumer of precision rifles. If you don't understand the nuances of the Ultimatum actions, I can see it resulting in a pretty frustrating first time custom rifle build. In fact, I know someone that went through that with Ultimatum, and it was a very frustrating experience for them. They went back to Savage rifles
I would look at Bighorn Origin, Kelbly Atlas Tactical, or Defiance Tenacity for very well made actions that come in at a good price point. All these actions are held to tight enough tolerances that shouldered prefit barrels are available, making rifle assembly a breeze. All are Rem 700 footprints, accepting R700 aftermarket components.
The KRG Bravo is an excellent chassis at a budget price point. Lots of accessories available for it, so you can really dress it up as needed. If you want to spend more, they have other options as well. Hard to go wrong with KRG, good choice there.
For muzzle brakes, I would look to any of the self-timing brakes that are currently out there. Insite Arms Heathen, APA lil bastard, PVA jetblast, Area 419, etc. Personally, I've had most of them, and the Insite Arms is my favorite. In my opinion, it's the most refined design of them all, but they all do a good job of mitigating recoil.
For optics, give Doug (@gr8fuldoug) at CameraLand NY a call. He'll have a few options in that price point.
I share the same sentiments about Ultimatum. I want to like their actions as a fellow Canuck but they always seem to get so close, and yet so far. All they had to do was make a Tikka style action with an improved bolt stop, swappable heads and the ability to take standard Tikka barrel prefits and it would've been perfect. I'm hoping their Deuce turns out alright without any weird quirks, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
Having said that, their customer service has been very responsive the few times I've contacted them and my one friend that runs an early Deadline is happy with his after getting his striker assembly replaced for free. Different strokes for different folks and more options in the market is never a bad thing.
