What's going to be the hottest action this year 2019

[kthomas]

To be fair, there is plenty of “anti-hype” too. And not just for Impacts but with anything. People that dislike product X for one reason or another. Impacts are popular for good reason, but for as many guys that swear by them (myself included), there are plenty of detractors too.

Saying it's "overhyped" is not mutally inclusive of being a detractor.

I say that the Impact is overhyped because quite frankly, how can it not be with how much it is talked about? Especially on Facebook - I dare anyone go on one of the many precision rifle Facebook groups and suggest that other actions are even in the same league as the Impact - the echo chamber is strong there. Hell, I had Jim See all up in arms by suggesting some other actions are every bit as good as an Impact. Had to remove myself from FB precision rifle groups because of all the retarded rhetoric that kept getting posted.

Regardless, as good as the action is, it is talked about like no other action is in it's league. Sorry, but while it's a great action, it's not the be all end all. It's one of the finest renditions of a rem700 action - I will give it that. It is very refined. But there is nothing groundbreaking that makes it the obvious best choice action - it has many peers that are in it's weight class.

At the same time, I have recommended to many people an Impact action. I know it's a great action, and I know I would be more than happy if it was the heart of my PRS rifle. In fact, I almost bought one. I would hardly call myself a "detractor".

Is it overhyped? Yes. And I can't stand blatant group think rhetoric. But it is a good action.

 

[Sutherlandsd]

The only action I handled that I that I thought lived up to the hype was the Lone Peak. The Impact I handled was filthy, granted, but in that condition it was not slick. It still cycled, but it was not smooth. You could also bind it just like everyone critizices of the TL3. Lift up on the handle when it's too the rear and push fwd. Simple solution is don't do that, but that it is the criticism of other actions and I don't see the the Impact as being immune to that. The Lone Peak is.

Honestly the only action I could never really bind unless I REALLY really tried is the Nucleus (it does have its negatives in my mind but that is def not one of them). When people who dont know how to run a bolt, run my TL3 they will bind it and its the chief complaint of the TL3 that I hear. Like you said the simple solution is dont hamfist the bolt.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I think it would be easier to make a list of actions to stay away from (if any).

Everyone makes good high quality products.

Take the top 20 or 50 and let them swap actions around. You won’t see much change.

I think trigger and chassis preference/personal comfort is going to make a bigger difference than the action (with a properly chambered barrel of course).

 

[Tony1320]

Everyone I know who's handled both the Impact and the Lone Peak (including some top tier gunsmiths) says that the Lone Peak is better.

Funny how you don't hear much about it. Guess there's no more "hype" to go around ?

I'm still looking forward to your review of the Lone Peak is it almost done lol

 

[kthomas]

Honestly the only action I could never really bind unless I REALLY really tried is the Nucleus (it does have its negatives in my mind but that is def not one of them). When people who dont know how to run a bolt, run my TL3 they will bind it and its the chief complaint of the TL3 that I hear. Like you said the simple solution is dont hamfist the bolt.

My DLC'ed Mausingfield has been impossible to bind as well.

Bought a TL3 for the wife, but she absolutely hated how that action felt and how easy it was to bind. Quite honestly I wasn't too impressed with the TL3 either. She now has a Lone Peak and loves it.

Everyone has their own subjective views on actions. Some people love the TL3, and rightly so. It's just not for me, but it has great features.

 

[kthomas]

I'm still looking forward to your review of the Lone Peak is it almost done lol

Wife just picked it up - she loves it so far!

I've been out of the country for work, won't get my hands on it until Wednesday.

 

[Sutherlandsd]

The mausingfield in its current state may possibly be the perfect action in my book and its priced accordingly. I am anxious to have a chance to poke around on the lone peak.

 

[Tony1320]

Wife just picked it up - she loves it so far!

I've been out of the country for work, won't get my hands on it until Wednesday.

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Awesome!! Look forward to reading your review once you get some trigger time with it

 

[kthomas]

The mausingfield in its current state may possibly be the perfect action in my book and its priced accordingly. I am anxious to have a chance to poke around on the lone peak.

I absolutely love mine. It has light bolt lift, even lighter bolt close, bomb proof extractor, I like the CRF, it eats dirt like it's candy, etc. It's got some brilliant design features. Funny enough, the Mausingfield is the action I suggested is every bit as good as a Impact on FB, which is what set Jim See off. Go figure.

I also know others that don't like it. Some say it has a stiff bolt lift, which IMO I think is a trigger timing issue. My friend has a Huber in his action, and it's bolt lift is an easy x3 heavier than mine.

Some complain about it having a sloppy bolt - mine does not whatsoever.

Everyone is looking for something different from their action, so it's impossible to say that there is one single best action. Thankfully we have a lot of great actions available. Also a few crappy ones masquerading as good ones.

 

[kthomas]

I've never heard of prefits for lone Peaks. Are they also identical from action to action?

Supposedly the newest batch/generation is being held to tolerances such that a shouldered prefit can be made by a gunsmith without them seeing the action. Much like an Impact.

 

[jinxx4ever]

recieved my Impact about 2 months ago, seems like a nice action. Bought it because of the ability to buy off the shelf barrels. Sold a new Tanacity i had bought a couple weeks before. Just don't want to have to send the action to a gunsmith everytime i want a new barrel. Was going to order another , but ordered a super 6 instead

 

[kthomas]

recieved my Impact about 2 months ago, seems like a nice action. Bought it because of the ability to buy off the shelf barrels. Sold a new Tanacity i had bought a couple weeks before. Just don't want to have to send the action to a gunsmith everytime i want a new barrel. Was going to order another , but ordered a super 6 instead

Is that the new Borden 6 br/Dasher action? That one looks interesting.

 

[lte82]

I see the Impact as a Surgeon Alternative. Wade worked for Surgeon, it makes perfect sense and for those guys who loved a Surgeon but did not like the changes when the company was bought, Impact is the best option out there.

And Impact barrels will spin on and headspace to Surgeons too!

 

[C_R_Slacker]

Everyone is looking for something different from their action, so it's impossible to say that there is one single best action. Thankfully we have a lot of great actions available. Also a few crappy ones masquerading as good ones.

So which ones are crappy, masquerading as good?

 

[jinxx4ever]

Is that the new Borden 6 br/Dasher action? That one looks interesting.

yes

 

[RyanM]

I think what @kthomas is saying is completely true. Guys buy an AI (or whatever) and then they become the only thing that is decent out there (the AI love is strong on this forum). I had an AI, they are a great gun, are they the greatest ever? Maybe... but that is going to depend on what criteria you are using. IMO, they are not the best for the PRS game at least.

I got to cycle an Impact that a buddy has, it is pretty slick. Slicker than my Defiance(s) but is it "better" in a way that is going to make me shoot different? To me, the answer is no, it will not make me shoot better. The Impact popularity probably exploded partly because Matt B. ran one. The publishing of the PRB stats will only make it worse. If Matt B. ran a Savage I am sure they would be at the top of the list next year too.

 

[kthomas]

I think what @kthomas is saying is completely true. Guys buy an AI (or whatever) and then they become the only thing that is decent out there (the AI love is strong on this forum). I had an AI, they are a great gun, are they the greatest ever? Maybe... but that is going to depend on what criteria you are using. IMO, they are not the best for the PRS game at least.

I got to cycle an Impact that a buddy has, it is pretty slick. Slicker than my Defiance(s) but is it "better" in a way that is going to make me shoot different? To me, the answer is no, it will not make me shoot better. The Impact popularity probably exploded partly because Matt B. ran one. The publishing of the PRB stats will only make it worse. If Matt B. ran a Savage I am sure they would be at the top of the list next year too.

Yup, pretty much what I'm alluding to.

Same thing with AI's as you mentioned. The reliability rhetoric is strong here with AI's. Used to be a big dichotomy between custom rifles and AI on reliability. Now a days with all the great quality components available as well as gunsmiths, there isn't much of a gap anymore.

At the end of the day, the OP is just searching for some confirmation bias. He has posted multiple times about his getting an Impact action, and only liking the Impact posts. @Mach U you will be find lots of that confirmation bias you are seeking on many of the silly FB groups.

 

[Mach U]

And Impact barrels will spin on and headspace to Surgeons too!

So are you saying a surgeon barrel will spin onto an impact without headspacing?

 

[RyanM]

So are you saying a surgeon barrel will spin onto an impact without headspacing?

I have a gun smith buddy (hobbyist) that says he has taken a barrel off of one and it will headspace on most 700 clones.

DISCLAIMER: He does not advise this, he is just saying he has done it and they head spaced.

 

[Mach U]

Yup, pretty much what I'm alluding to.

Same thing with AI's as you mentioned. The reliability rhetoric is strong here with AI's. Used to be a big dichotomy between custom rifles and AI on reliability. Now a days with all the great weather components available as well as gunsmiths, there isn't much of a gap anymore.

At the end of the day, the OP is just searching for some confirmation bias. He has posted multiple times about his getting an Impact action, and only liking the Impact posts. @Mach U you will be find lots of that confirmation bias you are seeking on many of the silly FB groups.

I already own a curtis and a kelby atlas, I just wanted to try try something different, but, don't want to cut any corners. I am not a firm believer that one is the best over the rest, I am not that naive!

 

[lte82]

So are you saying a surgeon barrel will spin onto an impact without headspacing?

Yes.

 

[Rthur]

Of course there is hype around actions and by their users.
The business has come a long ways in the last 5 years.
I haven't gotten to handle as many as some but truth is I never missed a target/screwed a stage because of my action.
Fairly serious money is being spent on them every year.
Haven't seen them using "bikini chicks to sell burgers" yet.(maybe shot show)
All these choices and different options, like a chick in a shoe store...

R

 

[RyanM]

I am putting my flame suit on for this but my first custom (built for PRS - or what passes as PRS in Canada) was a 6.5X55 Swede built on an old 30'06 Rem 700 action.

Once I got the mag feeding figured out (10 round 300WM mags) that thing was slick as all get out. It ate dust, the bolt lift was easy, and ran like a top.

 

[bogey]

Well I guess the good news is I have a Lone Peak 300Norma that I should have any day and changed my Borden order to the Super 6 as soon as I saw it out as my 22 BR Jim is building me should work great in it

 

[m6z]

Wife just picked it up - she loves it so far!

I've been out of the country for work, won't get my hands on it until Wednesday.

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Did you have to do any modifications to the KRG Bravo for the Lone Peak action?

 

[kthomas]

Did you have to do any modifications to the KRG Bravo for the Lone Peak action?

My gunsmith is the one who put it together, but as far as I'm aware it was a straight drop in.

 

[NateVA]

Probably Impact, given the hype from last year up until this point. I got an AIAT last year so I'm no longer thinking about the next build but if I was to do an R700 footprint build I'd probably go with a Lone Peak or Impact.

 

[OzzyO20]

I think Impact has followed the model Vortex used a few years back. They brought out a solid product an did a great job of getting it into a lot, and a lot of top guys hands. They're enjoying the benefits of that at the moment and seeing a lot of hype and recognition in things like Cal's 'What the Pros Use' articles. I hope that continues for them, as long as they continue to support the sport in the way they have. It's all good for us in the end (look what happened with NF and their desire to innovate and take over the top spot in PRS/NRL).

But, I'm like @NateVA. I got a AI AT in 2018 so I'm no longer worried about the next new shiny. Just which caliber I want to run and when.

 

[Markhammett]

ARC

 

[highhope]

Impact

 

[Raufoss]

I don't get the hype for the Impact.

It's a good action but only a surgeon'ish. Bolt lift is meh and finish of the bolt face is shit on mine.


I like my defiance elite alot more. Smooth lift and close. Finish is perfect.

I'd love to check a lone peak.

 

[BurnOut]

I'm going to mention an action that doesn't seem to get much love around here; the Alamo APR G2. It's nothing super innovative (two lug, 90* bolt throw, no switchable bolt heads), but if offers Savage tenon threading, CRF, and mechanical ejection along with what is supposedly super smooth operation for an MSRP of $825. So, while the product may not be innovative, IMO, the value that it offers is.

Kind of like we're seeing on the optics side of things, features that were once the exclusive domain of high dollar scopes are now available in optics that can be found well below the price point of true alpha scopes. From FFP reticles to tree-style reticles to loads of elevation travel and really solid mechanicals, it's the availability of these features to the common (rather than the exclusively well-heeled) shooting enthusiast that demonstrates the bulk of the innovation in rifle optics.

IMO, this is where the APR G2's niche exists.

 

[ballistic64]

I like the Borden Super Short 6!

Next on my list!

 

[footsteps]

Whatever it may be you should expect to wait till next year's best, greatest action is released at 2020 SHOT.

 

[chavezz556]

I really want to try a Nucleus... I just love Ted's attitude and attention to detail.. currently I'm running a Bergara semi custom action, but my next set up will for sure be one I can change my own barrels

 

[Kadams1563]

I really want to try a Nucleus... I just love Ted's attitude and attention to detail.. currently I'm running a Bergara semi custom action, but my next set up will for sure be one I can change my own barrels

Don’t do it. Get a Nitrided defiance or Impact.

Currently have all three sitting in front of me.

Nucleus has to be ran “rough” and I do not care for the mechanical ejector.

Defiance Nitrided. VERY slick and smooth when running the action. Light bolt lift.

Impact maybe not as slick but the lightest bolt lift and very fast. The impact likes to be ran fast and smooth. You’ll never notice foring
Pin being cocked or anything.

 

[Campguy308]

The "hottest" action is going to be whatever the "pros" are using according to precision rifle blog.

 

[THEIS]

Whatever it may be you should expect to wait till next year's best, greatest action is released at 2020 SHOT.

Hi,

While that is funny, it really is not funny.

There are some manufacturers here that made the decision to not display at Shot Show because they only have preproduction units at this time and are not wanting to go the "Preorder" route but would rather wait until finalized production unit is ready, all programming complete, all employees ready, all logistics accounted for, sales staff ready, customer service staff ready, alloy vendors secured, etc etc etc.

There is a shit ton of work that is truly needed to go from preproduction units to production units and sadly over the past couple years the consumer has paid (no pun intended) that time development price.

In short....Have a little faith

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[chavezz556]

Don’t do it. Get a Nitrided defiance or Impact.

Currently have all three sitting in front of me.

Nucleus has to be ran “rough” and I do not care for the mechanical ejector.

Defiance Nitrided. VERY slick and smooth when running the action. Light bolt lift.

Impact maybe not as slick but the lightest bolt lift and very fast. The impact likes to be ran fast and smooth. You’ll never notice foring
Pin being cocked or anything.

Does the Defiance Nitride have option for pre fits?

What about the Bighorn?

 

[kthomas]

I'm just overly confused on how everyone says an action is so slick. Cycling the bolt on any action feels relatively smooth or slick, but once you're stripping a round from a magazine, there's friction regardless of how smooth an action runs without chambering a round. Bolt lift, proper timing, ability to buy off the shelf barrels, extraction, feeding, ability to cycle rounds when very dirty, fit and finish seem more important to me than how slick an action runs when you're just cycling it unloaded. Am I missing something here?

It's definitely overstated.

Thankfully we have lots of great options available to us these days. A few at the top that are definitely in the same tier.

There's no standalone best action. Pick the action that checks all your criteria boxes and rock on.

I hate best action threads as they turn into people seeking confirmation bias and a dick measuring contest.

 

[Kadams1563]

I'm just overly confused on how everyone says an action is so slick. Cycling the bolt on any action feels relatively smooth or slick, but once you're stripping a round from a magazine, there's friction regardless of how smooth an action runs without chambering a round. Bolt lift, proper timing, ability to buy off the shelf barrels, extraction, feeding, ability to cycle rounds when very dirty, fit and finish seem more important to me than how slick an action runs when you're just cycling it unloaded. Am I missing something here?

My defiance would feed so smooth you couldn’t feel a round go in the chamber. I would have to keep a mental count of how many rounds I had.

I only changed because I had the chance to trade basically straight up for my Impact. Wanted to try something new.

The bolt lift makes a huge difference in my opinion. I cannot stand having to break cheek weld and position to cycle the bolt.

I know that’s petty but I USED to be happy with my savage until I ran a defiance.

 

[Hazzapatrol]

Impact for a 90 degree throw and Curtis Custom Vector for a 60 degree throw. Both are fully integral (lug and base) and can take pre fit barrels because the machining tolerances are so tight from action to action. Now the vectors will also have a screw instead of a pin for holding the trigger in. All in all, both companies are phenomenal and great people to work with.

 

[FCrifles]

Love my Kelblys tactical and my Impact. I would be hard pressed to say one is better than the other. I believe one overlooked issue that has to do with how an action feels when cycling IMO, is how the mags are adjusted and tweaked. Also trigger selection/sear differences have an effect on bolt closing feel.

A great action can be made to feel somewhat sub par from what you think it should, and a average action can be made to feel pretty good with the right components and set up.

Coating like DLC, etc. have really helped in the feel dept too.

We are for sure spoiled with numerous great actions that are available now.

 

[kthomas]

Love my Kelblys tactical and my Impact. I would be hard pressed to say one is better than the other. I believe one overlooked issue that has to do with how an action feels when cycling IMO, is how the mags are adjusted and tweaked. Also trigger selection/sear differences have an effect on bolt closing feel.

A great action can be made to feel somewhat sub par from what you think it should, and a average action can be made to feel pretty good with the right components and set up.

Coating like DLC, etc. have really helped in the feel dept too.

We are for sure spoiled with numerous great actions that are available now.

A lot of truth to this. People seem to overlook how big of an effect trigger timing and coatings can have on the feel of an action.

I would say that in a lot of cases where people are critical of how a certain top tier action feels is because it wasn't properly mated/timed with a trigger.

 

[Mach U]

My impact will be here by the end of the week.

 

[Shootin25]

Putting together a build list that starts in a few weeks. I’m leaning defiance, push or elite CRF? That’s where I’m stuck.

Thanks for any insight or pros cons to the two listed actions.

 

[northshorelumber]

My favorite until now has been the Surgeon. But now it is Impact, maybe there is something to the Wade connection. The deal breaker is the DIY off the shelf barrel change.

 

[RyanM]

Putting together a build list that starts in a few weeks. I’m leaning defiance, push or elite CRF? That’s where I’m stuck.

Thanks for any insight or pros cons to the two listed actions.

I had a Gen1 of the elite and it is a great action. The super long tenon is a nice feature but I personally am not a fan of the mechanical ejection. I found that it throws them a bit more randomly than a plunger ejector and when shooting little br brass it can make them hard to find.

 

[m6z]

I'll be building on a Remington.. I know, I know.

 

[Voyager13]

I'm going to mention an action that doesn't seem to get much love around here; the Alamo APR G2. It's nothing super innovative (two lug, 90* bolt throw, no switchable bolt heads), but if offers Savage tenon threading, CRF, and mechanical ejection along with what is supposedly super smooth operation for an MSRP of $825. So, while the product may not be innovative, IMO, the value that it offers is.

Kind of like we're seeing on the optics side of things, features that were once the exclusive domain of high dollar scopes are now available in optics that can be found well below the price point of true alpha scopes. From FFP reticles to tree-style reticles to loads of elevation travel and really solid mechanicals, it's the availability of these features to the common (rather than the exclusively well-heeled) shooting enthusiast that demonstrates the bulk of the innovation in rifle optics.

IMO, this is where the APR G2's niche exists.

A big plus is how great the folks at APR are to work with. Humble, knowledgeable and their customer service is great.