Which custom action?

[HMRamateur]

Hey guys, I am planning on building a custom hunting rifle, but as far as custom actions go I don't know too much. I hear Curtis is top of the line, but what advantages does that have over others such as deadline, or Big Horn? I live in Canada so I can get a deadline ultimatum barreled action for a fair price compared to others since it's a Canadian company, but I've also heard deadline actions have a heavier bolt lift. Any insight on your guys favorite actions, and the pros and cons to them as well would be appreciated.

 

[Kevins750]

I am in the process of choosing an action now and have been pouring through threads.

Search nucleus, origin, bighorn, curtis and any brand you can think of, it will be discussed on here.

At any rate in think i will be getting a bighorn next. I like the pre fit barrel nut option.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Do you know what cartridge? Magazine fed?

 

[broke_again]

Look at Defiance Actions

 

[HMRamateur]

Do you know what cartridge? Magazine fed?

7mm rem mag, and mag fed

 

[Matt_3479]

I also live in Canada and for a budget actions I went kelbly atlas. Also have a stiller tac 30 and love both. The kelbly atlas is a heck of an action for the money. Mechanical ejector, buttery smooth, tight tolerances, switch barrel ready, trigger hanger!!

My next action if not a kelbly will 100% be a bighorn tl3. Love the options on it! Just cost. Can get the kelbly for 1400 ish, or the bighorn for 2150 ish

 

[DangerRanger]

Kelbly

Great company, great actions, slick, good ejector system, rock solid bolt stop and from what I hear one of the most affordable options in Canada

 

[Tony1320]

I would call Insite Arms and let Harley know what you want to do and your budget and he can go over options with you. He loves to shoot and hes great to talk to. If your close to them you could go cycle some actions and see what feels best to you

 

[kthomas]

Get Insite to steer you in the right direction. IMO the best gunsmiths in Canada, they'll help you out and build you a killer rifle.

 

[Triggerf16]

Kelbly. They are one of the few tactical action makers that also have a lot of benchrest experience. To me that means something. BAT is also nice, but Kelbly beats it on price.

 

[jd5521]

Is this a target or hunting rig?

 

[HMRamateur]

Is this a target or hunting rig?

Hunting

 

[HMRamateur]

I'm liking what I'm seeing from kelbly so far, great price point for long action, as well as left hand. I've been using right hand actions my whole life, but being left handed, it would be nice to finally have a left hand action and not pay a premium for it.

 

[jd5521]

Hunting

Defiance hunter, GA Hunter or ultra lights and don’t look back. Can be ordered left hand configuration. Below is a GA hunter in a McMillan Game Hunter I am building right now.

 

[charnicus]

My first two actions were Curtis Vectors and my buddy has an Axiom. Between the two it just depends on what you want integrated into the action or not. Either is a good choice. He’s got a Deadline too and it is also a very nice action. There isn’t a single sharp edge on it. Beautiful action. In my opinion not as drop in as others though. My next action will be a Bighorn. Others have said it here that cycling one will put a different kind of grin on your face. They’re changing the bolt coating to black nitride which should amplify its greatness. I don’t hunt but I could see CRF being a beneficial feature. Bighorn would be a great choice.

 

[b6graham]

hard to turn down the Deadline since you're in canada. but since its for hunting id look at the Lone Peak line. several options including Ti

 

[Matt_3479]

Defiance hunter, GA Hunter or ultra lights and don’t look back. Can be ordered left hand configuration. Below is a GA hunter in a McMillan Game Hunter I am building right now.

View attachment 7089259View attachment 7089260

hard to turn down the Deadline since you're in canada. but since its for hunting id look at the Lone Peak line. several options including Ti

Problem could be budget though. Both those company’s in Canada are 1900-2000+, then tax and shipping. It’s crazy the price of actions up here. Stiller tac 30’s are now in the 1600 range plus 13% tax for Ontario and shipping making it an 1850 dollar action!

 

[Buchanan accuracy]

Kelby

 

[HMRamateur]

Problem could be budget though. Both those company’s in Canada are 1900-2000+, then tax and shipping. It’s crazy the price of actions up here. Stiller tac 30’s are now in the 1600 range plus 13% tax for Ontario and shipping making it an 1850 dollar action!

Yeah budget plays a big role here, I know once you start going custom, you shouldn't be nickle and dimeing just to save a few hundred over the total build price, but when the difference is 500-600 for one part, it makes a difference.

 

[jd5521]

Yeah budget plays a big role here, I know once you start going custom, you shouldn't be nickle and dimeing just to save a few hundred over the total build price, but when the difference is 500-600 for one part, it makes a difference.

I’d give deadline a shot then. 60 degree bolt throw and everything appears almost identical to a GAP tempest plus interchangeable bolt heads.

 

[Matt_3479]

Yeah budget plays a big role here, I know once you start going custom, you shouldn't be nickle and dimeing just to save a few hundred over the total build price, but when the difference is 500-600 for one part, it makes a difference.

I 100% agree! But it’s super hard to justify a deviant or surgeon at 2300 shipped and tax, or a titanium (pierce or lone peak at closer to 2500-2700). Is it seriously worth 1000 more then say the kelbly? I just finished a build and really wanted to try defiance and bighorn but when I couldn’t find bighorn and was quoted just shy of 2300 for defiance and to my door the kelbly was 1400 I couldn’t argue! It was a smoking price for the kelbly and is the reason i decided to try it.

Buy the best you can afford. I know my next build will either be another kelbly as I’m extremely pleased or a bighorn tl3 as it has every feature I want and just simply want to try it.

 

[HMRamateur]

I 100% agree! But it’s super hard to justify a deviant or surgeon at 2300 shipped and tax, or a titanium (pierce or lone peak at closer to 2500-2700). Is it seriously worth 1000 more then say the kelbly? I just finished a build and really wanted to try defiance and bighorn but when I couldn’t find bighorn and was quoted just shy of 2300 for defiance and to my door the kelbly was 1400 I couldn’t argue! It was a smoking price for the kelbly and is the reason i decided to try it.

Buy the best you can afford. I know my next build will either be another kelbly as I’m extremely pleased or a bighorn tl3 as it has every feature I want and just simply want to try it.

What did you end up building around the kelbly?

 

[Matt_3479]

What did you end up building around the kelbly?

Built a 6mm creed. Thinking of doing a switch barrel on it and doing up some sort of 22 creed or 22x47 for some long range dogs. That or another 20 tac as I just love that little round!

 

[RTH1800]

I have an extra Kelby if anyone wants one.

 

[Baner]

As you are a Canadian, check out KS Arms.

Got a 3 lug SA with AW cut and a 22 BR barrel from them, and i'm very pleased.

/Baner

 

[MOUNTIC]

What about a Cadex action?

 

[HMRamateur]

Built a 6mm creed. Thinking of doing a switch barrel on it and doing up some sort of 22 creed or 22x47 for some long range dogs. That or another 20 tac as I just love that little round!

View attachment 7089798

View attachment 7089799

She's a beauty!

 

[HMRamateur]

What about a Cadex action?

I've checked their catalog, yet to speak to anyone there yet though. I didn't see any left hand action options with theirs, but it doesn't mean I can't get one. They're definitely an option.