Which rifle action would you consider the most awesome Ferrari/Koenigsegg/Patek Philippe of rifle actions?

[want2learn]

I understand that different tastes, differing applications and needs are critical determinants in matters such as these.

That said many of us likely conceptualize quality, workmanship, performance with established forces in the field such as the Ferrari or Koenigsegg or Patek Philipe etc.

Wondering in your opinion, without regard to price, which rifle action for conventional mid range magazine fed calibers would you currently consider the apex model?

thanks

 

[kthomas]

I don't think there's any direct comparisons to your examples, not in the disciplines SH is centric of.

Firearm actions designed for our discipline are fairly utilitarian, and designed to be no frills work horses. Most actions that are used are essentially renditions of the R700 2 lug push feed, with some minor design tweaks. Of course you have 3 lug and CRF options as well, but to compare most of the actions we have on here would be more comparable to work trucks, not Koenigseggs and Patek Phillipes.

Full builds, I would say TacOps is the closest to what you are asking for in the practical/tactical world, especially when they still had a hand engraver doing the engraving on the barrels and bottom metal. A lot of craftsmanship goes in those rifles. But they are more for practical purposes then frivolous ones.

Perhaps a better example would be Holland and Holland double rifles, in which it's more about ridiculous craftsmanship and luxury, then practical performance.

 

[want2learn]

great points.....i guess i'm searching within the realm of work horse applications.

will read up on TacOps.

That H&H is stunning.

 

[RTH1800]

I agree that tactical rifles are crude, rough use items that don’t lend themselves to Rolex standards.

If you move from the realm of rifles to shotguns these would be the hands down choice.

 

[Supersubes]

Those high end car analogies are common. Thankfully tactical precision is much cheaper. Narrow it down to three actions. Buy all three and play with them. Pick one and sell two. You’ll be out $200 on your losses, fees, etc. The alternative is to take the long (and expensive) road by buying and selling rifles in various combinations till you come up with something you like. Receiver choices are very individual in nature, so only you can decide which one is your Koenigsegg.

 

[want2learn]

interesting.....i would imagine like all mechanical devices, things wear out and loosen given the pressure, shear forces exerted, fatigue and repetitive wear....is there a generally accepted number of rounds for standard mid range calibers till specs loosen to the point where accuracy/precision falters enough to notice/care. would you for example expect to replace the receiver at 10,000 rounds or 20,000 rounds?

 

[Supersubes]

If any action dies in 10-20k rounds, I’d consider it a garbage action to begin with. If a standard Remington/Winchester can do it, a custom should do it better.

 

[want2learn]

sorry, shouldn't have guessed at numbers....i have no experience as to what range is reasonably expected? it sounds like actions should last and function well many hundreds of thousands of rounds...basically a lifetime?

i recall a conversation i had with a racing sailboat designer. we were delving into the realm of impractical fantasy....he suggested that in a perfect fantasy situation a racing sailboat would be constructed so that it would last exactly as long as it took to cross the finish line first, safely disgorge it's passengers and then sink.

 

[Supersubes]

sorry, shouldn't have guessed at numbers....i have no experience as to what range is reasonably expected? it sounds like actions should last and function well many hundreds of thousands of rounds...basically a lifetime?

Yes

 

[Lowlight]

The holy grail of sniper rifles is the Accuracy International Platform,

if you want to get fancy with engraving, like said, Tac Ops can do custom hand-chiseled work on the floor plate and other places. I always said a Tac Ops is like a custom high end 1911, just in a Remington platform.

You can spend big money on M40 builds too, but going back to Tac Ops, you are mainly using Remington Actions, though Mike will build on something else if you ask.

there are cases where you are spending money just to spend money, you can AI ASR Kit for $18k and it has an equal amount of sentimental value to it. But it's not like other disciplines where you can see the hand cut work or the hand-worked stocks, you'd have to find a gunsmith and then pick out pieces as I don't know anyone guy that does it all like this anymore.

You'd probably be able to get a custom action to send it to an engraver, find a custom stock guy, spec that, and then have a 3rd guy put it all together.

 

[shoobe01]

The analogy works for me. E.g. Blazer.

 

[DangerRanger]

Borden super short 6

 

[Lowlight]

Chad Dixon has done some super nice hand builds recently

Bad picture but only ones I have is his SHC Trophy Rifle

 

[308pirate]

I don't think there's any direct comparisons to your examples, not in the disciplines SH is centric of.

Firearm actions designed for our discipline are fairly utilitarian, and designed to be no frills work horses. Most actions that are used are essentially renditions of the R700 2 lug push feed, with some minor design tweaks. Of course you have 3 lug and CRF options as well, but to compare most of the actions we have on here would be more comparable to work trucks, not Koenigseggs and Patek Phillipes.

Full builds, I would say TacOps is the closest to what you are asking for in the practical/tactical world, especially when they still had a hand engraver doing the engraving on the barrels and bottom metal. A lot of craftsmanship goes in those rifles. But they are more for practical purposes then frivolous ones.

Perhaps a better example would be Holland and Holland double rifles, in which it's more about ridiculous craftsmanship and luxury, then practical performance.

View attachment 7292822

That's a very practical rifle when you're facing an elephant, buffalo, or hippo hell bent on stomping you into the dirt

 

[beenjammin]

sako M10 and cadex full rifles ( Kraken) are nice ones also if you got the coin.

 

[308pirate]

If you want a Gucci bolt action repeater checkout the Bleiker CISM Standard Rifle or the Grunig + Elmiger FT300 Standard Rifle

 

[IW21]

interesting.....i would imagine like all mechanical devices, things wear out and loosen given the pressure, shear forces exerted, fatigue and repetitive wear....is there a generally accepted number of rounds for standard mid range calibers till specs loosen to the point where accuracy/precision falters enough to notice/care. would you for example expect to replace the receiver at 10,000 rounds or 20,000 rounds?

I’m pretty sure Clint at Thunder Ranch has around, maybe more now, 100k rounds on his AW....

 

[kthomas]

That's a very practical rifle when you're facing an elephant, buffalo, or hippo hell bent on stomping you into the dirt

I don't think all the fancy engravings and extras that make the rifle cost more them your average house help stop that elephant though

They are badass rifles nonetheless, and I have no doubt they are very effective at stopping game.

 

[kthomas]

I’m pretty sure Clint at Thunder Ranch has around, maybe more now, 100k rounds on his AW....

Jacob Bynum of Rifles Only is on something like his 27th barrel, over 100k on his action as well.

 

[want2learn]

great to know...so it's a once in a lifetime purchase. that helps

 

[Lowlight]

Jacob has over 200k on his AW Action, like noted 27yh barrel

At 93,000 the mushroom pin that holds the bolt stop broke, AI send out a new one.

 

[PBWalsh]

Jacob has over 200k on his AW Action, like noted 27yh barrel

At 93,000 the mushroom pin that holds the bolt stop broke, AI send out a new one.

Thats insane to think of 200k through a single firearm. Props to Jacob and his bank account, thats a ton of time and monetary investment.

 

[USMCSGT0331]

I understand that different tastes, differing applications and needs are critical determinants in matters such as these.

That said many of us likely conceptualize quality, workmanship, performance with established forces in the field such as the Ferrari or Koenigsegg or Patek Philipe etc.

Wondering in your opinion, without regard to price, which rifle action for conventional mid range magazine fed calibers would you currently consider the apex model?

thanks

I don't know what the firearm equivalent of a Ferrari or Patek Philippe would be, but I was able to find the exact opposite end of that spectrum:

 

[Massoud]

If you want a Gucci bolt action repeater checkout the Bleiker CISM Standard Rifle or the Grunig + Elmiger FT300 Standard Rifle

This and a few others. There are some actions that go well above and beyond but you rarely see them. The Gilkes-Ross was one. I found one that had a bunch of cool features like a roller cam on the cocking piece, etc. Those kinds of rifle are not typically what you find in this arena. A lot of the high end type are single shot or not mag fed, are set up for open sights, or the cost is just too much for all that goodness for the .mil/LE shooter, PRS, or casual shooter.

Justin

 

[want2learn]

so interesting to learn about these unique pieces, i'm fascinated by exceptional workmanship, when art and function combine to make something truly masterful.

I'd like to imagine that somewhere some iota of this appreciation is ingrained in my DNA (yet unfortunately not supported by either my wallet , knowledge or skill set). My uncle was an artisan who hand made incredible wrist watches. That skill kept him alive in the concentration camps.

hope it's ok to share...but Happy Passover. It will be weird not sharing the holiday with friends....first time in quite some years for us.

This too shall pass.

Still, very much looking forward to a lovely and meaningful holiday.

 

[Steel head]

I can’t say there’s a holy grail action it someday I’d like an AI, Badger z2013 or Black bear.

 

[phlegethon]

BAT actions are pretty nice, but the tight tolerances make them a little high strung for field use.

I really didn't get the AI thing until I cycled and dry fired a couple in the Rifles Only class. Holy shit. It's like the bolt is magnetically levitated or something. I have no idea how they are so smooth. Definitely on the bucket list now, even though I don't have the skill to deserve one.

 

[Steel head]

BAT actions are pretty nice, but the tight tolerances make them a little high strung for field use.

I really didn't get the AI thing until I cycled and dry fired a couple in the Rifles Only class. Holy shit. It's like the bolt is magnetically levitated or something. I have no idea how they are so smooth. Definitely on the bucket list now, even though I don't have the skill to deserve one.

I’m considering a BAT for my next rifle.
Big single shot in 37XC.

 

[steve123]

so interesting to learn about these unique pieces, i'm fascinated by exceptional workmanship, when art and function combine to make something truly masterful.

I'd like to imagine that somewhere some iota of this appreciation is ingrained in my DNA (yet unfortunately not supported by either my wallet , knowledge or skill set). My uncle was an artisan who hand made incredible wrist watches. That skill kept him alive in the concentration camps.

hope it's ok to share...but Happy Passover. It will be weird not sharing the holiday with friends....first time in quite some years for us.

This too shall pass.

Still, very much looking forward to a lovely and meaningful holiday.

Hmm that's interesting because my departed ex FIL, though a Polish man, survived by fixing watches in the concentration camps??!! IIRC he was favored and given extra food, etc, because he was "useful".

For me it would be color case hardened, and engraved ARC Archimedes action, swirly fluted and highly blued barrel, Seekins DBM, Trigger Tech trigger, a Cerus laminate stock made to fit me having burly maple on one side and fancy walnut on the other.

 

[want2learn]

Steve...very interesting. my Grandfather was a mathematician....he was immediately separated and kept barely alive/found somehow useful to those animals. 38 members of my family were not deemed worthy/useful. my Father survived.

there's something about a custom fit stock, unique figuring and a flowing rhythm that seems so right...and i'm enamored by a rich deep classic bluing.

it seems that a receiver/action is a lifelong component of a build....as such i might try to see if i can save up for something special.

 

[RTH1800]

Doubt this is what you have in mind but a very high grade rifle in traditional pattern.

 

[want2learn]

incredible workmanship....beautiful wood. i would love to learn to engrave.

i promised myself i would learn to TIG weld..and then i'd like to try to learn a bit about wood working. Never had the time before.

 

[Kickin45]

Weatherby MK5, Roessler Titan 6 and of course the AI
All 3 factory offerings.
Custom is a whole different story. Just like cars, you can have anything done if your willing to pay.

 

[m6z]

Mausingfield

 

[Dewey7271]

I’d say you may have someone making exactly that currently:
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/hoplite-arms.6953294/

 

[John_in_WYO]

The analogy works for me. E.g. Blazer.

Did you mean Blaser?
As in R8 or did you really mean Blazer?

 

[30cal user]

The BAT/Bullet Central Nuevo Long Range is the latest creation for single shot actions and $2200

also like the Dakota 76 actions for hunting

I always thought the PGW rifle was nice

 

[moosemeat]

Bat TR. That thing is gorgeous.

 

[shoobe01]

Did you mean Blaser?
As in R8 or did you really mean Blazer?

Autocorrect? Blaser, yes. Totally overthought, overdone, beautifully though and I'd like one for the range the way I'd like to drive a Koenigsegg to the store for groceries.

Only ever actually played with R93s. No one I know now has super cool stuff, except me. And nothing I have (outside of opto-electronics?) is even sorta that level of cool.

 

[1braveman]

I love quality and craftsmanship, but most of all, accuracy. Having said that I have been very blessed to own and shoot dozens of high quality long range custom rifles in many calibers. Many of my friends and competitors start their builds with BAT actions. Check their records for wins. Just hard to beat their actions. But for pure plain beauty, gosh I love to look at H&H doubles.