comparison of custom bolt actions

[taliv]

I'm trying to put together a feature list to compare different custom actions. I'm limiting this at the moment to actions that are used to create custom rifles. In other words, actions you can buy by themselves, not just as a complete rifle (e.g. you can't buy just the accuracy international AIAW action), or that are frequently taken from donor guns to build into custom rifles (e.g. mausers). But at the same time, I want to compare them to a couple of the popular factory actions. Not really looking to compare every single factory make out there.

The criteria is further restricted to magazine fed repeaters. I'm mostly focused on the actions common in practical/field precision matches.

So i took a quick stab and compiling some info and I'd appreciate corrections, additions, etc. Some of this info I took off vendor pages, and some i took from rifles that I own, which can be dangerous as there are often different models and options so someone else might have one of these actions that is different than the one I have because they might have an earlier or later version of the same model, for example. Please don't quote any of this until it's been reviewed a good bit. I'm sure there are errors on here.

If anyone has a suggestion on additional differentiators or how to quantify things like bolt-to-action clearance, speak up.

one more note... i don't want this to turn into another "chart". there is NO implied value judgment from left to right. No value judgment on the features. Just attempting to list facts.

 

[pdd614]

Taliv, Stiller switched to one piece bolts a few years ago. A floating bolt head is also an option on the stiller actions built for Shilen.
Stiller has several options to accommodate just about any need.
Integral 20moa rail or pinned bolt on 20/40moa rail, m16 or sako extractors, aw or bdl feed ports, floating bolt head or fixed. I'm sure I've missed a few options.

 

[USSR]

Hi taliv,

As I'm sure you know, the Winchester also comes in the pushfeed flavor. I have built on both the CRF and pushfeed Winchester actions, and both are GTG.

Don

 

[taliv]

pdd, the stiller tac is one-piece bolt now? It kinda looks like a 2 pc in the pic. I looked at their feature list on the website and it didn't mention it. did i miss it?

Don, thanks, I don't know actually, though I think the post-64 are push, right? maybe i should make a pre and post 64 column for win. I also know nearly nothing about mausers

 

[rbernie]

Would it be useful to attempt to capture the bolt locking rotation, e.g. sixty degree, ninety degree? It used to be that it could sorta be inferred from the number of locking lugs, but I'm thinking that it might be useful to be explicit in that area.

 

[MCMXI]

How about trigger and magazine compatibility e.g. the Badger uses a Remington 700 style trigger and accepts either AW or AICS mags (but not interchangeably).

 

[USSR]

taliv,

In 1992, Winchester introduced a pre-64 type of action that they called the "Classic" that is now known simply as a "CRF" (controlled round feed) action, so from that time until the New Haven, CT plant closed in 2006, either the pushfeed or pre-64 type action was available. Once they started making rifles again in 2008 in Columbia, SC, only the CRF actions were made. So, to summarize: up until 1963, only CRF type actions were available; from 1964 to 1991, only pushfeeds were available; from 1992 until 2006, both CRF and pushfeeds were available; and from 2008 to today, only CRF type actions are available from Winchester. Hope that helps.

Don

 

[taliv]

i thought about bolt throw... is there an example of an action that doesn't fit the simple math there? i.e. a 2 lug design that has something other than a 90* throw or a 3/6 lug design that has something other than a 60* throw?

can you suggest a list of trigger types? i mean, what aftermarket triggers are there besides rem 700 style? and maybe AR15 style

i really wanted to put mag compatibility in there, but i don't actually know how they come from the factory, or if it's something the smith does. fill in the boxes and i'll add it

thx Don, so what should the chart say?

 

[USSR]

thx Don, so what should the chart say?

How about "Win 70 (CRF)" and "Win 70 (PF)"? Also, don't know if this is something you might want to consider, but what about "Receiver Bottom"? I know the M700 and several others are round bottom receivers, but the Winchester M70 and at least one custom action are flat bottomed, which most people agree makes for better bedding in the stock.

Don

 

[pdd614]

I pulled a quote off the hide from Jerry Stiller himself.


Stiller
Jerry Stiller

Registered: 05/30/06
Posts: 392
Loc: Wylie, Texas (Dallas)
Originally Posted By: GunBuilder
Negative these are the old bolt style. But just so you know even the new ones aren't one piece they are wrap bolts.


That is not correct. 80% to 90% or more of our new actions have true one piece billet bolts.




Note: Post was dated 4/26/11

 

[rbernie]

i thought about bolt throw... is there an example of an action that doesn't fit the simple math there? i.e. a 2 lug design that has something other than a 90* throw or a 3/6 lug design that has something other than a 60* throw?

I seemed to recall some, but some basic research via teh Interzweb showed nothing. So nevermind that I said anything on the topic.

BTW - Mauser actions have standing/fixed ejectors working via a slot in the bolt lug (making the ejector more robust at the expense of the solidity of the left lug). The Mauser receivers also have integral recoil lugs.

 

[rbernie]

Are you going to add the McMillan action to the list?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The "One-Piece Bolt" issue is deceptive, since there are two issues there:

Is the bolt head a separate part?

Is the bolt handle a separate part?

I know of at least one writer who has a bead of welding run around the seam between the bolt handle and bolt body -- he's a big guy and supposedly once over-cranked a bolt while operating it rapidly.

 

[taliv]

sorry guys, been swamped. i'll try to get this updated over the weekend. keep the ideas and info coming

vern, yeah, the intention is the handle shaft and the bolt body came from a single piece of steel and aren't welded together. if you screw a big knob on the end of the handle, that still counts as "one piece", and the head being separate is in another row.

plenty of bolt handles have been broken