semi-custom bolt action builds

[MrFeetZ]

hello all. Been a member here on CG for a few years now but first time in the manually operated neighborhood. Ive been shooting with a Buger RPR in 6.5CM for a couple years and Im increasingly enjoying the time i spend with it. Having said that, Im considering a move to a different type of bolt rifle, likely a chassis or composite stock. I dont hunt so mostly target and bench with a possibility of competition in the future. Ive been eyeing the Begara Divide but sensibility says the Premier HMR PRO would be a better choice over the Divide since I dont hunt. With all this, Im slowly learning that it may be better to do a simi-custom build. I say "semi-Custom" because Im thanking of using a Tikki T3 action with a Bartlein Barrel, KRG Chassis with perhaps a KRG or Timney two-stage trigger down the line, (I have a preference for two stage triggers). It seems this combo, especially with a Bartlein barrel would be a superior choice to a stock Premier HMR or Premier divide without costing substantially more. Im I correct in my thinking??? I dont think I ready (money wise) for a full-on custom build at $4500 to $6000 but Im okay to dabble my toes in semi custom world. Having said all this, a follow up question is, (assuming Im going down a logical road) is can anyone recommend good places that can build an assembly like that? If I were to buy the pieces separately, I would prefer having a qualified gunsmith assemble it - or at least mate the barrel to action. No way can i do that.

[1859sharps]

If you are set on a Tikka (nothing wrong, just confirming your choice) my 2 cents is...

Choose between the CTR or the Super varmint.

CTR has the 10 round magazine, which might reduce the aftermarket stock options.

Super varmint uses the standard Tikka 5 round magazine, which would likely increase your aftermarket stock options.

Shoot the factory barrel till you either outgrow it or use it up THEN replace it. Tikka barrels are pretty darn good.

If you know you are going to shoot it a lot and will likely go through the barrel with in 1 to 2 years, use the factory barrel now, enjoy the rifle. But get that replacement on order fairly quickly after you start using the rifle. It will likely arrive about the time you burn out the factory barrel if you put that kind of volume through it within 1 to 2 years. Time to use up a barrel of course depends on the volume and cartridge choice.

[splithoof]

This would be a good time for Randall to offer some wisdom….

[MrFeetZ]

This would be a good time for Randall to offer some wisdom?.

I went to Randall for some help on an AR10 earlier this year. I didn?t realize he also worked on bolt actions.

[splithoof]

I went to Randall for some help on an AR10 earlier this year. I didn?t realize he also worked on bolt actions.

I brought him a R700 action, recoil lug, and a Bartlein barrel blank. He did a superb job of chambering it, fitting and blending the brake, applying a very uniform matte finish, and of course fitting it to the receiver. He also enlarged and threaded the base mounting holes to the desired size. All of this was done in a day, while I watched, kept quiet, and learned. It is now one of the very best, most accurate rifles I own. I highly recommend his services.

[ar15barrels]

I went to Randall for some help on an AR10 earlier this year. I didn?t realize he also worked on bolt actions.

Bolt action services are here: www.700barrels.com

[sigstroker]

If you're going to spend that kind of money don't bother with an off-the-rack action like a Tikka. Unless you already have one. A true custom action is much nicer and only a few hundred more than buying a Tikka and stripping it down. I have a Tikka, and I have a rifle built on a Curtis Custom action. There's really no comparison.

Luckily for you, PRS has a budget division where the gun has a $2500 limit. There are many vendors competing in that space. Cartridges used in PRS are good for 1200 yards, maybe a little more. If you don't need a bigger boomer than that, it's a route you should explore.

[Meety Peety]

Unless you already have a Tikka action just sitting around that you want to use, you'd really be better off just getting one of the many readily available custom actions with whatever feature set and price that you want. On top of getting a nicer action with added features, you'd also be utilizing a 700 footprint which will make stock/chassis options more available and easier to buy/sell used ones, etc. This also opens the door for shouldered prefit barrels as well, which can save you from having to ship your action or using whatever local smith happens to be near you. Lots of well known smiths will cut and ship you a bartlein (or any other) barrel that you can torque on yourself at home. Or you can still have a barrel hand fit by a smith in person if you want. Options are good.

The PRS production rifles mentioned above are a solid option too, which are essentially pre-configured "semi-custom" builds and will utilize a lot of the same components that are popular in PRS. They are budget oriented to stay within the production class price limit, so some sacrifices will be made in terms of part selection, but still miles ahead of most "off the shelf" factory options.

There's a bunch of actions on the market these days, but some of the more popular ones with lots of barrel options are Zermatt Origin & TL3, Terminus Apollo & Zeus, Impact 737. Then you have Defiance, Curtis, American Rifle Co, etc. Lots of options. I have several off the list there and all are nice with different features depending on what you like.

[Lucky Scott]

Randall has done lots of work on my bolt action Remington, including rebarrelling, and always has done exceptional work.

[1859sharps]

If you're going to spend that kind of money don't bother with an off-the-rack action like a Tikka. Unless you already have one. A true custom action is much nicer and only a few hundred more than buying a Tikka and stripping it down. I have a Tikka, and I have a rifle built on a Curtis Custom action. There's really no comparison.

While I don't disagree, the price of a Tikka CTR or super varmint gives you a complete rifle ready to shoot out of the box. That same money spent on a custom action, only gives you a custom action. There is still money to be spent.

While I do think your suggested path is the right one, not everyone apparently has the patience to wait and save up the money to go this route. I can't tell you how many threads I have where people think they can't afford a custom rifle, so they spend the same money over X amount of time buying multiple cheaper rifles or one or two that they then spend a lot of money in small chunks at a time trying to make a silk purse of a pigs ear.

To the op... Sig's advice is worth thinking about. Tikka makes a fine rifle, but if you truly want a nice custom rifle be patient with getting the money together. More people can afford the nicer rifle than realize it if they exercise some patience and not let their impulses and excitement get the better of them.

[deckhandmike]

I’d get an Orgin action and go from there. Has 700 footprint and takes 700 triggers and stocks. Screw on latest and greatest caliber barrel at home and you’re good to go. I’m tired of buying complete rifles with no modularity. I’d rather be able to mix and match my parts and continuously evolve my rifle as my shooting interests and needs change. It’s waaay cheaper in the long run.

Orgin action 900$
Barrel 450-1000$
Trigger 250$

And buy a used stock/chassis.

[sigstroker]

You can get a good barrel for less than that if you do the remage system. Same with the trigger unless you're going to compete in benchrest or F class. My Trigger Tech has a 1.5 lb pull and is their basic model.

[deckhandmike]

^Custom rifles are pretty easy to assemble these days if you start with the right parts and not crazy expensive. Love my trigger techs. I used to think geislee was quality till I tried a trigger tech. I only said 250$ if you want the crazy premium trigger. I got the mid range one and it’s stupid good. I didn’t want to go lighter on a hunting gun. If you don’t hunt it’s even cheaper to build. It’s the lightweight part that jacks up the price.

A lot of builders charge crazy premiums to assemble plug and play parts. Yes a custom builder can probably squeeze a little more excellence but unless your a hardcore reloading nerd you’re probably never going to find it.

And don’t forget Randall if you want something barreled or assembled. I got a project that needs a forever barrel and I’ll be seeing Randall for that.

Personally I think “competition ready guns” in the 2000$ range are the worst buy in the market. Your just getting a lot of parts that look like what good shooters are using but they are cheap substitutes. You could do way better than that on your own.

[sigstroker]

Personally I think ?competition ready guns? in the 2000$ range are the worst buy in the market. Your just getting a lot of parts that look like what good shooters are using but they are cheap substitutes. You could do way better than that on your own.

Some might be like that but not all of them. The better companies list most of what's on them. For example, I'm a big fan of Masterpiece Arms. For $2300 to $2425 you get a custom action, hand lapped bolt, hand lapped barrel, Trigger Tech, etc, etc. Plus, you can get it in the cool kid's chamberings - Dasher, gay tiger, 6mm BR, etc.

https://masterpiecearms.com/shop/mpa-ba-pmr-competition-rifle/

Another one I came across recently is the Aero Precision Solus. It's not as intense as the MPA above but it's not as expensive either. It's still supposed to be a nice action but I haven't seen one in person. The good part is OP won't have to wait for one to be built, he can get it right away. And it's on sale for 1700 bucks, including a silencer. If he can't own the silencer, he can give it to me and I'll let him shoot it.

https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/solus-bravo-rifle-w-lahar-suppressor?avad=48247_b3583ba95

[deckhandmike]

MPA would definitely be the exception. Most of the 2000$ have cheesy stocks or a pencil barrel wrapped in one layer of carbon fiber.

Not quite sold on Aero yet. There other guns do not impress but it’s nice to see some options.