Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Custom receiver?

As i'm slowly processing a new build probably in .338 RUM (for LR elk/bear/moose), i'm interested in pricing a custom action.

I've recently 'heard' of Bighorn Arms and wondered if anyone has tried one of their receivers?

I've also seen alot of folks using the following receivers (in no particular order):

Nesika's (excellent?) - freakin' expensive!!!
Lawtons (not sure?) - reasonable
Bordens (excellent?) - expensive
Surgeons (excellent?) - freakin' expensive!!!
Stillers (very good?) - reasonable

Which of these actions would *you* choose? Why that one?

I've not read anyone using the Bighorn Arms offerings and they *seem* to have a high quality offering and a competitive/reasonable price.

I know this is a Chevy/Dodge/Ford kinda question, but i'm walking blind here....

Thanks,

frank

I have had the best luck with BAT action's, Jerry Stillers action's have also been good, any you have on the list is an up-grade from a factory, but never heard of "bighorn" so be careful.
B

Thanks boatanchor!!

I forgot to include BAT and Phoenix/Defiance....

I think Bighorn Arms is a combination of Rocky Mountain Rifle Works and AJ Goddard Enterprises, but i don't know much else about 'em.

I have great experience with my Stiller Predator I use it on my F-class rig and I am shooting 5 shot groups less than 0.5 MOA at 300 meters when I am doing my job. The last 80 shots from this rig have been inside the 10 ring on an ISSF 300 meter target, the 10 ring is slightly less than 1 MOA it is a little tighter target than the F-class 300 meter. This gun has shot through about 3.5 barrels in the last 3 couple of years.

I have another Predator on order as I have had great experience with my first one.

wade

Borden makes an excellent action. He has 2 "grades" - one has tighter tolerances than the other, but both are fine actions.

I have two borden actions their alpine and timberline models and find that they are as good as anybodys and according to the smiths are good to go as they are i am sure the others you listed are just as good but find cosmetically borden also has a better looking action to me anyway


gene

Forget every one you mentioned.

B.A.T.

It's the best of the best.

I have a Bighorn. Have not fired it yet. It looks real good (FWIW). It has a floating bold head, like a Savage. It was recommended to me by Greg Tannel.

Thanks all -

The B.A.T and Borden offerings are highly regarded by many and the Stiller seems to be building quite a reputation too. All good stuff!!!

However, i have a particular interest in the Bighorn floating bolt head, but know nothing about the technology behind it. It looks really interesting, but doesn't seem to have a lot of known history.

I'm most curious about accuracy, field reliability, and strength (i'm assembling spec's for a .338/.300 RUM 'Edge' build).

Lawton is excellent ,and they even have world records. I have a 7500

I have two rifles built on Borden actions,you will have a hard time finding a better action,.062 firing pin,a better fire control system,flawless machine work,great looks,and accuracy that is very consistant,Good luck in your quest!!

And you have tested all these other actions against a BAT?

http://www.kelbly.com/actions.html


dave

Thanks everyone for the reply's!

I knew i'd miss a few top-notch shops...

To Ackleyfan - no, i've not tested any of the actions. I'm in the info gathering phase and trying to find the *right* balance btw quality/precision and cost.

Great post...I am in the same boat you are. Basically trying to decide between the Borden, Stiller and Surgeon at this point. From the looking I did it seems that the Stiller and Surgeon round action are close to the same price and Borden was a bit more. I have yet to hear a complaint with any of them.

I have a Stiller Tac 300 sitting here getting ready to be turned into a 300 win. For the money I don't think you can get much better, and the customer service after the fact has been top notch. This will be my third build on a Stiller and I doubt I will go back to Remington's.

Borden or Surgeon!!!!!

Agreed!

Mcmillan G30 action is a very nice action and reasonable in weight.

Dino

Thanks everyone!!!

I've viewed all the actions listed and all *look* pretty nice - and probably shoot even better. The McMillan G30's are also seem really nice too, but sure are spendy.

The Borden was most highly recommended by the 'smith i contacted, though he did mention the Defiance/Phoenix as another way to go.

I'm still undecided, but have plenty of time before i start moving things along.

Thanks again for all the input!!!