I am leaning towards a Defiance Rebel or a Stiller Predator for my action on a 7-08 AI build. I want to use Wyatts Box CFE-5 as a blind mag, or with a floor plate. I need the extra internal mag length to get the COAL that I need.

I am wondering about feed issues with this setup?

Has anybody done something similar, or used these actions?

If you have anything to add about the actions themselves, please do.

I would appreciate any and all info. Thanks in advance.

I've used a Predator with the Wyatt box in both .260 and .308. Once I tweaked the bend of the magazine spring, feeding was fine.

Another action worth considering is the Shilen DGR. Absolutely love mine...

John

dont overlook borden action....the two actions you listed along with the borden can be had in versions that will use a 3.00 or longer mag box if needed and have had the loading port extended

Surgeon 591

Both Defiance and Stiller make "middle"actions now.

On the Defiance site: the XM is the same price as a standard SA and they carry custom bottom metal for ADL or BDL configurations in house at a decent price.

3.2" COAL would cover you well...

I plan on doing a 6.5x55 on a XM action soon.

Stiller has similar options and price on their site. FWIW the price is close enough that I would grab the Defiance over the Stiller.

I have a couple of stiller and have no complaints about them at all, but my next action will probably be a defiance hunter.

I have never had the rail come lose on a stiller, and they are pinned, but have had a rail come lose on another gun and it took way to long to track it down. Groups went from .5" to 2" and migrated around the paper.

I have not had a rifle built on the Defiance, but have seen a couple. Some complete rifles and a few actions right out of the box.

Marvelous quality.

If I had any money I would get a Deviant Ultralight for my 6mm AI build.

Don't waste your time with wyatts bm get your self a Defiance rebel Xm you will be way happier!

Any idea how much longer the Rebel XM action is vs the regular medium action, or how much shorter than a long action?

The reason I was wanting to use the Wyatts box is due to the internal length AND it is kind of a center feed magazine, according to their description anyway.

I am also wondering if the Defiance Rebel XM magazine is center feed or staggerfeed. Looks like a phone call will be inbound to Defiance soon.

Arkohunter

What are you looking to build? Mountain rifle? Mid weight sporter? etc...

David

Canazes9

I am trying to put together what I would call a mid weight hunting rifle. Oregonmuley has a 7mm-08 rifle that is basically what I'm trying to build.

The rifle will have

#2B Bartlein 1 in 10" twist barrel. Finished length not decided yet. Already have barrel blank at the gunsmith' s shop.

McMillan Classic Stock.

Bolt Action Repeater, also not decided yet.

Either ADL style with blind mag, or BDL style floor plate.

Why hamstring yourself with a 10" twist?

John

Agreed.

If I was going to jump through the hurdles to get a 3" magbox to shoot the long bullets it would be an 8" twist. Actually - even with a 2.8" mag box I went with a 8" twist...

David

My XM is staggard!

XM is 3.20" plenty long for your application!

I am only planning on shooting 120 grain-140 grain bullets. The 120 grain Barnes TTSX and the 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip are the 2 bullets that I primarily intend to shoot. I got the reamer specs and loaded some test loads for measurements to get my COAL. My 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip COAL is 2.881" to begin with. The 120 grain Barnes is less.

I have a factory Savage 7mm-08 that has a barrel with 1 in 11" twist. It shoots my hand loaded 120 grain Barnes TTSX loads under 1/2" groups at 100 yards.

I also spoke to Bartlein about my goals with the barrel when I ordered it. They recommend a 4 groove barrel with a 1 in 10" twist.

I have an 8" twist 7mm-08AI. It stacks 120 BT's and 120 TTSX's into tiny little groups. It also stacks 145LRX's and 162ELDX's into tiny little groups. If it had the magazine COAL to load long enough to keep the ogive outside the case mouth, I believe I could shoot 175ELDX's, 180 Scenars, etc into tiny little groups.

Faster twists open doors. closes none.

David

Agreed.

If your only going to shoot 120-140 gr bullets a 10" is fine, my 10'" twist shoots 120 and 140's into tiny clusters whether they be TTSX, Nosler BT's or accubonds, if I need to go heavier I'll use my 7mm rem mag........

Ackleyfan

Thank you. That is my intention with the 7-08 Ackley. I have a 280, 7 SAUM, and a 7 Rem Mag if I need to go heavier than 140.

I am all about building exactly what you want but your build plan addles me...

IMO using a 1-10 twist will severely limit the resale value. Not that you would sell it but it is a good feeling to know you could. That is kind of thing is important to me.

Regardless of your choice of twist, if you are already putting in the extra effort for an Ackley Improved case than maybe you should consider a 7mm Creedmoor or a 7x47L A single pass of the die would put you in nice places as far as efficiency, COAL and case geometry without the fire forming. As a bonus you can use an OEM mag box on a SA clone and have more latitude to play with.

Something to at least consider...