I've been following the DR board for a while, and have started thinking about one....just that only for now.

The Searcy's seem like a nice good overall DR and buy etc, but I am skeptical as the actions are cast. Does that make a difference?

Aren't all actions cast ?

They all start off as square blocks of metal
in the rough shape of the action and then are worked on by "craftsman" who remove metal bit
by bit.

FMC:

If you are thinking about a DR, you should SERIOUSLY consider coming to a DRSS event to handle and shoot various DRs. We are having our next shoot/hunt weekend in June in Brady, Texas.

PM me if you would like additional information.

There is a difference in grain flow between a cast object and one that is forged. Not all actions are cast. That being said, volumes have been written discussing the merits of both schools of thought. Ruger seems to get by without having many structural issues using investment casting. Myself, I dont really care for cast guns, but that is my personel prefference. Kinda like I dont own a synthetic stocked rifle, or a stainless gun. Its just that my tastes run toward the traditional. I dont think it is much of an issue if you like everything else about the Searcy.
Steve

There is no difference when the action is properly made with appropriate alloys and heat treated properly .After all you're talking about cast steel not cast iron ! The Rem 700 and the Ruger 77 are equally strong ,just two different ways of making them.

500N

Most quality actions start as steel forgings. But if a cast version works and its cheaper, who cares.

Johnathan Tomlinsons' photos of his in the works rifle would be illustrative. You can see them on NitroExpress.com

JPK

i wonder if they are actually forging actions today. with modern materials and cnc machinery things can be machined from the solid quite efficiently. and heat treating today is far superior to the old ways.

Times have changed, so to speak...Castings these days almost guarantee metal purity...add to that the reduction of "extra" handwork and machining, high-tech casting makes sence and isva very attractive proposition.

Think about it this way. The cost savings of going with a casting can be then added to better barrels, fire-control groups, wood, etc.

Think spot-welding on auto bodies versus lead glazing and riveting...Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, etc have gone this way and are making better looking, higher-performance autos than ever...

...Money & time saved on the initial steps of the forming of an action can be transfered to better overall performance....Sometimes (as in this case) technological "shortcuts" can truly enhance quality and overall performance.

As a "vintage" gun-o-file I'm the first to scoff at shortcuts when it comes to high-grade guns, but sometimes the old ways are more of a hindrance than advantage.

JW

quote:

Originally posted by tomo577:
i wonder if they are actually forging actions today. with modern materials and cnc machinery things can be machined from the solid quite efficiently. and heat treating today is far superior to the old ways.

Yes, they are cast actions.

quote:

Originally posted by skb:
There is a difference in grain flow between a cast object and one that is forged.

Well that was my concern, after all, it is one thing to have a Ruger in 257 Roberts and a 470 NE.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Wemmer:
...Castings these days almost guarantee metal purity...add to that the reduction of "extra" handwork and machining, high-tech casting makes sence and isva very attractive proposition.
Sometimes (as in this case) technological "shortcuts" can truly enhance quality and overall performance.
JW

Well, if there are no worries, then the Searcy is an attractive package, esp. with the well mentioned/reported customer service given by Searcy.

P.S.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Wemmer:
Think spot-welding on auto bodies versus lead glazing and riveting...Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, etc have gone this way and are making better looking, higher-performance autos than ever...

JW

You've not mentioned Aston Martin, who use epoxy to bond the aluminum & carbon fiber frames. Frankly a far superior car than a Ferrari.

There are no worries involved with cast action bodies on Double rifles, or any other firearm! Casting is an art that has been so improved since the process was first used, that it is as good or better than forging, and much more cost saveing.

Stress relieving, combined with very good quality, steel aloy, and CNC machineing,and heat treating, takes care of all the problems, once accocieated with casting, of the past.

The actions blanks used by most makers today, are cast, and after stess relief, are machined perfectly, then final fitting by hand, makes the modern cast action bodies top of the line, with a lot of HIGH BROW names engraved on the finished product! Some of those names might suprise you!

The quality of modern casting is beyond reproach. The only people who question the process are people who don’t work with modern cast products.
I happen to be working on the F22A Raptor many of the parts are cast steel and titanium. I would trust a modern cast receiver much more than a “best quality†forged, hand filed to shape receiver from the early 1900s. The quality of today’s steel is far better.
Bill

Well put Bill!

I was hoping that an Aerospace guy would chime-in!

I think most of us still have nightmares of the old saying "cheap cast stuff" from back in the old "Made In Japan" days....Them days is gone forever!

JW