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I am contemplating building a 6.5x55 (possibly a 260), I understand the differences in length of cartridges and actions: I am looking for a quality built action, considering FN/Husqvarna, Zastava, VZ-24, or other '98 type action, Sako pre-72/garcia, Winch CRF, MRC, etc. I DO NOT want to use a Remington action, so that is out. Which ones are forged? Looking for expert's advice, experience. Thanks in advance for replies. What about the CZ 550's? How does that action stack up in build quality vs others above-I know that make complete rifles that are highly recommended by owners. | ||
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If you can afford one a Hein or Empire Rifles might be a nice choice. If you consider overall quality and features it's hard to beat Pre-64 Winchesters. You can buy 2 or 3 for what 1 Hein or Empire cost.......................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
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I think the answer comes down to: 1) How much money you want to spend 2) Do you do the work yourself at all 3) Is this realy custom or semi custom I would say these days the best all around trade off is eihter a Pre-64 Model 70, a Zatsva, or an FN action. I would also consider looking on Gunsamerica find a sporterized mauser and then go from there. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Great feedback, Mike, I think semi would be more like it, I am looking at a barrel job, adding a trigger, good handle if needed/safety/drill tap if needed, but some actions have that ready to go and a trigger might be all needed, add barrel and finish, then stocking with nice wood but keeping costs down as much as possible. I cannot afford a '1st class full blown custom' but feel I can have something put together for around what a sako or kimber might costs, but more 'personalized' I load and do some tinkering, triggers, but no am no gunsmith, no lathe, etc. | |||
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New winchester classic action | |||
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why not the Montana actions, depending on chambering this might work. I have not handled one but they have met with good approval. my understanding is finish is the only problem, with that being the only thing need you can go a long way in getting it polished up. Another route is finding something already customized that is close to what you want, you can save A LOT of money that way. some guys spend money on something, then hit bad times or someone has died and another person is just offloading. etc. I got my 375 H&H safari express for 650, have put 200-300 in it so far (majority of that was my monogram gold inlaid in the triggerguard) and later will upgrade the wood. Red | |||
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Granite Mountain Arms. | |||
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Hartmann und Weiss..end of story DRSS: HQ Scandinavia. Chapters in Sweden & Norway | |||
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I will second (or third) the choice of a Winchester classic action. However, if you go that route, make sure it is the SA or short action rather than the regular action. The short action was designed for cartridges like the .243 and .308 and therefore would have the correct follower and bolt travel for that .260 you want to build. New barrel, new stock, put on a scope, and go hunting!!!!!! | |||
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I agree but if you want the 6.5 X 55 the long action might be a better choice. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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One guy on the board is using a short MRC that is supposed to be just right for the 6.5x55, and I know a Kimber might be nice for the 260, but I don't want to buy a new gun, to add a barrel-their's are too light for me and the wrong twist (9 instead of 8 or less). The Winchester has gotten my attention, I like the SS CRF actions a lot, smooth, coned breech is nice design in my opinion. | |||
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I used the MRC short action for a 6.5x284, the 6.5x55 should fit that action like a glove. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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The 6.5x55 really does need a long action. Many 6,5x55s have cartridge specs over 3 ibches and a short action is usually designated as 2.8 inches. The MRCs are a scosch longer I think at either 3.0 or 3.1 Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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that settles it. Look around for a regular and a short 70 classic action and build a 6.5 x 55 and a .260. Nothing wrong with that plan. | |||
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My old '96 mausers, oal was 2.885 with 85's, 2.97 with 120s and 3.0-3.04 with 140-160s. If the lead is cut appropriately, I think a short Winch or MRC action will do with a 6.5x55 and that might be a tad 'neater', but a 1/4" longer or so bolt throw and 1/4 lb will not make any huge difference. The swede loads above likely were jumping to the lands in the deep throated military rifle. It shot well, well enough. Anyone remember/know the OAL-mag length for a L579? | |||
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if you wish, I could measure mine. However it`s too short for the 6,5x55. Here`s another suggestion: why not the finnbear system? since youre not bulding a DGR you could skip the crf. My 579 hasnt failed me yet either. The ols Sako actions are very "true". | |||
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Asti, NO DOUBT, having owned a L579 and AII, I have NO doubt as to quality and reliability. I do keep an eye out for those actions. Thanks for all the contributions folks. | |||
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Use a Nesika action. They look good, and are plenty accurate. By the way, outside of a persons preference for CRF for large game, a push feed almost always feeds cartridges better. The Browning A-bolt actions also slick up nicely, and I like their tang/thumb safety. Garrett | |||
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Upon what information do you base this opinion on?........................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
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From owning dozens (and dozens) of rifles that are both push feed and CRF, unequivically the push feeds have been easier to get cycle optimally. A good CRF rifle can always be made to feed with 'smithing, but most all the push feeds have required no extra work to cycle perfectly. Garrett | |||
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The BAT actions are the best in the world. The only easy day is yesterday! | |||
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Nice to see everyone in agreement. An old man sleeps with his conscience, a young man sleeps with his dreams. | |||
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The surplus Mauser de jour: Yugoslavian M24/47 Bolt Action Rifles are $71 right now from the importer. You will need a new stock, barrel, chamber the barrel, safety, trigger job, pillar bed, glass bed the action, drill and tap, weld the bolt handle, grind, file, or mill off the charging hump, recoil pad, sling mounts, sling swivels, sling, scope mounts, true the receiver face, lapp the inner C ring, lap the bolt face, lapp the lugs, re bluing, blue the barrel, scope, and rings. I also like to glass the scope mounts to the receiver, but that is not acceptable to some of our more aesthetic posters. | |||
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Well, I am not planning for dangerous game, but a remington is out, end of story, now moving on, I always was fond of my sako's, liked the meaty extractor, fixed positive ejector, but Win 70 and Mauser designs are of interest, Win 70 CRF was pretty slick-the couple I had, the CZ is talked highly. A ruger would not be bad, they seem a little rough when new. I like the browning slickness, but the 60 degree lift lacks leverage if you have a difficult extraction i.e. once I had a lot of trouble with an unfired round, bullet seated out into the lands, too much work in short distance to get leverage.....I hear the alloy receivers are 'weak' when it comes to removing old barrel and installing new......I don't know that first hand but heard it more than a few times. Lots of VZ-24 rifles built, is that the same as a Yugo m24/47? Thanks again to all. | |||
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I am currently putting a 6.5X55 barrel on a rebuilt 98 action. I either did the work my self or traded to have it done. This will be my last one. It is just too much work for what you end up with. I have a 1999 action ordered for a 30/06 that will be next and think that is the best way to go. If you decide to go the route of rebuilding a 98, read tnekkcc's post a few times. If you still want to use a 98 action, read it a few more times. About nine of the things he listed that will need to be done to the 98 action, are necessary just to get you close to where you start with a modern action. That being said, I do like the looks of my 98 and to me, the 6.5X55 just kind of screams out for a Mauser action. Harry "Some days the sun doesn't shine and the sky ain't blue" that is what the second barrel is for DRSS http://www.twinxblades.com/ | |||
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No. The VZ24 bolt is a hair longer. The VZ24 is still too short for 30-06 length [3.34"], and needs the mag box to be milled out longer. | |||
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BR, See if your can get your hands on a rifle with Nesika action, just to try it out. I am looking for one myself, for my next rifle project (and who knows what it will be....I sure don't). It is one sweet (and nice looking) action. Garrett | |||
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BR, Your question has gotten me to thinking, as I have wanted to build a push-feed rifle since I got back from a hunt in Tanzania. An affordable, well made, and fairly attractive action is on the (discontinued) Colt Light Rifle. You can pick them up lightly used from $350 to $500 dollars. I have one, and have yet to take it out to the range. I'll rectify that oversight next week. Garrett | |||
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I've been using a number of the MRC actions in my shop over the past couple of years and I have found that most of the people who have complaints about those actions are expecting a perfectly finished out action directly from the factory. That is not what MRC supplies but that is also how the price is kept down. Those actions are meant to have the final finishing and the refinement done by the smith who builds the rifle. I have been using them for a couple of years and intend to continue to do so. I am taking a rifle I built on one of these actions in 375 H&H to Africa this next May. I also have another going together currently in 6.5x55 on one of the short actions. Yes it's cocked, and it has bullets too!!! | |||
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