I read an article in the new Handloader magazine about rifles built on these actions.

Since the article said Granite Mountain arms was in Phoenix, I called and was invited to stop by. I went over 2 days ago and was shown the operation.

It is a small machine shop that is all state of the art. When he showed me the finished action in-the-white for a 505 gibbs, I was impressed. Then the owner showed me the barrels he made. The barrel had front sight, rear ramp, and barrel band swivel all intregal to the barrel. All cut from one piece of metal - Amazing.

I am glad I stopped by to see this operation but at $3000 per action and $4500 for a barreled action, hey may be out of my league. But then I look a HumVs and Porsches too.

Have any of you seen or used these actions? Are they as good as they look?

I have drooled on a bunch of them and had the pleasure of firing a dozen of them in calibers from 375 to 585 (the term "pleasure" might not apply to that one) but they worked very well. So well in fact I am expecting delivery of one this week in .416 Rigby. Hope to have a lot more input after this winter and next spring's bear season.

First class. Low production volume of this quality will always be expensive:

I would never say I didn't think it was worth the money(I'd pay it if i had it) - It's just beyond my reach money-wise.

To afford a rifle like that I would have to quit going on hunting trips.

fla3006:

Thanks for the picture - it's even more amazing in your hands.

Those are truly beautiful actions... for a less expensive alternative I'd be inclined to wait for Williams Mfg (Matt Williams) to get their M98-esque actions produced.

You have peaked my interest. Who are they and do they have a website?

Matt's website is here http://www.williamsfirearms.com/ He's a great guy to talk to and will answer any questions that you have.

Riodot,

Your comment on them is very well made. I saw a custom 600 OK rifle owned by one of the members here at the BGRC Lodi shoot some weeks ago and it was made on a GMA action. The action was beautiful beyond words and it definitely inspired me to set some money aside to buy a medium sized one someday in a caliber that I would use, most likely a 30-06. These are truly mechanical works of art.

If you think thats pricey check out a double square bridge made by Fred Wells in Prescott, AZ!

Any idea of price range for a complete rifle? What about wff Hein mag actions/rifles? thanks

Jim White, the Granite Mountain action is the same one that Fred Sells. He helped them design it and has access to them and resells and as you noticed a somewhat higher price. Fred has them make the monster actions he uses.

Riodot,

at around half the price of the super premium quality HartmannWeiss magnum mauser action, I would say GMA are good value,was not disssapointed with the rigs i handled at RenoSCI. If I was Filthy$$$$$ It would be H&W for me. But have no grumbles with the GMA.Would go that way if building anice 06' or 9.3.
Wil be interesting to see what Williams creates and its price.

Wondering how a magnum action by Waffenfabrick Hein (machined double Square Bridge Pre-64 Win M70 design) at about $3000 stacks up against a GMA action??

The Hein action is milled from 4140 steel and heat treated and the Granite Mountain Arms GMA action is milled from 8630 and the Wear surfaces are carburized.

Anybody have any experience with the Hein action, they have an address in Tekora, Wash.???

Dak

quote:

Originally posted by Customstox:
Jim White, the Granite Mountain action is the same one that Fred Sells. He helped them design it and has access to them and resells and as you noticed a somewhat higher price. Fred has them make the monster actions he uses.

Chic, Have you ever been in Fred's shop? The first time I went there I was expecting to see state of the art machinery and floors you could eat off of. What a surprise. That shop has character and lots of it. And a Mauser collection to die for. Jim

Jim, I haven't been in his shop but I hope to some day.

One year at the Guild show, Rachel and Fred were just behind me and I got to know him in the 3 days. He is a real hoot. He kept dragging items out of his briefcase and tossing them to me to look at. Finally he threw an adjustable lyman sight that he had rigged up to set up open sights and I wouldn't give it back to him. I relented after about an hour. I had so much fun with him at that show. A wonderful guy and a real genius when it comes to rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by dakota45056:
Wondering how a magnum action by Waffenfabrick Hein (machined double Square Bridge Pre-64 Win M70 design) at about $3000 stacks up against a GMA action??

Personally I prefer the GMA because it is a true Mauser, rather than a model 70 variant (Hein).

despite there price they still need work to cycle smoothley and at times to feed correctley
daniel