buying used action?
- Thread starter TrxR
- Start date
jackie schmidt
New member
If the action is in good shape, there is no reason why a used action should not work just fine.
i can look at an action and tell a lot about it. Condition of the threads and action face. Bolt lug setback. Eccessive bolt clearance in action body. Firing pin hole wallowed out. Etched bolt face from excessive primer leakage.
As with anything used, you are taking a chance.
I have two mid '90's vintage Farley's that I would never sell. They are historically the two best shooting actions I have. So a good question to ask is why is the owner selling?
Last edited:
Kyle Schultz
Member
In my experience...
Buying a used rifle can be a good deal. Generally, the rifle is priced at it's component cost because, except for the barrel, everything else doesn't wear out. What you're saving is the gunsmith labor to put it all together.
So, if you're looking for just a used action thinking you'll save a bunch of money versus the cost of a new one, I think you'll be disappointed. If you're lucky, you might find one 10-15% cheaper but not a home run.
In the specific case of the Borden Rimrock actions, Jim, in collaboration with Alex Wheeler, recently made several enhancement to the firing pin and bolt shroud design in his actions. More details available on his Facebook page and here...
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/borden-actions.3967865/
If these improvements are important to you, then that clearly swings the pendulum over to buying a new action. I personally have BR and BRM actions on order.
HTH. Good luck!
Buying a used rifle can be a good deal. Generally, the rifle is priced at it's component cost because, except for the barrel, everything else doesn't wear out. What you're saving is the gunsmith labor to put it all together.
So, if you're looking for just a used action thinking you'll save a bunch of money versus the cost of a new one, I think you'll be disappointed. If you're lucky, you might find one 10-15% cheaper but not a home run.
In the specific case of the Borden Rimrock actions, Jim, in collaboration with Alex Wheeler, recently made several enhancement to the firing pin and bolt shroud design in his actions. More details available on his Facebook page and here...
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/borden-actions.3967865/
If these improvements are important to you, then that clearly swings the pendulum over to buying a new action. I personally have BR and BRM actions on order.
HTH. Good luck!
Last edited:
Kyle Schultz
Member
Final comments
If you're building a 30BR, I'm assuming you want to compete in VFS benchrest matches. As you probably know, you a have a 13.5# weight limit.
Because of that, I personally would substitute scope bases for a rail. They're cheaper and lighter.
Also, the general consensus is that glued-in actions perform better and more consistently than bedded and screwed actions. If you go that route, the recoil lug is not needed and you can eliminate it's weight and cost from the equation.
Good luck.
If you're building a 30BR, I'm assuming you want to compete in VFS benchrest matches. As you probably know, you a have a 13.5# weight limit.
Because of that, I personally would substitute scope bases for a rail. They're cheaper and lighter.
Also, the general consensus is that glued-in actions perform better and more consistently than bedded and screwed actions. If you go that route, the recoil lug is not needed and you can eliminate it's weight and cost from the equation.
Good luck.