Thread: Barnard Action Hunting Rifle

Just wondering if anyone has experience with a barnard auctioned hunting rifle. I am interested to hear how it might go in wet conditions. I am thinking of building a rifle for mid to long range hunting of deer and tahr on the sm action. Maybe a 7-300 wsm or 7 or 6.5 saum etc.

I had heard that they were working on a new action specifically for the prs style of shooting which could work well. Does anyone have any details on this? Or any opinions on a Barnard auctioned hunting rifle

Not sure if the SM is available in magnum boltface? Could be wrong though.

I've had a Model 07 in 6.5x47L but I wouldn't be that keen on carting it around the hill too much. Very accurate though.
Also had a P-Chey action in 338 Cheytac Improved, once again, not light even when set up as a ELR hunting rig.
Currently have a PL action that's been lightened back to basically the same weight as a Rem 700 Long action. It's chambered in 7mm-338 Lapua Improved, with a McMillan Game scout stock and 30" Bartlein fluted barrel it weighs 3.9kg sans scope and rings. This rifle is actually for sale currently.

What I will say is, the actions are all very solid and strong. They aren't light in their standard form and you do need to take more care with crap getting into the action as there isn't the same clearance and likes of a Rem action. Trigger is awesome (but you don't get one with the SM action). As a single shot LR hunting or target action I reckon they are as good as it gets, just not the most pretty if that matters!

Edit to add: You need to take care in wet conditions as they will rust (like any blued action will). I have had the receivers of mine nickel coated which helps

I was advised by them they are developing a Remington 700 foot print (if that sounds right) to fit 700 stocks, chassis and barrels .

I await developments.

Originally Posted by xtightg

I was advised by them they are developing a Remington 700 foot print (if that sounds right) to fit 700 stocks, chassis and barrels .

I await developments.

They already do don't they, is it the s that fits in the 700 short action.

Originally Posted by bully

They already do don't they, is it the s that fits in the 700 short action.

It fits with a few mods...saying it has a Rem 700 footprint is quite misleading to be fair

I have the SMS action, it really is NOT a direct drop in, I was excited by it as Ive wanted to build a kiwi made rifle for bush stalking for a long time, it works fine but does not fit flush with the 700 stocks at the rear of the action, I am going to get my gunsmith to butcher the action to make it fit properly then re-coat the action, anyone wanting to know more id suggest to PM me before throwing money at Barnard, there are better options out there for the moment, having said that the lads at Barnard are great and the products they make are excellent just not quite there with the "drop in" hunting actions yet.

Nga, don't butcher a good new action, can't you just trim up the stock. I know when I did mine I had to take 3-4 mm out of the front as it was a little longer than the 700 stock cut out, from memory I may have had to carve a little around the trigger box area as well as a little to ease the magazine release.
I cant remember having to take anything away at the rear of the action but they do have a long rear taper coming out.
Z

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

Nga, don't butcher a good new action, can't you just trim up the stock. I know when I did mine I had to take 3-4 mm out of the front as it was a little longer than the 700 stock cut out, from memory I may have had to carve a little around the trigger box area as well as a little to ease the magazine release.
I cant remember having to take anything away at the rear of the action but they do have a long rear taper coming out.
Z

It’s only new until you buy it, then it’s secondhand, may aswell modify it to the way you like it. I very much doubt he intends to leave it with grinding marks and rough angles.


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That development is also in progress for the last 18months...

Originally Posted by Pew-Pew

That development is also in progress for the last 18months...

Oh bugger

I also fancy a titanium short action 308 bolt face cant find one.

I could pay top dollar to have someone import one for me, yea right.

Subject to comrade globalist cindy's possible mandates later today I might not need one.

I have the SM action in a 243 with a 2 detachable mags in a boyd's thumb hole stock, 24" S/S light Varmint barrel, overbarrel silencer etc. As a package it's not light as I built it for day walk hunts not long distance walk in's but have done a couple of 700 mtr climbs with it.
It has overnight-ed outside in a freezing rain on one occasion and sub zero a couple of nights. The action was fine but the scope rings came up with a fine red bloom after the freezing rain.

If I was doing it as a walk in go down the 20-22" length Light Contour/Carbon Barrel and Carbon Stock. The bare action is 0.99 kg or 35oz so just over 2 lb. No Silencer, no bipod (thats what your back pack is for).

The SM is a Rem 700 Short action clone (0.473" rim) and that is hard to beat as a good strong base for a build (308 family or Rebated rim 284 family). However if minimum weight is goal then their are other lighter actions out their.
Z

Barnards are heavy arent they?

Im really surprised at the lack of developments from the company.
The amount of custom builds done in the last 10 years must number in the many hundreds.
Yet Barnards wouldnt make up even 1% of them.

Originally Posted by Tribrit

Barnards are heavy arent they?

Im really surprised at the lack of developments from the company.
The amount of custom builds done in the last 10 years must number in the many hundreds.
Yet Barnards wouldnt make up even 1% of them.

yeah right Barnard actions are heavy and over-engineered for a very good reason

go to any fullbore comp around the world, and Barnard actions make up the vast majority of actions on the line

Not too shabby for a little kiwi company in my mind...

Their target market is competitive shooters, not alpine hunters. Going after the PRS market makes perfect sense to me, and that pretty much means a Remmy 700 drop-in due to stocks.

Thanks for the replies guys very helpful. I will give them an email and try get some updates on the new action to see when that might be available

Benj what are you after I have 2 rifles 1 x 338 and 1 x 284 shehane both Barnard