American Rifle Company Releases the Nucleus! Another Savage Pre-fit Compatible Custom!

http://www.americanrifle.com/product...dable-deposit/

Nucleus

• Proudly engineered and manufactured in the USA
• Three toroidal locking lugs (no lapping required)
• Controlled-round feed extractor
• Controllable Springfield inertial ejection
• Exceptionally smooth
• Corrosion resistant black nitride finish
• Three anti-bind rails
• Interchangeable bolt heads
• Dual cocking cams
• 100% cock on opening
• Integral bolt handle
• Ergonomic interchangeable bolt knobs
• Savage small shank pre-fit compatible barrel thread
• Keyed recoil lug, pinning not required
• Interchangeable scope mounting rails
• 062 inch diameter firing pin tip for small and large primers
• Adjustable firing pin protrusion
• Compatible with Rem 700 triggers
• Compatible with Rem 700 stocks and chassis
• Weight: Short action 2.1 lbs. | Long action 2.4 lbs.

Barrel interface: The barrel thread specification for Nucleus is 1.063 – 20 UN 2B making it compatible with many off-the-shelf barrels such as Savage small-shank pre-fits. Conventionally threaded and shouldered barrels can also be used with the Nucleus. The distance from the bolt face to the forward face of the recoil lug is 0.825 +/-0.001 inches.

Bolt: The Nucleus uses a bolt that is machined from a single piece steel and subsequently heat treated for strength. It has an integral handle making it practically impossible to break off. The bolt knob interface for the Nucleus is the same as that of the Mausingfield and unique to American Rifle Company. An integral cylindrical shaft extends through the knob thus maximizing strength.

Bolt Head: (Patented and patent pending) The Nucleus uses an interchangeable bolt head featuring three Toroidal locking lugs, each having an anti-bind slot that engages three corresponding anti-bind rails machined into the receiver using a wire EDM. The toroidal locking lugs bear against a spherical surface within the receiver thus obviating the need for lapping the bolt to the receiver. Bolt heads are available for the 223 Remington, the 300 Win Mag, and everything in between including the 224 Valkyrie and the 6.5 Swede.

Bolt Knobs: The Nucleus is designed for use with American Rifle Company’s proprietary bolt knobs that are ergonomically designed for enhanced control of the bolt while cycling the action. Learn more about why American Rifle Company’s bolt knobs are designed as they are and about their intended use by clicking here.

Bolt Manipulation: Cycling the Nucleus requires rotating the bolt by 72 degrees which is approximately the maximum possible without seriously compromising primary extraction. Dual cocking cams are used to increase cocking efficiency thus minimizing the force required to cock the action. The nucleus is 100% cock-on-opening. When the bolt is open, the placement of the bolt knob positions the hand well clear of the scope for unobstructed rearward and forward movement.

Bolt Shroud: The Nucleus uses a flanged bolt shroud like that of the Mauser 98 in that its flange obstructs the flow of rearward moving gases and particles resulting from over pressure events and case head separations. Additionally, a spring-loaded locking pin like those of the Mausingfield and Mauser 98 prevents accidental rotation of the shroud with respect to the bolt when open and retracted. The locking pin obviates the need for detents at the aft end of the bolt which adversely affect the smoothness of the bolt cycle.

Bolt Stop: Substantial in size, the bolt stop of the Nucleus is extremely rugged and dependable. It is not pinned to the receiver. Instead, the bolt stop itself is a large pin that obstructs the 12 o’clock lug of the bolt head and transfers loads directly into the receiver. It will prove to be among the most rugged bolt stops ever used in bolt action rifles, on par with those of the Mauser 98 and the 1903 Springfield. Bolt removal is easy. Simply retract the bolt, rotate the bolt stop by 180 degrees, and remove the bolt. The bolt stop can only be rotated when the bolt is fully retracted thus preventing accidental removal. The center of mass of the bolt is located to prevent rotation under the high accelerations of recoil. Lastly, the forces associated with the bolt striking the bolt stop drive the bolt stop into engagement with the receiver.

Ejector: The Nucleus uses an ejector that is very similar to that used in the Model 1903 Springfield—a compact, hardened-steel ejector freely pivoting on a high-strength steel pin. It is located at the aft end of the receiver, well away from the breech where the blast resulting from an overpressure event or a case head failure would be most intense. The momentum of the rearward-moving bolt forces the ejector to pivot into engagement with the case head through a slot in the bolt face. The Springfield ejector also enables the shooter to control the intensity of the ejection process. It is the same ejector used in our Mausingfield bolt action and we encourage you to learn more about the ejector by clicking here.

Extractor: (Patent Pending) The Nucleus uses a claw type extractor which offers controlled-round feeding functionality while cooperating with the three-lug bolt design. It is well suited for cartridges ranging in size from the short 6mm Dasher all the way up to long magnums. Conceptually, its design is like that the famous Mauser 98 claw extractor in that it can engage the case head without the use additional springs or plungers. Instead, a compliant tail provides the spring force necessary for engaging the case head. The extractor is trapped between the bolt head and the bolt obviating the need for small pins. During extraction, the extractor slides forward to engage an undercut in the bolt head thus preventing accidental disengagement of the case head. The extractor of the Nucleus is an excellent example of an American Rifle Company comprehensive and highly engineered solution.

Magazine Compatibility: The Nucleus is compatible with American Rifle Company’s ARC mag, the Accuracy International CS mags (AI CS), Accurate mags like those from Accuracy International, and Alpha mags. It is not compatible with the Accuracy International’s AW mag.

Metallurgy: The Nucleus is made from high strength alloy steel. It is not made from stainless steel. The Nucleus undergoes a salt bath nitride finishing process to harden and blacken its surfaces. The resulting finish effectively resists corrosion and reduces friction thus enhancing the smoothness of the action.

Recoil Lug: (Patent Pending) The Nucleus has an innovative recoil lug that does not require pinning to maintain proper orientation with respect to the receiver during barrel installation. Instead, proper orientation is easily maintained by a tab which extends upwards from the top of the recoil lug and engages a slot cut into the bottom of scope mounting rail. The recoil lug is made from hardened steel and has a corrosion resistant, black nitride finish. Its thickness is 0.185 +/-0.0001 inches.

Scope Mounting Rail: Made from 7075 aluminum alloy, the rail has a black, hard-coat anodized finish. It is attached to the receiver using five high strength, 410 stainless steel, 8-36 screws. The overall length of the screws is 0.375 inches. The screws have conical heads (82° included angle) that engage conical bores within the rails thus establishing an over-constrained condition which effectively prevents any movement between the rail and the receiver. Additionally, the underside of the rail engages the cylindrical body of the receiver in a manner that effectively, and redundantly, prevents yaw. This solution ensures reliably, scope mounting choices, and economy. Rails are offered in 25 and 45 MOA inclinations.

Stock and Chassis Interface: The Nucleus is generally compatible with stocks and chassis designed for use with the Remington 700 and its clones. The bolt stop of the Nucleus is located near the top of the receiver and is therefore well clear of all stocks and chassis except for tubular chassis such as the Eliseo.

Striker Assembly: (Patent Pending) The Nucleus uses a dual cocking cam striker assembly for enhanced cocking efficiency thus reducing the effort required to cock the action. The 0.062 inch diameter striker (firing pin) tip reduces the likelihood of piercing small rifle primers. Adjustable tip protrusion from the bolt face is made possible by an interlocking nut and washer that also serves as the abutment for the striker spring. The striker is connected to the cocking piece by a thread. Complete passage of the striker through the cocking piece is prevented by a head at the aft end of the striker. Additionally, disassembly of the bolt assembly is facilitated by a threaded hole in the aft end of the striker into which a screw may be inserted to hold the striker in the rearward position against the main spring force. When the screw is in place, the striker assembly can easily be unscrewed and removed for the bolt assembly.

Trigger Interface: The Nucleus is compatible with aftermarket triggers designed for the Remington 700 and its clones. If possible, triggers should be purchased without the bolt stop releases. The Nucleus does not use a trigger hanger.

Weight	4 lbs
Dimensions	13 x 7 x 4 in
Action Length	Short (2.94" mag length), Long (3.78" length mag length)
Hand	Right, Left
Bolt Face	0.380" (i.e. 223 Rem), 0.420" (i.e. 224 Valkyrie), 0.475" (i.e. 308 Win), 0.535" (i.e. 300 Win Mag)
Scope Rail Inclination	20 MOA (5.8 mrad), 30 MOA (8.7 mrad), 45 MOA (13 mrad)

Plus it seems affordable, in custom action terms. Wish them every success. Seems well thought out.

Check out the photos by clicking on the first one. Scroll down to get the whole picture and then toggle the arrows to view them all. The attention to detail and the engineering concepts are pretty amazing. Ted is at the front of the pack.

Im a fan...

I put a deposit down on one of these several days ago,I can't wait for it to get made.

I'm thinking of doing a 22 Creedmoor yote killer with it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wro5WuprNwE

Kinda long video but Ted goes through his action in great detail.

You have to remember the reason Ted talks so much is because he's trying to bring his thoughts down to our level! Dude is a Genius as far as mechanical engineering goes!

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Originally Posted by LoneWolf

You have to remember the reason Ted talks so much is because he's trying to bring his thoughts down to our level! Dude is a Genius as far as mechanical engineering goes!

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I talked to him on the phone when he first came out with the Mausingfield action. Once he starts talking he doesn't stop.
He's really smart, and I was amazed by some of the things he talked to me about.

If guys want the best scope rings made, he makes them. I have two sets of them on my 34mm and 40mm tubed scopes.

Well I broke down and ordered one this morning. I figure that at the discounted price if I never get around to using it I can resell it and make some money, or if nothing else at least not take a loss. lol

Was tempted to go with the magnum bolt head to do a 6.5 PRC build, but stuck with the .475" size since it's so much more versatile cartridge-wise. Plus I already have everything on-hand (barrel, dies, brass and bullets) for a 6x47 Lapua build that never happened last year.

Crap, now I'm gonna have to start shopping around for Remington compatible parts... :mad:

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Originally Posted by J.Baker

Well I broke down and ordered one this morning. I figure that at the discounted price if I never get around to using it I can resell it and make some money, or if nothing else at least not take a loss. lol

Was tempted to go with the magnum bolt head to do a 6.5 PRC build, but stuck with the .475" size since it's so much more versatile cartridge-wise. Plus I already have everything on-hand (barrel, dies, brass and bullets) for a 6x47 Lapua build that never happened last year.

Crap, now I'm gonna have to start shopping around for Remington compatible parts... :mad:

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I'm proud of you Jim! I think it's going to be hard for you to pick another rifle to take to the range after you get it together. Hit me up if you need any parts. I have a few things laying around!

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Originally Posted by LoneWolf

I'm proud of you Jim! I think it's going to be hard for you to pick another rifle to take to the range after you get it together. Hit me up if you need any parts. I have a few things laying around!

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I dunno, there's no lever on it and we all know how much I love my lever guns. haha

Quote:

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Originally Posted by J.Baker

Well I broke down and ordered one this morning. I figure that at the discounted price if I never get around to using it I can resell it and make some money, or if nothing else at least not take a loss. lol

Was tempted to go with the magnum bolt head to do a 6.5 PRC build, but stuck with the .475" size since it's so much more versatile cartridge-wise. Plus I already have everything on-hand (barrel, dies, brass and bullets) for a 6x47 Lapua build that never happened last year.

Crap, now I'm gonna have to start shopping around for Remington compatible parts... :mad:

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If you ever do get around to selling it, especially if it's left handed, I might be tempted to take it off your hands ;)

I put a deposit down as soon as I saw these. I had a chance to spend a couple hours shooting with Ted from ARC a while back and he's quite the character. The buddy I was with couldn't stand Ted, said he just wouldn't shut up. I love when an engineer is really passionate about his design and that really shows with all the ARC products.

The plan is to build an all purpose hunting rifle with this action. I like to use CRF actions on my hunting guns (no good reason, I just like them) so I need something to fill the ballistic gap between my CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel and the Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan in 375 Ruger. I've had a reamer drawn up for a slightly modified 270/375 Ruger that I call the 270 Boondoggle and this seems like the perfect platform. I may have a second barrel cut for a 30 caliber based on the same case design. I think I'll throw it all together in a Joel Russo sporter stock cut out of bubinga and some Curtis Custom bottom metal and it should be a pretty nice package.

Sounds like an appropriate name to me Yorkey, lol.
I have to tell you that a CZ, and a Ruger Hawkeye were the worst shooting guns i ever had the DISpleasure of owning.
But i did like the actions on both of them. Notice i said did. lol

Anybody get theirs yet?

I have noticed that they are available for ordering now.

Looks top notch! Am man can dream.
In to hear ya all reviews.

I’d like to hear reports as well, I put my deposit down the first day they started taking orders again. They said it would be approx 4 months from order date and they would be filled in the order they were received.

This will be my first build on a custom action so the wait is already killing me. Any of the January guys jump in and tell me you’ve had yours for months so I feel better!


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I've got a few reports from my community and they have all been highly positive. Many are using it in conjunction with the Barloc with either the Barloc nut and a prefit or a barrel shouldered to function with the Barloc itself. Everything is looking very good on this actions release.

Last I contacted them (mid May) I was told the pre-order response was a LOT bigger than they had anticipated and that they were just about ready to start shipping. I didn't put my order in until a few days before the January 31st cutoff date so I'm pretty far down the list and at that time was told 2-3 months which would be any time now. Haven't gotten a call or email about providing them a FFL for shipping yet, so...

As for the Barloc, I looked at it and watched a video of someone installing a barrel with it. The biggest problem I see with it is that many rail manufacturers are making their rails with extensions out over the recoil lug & barrel nut which would cause a fitment issue. Also, for $150 a pop I can live with the hassle of having to pull my scope to swap barrels with a wrench and conventional nut - especially when you consider that it's a good idea to always pull or at least loosen the front base screws to prevent the possibility of buggering up your barrel shank threads during removal.

So you are saying when I put my order in on July 7th and the website said delivery will be approx 4 months from order date, I should probably not count on that?


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Originally Posted by Sleeper99

So you are saying when I put my order in on July 7th and the website said delivery will be approx 4 months from order date, I should probably not count on that?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Not at all...

It was made clear when they setup the pre-order in Dec. or January that production wasn't going to begun until April. From what I can gather that got pushed back a few weeks to a month which isn't that uncommon with a brand new product, and naturally that delay pushed back delivery. Compound that delay with the huge number of pre-orders they got and naturally it's going to cause delays.

Mind you, I'm not complaining as I still need to figure out what I want to do for a stock and bottom metal for it. I was just curious if anyone else here who had ordered one had gotten theirs yet.

I do appreciate that when they hit a speed bump they stopped taking orders and posted on their website that they would begin taking orders again when they could responsibly do so. The also said that orders would be filled in the order they were received and I put mine in within hours of them re-opening orders.

I’m just terrible at waiting!!!


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The first batch was all RH actions,the second batch should be shipped some time this month,and I'm hoping that my LH SA will be one of them. I also ordered a Barloc for Savage pre-fit barrels,it was only $50 if you ordered it with the action.

The action is all I'm waiting on,I have everything else setting on the bench waiting to be assembled!

Finally got my action yesterday. Still need to get a stock for it though, and since I just sent a check off to cover the purchase of the 110 Tactical I just reviewed the stocks going to have to wait until the gun fund is replenished.

Three days shy of being 1-year to the day I FINALLY got around to getting a stock ordered for the Nucleus action I ordered this time last year. Ended up going with a Grayboe Renegade after learning Red Hawk Rifles offers them in left-hand.

Attachment 5614

Finally looking like something more than a shiny tomato stake on my workbench.

Attachment 5660 Attachment 5662
Attachment 5663 Attachment 5664

Very impressed with the Grayboe stock, and for the money I think you'd be hard pressed to find something better in a synthetic at this price. Only gripe is that there was a small spot just behind the rear tang where the paint is chipped, but that's an easy touch-up and I plan on doing some kind of camo pattern on this come spring. Will likely be sending it out to have an adjustable cheek piece installed, but have to wait and see where the scope height comes in at to see if it's needed or not.

The Grayboe M5 bottom metal (made by Mesa) is a perfect fit and I like the butterfly release lever over a more conventional centered lever that sticks down a lot further.

Barrel channel was pretty much a perfect fit other than right up by the nut, but that's to be expected since it's inlet for a shouldered barrel. Can't seat my Magpul mags with the bolt closed, and the bolt drags the mag lips pretty good when fully locked in so I'm going to have to round up some shims for the bottom metal. I'm figuring 10-15 thousandths should do the trick.

Scope will be here Wednesday, but you'll have to wait to find out what it is.

Like all of your other rifles the bolt is on the other side. Athlon Cronus BTR?

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Originally Posted by Robinhood

Athlon Cronus BTR?

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Nope, I'm not jumping on the Athlon bandwagon. I'll give them another 5-6 years for the fad to wear off and then see where they are then. I have a feeling the fickle internet fanboy's will likely end up turning on them just like they did Vortex in recent years. After all, the products are likely made by the same people in the same Asian factory and once Athlon starts moving the volume of product that Vortex does you'll start seeing complaints about them failing more and more often as well. Economy of scale and all that good stuff.

Hopefully I'll be proven wrong, but I've watched this scenario play out numerous times now.

Japanese LOW, same manufacturer as the Bushnell tactical scopes.

I think I have some shims made just for that purpose laying around here somewhere.......or you could grind on your magazines..lol.

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Originally Posted by sharpshooter

I think I have some shims made just for that purpose laying around here somewhere.......or you could grind on your magazines..lol.

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I have some 1/4" washers that ware 0.046" thick which work, but they put the bottom metal a bit proud. Bolt picks up a round from the mag with them, but need something about half that thickness. Figurd if nothing else I'd bring the washers out and have you shave them down with the surface grinder.

Guess it's time to update this train wreck...

Got everything together and loaded up some initial development loads at 39.0, 39.5 and 40.0gr of IMR-4350 with Berger 105 Hybrids. Hit the range and got the scope bore sighted then sat down to zero it in. First round - click. Retry - click. Retry again - click. WTH? Grab another round - click. Retry - bang. Long story short, of the ten rounds I tried to fire only three went off and each of them needed multiple strikes. Firing pin strikes were notably light.

Seems I'm not the only one having this issue with the Nucleus action as there's a few threads of guys *****ing about it over on the SH forum. First suggested fix was to upgrade from the original 16# firing pin spring to a 19# spring, which is the spring that was being used in all the John Hancock rifles built on the Nucleus action. That still didn't resolve the issue for everyone so next they went to a 22# spring and it made thing better for a few more folks but still not 100%. Now they're up to a 25# spring, which is what they ended up sending me.

Interestingly enough, in messing around with mine while waiting for the new spring I did find part of the problem - though I still can't explain how it makes a difference.

Initial firing pin travel measurements off the back of the bolt shroud with the 16# spring were as follows:

Cocked (bolt up) = 0.128"
Cocked (bolt down) = 0.118" (decocking 0.010")
Decocked (fired) = 0.312"
Firing Pin Travel = 0.194" (way too short)

The discussion over at SH brought up the 0.035" gap between the bolt sleeve and bolt shroud and that if you screw the shroud all the way on until it stops against the bolt sleeve it stops about 1/4 turn short of being lined up where it needs to be. So, to get it lined up one has to unscrew it 3/4 turn resulting in that gap. Reassembling the bolt in that fashion - unscrewing the shroud 3/4 turn with the FP spring still compressed with the washer and screw, I would repeatedly get the numbers above.

Thens Is gots to thinkins (said in my best Curly Dan voice)...

With the shroud screwed all the way on and bottomed out on the bolt sleeve the one cocking lug and ramp are maybe just 15-20 thousands past lining up. What if rather than backing the shroud off the full 3/4 turn I just back it off enough to align the lug and ramp? So I tried that and naturally the shroud was about 270-degrees out of the orientation it needed to be in. I released the FP spring tension and then muscled the shroud around to it's proper orientation and took measurements again.

Cocked (bolt up) = 0.085"
Cocked (bolt down) = 0.075" (decocking 0.010")
Decocked (fired) = 0.295"
Firing Pin Travel = 0.220" (much better!)

So where did that 0.026" of extra firing pin travel magically come from? Assembling the bolt both ways the gap between the shroud and bolt sleeve is consistent at 0.035" so everything is in the same place, so explain that difference. I can't!

Took the rifle back to the range and of my 45 remaining rounds I had loaded up all of them fired on the first strike except two. Didn't get any pressure signs with any of the loads - not even from the 20 rounds loaded with 40.0 grains of powder, so I suspect I may have been getting cold fires with this rather light FP spring. My chrono is on the fritz so I have no velocity numbers to verify.

Naturally a 36% increase in spring rate in going to a 25# spring also means there will be a significant increase in bolt lift as well, and the light bolt lift with a 60-degree throw was the key selling points of the Nucleus action for myself and many others. Not real happy that I have $900 in an action that has a bolt lift almost as heavy as a factory Savage and far heavier than a T&T'd Savage that I could have been into for 1/3 to 1/2 the price.

Just to note, with the new 25# spring now in place the measurements are pretty much identical (+/- 0.001") to the second set above.

I may spend the $10 and order the 19# spring to lighten the bolt lift and hopefully still have 100% reliable ignition.

Weather has turned cold and nasty again so not sure when I'll get out to shoot it with the new spring. Loaded up another 50 rounds - 10 each at 38.0, 38.2, 38.4, 38.6 and 38.8 grains just to be on the safe side in case I was getting cold fires before.



On another note...

I've also come to the conclusion that all the people who rant and rave about how great the Greyboe stocks are wouldn't know a good synthetic stock if someone shoved one up their keister. Don't get me wrong, the Renegade I got isn't horrible, it just has a lot of flex in the forearm since there's no fabric shell or inner aluminum skeleton to give it any stiffness. When I first dropped the barreled action into the stock the barrel was free-floated. I left it on the workbench over night resting on a bipod and the next morning it was no longer floating. Sanded the barrel channel out a good bit and tried again - and again it sagged over night to the point it was touching again. Had to sand it out two more times before it finally stayed free-floated. Considering I only paid $400 for the stock and M5 bottom metal I can't complain too much. Cheapest M5 hardware is $160 so I'm only into the stock for $240. It's plenty suitable for a varmint gun, but definitely not something I would consider for a competition rifle.

I can also torque on the grip from the shooting position and cause enough flex to move the crosshair about 3.5-4 inches at 100 yards when on the bipod. Not good!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by J.Baker

Guess it's time to update this train wreck...

Got everything together and loaded up some initial development loads at 39.0, 39.5 and 40.0gr of IMR-4350 with Berger 105 Hybrids. Hit the range and got the scope bore sighted then sat down to zero it in. First round - click. Retry - click. Retry again - click. WTH? Grab another round - click. Retry - bang. Long story short, of the ten rounds I tried to fire only three went off and each of them needed multiple strikes. Firing pin strikes were notably light.

Seems I'm not the only one having this issue with the Nucleus action as there's a few threads of guys *****ing about it over on the SH forum. First suggested fix was to upgrade from the original 16# firing pin spring to a 19# spring, which is the spring that was being used in all the John Hancock rifles built on the Nucleus action. That still didn't resolve the issue for everyone so next they went to a 22# spring and it made thing better for a few more folks but still not 100%. Now they're up to a 25# spring, which is what they ended up sending me.

Interestingly enough, in messing around with mine while waiting for the new spring I did find part of the problem - though I still can't explain how it makes a difference.

Initial firing pin travel measurements off the back of the bolt shroud with the 16# spring were as follows:

Cocked (bolt up) = 0.128"
Cocked (bolt down) = 0.118" (decocking 0.010")
Decocked (fired) = 0.312"
Firing Pin Travel = 0.194" (way too short)

The discussion over at SH brought up the 0.035" gap between the bolt sleeve and bolt shroud and that if you screw the shroud all the way on until it stops against the bolt sleeve it stops about 1/4 turn short of being lined up where it needs to be. So, to get it lined up one has to unscrew it 3/4 turn resulting in that gap. Reassembling the bolt in that fashion - unscrewing the shroud 3/4 turn with the FP spring still compressed with the washer and screw, I would repeatedly get the numbers above.

Thens Is gots to thinkins (said in my best Curly Dan voice)...

With the shroud screwed all the way on and bottomed out on the bolt sleeve the one cocking lug and ramp are maybe just 15-20 thousands past lining up. What if rather than backing the shroud off the full 3/4 turn I just back it off enough to align the lug and ramp? So I tried that and naturally the shroud was about 270-degrees out of the orientation it needed to be in. I released the FP spring tension and then muscled the shroud around to it's proper orientation and took measurements again.

Cocked (bolt up) = 0.085"
Cocked (bolt down) = 0.075" (decocking 0.010")
Decocked (fired) = 0.295"
Firing Pin Travel = 0.220" (much better!)

So where did that 0.026" of extra firing pin travel magically come from? Assembling the bolt both ways the gap between the shroud and bolt sleeve is consistent at 0.035" so everything is in the same place, so explain that difference. I can't!

Took the rifle back to the range and of my 45 remaining rounds I had loaded up all of them fired on the first strike except two. Didn't get any pressure signs with any of the loads - not even from the 20 rounds loaded with 40.0 grains of powder, so I suspect I may have been getting cold fires with this rather light FP spring. My chrono is on the fritz so I have no velocity numbers to verify.

Naturally a 36% increase in spring rate in going to a 25# spring also means there will be a significant increase in bolt lift as well, and the light bolt lift with a 60-degree throw was the key selling points of the Nucleus action for myself and many others. Not real happy that I have $900 in an action that has a bolt lift almost as heavy as a factory Savage and far heavier than a T&T'd Savage that I could have been into for 1/3 to 1/2 the price.

Just to note, with the new 25# spring now in place the measurements are pretty much identical (+/- 0.001") to the second set above.

I may spend the $10 and order the 19# spring to lighten the bolt lift and hopefully still have 100% reliable ignition.

Weather has turned cold and nasty again so not sure when I'll get out to shoot it with the new spring. Loaded up another 50 rounds - 10 each at 38.0, 38.2, 38.4, 38.6 and 38.8 grains just to be on the safe side in case I was getting cold fires before.



On another note...

I've also come to the conclusion that all the people who rant and rave about how great the Greyboe stocks are wouldn't know a good synthetic stock if someone shoved one up their keister. Don't get me wrong, the Renegade I got isn't horrible, it just has a lot of flex in the forearm since there's no fabric shell or inner aluminum skeleton to give it any stiffness. When I first dropped the barreled action into the stock the barrel was free-floated. I left it on the workbench over night resting on a bipod and the next morning it was no longer floating. Sanded the barrel channel out a good bit and tried again - and again it sagged over night to the point it was touching again. Had to sand it out two more times before it finally stayed free-floated. Considering I only paid $400 for the stock and M5 bottom metal I can't complain too much. Cheapest M5 hardware is $160 so I'm only into the stock for $240. It's plenty suitable for a varmint gun, but definitely not something I would consider for a competition rifle.

I can also torque on the grip from the shooting position and cause enough flex to move the crosshair about 3.5-4 inches at 100 yards when on the bipod. Not good!

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Very detailed write-up. I know you probably wouldn't like this, but have you contacted American Rifle Company to see what they can do?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by psharon97

Very detailed write-up. I know you probably wouldn't like this, but have you contacted American Rifle Company to see what they can do?

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They sent me the replacement 25# spring, that's about it. His own posts in the thread over at SH are a pretty clear indication he doesn't want to admit he messed up putting such light springs in them. I just consider it a 'live and learn' lesson, don't volunteer and pay to be someone's beta tester for a new product in the future.

I just watched his video on the Nucleus and he seemed pretty sure of himself that the 15# spring would work, although there was some level of uncertainty there. To jump up to a 25# sure seems like pulling out a sledgehammer to get the job done. At least he can perhaps find a workable solution and get it fixed.

The flexy stock on the other hand.....ugghhh

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Originally Posted by celltech

I just watched his video on the Nucleus and he seemed pretty sure of himself that the 15# spring would work, although there was some level of uncertainty there. To jump up to a 25# sure seems like pulling out a sledgehammer to get the job done. At least he can perhaps find a workable solution and get it fixed.

The flexy stock on the other hand.....ugghhh

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Yeah, I pointed out his own words in that video in one of my posts over on SH. He gambled, it didn't pay off - it happens.

I can't believe he got that far without encountering any problems. A 15 lb. spring wouldn't even work for a rimfire, and it's at it's least for even supporting a detonated primer.

I’m surprised that the 19# spring didn’t fix the ignition issues. I had problems with CCI 250s and the 16# spring but the 19# has been 100% so far. The federal 215 primers worked 80% with the 16# and they’ve been 100% with the 19#.

The difference in bolt lift between the 16# and 19# springs wasn’t too bad, but a 25# spring on there would be an issue for me.

A 19 lb spring would be on the edge for optimum ignition. Even though it will ignite, it will not expel all the energy from the primer. It results in a "cold fire", causing a change in the pressure wave, harmonics and a dip in velocity. When the ignition is at this stage "riding the fence", you may get a few shots with optimum fire, and some with a cold fire. The results are flyers.

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Originally Posted by sharpshooter

A 19 lb spring would be on the edge for optimum ignition. Even though it will ignite, it will not expel all the energy from the primer. It results in a "cold fire", causing a change in the pressure wave, harmonics and a dip in velocity. When the ignition is at this stage "riding the fence", you may get a few shots with optimum fire, and some with a cold fire. The results are flyers.

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I haven’t seen that yet, but now I’ll try and watch for it. I have 3 separate barrels for my Nucleus action and all 3 are in chamberings with 100+ gr case capacities. So far the ES numbers have been 15 or less with all 3, but that’s only for 50-75 shots through each barrel.

15 or less is good. Evidently you're on the right side of the fence.

I know there have been some guy's that have problems with their Nucleus action's,but mine hasn't had a single issue. It is just as it came out of the box,minus cleaning off the oil off the outside of the action. I've fired around 400 rounds out of it so far,and it has always fired each time the trigger was pulled.
My action is a SA / LH bolt,and one of the first ones produced - serial#0012. There are several other guy's with a Nucleus actin that haven't had any issues also,that just tells me that something was machined wrong or out of spec in the bolt area of the action.

Hey Jim, What trigger did you go with on this action?

Hey Jim,Any updates with your Nucleus?
I went shooting yesterday,and put another 50 rounds out of mine. I still haven't had a single issue with it,and it still has the 16# spring in it.

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Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Hey Jim, What trigger did you go with on this action?

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Trigger Tech Special

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Originally Posted by Txhillbilly

Hey Jim,Any updates with your Nucleus?
I went shooting yesterday,and put another 50 rounds out of mine. I still haven't had a single issue with it,and it still has the 16# spring in it.

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I haven't had it out to shoot it since I got the heavier FP spring in due to a new job that's keeping me plenty busy.

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I haven't had it out to shoot it since I got the heavier FP spring in due to a new job that's keeping me plenty busy.

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Do tell....

Not much to tell - this site's dying off so I picked up a job working in a factory. Gotta pay the bills somehow.

Finally been doing some shooting with the Nucleus action. Still playing around with loads, but I'm starting to get it dialed in. Working with IMR-4350, 105gr Berger Hybrids, Lapua brass and CCI 450 primers. So far it seems to like 39.0gr for the charge weight. No clue what the velocity is at this point as the brain box for my CED chrony took a crap. Shot at 100 yards off bench with a bipod and rear bag.

Attachment 6143 Attachment 6144
Attachment 6145 Attachment 6146

Bolt lift with the 25# firing pin spring is heavier than I would like, but not as bad as a factory Savage. It is heavier than a trued and timed Savage action though.

Nice to see you have it firing now,and the load developing looks promising. Mine still hasn't missed a beat with the 16# spring in it,so I'll just keep it that way unless I start having issues.