IMO the only way to "know" is to go both routes..... I've spent tens of thousands of real American dollars trying to prove that "factory can run with custom" and that "other rounds can compete with the 6PPC."
And I've learned a lot. I've learned by DOING. I've learned by spending time and money, not just speculating.
And I've learned WHY custom actions exist....... and it ain't about pride of ownership.
IME some factory actions (Rem700/ Sav110) can be made to be "as accurate as a custom" but it will cost more money than buying a custom-built action and there's more to shooting groups than "accuracy."
Also IME certain other cartridge cases can be modified to be "as accurate" as the 6PPC....... again, for more money and AGAIN simple "accuracy" isn't the whole equation. I can state from personal experience that THE CHEAPEST way to find truly consistent accuracy is to buy a custom-actioned, purpose-built BENCHREST 6PPC set up for short range Group Benchrest. A couple years with this setup, learning how to shoot will give a person a sense of what real, consistent accuracy is.
Then there's the competitive arena, This where REAL consistent day-to-day REPEATABLE accuracy begins to show. There's nothing like being mercilessly flogged by others on the same day, under the same conditions to point out inadequacies inherent to the system.
And NO, absolutely NO-NO-NO, ability CANNOT make up for an inadequate shooting system in short range Benchrest. 600-1000yd BR has traditionally had more leeway, more room for error, more room for LUCK to play a part because the shooting environment is inherently less stable but in the last few years 600-1000yd equipment has advanced by leaps and bounds. IMO the chance of winning more than a relay or two in any SANCTIONED BR Match using inferior equipment is currently very low.
That said, if one had endless budget and a grudge against custom actions, or a point to prove, the best arena in which to campaign a Remington or Savage-actioned BR rifle (no others need apply
and
no unmodified factory rifles need apply) would currently be 1000yd Benchrest.
Short-range BR for Group or Score the only way to even show would be with a wicked tricked out factory action, one costing probably more than a custom action and worth much less for resale. I've currently got one competitive Rem700 action that STARTED as a Jim Borden modified action. (IMO if I were ever again to pay someone to modify a 700 action bringing it up to snuff it would be Borden) I bought it used for somewhat less than a custom action and have since spent more money modifying it. I have more money in it than it's worth.... more money than a Borden custom action would cost brand new..... and it does shoot really good. Would I do it again? NO! Would I advise anyone to do it? NO! Did I save money? NO!
Did I learn a lot? YES! And I'm learning more every day.
On a different note, the guy above Mr Histle (snicker) simply has no clue. Having never BEEN to any sort of BR Match Mr Histle makes the (flawed) assumption that "Savage actions, capable of setting records at 1000 yds can obviously compete at short range." There's simply NO WAY to explain to Mr Histle that he's wrong. Flatout wrong. Mr Histle, let me offer you an analogy. Perhaps you aren't a gearhead but I'll presume that you know at least a little about car racing. Your statement above about 1000yd VS 100yd can be stated this way in racing terms....... " So, you're saying that John Force's car, capable of setting records in the quarter mile can't compete at Grand Prix?" (snicker)
It's that uninformed.
(If the racing analogy doesn't work then pick a sport you DO know something about and I'll create another example)
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