Defiance Actions: What Makes Them Great?
Posted by Red Hawk Rifles on Jun 5th 2024
The precision rifle world is full of options: like Defiance Actions. But what makes the actions that Defiance provides different from other offerings and why are they considered some of the best on the market?
We will go over just what makes Defiance Actions great and some of the models we offer from their product line.
Defiance Actions Overview
Defiance Actions are carefully developed and assembled to back up the guarantee of proper headspacing. This really is the sum of all of their actions’ parts and the effort they put into the fit and finish of those parts. Let’s start with the materials.
Materials
The actions are made up of two to three different materials for the best outcome. In order to achieve the appropriate dimensions, all parts are pre-hardened before they are cut in order to prevent warping or other changes during the hardening process.
Bolt
The bolts are made of a 4340 Chrome Moly alloy. It is shaped in a single operation, making the guaranteed headspace possible within a .001 of an inch (plus or minus). This ties into the rest of the system by being a sturdy basis for the receiver and ammunition to interact with.
Receiver
The receivers are made of 416 Stainless steel to help combat rust and feature an integral recoil lug. Some variants will include an aluminum shroud over the parts to add additional weight savings. The receiver is also threaded to Remington 700 specifications (1.0625” x 16 T.P.I.) which helps ensure proper barrel fitting.
Wire Cut Parts
The bolts are cut using a wire electrical discharge machining process (Wire EDM). This ensures consistency since it cuts very precisely by melting or vaporizing material rather than physically grinding it off. This allows for a smooth, clean bolt that moves easily in the receiver.
Right Hand or Left Hand Bolt Handles
Another aspect of Defiance actions is that many of their models come in right or left hand configurations. This will help you make sure your rifle matches your dominant hand or eye more easily.
Dedicated Bolt Faces
The various models and submodels offered by Defiance include dedicated bolt faces. These match the various cartridges you can use in a precision rifle. The reason for these dedicated bolt faces is that they support the case rim better for more consistent performance.
Individual Actions
Now let’s look at four of the Defiance models that we generally carry on their own or as part of our barreled action offerings.
The Classic
The Classic is the baseline model that Defiance offers. It has been engineered to take the least amount of effort with the most amount of quality and a lower price point than their other options. Because of this there aren't as many variations available. The Classic only comes in Short or Long Remington Actions.
The Ruckus
The Ruckus aims to come in at a lower price point than Defiance’s Deviant model. This incorporates a new bolt design for even tighter tolerances and includes an integral, skeletonized Picatinny rail mounting system. This action can work with hinged floor plates and detachable box magazines.
The Ruckus has more action variations than the Classic and features the Short action, the XM (works with BDL, non-detachable magazine kit), the Medium (for those slightly longer, new cartridges), and the Long Action.
The AnTi
The AnTi action is geared towards those who want a very light rifle or want the weight to be somewhere other than the action. Keeping with the guarantee of headspace, this action’s heaviest variation is 22.2 ounces with its magnum bolt face.
It does not come with an integral Picatinny mount but there is an optional 20 MOA Picatinny mount available or a custom Picatinny base of your choice made from 7075 Aluminum.
The AnTi X
The AnTi X is roughly the same as the normal AnTi with the exception of an integral skeletonized Picatinny mount. This does increase the overall weight of the action but that still brings the entire action into the 23-24 ounce range. You will still get weight savings and you won’t have to worry about the additional tolerances of adding a mount to your rifle.
The integral mount comes in two varieties, 20 MOA or 0 MOA. The AnTi X also comes in the same variations of bolt face as the Ruckus and AnTi.
Conclusion
Defiance actions are great if you want an affordable, semi-custom action. Whether that is an ultra-light action or just a properly machined Remington 700 alternative. Whichever style you prefer, Defiance has a bolt and receiver set up for your needs.
Check out our selection of Defiance Action products and related items to see where you want to go for your next rifle build/upgrade.
