Has anyone had any experience with the Miller falling blocks now part of Dakota?  They don't seem to have the elegant minimal external beauty of the Dakota model 10 action. But I understand they are stronger, more accurate, better triggers, better ignition, simpler (fewer parts).

I was just at the SCI convention in Reno, and I was shown how an F type Miller action could be dissassembled and reassembled in seconds!  I was told it has 17 pieces.  Not too long ago I read an article by SDH in which he dissected a Hagn action (it is on the Hagn website) - he was impressed with what could be done with 32 or so pieces.  Apparently the actions and barrelled actions are also available, although that is not clear from the Dakota website.

The 'F' version is a more pleasant looking action, but I agree
the lever needs work.

A very dear and close friend of mine Rick MacHale and a local competitor set a new bench rest record with a CPA action and a Ron Smith Barrel chambered in 32-40 at last years ISSA National event in Raton New Mexico so is the Miller really a Rolls Royce or does it ultimately come down to ones capabilities?

One cannot buy ones way to the top of the shooting list by spending money on a Rolls Royce or a Cadillac he or she needs to just get out and practice with what they have in the safe.

Is the Miller action really better than a Highwall, Ballard, Borchardt Stevens, Ruger etc. I trully think not as Rick has proved otherwise.

J.Louis

The Miller / deHaas action was / is a good simple action. The Miller F action is an updated version of the Farrow action. The weak point for both these actions is the trigger. I remember seeing a beautiful Miller F on display when Miller was just bringing them out. When I tried the traditional push-pull double set on the action it wouldn't work none of the Millers could get it to work either that was the last time the rifle was handled at that show. I know others who have endless problems with the triggers on the Miller / deHaas action. 
Personally of the newer made actions I always thought that the Peregrine was every bit as good an action and they had excellent triggers to boot. Unfortunately they are no longer made either.
Ya pays your money Ya takes your chances.

40 Rod

The rifle action refered to is a Frank deHaas action, made by Miller, the early actions were marked as D-M actions and after de Haas died they  no longer gave him credit for designing the action.  I'm sure this is useless info to most of us but  it is a de Haas action.   ledball

Yes, Both the DM and the Hoch can be switch rifles. I agree with Ledball about the credit. Frank Dehass spent many years reseaching ALL single shots and came up with his design.

I have a Hoch, they look a bit like the boxy DM's and for that matter the Borchardts (haven't heard anyone say they are ugly). Regardless of what a rifle looks like, you learn to love it if it's accurate. I've had it since '87 and it has a excellet trigger if kept clean and oiled (Not hard to do because they are enclosed). I'm sure Joe would agree.

But, Like J louis says, you gotta do your home work to make any gun shoot.

Frank

Need to be careful here every body's baby is pretty to it's mother Not prejudice against new ones either Peregrines are very attractive actions

Looks are important to me, not everybody is concerned.  If a boxy modern style shot better I could perhaps see it, but don't see anything about the new style actions that is an advantage over a High Wall. 

Modern scopes flat forearm bench rest stocks short stiff barrels are an advantage but the action is not that big a deal as long as it's stiff center hammer and fairly fast lock time. In fact shooting offhand like I do the Trigger is the most important component of all action parts. 

Boats