Panda action question

[Greg@wfcustom]

Decide if you want an Ejector or not. If you decide not, then change mind later. You have to purchase a new bolt with an ejector or find someone to put one in because Kelby won't do it.

My experience is different.
I have had Kelbly’s install several ejectors for me. Of course they can only install it opposite the extractor. They have always been open to doing what I need ( within reason) just have to talk to them. Again redundant but the best in the business!
G

 

[AlNyhus]

Decide if you want a Ejector or not. If you decide not, then change mind later. You have to purchase a new bolt with an ejector or find someone to put one in because Kelby won't do it.

They will modify the bolt to use the TG style ejector which is activated by an extension on the bolt release.

 

[kneedtospeed]

A Panda will cause you to shoot your smallest groups, win many matches, and inherit the best customer service you have ever experienced.

 

[Lbart]

I can attest to this!

 

[jackieschmidt]

From: Ian Kelbly <ian@kelbly.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2023 5:38 AM
To: Randyrewinder@outlook.com <Randyrewinder@outlook.com>; jim@kelbly.com <jim@kelbly.com>
Subject:RE: Kelbly Rifles Contact Form Submission from RANDAL W. HOGE

Randy,

The only type of ejector that can be installed for left port ejection is a Remington ejector. We do not offer installation of ejectors after manufacture of the bolt. We can make a new bolt with a Remington ejector, which is a 3 month lead time and $500.

Thank you!

All the best,
Ian A. Kelbly
Kelbly’s Inc.

Keep in mind, the bolts are all manufactured on a CNC machine, where drilling the plunger hole and keeper pin hole is all part of the continuing program. They can’t simply put a finished bolt back in the machine and re catch the cycle.
And I seriously doubt they have a man standing next to a manual Bridgeport Mill that can do it.

 

[WSnyder]

And I seriously doubt they have a man standing next to a manual Bridgeport Mill that can do it.

Possibly not anymore but earlier on when you sent in your bolt to be retrofitted to a TG ejector that's exactly what they did. I can't remember the persons name that did them in the manual part of the shop.

Tom I think was his first name? Someone help me out

 

[AlNyhus]

And if it does not have an a ejector what can I do. Buy another bolt or find someone to do the machine work to do it. Easier to delete a ejector then add.

There's a good market for used Panda bolts. I believe Greg did the TG ejector conversion on one of mine before he retired from Kelbly's. He's a really savvy machinist...still does action and barrel work.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

And if it does not have an a ejector what can I do. Buy another bolt or find someone to do the machine work to do it. Easier to delete a ejector then add.

Adding an ejector is not a big deal. If there were enough demand, I'd build some fixturing and do them all day. Without the dedicated tooling, it's more time than it's probably worth for one off jobs. That's where just buying a bolt looks more appealing. Especially if you sell the old one to re-coup that money. Would be a simple and fast job, making it economically feasible, if I or someone had that tooling and dedicated equipment to it. Just a time/cost thing. If it was just one style of bolt and action, it'd be easy.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

. If there were enough demand

It'd be a lot more feasible, yes. A good smith can do it regardless but with the time and cost involved for one offs, I'd buy a bolt. With the bolt and the action work, all the little details like beveling the ejection port and re-polishing...I'd call it about a $500 job vs maybe $200 with the right fixturing.

 

[AlNyhus]

. If there were enough demand

Let me know what you have for a bolt body...I might have an interest.

 

[joshb]

Keep in mind, the bolts are all manufactured on a CNC machine, where drilling the plunger hole and keeper pin hole is all part of the continuing program. They can’t simply put a finished bolt back in the machine and re catch the cycle.
And I seriously doubt they have a man standing next to a manual Bridgeport Mill that can do it.

Huh….I guess I got mine in before the change in policy. I sent a LP Kodiak bolt in last summer to get an ejector installed. “No problem!” they said, during the phone call.
Add: I just checked the dates. I bought the action in April and sent the bolt in May or June.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Huh….I guess I got mine in before the change in policy. I sent a LP Kodiak bolt in last summer to get an ejector installed. “No problem!” they said, during the phone call.
Add: I just checked the dates. I bought the action in April and sent the bolt in May or June.

Yes, I know they use to do this kinda work. Not sure when they stopped. I have a Panda here that they added a port to and a tg ejector, now.

 

[jackieschmidt]

A competent machinist, with the proper tools, can install a plunger ejector.

Once you get the geometry down for the exact location, it is a matter of placing the bolt in a vertical fixture and milling a small flat spot, then drilling the appropriate sized hole for the plunger to fit.
Possibly the most difficult part for the average guy is the small keeper pin hole to secure the ejector plunger in the correct place. A 1/16 roll pin should work fine. You need a small center cut end mill, a small center drill, and a 1/16 drill. It has to intersect the plunger hole 1/2 into it’s diameter.

The trick is being really careful. Breaking a small drill off in a hole can be a real pain.

The last thing to make is the actual plunger. You can custom fit it for All of the lengths, including exactly where the half cut away is go the keeper pin.

Panda bolts are Chrome Moly, probably around 36 RC hardness.

 

[jimmymac]

I have an old RBLP Panda with no ejector at their shop now being reworked to a RBLPRE configuration. It will get a new bolt with a TG ejector and they will do whatever work they deem necessary to make the action play nice with the trigger. I was also assured they will maintain headspace to work with all my existing barrels. They inletted a Kelbly Klub stock for me and made a butt plate. I supplied a piece of copper tungsten rod to get as much weight as possible to the rear of the gun while not exceeding LV weight. Once the stock gets back from our esteemed AS painter they will glue it in and that will be that.

I don’t claim to know the difference between gunsmithing and rifle building, but I trust what Jim told me and trust that the finished product will be what I asked for.

With all that said, I can envision a day when they may no longer build BR rifles. For anyone that’s been paying attention, it is pretty obvious their business model has been evolving.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have an old RBLP Panda with no ejector at their shop now being reworked to a RBLPRE configuration. It will get a new bolt with a TG ejector and they will do whatever work they deem necessary to make the action play nice with the trigger. I was also assured they will maintain headspace to work with all my existing barrels. They inletted a Kelbly Klub stock for me and made a butt plate. I supplied a piece of copper tungsten rod to get as much weight as possible to the rear of the gun while not exceeding LV weight. Once the stock gets back from our esteemed AS painter they will glue it in and that will be that.

I don’t claim to know the difference between gunsmithing and rifle building, but I trust what Jim told me and trust that the finished product will be what I asked for.

With all that said, I can envision a day when they may no longer build BR rifles. For anyone that’s been paying attention, it is pretty obvious their business model has been evolving.

The writing was on the wall when Kelbly dropped The Super Shoot, which for decades was the premier Short Range Group shooting event in Benchrest. A win at the Super Shoot carved your name in stone in Benchrest accomplishment.

Who can blame them. The shooting world has evolved. They have evolved with it, while still keeping the standard of excellence that has made them who they are.

 

[jimmymac]

The writing was on the wall when Kelbly dropped The Super Shoot, which for decades was the premier Short Range Group shooting event in Benchrest. A win at the Super Shoot carved your name in stone in Benchrest accomplishment.

Who can blame them. The shooting world has evolved. They have evolved with it, while still keeping the standard of excellence that has made them who they are.

Agreed. They dumped the stock and scope ring part of the business as well. It’s a shame they don’t provide those items any longer since they will be missed but I don’t blame them either if the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. That company will always hold a special place for me. Anytime I need anything they treat me like I am their most important customer.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Great company. I am glad it is evolving, not going away as another generation works hard and realizes the future. I have three bench guns, all Pandas. Over the years I had some changes they did for me. The work has always been great. My oldest one , now a 30br, I bought used in 98. It was a year old. A year later Bob Green built me a 10.5 lb 6ppc. It is now a 17 lb with its first 6BRA barrel. It has also been a 6brx, .243, 30br, 6.5 x47. They all shot great and all ejected out the right side which amazes me given the size difference in the cases. The 3rd was and is a 6ppc which I spotted in their showroom a few years back.It was a week old. I took it home with me. So to the current generation I offer this advice when faced with a decision, "What would Dad or Grandpap do". Have success going forward.

 

[Oklahoma Jim]

I did end up getting the rifle with the Panda action. You guys were right! I really like it so far.

 

[jamesdmock]

Sage advice about the Panda. Here is my Panda Dasher that has a 1994 action that is still performing perfectly.