Action for F-Open in $1000-$1200 price range?

[7stubby]

If a guy was looking for a action to use for F-Open, had only $1000-$1200 to spend on one. Which one and why? Or is there another one that is less or more then the price range. There is just so many choices. Defiance Rebel, Stiller Viper, Kelbly Panda, etc? Please let me know. Thanks

 

[VinceB]

Re: Action for F Class in $1000-$1200 price range?

Open or F/TR? With F/TR you are working to a 'tight' weight limit (18 lb 2oz) so this may influence your choice. I.e. the Stolle Panda is 34 oz, whereas a Barnard P is about 48 oz.

 

[7stubby]

Re: Action for F Class in $1000-$1200 price range?

I knew I forgot to put something on here. It would be for F-Open.

 

[madderg]

Savage target action is as good as any for half the price.

 

[ryanjay11]

You can easily make weight with the Barnard. I have a PC dual port with a 34" heavy palma, Eliseo Chassis, NF Comp and Centershot bipod. I'm under weight for F-T/R.

You could attach a second Barnard action and still make weight in F-Open.

 

[7stubby]

ryanjay11, you have a very nice setup. I hope I didnt get to much slobber on it at the last STL match when you let me check the NF Comp out.
I have a savage target action and like it very much, but just thinking I would like to have a true custom rifle and enjoy it for many years to come.

 

[savageshooter86]

Barnard is what I am considering. Seems to be a great action and includes target quality trigger for the price you are looking at

I also looked at the Panda F Class but then you are getting up there with adding a trigger and getting the hanger for it etc.....

Do you like your Savage action? Seems people either like them or don't

 

[DBailey]

If I ordered a new action today it would be a F-Class Panda or a Barnard model P.

 

[7stubby]

Yeah I love my savage target action. Maybe I should just find another one of them and save the other 700 bucks for other barrels or components.

 

[ShootDots]

If you are wanting to get into the "F-Open" game for as little of money as possible, yet have a GREAT rifle, there are 4 ways to do this that comes to mind. 1.) Get a Barnard action; 2.) Get a Pierce action; 3.) Buy a USED action from Bat, Kelbly, Stiller or Surgeon OR 4.) Buy a complete rifle (Used of Course) with one of those actions on it. NOW the WHY: ALL of those options above can or are fitted with an Arnold Jewell trigger>>it is about as good as it gets. I know at least that the Pierce Actions (maybe others too, I am not certain) are Remington clones. They will fit ANY S/A Remington fitted stock>>which opens up other avenues. EVERYONE makes a stock for a Remington action.. If you go about the USED route, I have seen some excellent rifles here in the "Sales" section of this forum. I have seen them for VERY reasonable prices and some are almost new! Remember, Savage makes a very good action>>>with one MAJOR drawback>>>there are NO JEWELL triggers for them... To me this is a "deal-breaker" as once you "go down the road" of a Jewell, there is no turning back>>they are just too good..

Another piece of info>>> You will need an excellent stock to go along with one of those actions. There are MANY excellent ones out there. However, one of the best for $$$'s spent is a McMillan Tooley MBR stock. They come "pre-fitted" delivered to your door for about $500 or so dollars. They still need to be "skim bedded" but that's about it..

And as long as you're at it>>>remember a scope. My preference is NightForce, however, a Sightron SIII 10-50 is a lot of "bang for the buck"... Put all this together with a good barrel (Krieger, Brux or Bartlein) and you are ready for the next headache>>>WHAT CALIBER>>> you can go bonkers listening to everyone>>get some good advice from guys like "SleepyGator" / Mark Walker in Tx / or another person who sits at or near the top of "The F-Open Ladder"..

Happy to have you join "The Crowd"!!

 

[7stubby]

Shootdots, I have been using a savage target action with a 6mm brx barrel for fopen for awhile now. I'm having a tough time trying to pick a action. I know I cant go wrong with any on the market right now but just want to know what the general overview is for f-open actions people are running these days.

 

[ShootDots]

Stubby, the vast majority of shooters are using either a "Panda F-Class" or one of the B.A.T. models, then from there you have Barnard, and "worked-over" Remingtons and there are more than a few Savages too. I would say just about in that order too..

 

[7stubby]

Thanks shootdots.

 

[ryanjay11]

Thanks for the compliment.

There is nothing wrong with your Savage, but going to a custom is like the first time you look through top tier glass after never knowing what else is out there.

My last rifle was a Savage Target action and shot awesome, thanks to the Shilen barrel. I'm still getting my new setup and load tuned, but the quality of the Barnard, trigger, cycling the action, fit and finish, etc. blows the Savage out of the water.

Will it help you shoot any better? I doubt there is much of difference in F-Class, but owning and shooting a rifle that you are really proud of was worth the cost to me. Some people are more proud of improving a Savage or Remington by having work done to it to make it keep up with the customs. I did that with my last rifle.

You only have one life to live, so spend your money however it makes you happy.

 

[Erik Cortina]

you can go bonkers listening to everyone>>get some good advice from guys like "SleepyGator" / Mark Walker in Tx / or another person who sits at or near the top of "The F-Open Ladder"..

David Bailey is the reigning F-Open National Champion and I agree with him. I personally shoot a F-Class Panda.

If I ordered a new action today it would be a F-Class Panda or a Barnard model P.

 

[ShootDots]

Oh by the way Stubby, Eric Cortina is one of those guys "at or near the top of the F-Class ladder"... I shoot with him quite often and when he is "on" he will have few peers..

 

[Zilla]

BAT

 

[7stubby]

BAT

Which model of BAT Zilla? Just curious.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

I've been using F-Class Pandas since they first came out, and couldn't be happier with them. I have several, and barrels and bolts can all be interchanged, with barrels even indexing identically between all.

Not to mention the Kelblys folks are simply some of the best people around.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

BAT

Which model of BAT Zilla? Just curious.

Zilla prefers the aluminum, but we keep telling him only wood BATs are allowed in the majors. He's quite stubborn though...