Bat and Kelbly comparison

[newbieshooter]

What is the significance of using 17-4 on action body?

there was a prior thread on 17-4 which might help:

Thread 'Bat actions 17-4 SS'

Jan 8, 2024

Okay, so BAT actions machined out of 17-4 SS. Others, if not all, were machined out of 416R SS. What's the significance of that?

• Ironworker
• Replies: 22
• Forum: Gear Talk: What to Buy? and Gear Evaluations

 

[swd]

What is the significance of using 17-4 on action body?

It's strong and tough as hell! It does gall easier but nitride will fix that. IMO it's hard to find better than a nitride Bat.

 

[Hengehold]

there was a prior thread on 17-4 which might help:

Thread 'Bat actions 17-4 SS'

Jan 8, 2024

Okay, so BAT actions machined out of 17-4 SS. Others, if not all, were machined out of 416R SS. What's the significance of that?

• Ironworker
• Replies: 22
• Forum: Gear Talk: What to Buy? and Gear Evaluations

Thanks for providing the link to a previous thread. Very interesting.

Sounds like a symptom of excessive pressure (sticky bolt lift) is not present as early when using 17-4 steel.

Don’t I want to a sticky bolt lift to tell me I need to back off on the pressure?

Otherwise I could use excessive pressures and might not notice until I have already toasted the primer pockets on a couple hundred pieces of brass.

 

[Tommie]

Think I've narrowed my search to Kelbly. Looking at a panda or an atlas, just not sure if I'd see the added benefit of a panda, especially if they will make a dual port or RBLE for an atlas, I also don't like the rail on the panda, but I can live with it. Or maybe just step up to a Prometheus BR action. Decisions...

Yes they make the Atlas in RBLP

 

[mr45man]

Bats were built from the ground up to shoot br.
700 clones are built on a 100 year old hunting design.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

As always, great posts, responses, questions and information!! So, has anyone used a Panda to build a varmint style rig? If so, pls give up some pics!!

 

[Leadfarmer]

Bats were built from the ground up to shoot br.
700 clones are built on a 100 year old hunting design.

Do you think you could shoot the difference? Honest question.

Metric ton of guys on here are using Kaugers and the bri and brii are rem 700 footprints. So that design must be worth keeping.

 

[mr45man]

Do you think you could shoot the difference? Honest question.

Metric ton of guys on here are using Kaugers and the bri and brii are rem 700 footprints. So that design must be worth keeping.

Probably not, just stating the facts. Although my XP 100 does shoot lights out.But if I was younger(77) I would build a bat with the horizontal locking lugs. Bat M,B,3 lug . Still winning my share of club matches.

 

[Tommie]

As always, great posts, responses, questions and information!! So, has anyone used a Panda to build a varmint style rig? If so, pls give up some pics!!

I have an Atlas and a Panda varmint rig. Truthfully the Atlas is the easy button since it’s a 700 footprint. If you have your heart set on a Panda you’d better jump fast. They’re being discontinued and the batch in production will be the last ever according to Jim Kelbly’s post from earlier today.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I have an Atlas and a Panda varmint rig. Truthfully the Atlas is the easy button since it’s a 700 footprint. If you have your heart set on a Panda you’d better jump fast. They’re being discontinued and the batch in production will be the last ever according to Jim Kelbly’s post from earlier today.

I have a recent build Panda, the finish is un-polished and it looks great. 308 BF.

 

[Leadfarmer]

I decided to go with the atlas for this one. I have two felso composite stocks on order and I'm going to switch the inlets to the atlas and a Prometheus for a build down the road. I'd get the Prometheus BR but weight isn't a concern for me.

I appreciate all the input, thanks everyone! Now, I'm going to have this rifle built and I'll see you fellas at the top when I win the tack driver with it. (Kidding)

 

[LVLAaron]

You'll like it. I've worked with a couple of them.