BAT vs Barnard

[AusFclass]

im building a F class rig in 6.5x284 and considerind bat and barnard actions. any experiences or opinions would be appreciated. especialy regarding port size bedding and triggers. thanks in advance

 

[Ronin]

Hi

ive built for myself two rifles, one a BAT repeater for Tactical competitions and the other a BArnard P for F Class in the UK.

I cannot comment on the single shot BAT actions, but the repeater is excellent, the action accepts any Remington style trigger including the CG two stage unit. The bolt is cone shaped and two lug, extraction is faultless, the BAT having the ejector at the rear of the action instead on the bolt face. Integral recoil lug rather than washer style and a large barrel thread making a very stiff barrel / action mate.

Despite being a repeater, this rifle shoots in the mid .3's when I do my part and I am happy with it,it was my first ground up build)

Ive just completed the F Class rifle, this is a secondhand Mod P, that I bought from a friend. It is in extremely good condition - 3 lug bolt, sako style extractor with unique and novel bolt retention system for the action. The lock us is excellent and smooth, again a cone bolt but at slightly different angle to the BAT. Barrel tenon is again quite adequate 1.125" x 16tpi if memory serves me correct.

The Barnard has a few options for recoil lug, either washer style, use a manufacturers bedding block or make your own lug that sits in a factory milled slot in the action base thats retained by an M4 bolt. I opted for the latter.

The action is round base and has three 1/4 28 action screws. I fitted my own action into a Shehane MBR stock using a Broughton 9 twist 7mm barrel - chamber is 7mm/270 WSM. Trigger is the supplied Barnard unit - single stage and it is very light and crisp by my standards.

The rifle is so new that I have yet to shoot it, but, if the BAT is anything to go by, I dont see any reason why it wont shoot well,providing of course I do my bit, which can at times be a problem!)

I'm not sure if there are protocols regarding posting pics, but here are links to shots of both rifles.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/Redmist1/DSCN0984.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/Redmist1/DSCN0824.jpg

Hope that this gives you some information you were looking for.

 

[AusFclass]

thanks for your reply ronin i am favoring the barnard at the moment because BAT actions and parts are almost impossible to get here in australia unless you do the import paperwork yourself ang im a bit worried about galling the lovely S/S locking lugs on the BAT. id be interested to see how your barnard shoots. the stock looks gr8 very similar to mine although yours looks to have a nice palm swell?

 

[Ronin]

The MBR stock is very nice fit to my palm.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/Redmist1/DSCN0985.jpg

It does have some contour for fingers but not as defined as other stocks.

Overhead view

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/Redmist1/DSCN0989.jpg

If you do decide on the Barnard, Bill Shehane makes the MBR laminate in the photographs and inlets for the P action.

I did have to do quite a bit of work to my own,inletting action port, bolt stop and trigger guard etc) but if you have a mill or access to one this is no real problem.

Time scale was at the time I ordered about 5-6 weeks, would order again, no question.

Link to Bills site.

http://www.scopeusout.com/

 

[Dans40X]

The Barnard P-O2 for its quality,timing,trigger & lock time issues is my hands down favorite for a single shot action.
Just the trigger group alone should sell the Barnard P-O2 & they aren't a Remington clone trigger on hangers/adapters.