Bat vs kelby

[J&J Custom Rifles]

I am gettin started on another build and am tryin to decide between a bat or kelby, I have a kelby now but want others opinions . So if y'all don't mind give me your opinions and the reasons please. I always like to know why someone likes thing. But we know theses are both great actions anyways and don't wanna hurt anyone's feelings thanks john

 

[JDMock]

If you have a Kelbly now and like it, I would recommend that you stay with the Kelbly. I don't think thst you can go wrong with either choice. They are both top quality actions., but they have a different feel. Since you already know the "feel" of the Kelbly, why not stay with it. James

 

[GSPV]

Stay with Kelbly to standardize on one thread/tenon so you can use barrels in either.

 

[fdshuster]

I have both a Kelbly Panda (ppc bolt face) and a Bat SV with the dual bolt face, for both the ppc and BR case head diameters, so if for that reason alone, I do prefer the Bat. Don't know if Kelbly makes a dual bolt face, but it is a plus for me.

Both of the highest quality. Either puts any factory action to shame.

 

[1shot]

For what it is worth I would choose a Kelbly action over all others for three reasons.
1. They are without comparison on the quality of their actions. I'm not aware of any other action maker that you can call them up, give them the serial number of your action and they will either get you a bbl. or take the one you have shipped to them and chamber it to your receiver without even seeing it, and have it be right.
Their customer support is more than any sane person could expect to get. They will make it right the first time or make sure you are satisfied if something fell through the cracks and got out of the shop being less than perfect.
3. I don't work there, nor do I have any stake in the company but I do live about an hour away and have personally seen everything stated above happen.
I hope this is of some help,
Lloyd

 

[superlight93]

I have both a Kelbly Panda (ppc bolt face) and a Bat SV with the dual bolt face, for both the ppc and BR case head diameters, so if for that reason alone, I do prefer the Bat. Don't know if Kelbly makes a dual bolt face, but it is a plus for me.

Both of the highest quality. Either puts any factory action to shame.

A Kelbly .308 boltface will work for a PPC as well. You can also send in your PPC bolt and they will open it up to work for both.

 

[dtucker]

I have had several rifles built on the Panda and Kodiak and a couple on the 2 and 3 lug Bat actions. I love them both and suggest you give Bat a try. They are both top of the line actions and Bat offers a big variety and different actions and options. Don't forget about the Borden actions and the Defiance one,s too. I have no experiance with Borden but know people who sware buy them. I have had 2 rifles built with the Defiance and they are excellent. The 1 nice thing about Kelblys is as stated you can switch barrels back and forth and call to have a barrel made without sending in the action. Jim and crew will bend over backwards to make you happy and all the rifles i had built where some of the best and most accurate rifles i have had built. I picked up a rifle up their and spent a couple hours talking and going through the whole place. They are the nicest bunch of people i have met and some of the best in the business.

 

[Lbart]

I agree with 1Shot's 3 points. Bats are good, but Kelbly has many advantages for someone out in the sticks. I am always afraid to send one of my actions to have it rebarreled. I may never see it again. Kelbly solves that probem. Great bunch of people.

Larry Bartholome

 

[WyleWD]

Nothing at all against a Bat, but I'm in the line with the fellas on the Kelby actions. The reliabilty of the actions speak for themselves, and the folks there at Kelby's are above and beyond top notch. They are the benchmark. JMHO. WD

 

[J&J Custom Rifles]

Looks like its gonna be another kelby's. Thanks for all the responses.

 

[JDMock]

J., I was the first to respond, and let me assure you that I was not denegrating the BAT action at all. I have shot a BAT for many years and it is my favorite action. However, in your case I think that you should stick with the Kelbly. Someone stated that the Kelbly can be chambered without the gunsmith having the action...well, so can the BAT. I have had many barrels on my BAT Model B and Billy Stevens has never had the action in his shop. Also, mine has the dual boltface (PPC & .308) and I have had 6XC, 6 DASHER, 6 PPC, and .22 PPC barrels fitted to it. It ejects both .308 and PPC cases very well. James Mock

 

[jo191145]

I think most custom actions are manufactured with the tight tolerances required to fit a barrel without the action present.
I think most action companies/smiths that do not offer this service do it for one reason.
They have no idea if someone else has modified that action since it left the shop of origin. It happens.

Anyone catch the episode of American Guns where that retard was lapping the lugs on a Dakota action? No idea what other "accurizing" processes that fool put it through.
I know nothing of Dakota actions but I know I would'nt want one that went through that shop of idiots. JMO