Custom F-class ftr build - action choice?

[khennessy]

Custom F-class ftr build - action choice?

Dear all,
i am and have been thinking hard about a custom f-class ftr build (0.308 Win) for a while
i am thinking of the following three actions, but am open for other suggestions with sound reasoning?

Current Actions, short list
Stolle-Panda F-Class Long - http://www.kelbly.com/actions.html - 2 lugs
RPA Quadlock - http://www.rangemasterprecisionarms.com/accessories/rpa-actions/ - 4 lugs
Barnard – Model P - http://www.barnard.co.nz/model-p-action.htm - 3 lugs

Apart from weight (oz's), what are other key items you would consider are important? and why?
i.e. integrated recoil lug; integrated scope rail; lugs; trigger compatibility; extractor;

thanks in advance for your inputs

yours
Killian

 

[Jay Christopherson]

If you go the Panda route, I would probably choose the standard F-Class Panda over the long, unless you have a very specific reason for it.

I'm contemplating a Panda F-Class based .284 or similar and am planning to use the standard Panda - if I have to eject a loaded round, I'll have to pull the bolt, but I have to do that right now with my Barnard, so there's no loss there. Besides, I don't really eject loaded rounds that much. Out of the 600 rounds I've run through it so far, I've ejected exactly one loaded round and that was due to a primer failure.

YMMV.

 

[TonyR]

I would go with the F-Class Panda because the integrated recoil lug and scope rail add considerably to the stiffness of the action. These actions are used by some of the best F-Open shooters in the world and the action is stiff enough to support long heavy barrels and withstand pressures well beyond what you will ever see in an F-T/R rifle. The integral recoil lug makes changing barrels much easier than with even a pined conventional lug. In addition, you can use standard Remington-pattern Jewell and the excellent Kelbly triggers.
I would also give serious thought to the difference in weight from the stand point of rifle balance and tracking. The light weight of the Panda gives you the flexibility to put the weight where you want it for the best tracking whether that turns out to be forward or to the rear. There is a lot of experimenting going on with the heavy 30 cal bullets now and I think the jury is still out on how to get those bullets to track in an F-T/R gun but both balance and shooter position do seem to matter. I don't know much about the RPA, but there are some excellent Barnard Ps on the line in F-Open, but it is a heavier action. The people I know that shoot them seem to like the trigger that comes with them.

 

[Erik Cortina]

F-Class Panda is what I would suggest you get for the same reasons as JayChris and TonyR.
I also agree that you should get the standard length action with picatinny rail. Oh, and get the action polished!

 

[Jefferson]

the barnard S model is good for a 308 size round, it weighs a lot less also, but if someday you will go with a 284 then the P will suffice for your needs,

Jefferson


PS having said that I ordered 2 polished f-class Pandas from Kelblys last month

: 0 )

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I just bought a Barnard for a new open rifle. I would not want to be trying to build my ultimate f/tr rifle on it though. It's a good heavy chunk of steel. That said, I love the design and included trigger.

Weight is the whole game in F/TR. Heavy actions mean lighter barrels.

 

[Down South]

Also another vote for the F-Class Panda.......Perfect FTR action IMO for the reasons mentioned previously.

 

[MrEd333]

Are there advantages to a coned or vs. flat bolt? How about the micro porting?

 

[Erik Cortina]

Are there advantages to a coned or vs. flat bolt? How about the micro porting?

Coned bolt feeds better, make sure you get it.
308 round is too big for microport.

 

[Cody Richardson]

I'll stir the pot and throw in the Deffiance Deviant! Integrated rail and lug, not as bulky as a panda you can go a little heavier on barrel and scope and still make weight.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I'll stir the pot and throw in the Deffiance Deviant! Integrated rail and lug, not as bulky as a panda you can go a little heavier on barrel and scope and still make weight.

Bulk has nothing to do with it. Panda is mainly aluminum, while the Deviant is 416 SS.
The Panda is indeed bigger which provides a bigger bedding area, but it's lighter.

 

[Cody Richardson]

I stand corrected. Didn't realize a Panda was made from mostly aluminum. But that being said we love our deviants and can't wait for my next one!

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Are there advantages to a coned or vs. flat bolt? How about the micro porting?

Coned bolt feeds better, make sure you get it.
308 round is too big for microport.

My latest F-TR rifle is built on a Panda F-class with RH and RH bolt handle, no ejector, no microport. It certainly did very well for me in Raton.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Are there advantages to a coned or vs. flat bolt? How about the micro porting?

Coned bolt feeds better, make sure you get it.
308 round is too big for microport.

Ok, but my latest F-TR rifle is built on a Panda F-class with RH microport and RH bolt handle, no ejector. It certainly did very well for me in Raton.

Ok then, what are the benefits? I would think a slightly stronger action and more bearing surface between bolt and action. So, if it works, it's not a bad way to go.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I don't know that there is any measurable benefit, something that can be detected on the target. I was simply contradicting you when you said the .308 was too big for the microport.



Perhaps you are correct in stronger action and increased bearing surface, but again, I doubt it is reliably measurable on the target. However, since F-class is all about obsessing over the most minute things, nothing wrong with a microport.

Well, except that you don't want it for a 308 in F-TR.

In fact, my action does not have a microport and I specified no microport and even with that, I have to remove the bolt if I want to pull out an unfired cartridge.

 

[expiper]

Dennis..good shootin at Raton,,,,,Im curious as to how large/long the micro-port on your action is,,,,mine is ~ 1-3/4" and will not allow the ejection of a ctg much longer than a BR or Dasher,,,,,I tried a .308 in mine and it wont work,,,,please measure your port and let us know ,,,,maby you have a "maxi" port????!!!!...thanks for any clairification ,,,,Roger

Killian ( OP ) .....I agree with most of the advice here about the Panda action,,,,it has the best of everything Light weight--integral 20 moa rail--drop out trigger hanger--integral recoil lug,,,,Rem. fire control--works smooth as silk,,,,bbl, interchangeability,,,gunsmithing without sending the action to smith,,,etc etc,,,,Roger

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

Used Panda's in my sling days and they were very solid. It just happens to be the lightest action going so that one can put weight in other areas of a weight-limited rifle and it has all of the accuracy attributes that one could ever want.

 

[wbm]

open for other suggestions

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/08/savage-f-tr-team-world-beaters-on-a-budget/

In hind sight their reasoning seem pretty sound.

 

[Lbart]

F-Class Panda is what I would suggest you get for the same reasons as JayChris and TonyR.
I also agree that you should get the standard length action with picatinny rail. Oh, and get the action polished!

I agree with the above post. If and when I build an F/TR rifle it will be a polished Panda F-Class with a Kelbly trigger. Give some thought to bolt and ejection port sides.


Larry Bartholome
Team Berger/Norma

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

What is it with you folks and these ghey polished actions hehehe.