I have been getting an itch to build a big target gun for fun (BR style, front rest and rear bag). I’m thinking about a 338 Lapua Mag improved or maybe a 37 XC. Due to the size and performance of these cases, along with my intended use, a big single shot action that has a larger bolt and lugs appeals to me for the strength and safety. I plan to hang a 1.35 or 1.45” barrel on it that can make use of a larger tenon. Does anyone have experience with the newish BAT XL or have other advice and actions I should look into?
Experiences with a BAT XL action?
- Thread starter Evan
- Start date
Looks to be shorter and lighter than than the XL. Any advantages or things you like about the CT?
Thanks!
matthias
Gold $$ Contributor
It is a good size at 1.55 diameter. And the barrels you are talking about will do just fine in the 1 3/16 tennon. Also the ex is just massive. If you get a chance take a look at one. I almost ordered an ex , then saw one and decided the ct was a better fit. I will not be shooting a 50bmg or derivative anytime soon. But the ct can be had with magnum,lapua,and cheytac bolt face.
The EX is huge. I have seen one of those from a distance. It looks like the XL neatly fits between the CT and EXS in size. I was drawn to the XL for the larger diameter bolt and extra 0.5” of port length over the CT. I have never seen a CT in person. Since this is a bench monster, I’m welcoming size and weight to tame it down. Related note: has anyone shot a 40-50lb 338LMI with no brake?
There are other large scale actions available.
Lots of thought went into the footprint and lug design to provide a firm footprint that will not move or twist under the extreme forces from these large calibers.
We also upgraded all the fastener holes to meet these needs.
Available only in single shot and Right Hand configuration currently .
ACTION SPECS
Stiller 1.600" (XXL)
Action Body:
36 oz.
Bolt Only
15 oz.
Threads are made with a single point boring bar and indexed to top center of action.
This allows any barrel ever fitted to a Stiller Action to be screwed onto any other Stiller Action without need for re-headspacing or re-indexing.
BOLT FACE: (XXL SUPER / 408)
MAG CONFIGURATION: REPEATER
Pierce 20X Action
The New Pierce 20X Action is capable of Handling any of your ELR Shooting Needs.Lots of thought went into the footprint and lug design to provide a firm footprint that will not move or twist under the extreme forces from these large calibers.
We also upgraded all the fastener holes to meet these needs.
Available only in single shot and Right Hand configuration currently .
ACTION SPECS
- 2.00″ Diameter 10.00″ Length
- 4340 Chrome Moly Steel
- 1.500″ x 16TPI Tenon Diameter
- Available .645″, .710″ and .810″ Bolt Face
- Slide Extractor and Toolless Firingpin
- Standard Finish is Black Nitride.
- *5/16 x24 TPI Action Screws
- 1/4x28TPI Scope Mount Screws
- Weight is 6.5LBS including scope Rail
- 20X Action In Black Nitride * 1950.00
- Stainless Scope Rail * 50MOA or 70MOA 195.00
- Spare Slide Extractor Kit* 30.00
- Spare Firing Pin Assembly * 125.00
- 20 X Action Wrench * 75.00
- Extra Complete Bolt * 800.00
Stiller 1.600" (XXL)
Action Weights
Body, Bolt, Rail, Recoil Lug, and Trigger Pins:
55.4 ozAction Body:
36 oz.
Bolt Only
15 oz.
Tenon Threads
1.1875-16 TPI UN-3BThreads are made with a single point boring bar and indexed to top center of action.
This allows any barrel ever fitted to a Stiller Action to be screwed onto any other Stiller Action without need for re-headspacing or re-indexing.
TAC DRIVER 1.60
- $1,360.00
| RIGHT HAND/ RIGHT PORT |
| LEFT HAND/ LEFT PORT |
| (XXL SUPER / 408) |
| (XXL HEAVY / 338) |
| REPEATER |
| SINGLE SHOT |
Funny you ask, I am currently finishing up the build of a .338 LMAI, on a Bat L, the predecessor of the XL. 2" action dia, 1.700 barrel shank dia. Roughly 26# finished weight, give or take a little. I'm excited to start fireforming for this one soon.
I love both of my Pierce actions and this one looks to be priced right.
Perhaps suitable for the “Horizon Lord” cartridge …???
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
Pick the action based on the stock you need it to fit. The Bat M or CT have the same sized lugs which are sized for the Cheytac case. Plenty for the .580 cases. I have built a lot of 338 Lapua imps on Ms, they dont limit that cartridge in any way. Personally I wouldnt go bigger than the xl. It just gets a little miss matched.
Thanks for the feedback, Alex! BAT advertises the larger bolt diameter for the XL and I assumed it was larger than the CT. I do like having a little more action length when it doesn’t affect other constraints (making weight for a class is usually the big one) because short cycling a long action feels smoother to me than full cycling a short action, maybe because the bolt body is more supported in the receiver.
Perhaps a perverse thought: Drop port XL? That might encourage me into a very rapid rate of fire though when shooting a group.
I plan to make my own stock for this monster - laminate with metal rudder and 6” forearm. Do you think that will tame the torque? Should I consider making the forearm adjustable to allow it to be eccentric ( 2 inches on the left of the barrel and 4” on the right, for example)? I’ve never tried this, but the small stuff I normally shoot doesn’t really twist in the rest with even a 3” forearm. I am assuming this gun will need to be pinned in the rest with some shoulder pressure and not free recoiled (at least I don’t think I want to let it get a run up on my shoulder)!
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
The torque that matters to accuracy is tamed by the mass in the barrel and action not the stock. I think a 6" will be plenty.
The bolt on the xl is larger in the body. I dont know about the lugs. The M and CT are the same action. Only difference is 1/16" large threads for the barrel on the ct. I assume they also made the lugs larger on the XL. When you take a bolt body up in diameter the lug surface gets smaller unless you increase the lug od which I suspect Bat has. I have not seen an xl. I have used the L which it replaced and that was the same as the M bolt but longer. I would go with a dual port. The drop port would be really long and could cause issues with the case dropping. I bet you would be faster with a short stroke dual port than a long stroke drop port. But keep in mind this thing goes from easy on throats to nasty as hell when you run it fast. They are super accurate. But your burning over 100 grains of powder still.
The bolt on the xl is larger in the body. I dont know about the lugs. The M and CT are the same action. Only difference is 1/16" large threads for the barrel on the ct. I assume they also made the lugs larger on the XL. When you take a bolt body up in diameter the lug surface gets smaller unless you increase the lug od which I suspect Bat has. I have not seen an xl. I have used the L which it replaced and that was the same as the M bolt but longer. I would go with a dual port. The drop port would be really long and could cause issues with the case dropping. I bet you would be faster with a short stroke dual port than a long stroke drop port. But keep in mind this thing goes from easy on throats to nasty as hell when you run it fast. They are super accurate. But your burning over 100 grains of powder still.
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