Fclass Rifle Actions

[Jay Christopherson]

How hard is it on Panda to break down bolt and get to firing pin? I see BAT has videos on their site. Which is helpful

Pretty easy. I use this (which works for most any Remington and clone actions):

http://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-parts-tools-accessories/firearm-tools/bolt-action-rifle-tools/sinclair-firing-pin-removal-tool-for-remingtons-prod35019.aspx

 

[savageshooter86]

Thanks. That looked easy

 

[OIF/OEF]

How is it the Panda Action doesn't have to be sent in for a new barrel. Kinda new to this. Are all the actions machined to exacting tolerances all being the same. I apologize if its a NEEWB question. gotta learn sometime

 

[Steve Blair]

How is it the Panda Action doesn't have to be sent in for a new barrel. Kinda new to this. Are all the actions machined to exacting tolerances all being the same. I apologize if its a NEEWB question. gotta learn sometime

[br]
Yes, they are. So are Borden and BAT actions. I have no problem interchanging bolts or barrels between my two BAT 3LL actions.

 

[suberjc]

I think David Decareaux was using a Winchester Model 70 action when he won the 600 match at Berger's SWN. First I ever heard of using a Winnie.

 

[savageshooter86]

With BAT actions, do you have to keep them really clean for them to function? What about panda? Talking about shooting in a match and having issues

 

[Hoier]

I've been shooting Bats for a few years now and I've never had a problem with them not working and I don't really worry about keeping them clean. The only cleanin I do I when I get home and clean the rifle. I love my Bats.

I can't say anything about a Panda because I've never shot one.

 

[Down South]

With BAT actions, do you have to keep them really clean for them to function? What about panda? Talking about shooting in a match and having issues

I have both and never had trouble with either, great actions and smooth.

 

[NickB1075]

This year is my first season with a BAT B. I only have about 450 rounds through it and I haven't had any issues with the action. My rifle is a palma rifle so it gets a relatively high round count between cleanings and I haven't had any problems. I love it!! I already have a second on the way. This one will be a 3L.

I am located in the Northeast so I suspect a person in a windy/sandy environment could have an issue. I cannot speak of such an environment. BAT makes a phenomenal action and I am more than pleased.

As far as headspace between barrels. I think BAT is held to just as tight tolerances as the Panda. I have had a second barrel threaded and chambered, my smith didn't request my action and the headspace was set perfect. I also purchased a take off barrel and again no head space issues.

Nick

 

[wooger]

For what its worth I can also share barrels between my two Barnard actions, ugly as they are.

 

[savageshooter86]

Anyone tell me benefits of BAT octagon shape actions?

 

[Steve Blair]

Anyone tell me benefits of BAT octagon shape actions?

[br]
They are way cool.

 

[savageshooter86]

Ha good one Steve

 

[TonyR]

Anyone tell me benefits of BAT octagon shape actions?

The BAT M OCTPIC is about as stiff as an action can be for F-Class and the big barrel tenon seems to be an advantage with the fat short WSM and RSAUM cases. The OCTPIC has a one piece receiver including a 20 MOA scope rail and recoil lug. It is also a couple of ounces lighter than a similarly set up round M which can help with making weight. These are heavy actions and you have to plan carefully to make 22 pounds if you use one although I use my M OCTPIC on an F-T/R rifle that makes weight as well. My other action is an F-Class Panda which also has an integral rail and lug but weighs about 20 ounces less.

 

[savageshooter86]

Tony do you like your BAT or Panda better?

 

[TonyR]

Tony do you like your BAT or Panda better?

I haven't had the Panda long enough to know but it seems very smooth and I like the lighter weight. If you want one action for F-Open and F-T/R, I would definitely go with the Panda because it is so much lighter. Kenny Adams won the F-Open Worlds shooting a 7mm RSAUM with a Panda so I have no reason to think it would be any less effective than the BAT, even with a short mag. But so far, I've only shot the Panda with a 280 Ackley barrel and I still have a lot of things to work through with that cartridge before I can form an opinion about the action.

It is just an untested opinion, but I like the idea of the large barrel tenon and heavy, large cross-section steel receiver for a short mag. Those case heads are over a half inch in diameter and the cartridges operate at much higher pressures than the 308 bolt face case heads. So I think more strength in the barrel tenon/receiver junction is going to make the whole system stronger and stiffer.

If you are shooting something like a 284 or anything with a 308 bolt face, I don't think the extra meat in the barrel and receiver is as important. My first F-Open 284 Shehane was built on a Rem 700 SA converted to single shot and it was as accurate as anything I've had since. But I put a short mag barrel on that gun and it wouldn't tune above 2950 fps whereas I routinely shoot the short mags on my Bat M at around 3050+ fps with great vertical.

 

[savageshooter86]

anyone with first hand experience on Deviant actions?

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Another vote for Panda F-Class actions. I have several, barrels swap flawlessly between them all, and never an issue with any of them.

Several years ago I called to order a Mag bolt, gave them the serial numbers to the actions, and they responded the Mag bolt would work in any/all of them, and it would arrive shortly. It did, and it did. Awesome.

None of mine are long Panda's as they didn't have that option when I bought all of them, and that would be the only thing I'd order differently now from then.

Mark

 

[James A. Kelbly]

Panda actions are doing very well in FTR and F Open. I spoke to Paul Phillips last week from Team Sinclair and they have NEVER lost a FTR match and have won the Nationals (6 times) and worlds. Paul informed me just as we know here at Kelbly's Aluminum actions shoot smaller than Steel or stainless. Paul and Team Sinclair switched to F Class Pandas and they shoot a new world record last month in the US Nationals. The aluminum deadens the vibrations. Those that use stainless are now using wood stock in short range and long range to reduce vibrations. If that works for Steel actions just think how much better a aluminum action is in a wood stock, oh yea Larry Barthelemy won Nationals and worlds in 2013 shooting a Stolle in a wood stock. Also the Stolle actions have the best fire ignition system, too give more consistent ignition from shot to shot.

As I have seen it the F Class Panda is winning alot of matches, and especially the big matches.

Look in short range a new world record was shot at 100 yards .008ths and this was with a Stolle Panda Action. Use what is winning and shot a Stolle F Class Panda

Jim

 

[Scott Harris]

anyone with first hand experience on Deviant actions?

Yes, we have four shooters and four Defiance Deviants for F-TR and F-Open. Over 100K rounds downrange and in the field: they work great. Glen Harrison runs a wonderful company and his actions are on par with any of the top customs. Glen founded Nesika bay, the first custom action company that I know of. He's been around the block a few times and many of the other top folks in the industry worked for him at one point or another.

Defiance makes true Remington clones that will work with any remington stock or trigger. His picatinny rail is MILSPEC....not a Weaver variant or some other bastardization. Defiance actions can be customized: magwell cut, repeater or single-shot, ejection port, bolt face, tang, ejector, firing pin size, swept or straight bolt handle... just about anything you'd want to specify. His bolts are one piece and the Deviant includes an integral rail and recoil lug...meaningful improvements in my opinion.

His actions are extremely popular with the tactical/repeater crowd, but you see quite a few in F-Class as well. I'm a minimalist and wanted one action that could be used for F-Open, hunting, and tactical matches. I chose a Defiance Deviant with an AICs magwell cut, target port, standard tang. The action weighs 34 oz and is very stiff with the integral rail and smallish mag & eject port cut-outs. It has exceeded my expectations when used for any of the aforementioned tasks.

Any issue I've had, Glen and company have made right at their expense...and they always did it promptly. Well after buying the actions, I asked if Defiance would time the bolt to new triggers I purchased....they did so at no cost with a fast turn-around. Now the bolt opens and closes as smooth as butter.

There are a wealth of great custom actions available: comes down to the features you seek and the kind of company you want to work with...and how much you want to pay. If you are looking for a top-performing & customizable Remington clone with great fit/finish and innovations like integral rail, lug, one-piece bolt, then Defiance is a good choice. If you want cheap.....not the best choice ;D

PS. I don't have any ownership interest in Defiance....just a pain-in-the-a** customer of theirs.