Fclass Rifle Actions

[savageshooter86]

Any big difference in Panda Fclass vs Deviant action or Barnard action? This would be for Fclass 1000 yard build. Never really shot or have experience with custom action. I shoot Savage PTA now for my FTR

I assume they are all great and smooth, but why might one be a choice over the other?(besides weight)

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Re: Fclasd Rifle Actions

In my opinion, you wouldn't be wrong to go with any of those. Based on my experience:

Barnard Model P: Exceptionally stiff action, smooth bolt, great trigger. One thing I really enjoy about the Barnard action is that I don't worry about it getting dirty or dusty. It always works and it's always ready to go.

Kelbly Panda F-Class: Very light (it's aluminum after all). Exceptional tolerances, very smooth. I really like that I can headspace a barrel for one F-Class Panda and it'll be the same for another F-Class panda. I have to take more care to keep the lug area clean to prevent galling, unlike the Barnard. Removeable trigger hanger is nice, I can swap triggers (if I want) easily and there are several high quality triggers available. One thing I do NOT like is that the integral picatinny rail is NOT mil-spec spacing, which makes it difficult to swap scopes between rifles (if that is what you are doing) that use p-rails.

Deviant: I've never shot one, only had the bare action in my hands. It also looks and feels like an exceptionally smooth action. Defiance has a lot of different options for their actions and that seems pretty cool in terms of getting one setup exactly how you want.

IMO, it just comes down to what you want - want a dead solid action that requires low maintenance and is basically turn-key? Buy a Barnard. Want a little more bling? Look to the Panda or the Deviant. If weight matters, go with the Panda. If you want to be able to send a barrel to a good smith and have it headspaced correctly without having to send your action with it - get a Panda (don't underestimate the value of this). If you want an action that looks good, feels good, and has lots of different options to make it yours - Deviant seems like a good choice.

 

[bsumoba]

Re: Fclasd Rifle Actions

Dont forget BAT actions

I almost got a deviant for my f-class build, and in fact, I have a deviant action for my tactical bolt rifle, but with me putting a heavy 30" barrel on my action, I wanted the sturdiness of an overbuilt, over-engineered action. the deviant is solid as well, but my smith recommended to put a small barrel block to help. both are incredibly smooth. i do have to give it to BAT between the two though.

 

[Lbart]

Re: Fclasd Rifle Actions

Andrew,
My vote goes to the Panda. I have two. One I have used since 1989. Both have had untold barrels installed. I have magnum and .308 size bolts for each. I hate to think of the number of rounds I have put down range in those two actions. The light weight allows heavier barrels, etc and sure does not hurt accuracy at all.

During the 2013 FCN's and FCWC's I was shooting one on day and the other the next so I didn't have to clean rifles every day. I couldn't tell any difference accuracy wise between them. The Bartlein 5r barrels they chambered for me both shot extremely well at 1k using the same ammo. In fact the other 2 7/270 WSM's they chambered shoot the exact same ammo just as well. BTW, I use 1.25" straight taper barrels 31-32" long since action rigidity is not a factor due to the shape and size of the action. It is aluminum, but not weak in the least.

I just call up or e-mail Kelbly's when I want a new barrel and tell them to chamber one of mine I have had stored there. To me this is a BIG advantage. They are great people to deal with and do outstanding work. I like my Kelbly triggers very much also.
Larry Bartholome

 

[savageshooter86]

Re: Fclasd Rifle Actions

F-Open I will have heavier max weight allowed. So I should be good on that

 

[Erik Cortina]

Re: Fclasd Rifle Actions

My vote goes to the F-Class Panda as well. Like Larry and Jay already stated, if you have a Panda, you do not have to send the action off to a gunsmith, you simply send the barrel and reamer and ask them to chamber the barrel for you. When barrel shows up, it will be headspaced correctly and it will even be engraved in the correct place.

I have two Panda actions, one standard bolt face and one magnum. When I travel and want to shoot two different barrels, I take one rifle, two bolts, backup trigger, and two barrels. I can interchange bolts and barrels between my actions and they headspace identical every time. If for any reason you ever have a problem with your bolt during a match, just go down the line and find another shooter with a Panda action, wait for them to finish, and ask to borrow their bolt to finish your string. Then you can work on your bolt between relays. I can't say that for any other action.

The light weight action will allow you to balance your rifle any way you like because you will have the option to put the weight anywhere on the rifle.

Call Kelbly's and talk to Jim, he will take care of you.

 

[jlc204]

Re: Fclasd Rifle Actions

+ 1 on kelblys folks. Great people.
They put together a fclass rifle for me using an atlas action and it shoots great. Couldn't be happier with it.

 

[XTR]

Re: Fclasd Rifle Actions

well that was a fast transition from a Savage and F-TR to F-Open.

My one custom is a Defiance Rebel, but it's a 308, can't help with F-Open.

 

[savageshooter86]

Re: Fclasd Rifle Actions

I'm keeping the Savage and love FTR. Just wanting to get into FOpen and try the custom route. And I'm going to get the components of the build piece by piece until I have it all

 

[effendude]

I have (2) Barnard P actions, one with .308 bolt and the other has .223 and .308 bolts. I love the action, the trigger, the solid feel of the system. The bolt comes apart easily to clean an inspect. Tolerances are close enouigh that I would have no concrens swapping barrels between receivers after testing.

That said, I am a couple ounces under F-TR weight with medium palma barrels at 30" using a Centershot or Seb Joy-Pod and a NF BR scope. The stock is a McGee laminate with the bedding block. I have considered the Eliseo chassis but I don't now if it weighs less than my laminate stock. I need to research that.

I have several F-Open stocks for the Barnards and weight isn't an issue there. My wife has a octogon Bat MB on her Open rifle, they are nice as well. Someday I would like to try the Panda...
Scott

 

[JRS]

Any custom action will work just fine, as will a trued Remington 700. The customs allow you to shoot faster, when it's needed. My personal preference is the Panda, though smiths such as Bob Brackney and Rick Beginski have turned out Remington 700 actions that are the equal of any custom, sans the speed.

 

[Down South]

Any custom action will work just fine, as will a trued Remington 700. The customs allow you to shoot faster, when it's needed. My personal preference is the Panda, though smiths such as Bob Brackney and Rick Beginski have turned out Remington 700 actions that are the equal of any custom, sans the speed.

Totally agree, alot of the benchrest guys around here use Bob Brackney as his work is top notch.

 

[suberjc]

I shoot Open some. I sorta like the Savage. My wife shoots Open too and she likes her Savage.
She hangs in there pretty well.

 

[JohnPierce]

All of the above mentioned actions are top notch and will get the job done.
I would like to mention an action I offer for F Class. Members may have seen the post about Bryan Litz latest F /TR rifle that we built for him.
This rifle has my steel action. We also offer the same configuration in Titanium.
Weight is 22 oz. Bryan's stock, made by Bob Scoville is 22oz as well.

The action is 1.35 dia. With a one inch square tang and features a one inch tenon.plus I. Make an XP cut on the bottom for additional recoil movement prevention. No recoil lug is needed.

For the person looking to have a strong and light action enabling putting weight say in the barrel, this has proved well for me.

I have a heavy barrel , Phonix bipod , Nightforce Competition scope and the rifle is still 1.5 lbs under weight.

John Pierce

 

[Judd]

I think Barnard could quite possibly be one of the best actions sold...but I'll never own one. My personal opinion is they are ugly. It's all in the bolt cap and design, a knurled cap is the best you can come up with to make your expensive action aesthetically pleasing?

Panda and Bat both make a 1000 times better looking action and they are priced in the same arena. Life's to shoot to shoot an ugly action 8)

 

[Jay Christopherson]

All of the above mentioned actions are top notch and will get the job done.
I would like to mention an action I offer for F Class. Members may have seen the post about Bryan Litz latest F /TR rifle that we built for him.
This rifle has my steel action. We also offer the same configuration in Titanium.
Weight is 22 oz. Bryan's stock, made by Bob Scoville is 22oz as well.

The action is 1.35 dia. With a one inch square tang and features a one inch tenon.plus I. Make an XP cut on the bottom for additional recoil movement prevention. No recoil lug is needed.

For the person looking to have a strong and light action enabling putting weight say in the barrel, this has proved well for me.

I have a heavy barrel , Phonix bipod , Nightforce Competition scope and the rifle is still 1.5 lbs under weight.

John Pierce

If I were spec'ing an F-T/R rifle, I would be thinking really, really hard about this...

 

[XTR]

...My personal opinion is they are ugly. It's all in the bolt cap and design, a knurled cap is the best you can come up with to make your expensive action aesthetically pleasing

And here I thought it was just me! They do look like a shop class project don't they.

 

[mysticplayer]

All of the above mentioned actions are top notch and will get the job done.
I would like to mention an action I offer for F Class. Members may have seen the post about Bryan Litz latest F /TR rifle that we built for him.
This rifle has my steel action. We also offer the same configuration in Titanium.
Weight is 22 oz. Bryan's stock, made by Bob Scoville is 22oz as well.

The action is 1.35 dia. With a one inch square tang and features a one inch tenon.plus I. Make an XP cut on the bottom for additional recoil movement prevention. No recoil lug is needed.

For the person looking to have a strong and light action enabling putting weight say in the barrel, this has proved well for me.

I have a heavy barrel , Phonix bipod , Nightforce Competition scope and the rifle is still 1.5 lbs under weight.

John Pierce

I very much look forward to building my next FTR rig on your Ti action. Just get them up here.

Congrats on building Bryans superbly shooting rig.

Hope to see you at the US Nationals this fall... all being well. You are going to love my new stocks.

Take care..

Jerry

 

[savageshooter86]

Actions seem to all be priced close.
Yeah the Barnard doesn't look that good aesthetically
Assuming Jewell trigger for these are the top pick?

 

[Nomad47]

All of the above mentioned actions are top notch and will get the job done.
I would like to mention an action I offer for F Class. Members may have seen the post about Bryan Litz latest F /TR rifle that we built for him.
This rifle has my steel action. We also offer the same configuration in Titanium.
Weight is 22 oz. Bryan's stock, made by Bob Scoville is 22oz as well.

The action is 1.35 dia. With a one inch square tang and features a one inch tenon.plus I. Make an XP cut on the bottom for additional recoil movement prevention. No recoil lug is needed.

For the person looking to have a strong and light action enabling putting weight say in the barrel, this has proved well for me.

I have a heavy barrel , Phonix bipod , Nightforce Competition scope and the rifle is still 1.5 lbs under weight.

John Pierce

John, does it look like this?