Jud96
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Last year I jumped into short range BR head first. Being that I work for Pierce Engineering, I made a modified Pierce short action with dual ports, cone bolt, and an XP cut. I deemed it the "Banshee". I built a rifle around that action and have been shooting it since then. I made the action to fit the stock I had and at the time and I had very little benchrest experience or input from others, so the action wasn't optimal. Since then, I’ve found some minor faults in the action and overall want to improve it.
Having said that, I am now setting out to make a dedicated short range benchrest action from Pierce Engineering. I’m trying to not stray too far from the standard short action bolts and fire control we use at Pierce. I do not want to reinvent the wheel, but I would like an action that's favorable and useable for LV 10.5lb rifles. I am looking for input on some of the ideas I have and I also would like input and ideas from forum members that are experienced in competing and/or gunsmithing in short range benchrest.
Some of my ideas include using BAT trigger hangers for the ease of purchasing a simple but high quality part and for some interchangeability. I also have contemplated making the action screw spacing the same as a BAT B and try to shorten the rear tang up to get close to a BAT B footprint for the available stocks that are out there. Making it duplicate a BAT B footprint might not be possible given the bolt handle location and the bolt length I’m working with. I thought of going the route of the Borden Model B and eliminating the rear action screw from the tang to shorten the tang up more closely to the BAT.
Some other things, I will be moving the bolt stop forward 0.500” to shorten the bolt throw. The XP cut will have a 90 degree angle on the “recoil side”. The headspace on this action is currently 0.700, much shorter than the BAT, but I don’t want to add length to the tenon and thus add more weight. I may leave the tenon alone, or try moving other features rearward to get the longer tenon without making the action much longer overall. I’d like to use the same tenon as BAT for barrel interchangeability, I’m not sure how important that really is, but I think the more similar important specs are the more usable the action will be. I could potentially provide a spacer that would go between the barrel and action so barrels with the BAT tenon could be used on the Banshee. I believe making things interchangeable makes sense, no need to reinvent the wheel if what’s out there works. Final goal/idea is to keep weight under 30oz. We all know how hard it can be to make weight with the stocks and scopes being used today, so if I can get this thing 3-5oz lighter than what’s currently available that would be nice.
Sorry for the long winded post, I just wanted to get everything out so I can get back some experienced feedback. I really would like to make this happen so Pierce can offer a respectable benchrest action. Thank you!
Having said that, I am now setting out to make a dedicated short range benchrest action from Pierce Engineering. I’m trying to not stray too far from the standard short action bolts and fire control we use at Pierce. I do not want to reinvent the wheel, but I would like an action that's favorable and useable for LV 10.5lb rifles. I am looking for input on some of the ideas I have and I also would like input and ideas from forum members that are experienced in competing and/or gunsmithing in short range benchrest.
Some of my ideas include using BAT trigger hangers for the ease of purchasing a simple but high quality part and for some interchangeability. I also have contemplated making the action screw spacing the same as a BAT B and try to shorten the rear tang up to get close to a BAT B footprint for the available stocks that are out there. Making it duplicate a BAT B footprint might not be possible given the bolt handle location and the bolt length I’m working with. I thought of going the route of the Borden Model B and eliminating the rear action screw from the tang to shorten the tang up more closely to the BAT.
Some other things, I will be moving the bolt stop forward 0.500” to shorten the bolt throw. The XP cut will have a 90 degree angle on the “recoil side”. The headspace on this action is currently 0.700, much shorter than the BAT, but I don’t want to add length to the tenon and thus add more weight. I may leave the tenon alone, or try moving other features rearward to get the longer tenon without making the action much longer overall. I’d like to use the same tenon as BAT for barrel interchangeability, I’m not sure how important that really is, but I think the more similar important specs are the more usable the action will be. I could potentially provide a spacer that would go between the barrel and action so barrels with the BAT tenon could be used on the Banshee. I believe making things interchangeable makes sense, no need to reinvent the wheel if what’s out there works. Final goal/idea is to keep weight under 30oz. We all know how hard it can be to make weight with the stocks and scopes being used today, so if I can get this thing 3-5oz lighter than what’s currently available that would be nice.
Sorry for the long winded post, I just wanted to get everything out so I can get back some experienced feedback. I really would like to make this happen so Pierce can offer a respectable benchrest action. Thank you!
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The idea of offering a ground spacer so that existing barrels can be used and transfered is a good idea. Kelbly's and Borden both offer those for the 1.115" 'Panda' tenons. Will the threads be 16 or 18 t.p.i.?
