Is a bench rest style action (square tang/ flat bottom) required to be competitive / have accuracy?
- Thread starter Bodhisafa
- Start date
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
Yes the outside shape of the action does not have an effect on accuracy. Thats so long as the bolt and ignition design is up to par.
you get a better bedding surface with a flat bottom action. A properly bedded action is a properly bedded action but seems a flat bottom would produce a better bed job imo.
AlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
Forced to choose a 700 footprint action, the single shot Atlas is the box I'd check. You're stuck with a R/R/ config. but if that works for you, you're good. Ignition and bolt are the same as the Pandas...and that's a good thing. Coned or flat bolts are available and the coned bolt options is what you want for flawless feeding.
With the trigger hanger and standard Rem 700 rear tang, you can't fit much of a rear pillar back there. But since the single shot Atlas actions come with a center action screw, the better approach is to simply float the tang area rearward from the back of the bolt handle notch. A threaded insert where the rear pillar would be in the stock can be used to attach the ADL style trigger guard.
Like so:
If you go with an Atlas, get the .173" thick Panda spacer too. This lets any of the standard 1.115" Panda headspace barrels go right on the Atlas with the .250" recoil lug. Makes barrel changes easy peasy.
Hope this helps. -Al
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i have seen atlas's win so not a real issue.
but for speed when "runnin and gunning" in a condition, a left port right eject is quicker than the atlas. a drop port can be faster. both will cost more than the atlas.
and you can go with a glue in and skip the recoil lug
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
All modern custom actions are machined well enough to be considered for Benchrest as far as the actual tolerances involved in the machine work.
The single consideration comes down to weight. Logic dictates that the larger the surface area, the more support for the rest of the assembly.
That being said, I have seen some excellent shooting Rifles bases on the little Bat SV, which is basically the length of an XP100 and 1.350 round.
The single consideration comes down to weight. Logic dictates that the larger the surface area, the more support for the rest of the assembly.
That being said, I have seen some excellent shooting Rifles bases on the little Bat SV, which is basically the length of an XP100 and 1.350 round.
i like my bat sv in 6ppc!
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
Stocks are designed for remington tangs or square tangs. If it is wood you can shape a br tang stock to fit a 700 footprint but not the other way. I assume this is why you want a remington tang action. If its for br, the 2 i know will make a single shot dual port is the Borden Mountaineer and Bat vr.
Nothing has been purchased at the moment, trying to get a list of parts together.
I can get a single shot Kelblys Atlas for a significant less than say an f class panda. The tangs are different as well as action layout. Wondering what would matter most (Mr Wheeler mentioned ignition most critical).
I am not going for national records. Would like to do something different than PRS style competitions.
I can get a single shot Kelblys Atlas for a significant less than say an f class panda. The tangs are different as well as action layout. Wondering what would matter most (Mr Wheeler mentioned ignition most critical).
I am not going for national records. Would like to do something different than PRS style competitions.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
I suggest taking a look at Kauger bench rest actions. He has them with/without trigger hanger and models that are R700 compatible.
NZ_Fclass
Silver $$ Contributor
Also the Barnard S, if ordered (I have one).
AlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
If you're not slaved to the 700 tang requirement, the whole world opens up for you.
The F-Class Panda is a solid choice. Integral lug, 20 MOA rail, huge bedding area, three action acrews, proven ignition/firing pin setup, the 1.115" 'Panda' headspace, choice of bolt/port configurations, a common inletting situation for the stock.....it's like hitting the Easy Button. If you want an action that you can just take out of the box, wash it off, screw a barrel on and with proper bedding get right after it, it doesn't get much better.
But there are other actions out there that are killer good as well...the equipment lists are full of them. Do your homework as some need a bit of help right out of the box.
This truly is the Golden Age of actions and components.
-Al
The F-Class Panda is a solid choice. Integral lug, 20 MOA rail, huge bedding area, three action acrews, proven ignition/firing pin setup, the 1.115" 'Panda' headspace, choice of bolt/port configurations, a common inletting situation for the stock.....it's like hitting the Easy Button. If you want an action that you can just take out of the box, wash it off, screw a barrel on and with proper bedding get right after it, it doesn't get much better.
But there are other actions out there that are killer good as well...the equipment lists are full of them. Do your homework as some need a bit of help right out of the box.
This truly is the Golden Age of actions and components.
-AlAlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
If the recoil lug makes good solid lateral contact to stop the torque it should be fine, but otherwise analogize it to the difference between a beaver tail fore end in front bags, and a maximum width flat bottom stock.
Action screws could never be sleeved so precisely and tight as to handle torque by themselves and they would be worked loose frequently, trying to.
If you pick a flat bottom, the recoil lug and or tang only deal with backward recoil, the action screws only hold the action down, and the big flat bottom more widely distributes/prevents torque. Both round and flat prevent “rocking” but flat also prevents “rolling”.
Lastly, if a round inlet is just slightly bigger than the action, true surface contact between the two is minimal, (too small wedges it solidly, but also with little contact, and that’s hard on the stock at its thin sides) but it’s very improbable to make two flat surfaces not mate up, and glass panes for example, basically will become permanently stuck together, as an example of this.
Action screws could never be sleeved so precisely and tight as to handle torque by themselves and they would be worked loose frequently, trying to.
If you pick a flat bottom, the recoil lug and or tang only deal with backward recoil, the action screws only hold the action down, and the big flat bottom more widely distributes/prevents torque. Both round and flat prevent “rocking” but flat also prevents “rolling”.
Lastly, if a round inlet is just slightly bigger than the action, true surface contact between the two is minimal, (too small wedges it solidly, but also with little contact, and that’s hard on the stock at its thin sides) but it’s very improbable to make two flat surfaces not mate up, and glass panes for example, basically will become permanently stuck together, as an example of this.
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Just frankly, yes, there are differences, largely, or at least in part, due to how stocks/actions manage vibration. In an ideal world, I'd take a flat bottom with a recoil lug near center. Now, go shoot the difference. Bottom line, there are several very good actions that shoot better than even the best of us can, consistently. Yes, every little thing matters and sometimes it's more that we think it matters. What's between our ears can be bigger(or smaller
) in importance than more measurable features. Round and flat have both won a shat ton of matches. I do not think either is measurably better than the other. It still takes great bullets, barrels and a shooter that never makes mistakes. Lol! Buy some good flags first, even before the rifle!
) in importance than more measurable features. Round and flat have both won a shat ton of matches. I do not think either is measurably better than the other. It still takes great bullets, barrels and a shooter that never makes mistakes. Lol! Buy some good flags first, even before the rifle!
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
What are you building? If br or f class, the stocks will be designed for square tang actions. If field or tactical they will be designed for remington tangs. The main thing is you get the action that will fit the stock.
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