Kelbly footprint alternatives? 6ppc

[Hawkeye1969]

Long story short, I ordered this stock 6 months ago with a 3 month turnaround quote and well, it didn’t arrive in time for my first big match so I bought a used stock for the action and I kinda like the used stock a lot!! Now I am fixing to have a stock with no action so I am thinking a new gun build. Is there another action that is an alternate to the Kelbly? Just looking at options before I get another kelbly.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Which Kelby? A Panda? I'm not sure. There used to be a Stiller Viper and the Marsh was a bit shorter but a Panda inlet worked, too. Both are now only available used and ya might find a used Panda, too. I can't think of another action that might share that footprint with Kelblys couple that do.

 

[Bronsin]

BAT Neuvo

 

[Kings X]

Buy another Kelbly.
Both actions will fit in either stock.
Bolts will swap
Barrels will swap
Trigger hangers will swap.

 

[Greg@wfcustom]

Buy another Kelbly.
Both actions will fit in either stock.
Bolts will swap
Barrels will swap
Trigger hangers will swap.

Not to mention the best customer service in the industry! If I were doing a new build I would do it on a Panda.
JMHO
G

 

[oneraggedhole]

+1 on another kelbly. Can't beat the quality and consistency. Customer service is also the best in the business. At this point in time i wouldn't buy anything other than kelbly, bat or Borden with kelbly being my first choice due to quality/availability/price.

 

[James A. Kelbly]

If you are looking to buy a new Panda, I would order soon, we are discontinuing all aluminum actions when we run out of our current batch of aluminum blanks we have to finish into actions. It was a tough decision, but with low sales on the aluminum actions and a completely different manufacturing process than our steel actions we must step away from the aluminum actions. Our Panda, F-Class Panda and Kodiak actions probably hold the most World records in F-Class, short range BR and Hunter class competitions.

Unfortunately todays short range BR shooters are using other custom actions. Also short range BR shooting is not even close to number of shooters we had in the 80's, 90's and early 2000s. Walking the line at BR matches and the rifles are 10+ years old on average and shooters are not building new rifles. The Golden era for short range BR shooting is long past in the rearview mirror. Several companies have tried to copy the Panda actions, but with not manufacturing the same as Kelbly's do, they are not close to the quality Kelbly's has. Ralph Stolle was way ahead of his time when he can out with the Panda and Polar actions in the early 1970's and nobody has been able to match his manufacturing process since.

 

[6BRA]

The Panda actions will be missed. Get them while you can!

 

[X Count]

If you are looking to buy a new Panda, I would order soon, we are discontinuing all aluminum actions when we run out of our current batch of aluminum blanks we have to finish into actions. It was a tough decision, but with low sales on the aluminum actions and a completely different manufacturing process than our steel actions we must step away from the aluminum actions. Our Panda, F-Class Panda and Kodiak actions probably hold the most World records in F-Class, short range BR and Hunter class competitions.

Unfortunately todays short range BR shooters are using other custom actions. Also short range BR shooting is not even close to number of shooters we had in the 80's, 90's and early 2000s. Walking the line at BR matches and the rifles are 10+ years old on average and shooters are not building new rifles. The Golden era for short range BR shooting is long past in the rearview mirror. Several companies have tried to copy the Panda actions, but with not manufacturing the same as Kelbly's do, they are not close to the quality Kelbly's has. Ralph Stolle was way ahead of his time when he can out with the Panda and Polar actions in the early 1970's and nobody has been able to match his manufacturing process since.

That is sad news to hear!

What is going to be your 600, 1000yd and F class action going forward if the aluminium actions and the golden bear have been discontinued?

 

[boltfluter]

If you are looking to buy a new Panda, I would order soon, we are discontinuing all aluminum actions when we run out of our current batch of aluminum blanks we have to finish into actions. It was a tough decision, but with low sales on the aluminum actions and a completely different manufacturing process than our steel actions we must step away from the aluminum actions. Our Panda, F-Class Panda and Kodiak actions probably hold the most World records in F-Class, short range BR and Hunter class competitions.

Unfortunately todays short range BR shooters are using other custom actions. Also short range BR shooting is not even close to number of shooters we had in the 80's, 90's and early 2000s. Walking the line at BR matches and the rifles are 10+ years old on average and shooters are not building new rifles. The Golden era for short range BR shooting is long past in the rearview mirror. Several companies have tried to copy the Panda actions, but with not manufacturing the same as Kelbly's do, they are not close to the quality Kelbly's has. Ralph Stolle was way ahead of his time when he can out with the Panda and Polar actions in the early 1970's and nobody has been able to match his manufacturing process since.

This is very sad news, to say the least. But, a company has to change with the times to stay afloat in today's competitive world. Wishing you guys the very best.

Paul,
Pro-Precision-rifles LLC

 

[Sandbagger1]

Try the new Bat Maverick from Bruno’s

 

[James A. Kelbly]

The Prometheus action will now be available in right and left hand bolt, right or left or dual port configuration in single shot. It is a 700 footprint action.

 

[HTSmith]

If you are looking to buy a new Panda, I would order soon, we are discontinuing all aluminum actions when we run out of our current batch of aluminum blanks we have to finish into actions. It was a tough decision, but with low sales on the aluminum actions and a completely different manufacturing process than our steel actions we must step away from the aluminum actions. Our Panda, F-Class Panda and Kodiak actions probably hold the most World records in F-Class, short range BR and Hunter class competitions.

Unfortunately todays short range BR shooters are using other custom actions. Also short range BR shooting is not even close to number of shooters we had in the 80's, 90's and early 2000s. Walking the line at BR matches and the rifles are 10+ years old on average and shooters are not building new rifles. The Golden era for short range BR shooting is long past in the rearview mirror. Several companies have tried to copy the Panda actions, but with not manufacturing the same as Kelbly's do, they are not close to the quality Kelbly's has. Ralph Stolle was way ahead of his time when he can out with the Panda and Polar actions in the early 1970's and nobody has been able to match his manufacturing process since.

Sad news. I love my Pandas but I understand that you have a business to run

 

[JPB3]

Jim, I've thought about getting back into SR BR many times but know it just wouldn't be the same as it was.. Really great memories though!
Stay well,
Pat B.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

Jim, I've thought about getting back into SR BR many times but know it just wouldn't be the same as it was.. Really great memories though!
Stay well,
Pat B.

Would it be possible ? Or, could you see a reserganse in Short range br?
I'm just thinking there's going to be a small wave of hungry shooters wanting to get into the game to revive the sport. It's not dead ? Right?

 

[James A. Kelbly]

I posted this several years ago on BR Central on my opinion on the future of benchrest group shooting. The question asked was if reciprocity would help get more shooters in BR shooting.

Reciprocity with which four organizations now. NBRSA, IBS, Freedom Benchrest or GBA. That is the problem today is there is not just two organizations now. Benchrest has shrunk in competitors, and we now have four or more organizations catering to benchrest in the USA. Unfortunately, benchrest has seen the best times leave us. I do not think you will ever see the attendance we saw from the middle 70's to about 2005. Prices for everything involving shooting has taken a toll on benchrest as other disciplines. Also, I do not see the atmosphere short range benchrest had from the 60's to 2000. Families used to attend, now it is only retired or close to retirement shooters and I do not see families coming back to short range benchrest. It really is sad, as I grew up in short range benchrest and as a kid, I always looked forward to seeing the other kids at the benchrest matches. It is rare to see wives let alone any children at a short-range benchrest match today. Go to a Nationals, regional or even the Super Shoot today and by sunset it is a ghost town at the range. It used to be a party with the shooters sitting around enjoying each other's company. Without that atmosphere anymore it is just the truly serious competitor that goes to the matches. The sport has lost its family friendly atmosphere, and the average shooter cannot afford the money and loss of family time by attending competitions. I hear this all the time on why shooters do not travel to matches.

Locally here at Chippewa Rifle Club we are seeing some younger shooters starting to shoot the club matches Chippewa has (not married or if married no children). Several of them have told me they want to start shooting the regional matches in future. They also state that costs and time are hard to come by to travel to these matches. I am taking my 9-year-old grandson this Saturday to the match to see if he is interested in competing there next year. I am hoping he does as the local matches start at 9am and we are done by noon and back home to do the many things' kids have to do today that were not available when I was 9 years old. That is also why the sport is not having younger families today as the parents are living their lives thru their children.

My opinion on the future of benchrest is it will stay the way it is today with little to no growth in shooter numbers. It will remain an older age sport with benchrest only gaining older shooters who will come from other shooting discipline's since they can no longer do the tactical type shooting or F-Class laying on the ground and can no longer do these types of shooting and need to be at a bench with high power scopes due to their age and physical issues.

I feel very blessed to have lived thru what I call the golden age of short range benchrest, some of my best memories involve benchrest and I miss those days. Unfortunately, I am worried that current short-range benchrest clubs holding registered matches will not be able to afford to hold these matches due to not being able to make any money with the attendance we have now at registered matches.

Do I think reciprocity would help the sport, probably not enough to help the clubs. I am all for reciprocity that is why the Super Shoot was not registered when reciprocity ended between IBS and NBRSA when Kelbly's ran it. There are too many different organizations when you speak of the World coming to shoot your match, which one do you promote as a match organizer and not upset other organizations and their members.

Just my opinion on the current state of short range benchrest after 62 years of being in this sport as a kid of a competitor, competitor, range operator, NBRSA and IBS member, sponsor, and business. Kelbly's would not be here today if it was not for short-range benchrest and my father's addiction to it.

 

[DumpHollow]

I feel very fortunate to have acquired one of the last F-TR rifles that Kelbly’s built. I am not shooting F-Class actively but will never part with this rifle as I like the action and stock very much. I wish that I would have had this rifle when I was actively shooting F-Class. I’m just a couple hours away from Kelbly’s and my visits there with Ian and Jim were gratifying.

The first BR Match that I witnessed was the Supershoot in the mid-70’s. Just watching Tony Boyer shoot and seeing icons in the sport like Ferris Pindell was a privilege. I’ll never forget watching Tony Boyer rip through 5 shots.

I never became a competitive BR shooter as that is not my style. I always enjoyed shooting informal club score matches shot from the bench or the ground. However, I feel that if it wasn’t for BR, our technology would not have been driven to the level that it is today.

Fred Turner