Panda Fclass vs Bat M

[Cody Richardson]

I know this is a coke vs Pepsi debate but I'm starting my next build, and would like some input. Im going with a 284 win/shehane on Master class stock and a 32" straight taper. Stuck on action choice now. I go back and forth between a Panda Fclass and a Bat M. There both about the same price($1400-1600) both offer the dual port option that I want, and both offer integral lug and rail. So the $4,739,890 question is....which is better and why? Thanks for the input!

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I don't think one is better than the other, unless you are looking for the absolute last bit of weight allowance. And in that case, the Panda would win.

 

[1shot]

Cody,
I don't know where you live, but there is less than a miles difference between my house and Kelbly's ore my house and Camp Perry so obviously that played a part in my decision came down to this for me. however I've been their shop (Kelbly's) and have seen things that absolutely amazed me in the amount of pain staking time and labor that goes into every single part they build. I have 3 F-classes, that includes the first one, and a Davidson rail Panda BB that never sees optics as my Palma gun.
As most readers have noticed and are correct, I don't own a BAT, and only been to Idaho once. Before you jump on me about being biased, I've never shot a BAT but this made me go to their web sight. I either missed it, or they don't make a left handed action which makes shooting sling and irons a bit of a pain. In conclusion: good products, stellar service and a company that seems to always have time for their customers, Kelbly's.
Respectfully,
Lloyd Smith

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I've never shot a BAT but this made me go to their web sight. I either missed it, or they don't make a left handed action which makes shooting sling and irons a bit of a pain. In conclusion: good products, stellar service and a company that seems to always have time for their customers, Kelbly's.
Respectfully,
Lloyd Smith

Yep, you missed it. ;D BAT makes a left-hand action.

 

[ShootDots]

I own both. Both are excellent. The BAT is "beefier / more solid". You can see it plainly. However, the Panda is smoother and I have never had a problem. For a Shehane, it does not matter. BUT If I were to chamber a magnum, I would opt for the BAT..

 

[Lbart]

My #1 & #2 FO rifles are both Pandas. One I have had since 1989 the other since 2009. Never had any problems. But I am a bit bias towards the Panda but for another reason….I have my barrels and reamers shipped to Kelbly’s and just call and tell them to chamber so in so barrel with such and such reamer and it is shipped to my door and I screw it one. No shipping actions to the gunsmith and hoping it is not lost. Has worked beautifully for many years. Headspaces perfectly. And I can keep shooting my rifles until the barrel arrives. I know others can supply the same service, but the Kelbly crew is great to deal with.

Oh yes, my #1 & #2 riles are both magnums currently and have been since 2009.

 

[rmist]

Then there is Borden actions.... smooth as silk !!! BRM action .

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Larry you can do that with bats or kelblys. Any good rifle builder can ship you a barrel ready to go for either action. The kelblys are friends of mine and they are a great company with great products and people. Bat actions are great too! Its just a personal choice. Panda folks love their pandas and bat folks love their bats. Both are choices you cant lose with!!

 

[dogdude]

Bat's for years, this year a F-Class Panda with the TG mechanical ejector(very cool), my best year to date!!

 

[johara1]

Alex, i would guess a model 70 action is more accurate than a Remington then?………. jim

 

[1shot]

Jay,
You are correct and I stand corrected. But all of us that post a lot knew what this thread was going to turn into. I for one learned a few things from other posters, so I call that progress.
Lloyd

 

[Judd]

Interesting perspectives on here. I've got both...six one half dozen another. I will say the BAT feels like it was machined to tighter tolerances and I like the flat back bolt the BAT has. However, the Panda has taught me I like the single left port better than the dual ports that my BAT's have (just my preference)...I don't think you can go wrong with either.

I do agree if weight is your deal the Fclass is going to be lighter.

 

[bsumoba]

I thought about trying a Panda, but opted for the BAT. I already have a BAT and it just makes everything easier and more consistent. I had a barrel chambered in one BAT action and decided to spin it off and put it on the other BAT action. It headspaced perfectly. I like the fact that I can do this.

If I had a Panda action initially, I bet my second action would have been a Panda.

 

[Cody Richardson]

I have shot my friends Bat MB and was really impressed with it, still have not been behind a Panda. I should be good on weight, so weight really doesn't matter to me. The only thing that stands out to me with the Panda, is the surface area for bedding. Does that really make that much more of a difference? Also, does anyone on here have a dual port Panda? They seem to be like the unicorns, I have seen one picture of one online and that's it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a large collection of dual port pandas both standard and short throw. Had one since around 99-2000

 

[Pappy42]

I have a dual port panda with left bolt, left eject, and right load. Works for me.

 

[lawrence97]

I have a dual port panda and run a 284 Shehane and a 6 dasher barrel on it for Fclass. The dual port is nice! But I think it's not as common for the larger calibers because there is the thought of it flexing more or being weaker due to having less material but I cannot notice any difference on target with the dual or single. It's very light and Looks nice in polished form. I have also shot a bat and I don't think one is better than the other. It comes down to who you want to give your money to or availability.

 

[johara1]

Over the years i had 4 pandas and all shot very well but you could not use the same barrel in all of them due to slight differences in them. This may be due to the wide span in age. Having had three Bat B's all barrels will interchange in all the actions. All Bats shot as well or better and no ejection problems with BR length brass. I think if is straight action it will shoot…. As far as firing pin fall, i think Anschutz and others would argue the point of needing .250 fall……… jim

 

[1shot]

I would almost guarantee you if I ever quit shooting a sling/irons I would have a duel port. The only down side is after I finish a string of fire then I have to be bent over picking up my brass. If you have back issues, you know what I mean. My fire sequence, the brass never touches the ground. Ammo box to chamber, fire and reverse procedure. This also gives me the added advantage to separate a piece of brass that wasn't acting right.
Thanks,
Lloyd

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

I have several Panda F-Class actions, one dating back to 2005 and all will interchange bolts and barrels and headspace identically.

Kelblys are a very good supporter of the US F-Class teams, shooting sports in general, and are genuinely great people to work with...

Not knocking BAT in anyway, I just have no direct experience with them. ;-)