Question about a new Bat action

[Phil]

I was planning on sending mine in to be Melonited soon......

 

[JDMock]

It seems that I was wrong in my assessment of 17-4PH vs 416 where galling is concerned. After reading about each steel and hearing from those of you who have seen more galling than I. The reason for choosing 17-4 evidently is that it is easier to heat treat and that it is "stronger" than may of the other stainless steels. If I have offended anyone by unfairly making the assumptions that I did about 416, I am sorry. With the 3 BAT's that I have owned, I guess that I have been lucky in not having any sign of galling. Of course, I use a quality grease on the lugs after each cleaning. I have chambered many "tight" rounds with no problems. Good shooting...James

 

[hoz53]

No one has condemned Bats. Its a fact they are prone to gall, Bruce and Daryle will tell you this. They use that material for its machining properties. That does not in any way mean its a lesser action. You just need to understand how to care for them. They most delicate when new. Once they are used they get much better. I have seen them absolutely TRASHED because a smith forced a HS gauge, brand new. I think this is why you see so many melonited. They really do make a sweet little action. And when a gall happens both materials weld together and both parts are galled. You cant just gall one or the other.

Speaking as a guy who has never had a custom action but is thinking of buying a couple the question to me is --Why buy Bat? Sure I know they are good actions but there are just as good out there without the galling issue.

 

[Canadian bushman]

Precipitation hardened steels (13-8,15-5,17-4,18-8) are really easy to work with, cheap, pretty corrosion resistant and machine well.

There are different heat treats for 17-4. H900,925, 1025, 1075,1100, and 1150 are pretty typical in the oilfield, and ive literally cut thousands of pounds of each.

If you ever touch a tool to h900 and h1150 back to back you will know it pretty quick.

If bat has a problem with galling, i would suspect the HT, not the material. Id also not think twice to have one treated. Qpq, melonite, nitro-caurberized, whatever the cool kids are calling it.

 

[boltfluter]

Speaking as a guy who has never had a custom action but is thinking of buying a couple the question to me is --Why buy Bat? Sure I know they are good actions but there are just as good out there without the galling issue.

You are correct. I would personally buy a Borden and have a much better ignition system and timed trigger as part of the package.

Paul

 

[hoz53]

Precipitation hardened steels (13-8,15-5,17-4,18-8) are really easy to work with, cheap, pretty corrosion resistant and machine well.

There are different heat treats for 17-4. H900,925, 1025, 1075,1100, and 1150 are pretty typical in the oilfield, and ive literally cut thousands of pounds of each.

If you ever touch a tool to h900 and h1150 back to back you will know it pretty quick.

If bat has a problem with galling, i would suspect the HT, not the material. Id also not think twice to have one treated. Qpq, melonite, nitro-caurberized, whatever the cool kids are calling it.

I think youre right Thanks

 

[hoz53]

You are correct. I would personally buy a Borden and have a much better ignition system and timed trigger as part of the package.

Paul

Thats what I thought --Thanks for the info

 

[hoz53]

Bats are beautiful, like jewelry. They hold many records. If you like them, no reason at all not to buy one. I dont love the ignition system on them, other than that I like them. You can gall any action, so dont think its a Bat thing only. I do like timed actions. So if I use a Bat or Kelbly, that adds extra work for me and cost for a customer to time it. Bordens come timed, so they are certainly the best deal. You dont NEED a timed action though.

I agree Bats are pretty and I know some great shooters use them and have done well with them. I guess liking for me doesnt have much to do with looks, at least when it comes to rifle actions Those polished Bordens look pretty nice to me to though. I appreciate this "You dont Need a timed action" I think if I can have a timed action though I would rather do it than not. It sure would be nice to handle some customs before I buy one but I doubt there are any around here for a very long ways. Thanks for all the help

 

[Jefferson]

Im looking at adding a new Bat M action to my HG. My Question is, is the melonited action actually worth the extra money spent over the SS action not that's not coated?

It will never fit your barrel block so sell the stock to me

U must be tired of hearing that so in the interest of helping you the following comment is made,

Melonite is great as it makes the cycling of the bolt

MUCH SMOOTHER


MUCH QUICKER.

U get run a group probably about 30 % less effort

And 20 % quicker

Makes a difference as you do not screw up your group or Bag handling very often with a melonite action

and yes I have set a few bars higher with bats. Bordens and kelbys. All will work.

They them and see which you like to cycle

Please let us know if your happy and if we were correct after you buy and try


Jeff