Varmint Rig, pondering actions?

[Mulligan]

Thinking I want a new varmint rig and have several old 22 waldog and 6 ppc barrels in the corner. The barrels are out of commission for target work but I suspect have a bunch of life left in them as varmint barrels. They are all threaded for BAT 3L or DS (same thread configuration).
I know I am not the first guy to ponder this, what actions are folks using to repurpose their old bench barrels for varmints?

CW

 

[centershot]

I realize the old barrels will not "screw on", but for the average guy, Savage is great. You can change your own barrels and get pre fits from just about every manufacturer. Their target action is very good.

 

[sdbob]

Thinking I want a new varmint rig and have several old 22 waldog and 6 ppc barrels in the corner. The barrels are out of commission for target work but I suspect have a bunch of life left in them as varmint barrels. They are all threaded for BAT 3L or DS (same thread configuration).
I know I am not the first guy to ponder this, what actions are folks using to repurpose their old bench barrels for varmints?

CW

My 4inch wide benchrest stocks don’t work well with my prairie dog equipment. The only option I have found is to build a dedicated B or DS action in a McMillan.

 

[Paul Hilgedick]

I have repurposed 3 long range benchrest barrels. All were chambered in 6 Dasher. I cut 3" off the chamber end and rethreaded and rechambered. I did a
6 mm BR, a 6 Dasher and a 6x47. All shoot great as a P-Dog guns.

Paul H

 

[Mulligan]

I have repurposed 3 long range benchrest barrels. All were chambered in 6 Dasher. I cut 3" off the chamber end and rethreaded and rechambered. I did a
6 mm BR, a 6 Dasher and a 6x47. All shoot great as a P-Dog guns.

Paul H

Hi Paul,
What action are you using on your pdog rig?
The reason I ask is all of my longrange and shortrange bench guns have the same tenon and I expect the ground hogs wont mind me using a well used bench barrel without rethreading much?? Can't decide on a single shot or repeater if they even make one with the same threads/tenon?

Clay

 

[Paul Hilgedick]

2 are done on Mack Bros actions ( 1 BDL 1 DBM) and the other one is a Remington 700 single shot action. I am doing my own barrel work so I am only out my time. If you have to pay for the rethread-rechamber not sure it would be worth it.

For a P-Dog gun i prefer single shot left port (benchrest configuration).

Paul H

 

[Clancy]

What about a BAT VR or Bumblebee?

 

[R.Morehouse]

www.terminusactions.com ........If you would like a really nice 3 lug.

Regards
Rick

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Id use a Bat B or S right bolt left port no ejector. Put it in a Mcmillan nesika bay varmint stock and screw your barrel right on.

 

[alf]

I prefer this route when repurposing barrels.....

 

[boltfluter]

I prefer this route when repurposing barrels.....

That seems a little short for a varmint barrel!

 

[ebb]

Could you just screw it back on the action it came off of long enough for a PD trip then when match time comes up put a competitive barrel back on and shoot for fake wood?

 

[Mulligan]

Could you just screw it back on the action it came off of long enough for a PD trip then when match time comes up put a competitive barrel back on and shoot for fake wood?

Yes, of course.
But, I am not willing to take my bench rifles to the field and shoot from the ground. They are spoiled high maintenance gals. As long as they shoot good, I am not going to ask any more out of them.
CW

 

[Mulligan]

I prefer this route when repurposing barrels.....

Come on
a used short range barrel with 1000 rounds on it has lots of life left in it for varmints.
I am not trying to hit a gnat in the arse, center of mass of a rock chuck is all I am after.

Paper weight.......... jeez.

CW

 

[ebb]

Do you have the ability to cut threads your self? If so, then picking a cheaper action would be the thing to do but if you have to pay someone the change the threads, you may be the same money to buy another BAT action or an action that uses the same thread. I can see not wanting dirt in your BATs but anything you buy will be made of a similar material, and similar tolerances. Many pictures I see of PD shooting take place on a bench, or from prone with a cloth on the ground. i think you are selling the BATs short. but I certainly understand wanting another gun. Maybe a Remington ? but i just can't make myself say the S word.

 

[alf]

That seems a little short for a varmint barrel!

Stealth bomber......

 

[alf]

To clarify, after I retired the Krieger in 6 Dasher off my 1K rifle, I looked in it with the bore scope, and hacksawed it off where it started to look good, then sent it & the action off one of my PD guns to turn it into a part time long range plinker. Took 4" off the shank & an inch off the muzzle, finished at 23".

End result:

 

[AckleymanII]

after close inspection and measurements of thoat dia, I cut off enough to get into fresh metal where the New throat dia was same as the muzzle dia, measured with Grizzley rod and reamer pilots.

Those older barrels got turned into six BR, and my favorite is the six BRX. I turned one 22 PPC Max heavy varmint into a 23" 22/243 AI with only .020 Freebore and developed a load in the 14 T barrel with the 60g Sierra HP at 4000 fps with Win 760 that shot a single bug hole.

6x45 is a favorite with short Light varmint BR barrels.

 

[majohnson]

Clay break the mold. Try a S…… action. This has one and it way more accurate than I could ever hope of being. It light so it easy to carry on a long day in the field. ;()

 

[Mulligan]

Clay break the mold. Try a S…… action. This has one and it way more accurate than I could ever hope of being. It light so it easy to carry on a long day in the field. ;()

Did you know the BOLTS on the wrong side????

CW