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Which action for 600 yard shooting ?

jamesdmock

jamesdmock

At a recent match I was looking around at some of the magnificent rifles on the line. Of the custom actions, which would you choose (and why)? Panda, Bat, Barnard, Borden, Defiance Sorry for the poor picture of the Borden action. There was not one on the line and this picture was from a magazine article. I can personally attest to the quality of Jim Borden's actions. SS 2009 001.JPG DSCF2017.JPG or ???DSCF2012.JPG
DSCF2001.JPG
DSCF2009.JPG
 
I’m setting a trend @ our 600yd club match.. I have a Borden BRM ...everyone else uses Bat..


that’s what Tim says, it makes me feel good anyways.
 
I think all of those actions are really high quality, but if I was going to build a purpose built 600yard rifle I would build it off of a Barnard action. Not to say it's any better than any of the others, but it is unique and not a R700 clone and that appeals to me for this purpose. Additionally, and not everyone will agree with me on this, but the action doesn't contribute much to a rifles accuracy. It can certainly detract from a rifles accuracy, but it's main job is to introduce the cartridge to the chamber, reliably and repeatably.
 
Id ive to try a bat or golden bear next. Borden actions are no slough though... the three named are tighter tolerances than my defiance action, better bolt throw and lock down feel too. I shoot a defiance for f class. It dont hurt me, but Id rather another action when I do another dedicated f rig.
 
The OP doesn't say whether he's referring to 600 yard BR or single-shot prone deliberate disciplines such as Fullbore and F-Class. The need to shoot strings super-quickly in BR favours very slick operating two-lug and twin port actions over the three and four lug models often used in F-Class. Many sling and F-Class / FTR shooters specify non-ejector bolts too, whilst powered ejection (or drop port gravity ejection) is essential for a top BR action.

FWIW, I've had excellent results with the Savage 12 PTA in mid-range F-Class, (alongside the Barnard P in F/O and the lighter Stolle Atlas in FTR) and although I've used rifles with the PTA action in BR, it has many built-in disadvantages in this role against a good BAT and Stolle or similar optimal design.
 
If Barnard would clean up the ugly bolt they'd sell more actions. It's like they forgot to design the back of the bolt and decided...heck, let's put this ugly cap on the back.

I have BAT, Panda and Borden and I like them all. If you made me pick one it would be tough to not pick the Panda because all the barrels headspace to each other. You might get lucky and a Borden or BAT do it but every Panda will. There is something to be said for that. BUT, I do like my Borden drop ports.
 
My friend Jesse just bought a Borden drop port. It's very smooth, and it sounds like Jim goes out of his way to keep his customers happy.

I have two Kelbly's. They always answer the phone, and if the person you want is on the other line they always call back, and very soon. They take their time with you, and also take care of their customers.

I sent an action in to get nitride treatment done to it. They disassembled the bolt and action completely, got it treated, and rebuilt the firing pin, replaced the spring and pin if I remember right all for their standard $50 they charge to get nitrided.

When I bought a set of rings, I ordered online and then called back in to tell them I messed up and needed 20 minute rings. Instead they threw a 20 minute base he had laying there in the box, no additional charge.

I'll be a Kelbly guy for life, with customer service like that.
 
Don said:
Barnard P is Bullet proof they don't break and the Trigger is great.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's a lovely prone shooting action. Very common in the UK in 'Target Rifle', 'Match Rifle' and F-Open. A bit heavy for F/TR, but the slimmer, lighter 'S' Barnard is widely used for that, (and the repeating 'SM' model amongst 'Tactical' and McQueens competitors too at that).

Barnards were very competitively priced here for many years much cheaper than the better US made equivalents, then the NZ dollar took a real hike some time back against the pound Sterling and they've been largely priced out of the new buy/build market. (We also have a number of in-country action designers and manufacturers too these days with CNC machines now affordable and turning out some very good stuff. Thank you US State Department and ITAR - you've been a real filip for bringing on Brit specialist manufacturers.)
 
Hawk Hill (8).jpg
boltfluter said:
Borden or Stolle Panda. Bat, if you like galled lugs and seats. I personally don't. LMAO. :D:D:p

Paul
Click to expand...
I am somewhat surprised at all of the reports of galling in BAT actions. I have a BAT model B that is more than 20 years old and it has had many barrels in several calibers and it has never experienced galling. I know that this is anecdotal, but my friends that shoot BATs have similar experience. BAT uses 17-4 PH stainless and perhaps it is more prone to galling than some other stainless steels. Perhaps there are more reports of galling because of the great number of BATs in competition today. I am not being argumentative here but if there is a major problem BAT should address it. I know that they are very "slick" operating actions and some very accurate rifles are made using their actions. I have owned Hall, BAT, Kelbly, and Rosenthal custom actions and have shot most of the others and I would be hard pressed to use other than BAT....if I had to build another rifle. Good shooting, James PS- if a shooter is reluctant to use grease, BAT makes chrome moly actions that are more gall resistant than stainless steel.
 
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