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Which action for 600 yard shooting ?

NWnewguy said:
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.
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Although I have no personal experience with the Barnard, there are normally 2 or three at our 600 yard matches and they intrigue me. I understand that Bix and Andy has developed a light pull trigger for them. Hmmmm..... A new Mod P, RB/LP/RE with a B&A trigger in a Cerus stock would tempt me mightily to give it a try. Oh well, my finances won't allow that, but one can dream. Good shooting....James
 
jamesdmock said:
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
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If I were building a 600 yd. BR gun now, I would order up the fattest Borden BRM I could get a drop port in. Very intrigued by the drop port arrangement for a Dasher. Might try a 6 BRA if I were just starting out but, I'm too heavily invested in the Dasher now. Second choice would be a Kelby Panda F-Class if I could get it in a drop port (or have it done aftermarket). Never owned one but, I've tried some very smooth Panda's.

Borden because I have a BRL, the bolt glides very smoothly and it feels good. I ordered it direct with Jim. We discussed what I wanted to do, I found him to be very helpful. I do wish
they offered a slightly longer bolt handle &/or larger knob when I ordered mine.




I have a Barnard. Just feels like a quality piece, very smooth & locks up tight. Comes with a nice trigger too. I have a Dasher barrel on mine.
Because of the 3-lug arrangement, it makes it difficult to run fast with it. I think a slightly larger round would be a better choice. If you toss a round into the action, the round wants to nose down and jam into the bolt lug seat thingy's in the front of the action. I have to put the round in, then push it forward with my finger starting it into the chamber so I don't damage the bullet tip by initially feeding it forward with the bolt. Still a great action though.

I have two Nesika Bay model "L" actions (from Poulsbo, WA). Both are nice and fairly smooth. Had issues in the past with the sliding extractor coming out/off of one of them several times when it was wearing 6.5x.284 barrels (Dasher now, mostly). Hasn't happened in a few years now that I bought a bunch of extra extractor parts (stupid expensive for such small pieces...probably why they're expensive).

I have a Kelby Atlas. It's okay. The bolt is very stiff to close, even with no round in the chamber. It's nice but, nothing special.

I have a BAT model "L". Love that thing. Big but very smooth as well. The bolt's glide through the action and close very smoothly. I have two bolt's & four barrels for it.

I have a Marsh Saguaro. It's still really new, only about 40 rounds fired. I'm hoping the bolt will glide a bit more smoothly after some use. Doesn't feel rough or gritty, more like a sticky feel when sliding it forward. I've tried putting a tiny amount of grease under the locking lugs on their sliding surface but, it doesn't really help.

-Rick
 
Its just weird to see misinformation on bat actions- is it jealousy? More bat actions at matches than anything else, never had one gall that wasnt operator error, i have serial #6 up to current ranges and every single bat on a shortrange br firing line headspaces the same and the writing lines up. The only ones ive seen that didnt were “improved upon” by somebody with a lathe.
 
mikeeg02 said:
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.
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Yep, the folks at Kelbly go above and beyond to take care of their customers. Top notch people. I love my panda f-classes, especially my drop-port
 
Many great actions out there. My favorite so far has been a melonited BAT B. Just plain fun to cycle.
I've seen different mfgs with galling issues. All were running very high pressures. I haven't seen a melonited action gall.
FWIW
 
If I was going with a BAT I would get a chromoly action. I agree that most of them that galled were due to not putting grease on them, but they are really tight and you really need to stay on top of that. Realizing I'm not comparing apples to apples, but I have several Mausingfield actions and due to material and hardness considerations, you couldn't gall those actions if you wanted to. I read about people shooting hundreds of rounds in minutes with them and still having zero issues. Wouldn't be my first choice for 600 yard bench rest though!
 
Ask your gunsmith his opinion. You cant tell a thing about how well built an action is holding it in your hands. How well your buddies shoots also means nothing. Even the best will put out some duds. Your gunsmith should know which are the best designed and how straight they are. Thats assuming he checks those kinds of things. Price plays no role either.
 
I really like how my older Farley RBLPRE glued in a Leonard stock runs but I figure if I ever break anything on it I will have to get some of yall top smiths to make any parts I would need as it is impossible to contact them and get parts,,
 
bpmoss1 said:
Yep, the folks at Kelbly go above and beyond to take care of their customers. Top notch people. I love my panda f-classes, especially my drop-port
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bpmoss1,
Is the drop port on a Panda F Class a custom feature that Kelbly do? I don’t see it offered on the web site.

Cheers Rushty
 
urbanrifleman said:
Which matches are those? I have never seen more than a few in Oklahoma.
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Check the equipment lists at NBRSA Nationals, IBS Nationals, Super Shoot, Berger SW Nationals, or the East/West match in St. Louis. Where do you shoot in Oklahoma? You will find plenty BATs in Luther or any large match in OK.
 
For about 15yrs now a bat is by far the highest percentage of action in use. Kelbly being second. From Ok to texas and all the way east is where i shoot and long or short range bats are the majority by far. Talk to any winning gunsmith and see how many bat barrels he does compared to any other brand.
 
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