BAT actions

[LRSickle]

First off, I've never had a rifle custom built for me. I work in a maintenance shop with a benchrest shooter, Jim King, down here in Utah. I told him about how I wanted to have a 338Edge built and he recomended several smiths. One of them was BAT Machine.
Is anyone here familiar with their actions?

I'm looking for a "legal in Idaho" weight gun, (15lbs I believe). I just moved from Idaho so I have a lifetime license up there. I'd like a fairly heavy gun for recoil, stability ect.

Secondly, I don't know what to ask for. Do smiths walk you through and build a gun from thier different vender's parts or do I buy all the parts myself and send them to the smith?

I kind of wish I could find a 338Edge for sale but there aren't many out there. If do find one they get snapped up pretty quick.
Thanks guys.

 

[AJ Peacock]

I own one BAT action and it is phenomenal, it is a 338Allen Mag and is based on the 1.55" round action. There are a number of custom actions that can be used for a 338Edge, I'd choose an action with a Rem700 footprint, as that gives you the most options for stocks etc.

As far as the method used in gathering and purchasing components; you can either gather the components and then have a smith assemble for you, or let the smith order them and assemble once they arrive. The method you choose will depend on your own experience/comfort level in selecting components and making those decisions. Also, if you don't have all the money available, you may want to order only the longer leadtime components first and not have all the money tied up from the beginning. The longer leadtime components are typically the stock and barrel.

If I were having an Edge built, I'd have one of the fine smiths from this site build it for me. Shawn Carlock has probably built as many of these rifles as anyone, Kirby Allen has done a ton as well. I've had work done by both of these men and am 100% satisfied with both. There are other smiths on here that receive the same recommendations, but I haven't personally had dealings with them.

I'd talk with several of the long range smiths about your rifle and see which one you 'hit it off with'. Having a high level of confidence in your smith is important, any of the smiths on this site can interview you about your wants/needs and give you their recommendations.

Good luck,
AJ

 

[LRSickle]

Thanks for the reply AJ Peacock. I will look at both gunsmiths you recommended. I just don't want to call a smith and not know what to tell them to put into my gun. They probably run into guys like me all the time and know how to walk me though it. That's a relief.
I just sold one of my houses so I have some cash sitting in the bank so I'm kind of excited.
Thanks again.

 

[AJ Peacock]

Thanks for the reply AJ Peacock. I will look at both gunsmiths you recommended. I just don't want to call a smith and not know what to tell them to put into my gun. They probably run into guys like me all the time and know how to walk me though it. That's a relief.
I just sold one of my houses so I have some cash sitting in the bank so I'm kind of excited.
Thanks again.

Yeah, Take a deep breath and just give them a call and tell them what you want to do with the rifle. It may take you a few days to get ahold of them, don't sweat that though. The good ones are always really busy this time of year (making that push to get their customers guns out before season).

All you need to do is tell them what type of rifle you want and ask them what they recommend. Take notes, as they will ask you questions you haven't thought about yet.

AJ

 

[LRSickle]

I just got off the phone with Shawn Carlock and as of 2:30pm I'm on his list to be a proud owner of one of his Canyon Rifles. I'm doing the Snoopy dance right now.
I have to say that he was very helpful and professional. He asked questions to see what I wanted/needed and made recomendations from there. Instead of trying to sell me everything he had, he talked me out of some ad-ons and recomended some others. I think he set me up with my best intrests in mind.
I'm sure all the gunsmiths on Longrangehunting are excellent and I couldn't go wrong with any of them but the 338Edge is kind of his baby so I called him first. Turned out to be a good choice.

Thanks AJ Peacock. I'll post pics when I get my gun, (around Jan/Feb). gun)

 

[AJ Peacock]

LRSickle, let me be the first to congratulate you, you've made an excellent choice (as you said, there are a bunch of excellent choices out there).

Let us know what exactly you are having built.

Thanks,
AJ

 

[LRSickle]

I chose the Canyon Rifle with it's standard componants. The ad-ons were a one-piece 20moa Nightforce rail/rings and a Defensive Edge ACI. Can't wait!

 

[AJ Peacock]

That should be a terrific rifle. I'd start gathering components for reloading now if I were you

I have Shawn's DE brake on my 338Edge, it is great.

What scope/reticle are you going to put on that beast?

AJ

 

[LRSickle]

I have a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 with the NP-R2 reticle. I ordered a NP-R1 reticle but they sent me an R2. I think I messed up when I ordered so I don't think it was their fault, (OpticsPlanet). That's ok I have plenty of time to either trade or learn to use this one.
Carlock highly suggested I get a zero-stop retrofitted in my scope so maybe I'll have them send me an NP-R1 too.

 

[AJ Peacock]

I have the 3.5x15x50 NXS on my Edge with the NP-R1 reticle. I wish I had the zero stop on mine, but that came after I bought mine.

AJ

 

[royinidaho]

LRSickle,

What AJ has been saying is true.........

Perry, UT, eh!

I was there last week. Daughter and son in law live there.

Rolled an ATV off of the side of that road going passed the cement plant. Still healing....

When I get back to Idaho, we'll have to go do the golf thing up the road from you aways.

I hope I have my new one before you get yours............

Good luck.....

 

[LRSickle]

RoyinIdaho, the cement plant is above the hyway from my house. I go to the canyon behind the plant to sight in my guns. If I want to stretch out I have to go out to Promitory Point.
Small world. Hope to meet you some day.

 

[royinidaho]

RoyinIdaho, the cement plant is above the hyway from my house. I go to the canyon behind the plant to sight in my guns. If I want to stretch out I have to go out to Promitory Point.
Small world. Hope to meet you some day.

We'll do that, when I get back in country.............from this New Mexico place.