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SOLD/EXPIRED BAT or STILLER VIPER FOR F-CLASS?
- Thread starter casspir
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milanuk
Well-Known Member
Have you considered a Barnard, Stolle, or for that matter, Savage, action? I couldn't tell you the numbers for the F-Open team, but at the recent FCWC, the USA F/TR team fielded five Savage target actions, four Barnards, and one Stolle Panda. No Remchester clones - although I've seen enough of those shoot as well to not discount them either.
I have a Stiller TAC30. Lots of drama around actually getting the dang thing in my hands. Shoots great, but I don't think I'd buy one of their products again, unfortunately.
One guy I know, very serious shooter (Felix 'Bud' Solis, you might have seen him in a recent Berger bullets ad
) has something like six or seven BAT actions last time I asked - obviously he loves 'em. Chambered in everything from .223 to some moderate thumpers (Bud shoots from a sling, so no muzzle breaks), very smooth, exceptionally accurate.
Barnards are a little less pretty to look at (kind of like Savage ), but with the deviation between the euro and USD, the RPA Quadlocks have been priced out of competition, and the Barnard comes with a very nice functional trigger installed - or you can hang any 700-compatible trigger you want on there. Right bolt, left bolt, left port, right port, dual port, mag fed, etc. They make 'em all. They seem to be one of the current darlings for the long-range prone (Palma/F-TR) community.
I'm pretty partial to the Savage target action - order one, get in line for a true-n-time job @ SSS + one of their 2oz triggers, order a barrel, stock, etc. wrench it all together, start shooting. When your turn comes up @ SSS, send off the action and when it comes back it'll be all slicked up and shooting even better. Maybe not as slick as a BAT, but there's a price differential of 3-4x there...
YMMV,
MOnte
I have a Stiller TAC30. Lots of drama around actually getting the dang thing in my hands. Shoots great, but I don't think I'd buy one of their products again, unfortunately.
One guy I know, very serious shooter (Felix 'Bud' Solis, you might have seen him in a recent Berger bullets ad
) has something like six or seven BAT actions last time I asked - obviously he loves 'em. Chambered in everything from .223 to some moderate thumpers (Bud shoots from a sling, so no muzzle breaks), very smooth, exceptionally accurate.Barnards are a little less pretty to look at (kind of like Savage
), but with the deviation between the euro and USD, the RPA Quadlocks have been priced out of competition, and the Barnard comes with a very nice functional trigger installed - or you can hang any 700-compatible trigger you want on there. Right bolt, left bolt, left port, right port, dual port, mag fed, etc. They make 'em all. They seem to be one of the current darlings for the long-range prone (Palma/F-TR) community.I'm pretty partial to the Savage target action - order one, get in line for a true-n-time job @ SSS + one of their 2oz triggers, order a barrel, stock, etc. wrench it all together, start shooting. When your turn comes up @ SSS, send off the action and when it comes back it'll be all slicked up and shooting even better. Maybe not as slick as a BAT, but there's a price differential of 3-4x there...
YMMV,
MOnte
Fred at Sharpshooter Supply normally has 1 or 2 timed and trued savage target actions for sale. About 6 months ago, they were $500 ready to go.
BH
BH
I use Jerry's products From the Python to the Predators-----if you get much dust on a BAT which I have some of those as well you will notice binding when working the bolt. Been there done that. I shoot BR and am not on the ground which would make the dust and dirt problem a little more pronounced.
Both are outstanding products.
Both are outstanding products.
AJ Peacock
Well-Known Member
I was told the same thing about the BAT actions, prior to having Kirby build my 338AM. We had the bolt fluted, as it works as a 'self cleaner' according to Kirby. It has, I've used it in Colorado elk hunting for 2 years. No problems, and I've had it dirty!
AJ
JeffVN
Well-Known Member
Where are you located?
When I was looking to do my most recent custom build (F-Class Open Target rig), the smith recommended against the BAT on the basis that Nevada is an extremely dusty location and the BAT action would very likely wear faster that the other action that he was recommending (Barnard). It was NOTHING against the BAT, as that is one of the TWO actions that he normally recommends highly for this type of build. In this case, it was purely location driven...
JeffVN
When I was looking to do my most recent custom build (F-Class Open Target rig), the smith recommended against the BAT on the basis that Nevada is an extremely dusty location and the BAT action would very likely wear faster that the other action that he was recommending (Barnard). It was NOTHING against the BAT, as that is one of the TWO actions that he normally recommends highly for this type of build. In this case, it was purely location driven...
JeffVN
milanuk
Well-Known Member
Curious that everybody pings on the BAT for being 'tight' in dusty locations.
The shooter I mentioned above shoots Prone (and occasionally F-Class, when his wife forces him) on ranges like Sacramento (dry and gritty from what I've heard), Raton (definitely sandy/gritty) and Rattlesnake - where if you don't sneak your muzzle far enough forward of the front of the berm will result in you getting a face (and action) full of sand after each shot in a headwind (dominant condition, no less)...
I know I've never had any problem with a Savage action in such conditions; and I can't imagine Bud sticking with the BAT actions if he had any problems as such... might have to call him and pick his brain on the subject (he doesn't really use a computer very often).
The shooter I mentioned above shoots Prone (and occasionally F-Class, when his wife forces him) on ranges like Sacramento (dry and gritty from what I've heard), Raton (definitely sandy/gritty) and Rattlesnake - where if you don't sneak your muzzle far enough forward of the front of the berm will result in you getting a face (and action) full of sand after each shot in a headwind (dominant condition, no less)...
I know I've never had any problem with a Savage action in such conditions; and I can't imagine Bud sticking with the BAT actions if he had any problems as such... might have to call him and pick his brain on the subject (he doesn't really use a computer very often).
I know I`m of the traget (topic) now but I took this up with Jannie Els the SA Team Captain. He - without hesitation - recommended the Savage action and mod 12 gun for Ftr. Told me about a good friend of him Stan Pate shooting only Savage Rifles for Ftr. Personally, I think there is merit in what he says as well what Monte said. Thank you very much.
BAT and Stiller are great but at the price the Savage might be a far better option. I`ll be buying a Savage for Ftr!
Thanks to Bruce Thom from BAT for a great email response.
BAT and Stiller are great but at the price the Savage might be a far better option. I`ll be buying a Savage for Ftr!
Thanks to Bruce Thom from BAT for a great email response.
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Milanuk
I do know one piece of sand on the lug locked up my 10" BAT tighter than a drum. We had to take the barrel off, and the sand left an indentation that hat do be smoothed out. No hard evidence, but the metal seems to be slightly softer than others.
I love the BAT but would not pick it for a hunting gun for sure
BH
Speedy was shooting next to me at a 400 yard egg match and was shooting in a customers rifle he just built with a BAT and a big gust of wind blew dirt across the line and caused that BAT to lock up tighter than a tick!! Will not repeat what Speedy said here...
