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Opinion on Using a BAT Action in a Tactical Rifle

P

Pathfinder0311

Private
Minuteman
Dec 23, 2013
13
1
Hello everyone,

I intend on purchasing a new custom rifle in 6.5x284 Norma. I'm in the brainstorming phase currently and I haven't purchased anything yet. I want a simple, precise, lightweight, low recoil, general purpose, tactical/hunter rifle. Most of the time I will be shooting paper from 100-600 yards but during deer season I would most definitely use it to bag a deer or two. I keep my guns in great condition and try my best to take care of them and keep them out of the elements whenever possible. I'm a bit anal when it comes to gun maintenance but I blame that on combat in Iraq.

All of that being said, what do you guys have to say about putting together a custom rifle using a BAT 3-lug Action (3LL147OCTPIC)?

Please tell me your experiences with them and post some pics if you got one!
 
Pathfinder,

If this is still a question next year, I will chime in with my experiences.
I use BAT exclusively in benchrest, and couldn't be happier. To be fair, I haven't owned Pandas, Farleys, etc although have shot them plenty.

With that being said, for my next hunting rifle I started with BAT HR without rail. I will see it beginning of February. I spent plenty of time researching BAT's performance in field environments, however I did not find any conclusive determinations. There are plenty of posts arguing how Bruce's tolerances will affect reliability in the field, although I felt that this was experiment worth testing on my own.

It should be noted, if I didn't have such an affinity for BAT actions to begin with, I would have chosen any of the premium actions most commonly seen on this forum for this particular application.
BAT "TACTICAL" actions might be up your alley. I'm not familiar with them, but if its made by Bruce, its worth a look in my book.
http://www.battacticalactions.com/
 
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As Joe said above, the bat VRPIC actions are some of the best around. I use the new BAT tactical action, and I've had nothing but good luck with it as well. It has seen dirt, sand, mud and it just keeps on coming back for more.
 
Well I differ, my first and only BAT action was SHODDY, the feed ramp was all buggered up, and I sold it, had great actions from Stiller and Borden since. Lots of choices of high quality durable reliable accurate actions..........
 
I have 2 6.5x47's a 284 and a 338 lapua all on melonited hrpic and vrpic actions. So far I couldn't be happier with them, and I've yet to see another action that's nicer. Even with all the fine dirt that got everywhere at the cup last year I still had no problems. I will say that the melonite coating is defiantly worth the money, my buddys non coated bat was pretty sticky feeling by the end of the first day at the cup, and mine was still good to go!
 
I have several benchrest rifles all built on bats. I also have a 338 Laupa that Dave Tooley built for me. It has two stocks a benchrest stock and a manners tactical stock. I use this rifle for both. I took my 338 on a big elk hunt. The rifle was taken through the Thorofare over 100 miles of horse back riding through the mud a dirt. The action performed perfectly ended up killing a 6x6 at 1103yards in a snow storm.

Bat actions are my favorite by far and I've owned just about every action.
 
If I had enough money to build a full custom rifle. My first choice would be a BAT as far as the action. No action manufacturer has as many options in diameter/length, port length, RH or LH bolt right or left port, dual port, single shot, repeater, 2 lug, 3 lug, etc you get my drift. I would agree though the 3 lug would be a awesome choice those things are sexy. Unfortunately it seems a lot of other people think the same way and from Ive read(dont quote me on this, it couldve changed) the waiting times on a new BAT can be ridiculous. Again, dont quote me on that because they may have caught up. I based that statement on reading from Mr German Salazars blog. I want to say Brunos shooting supply usually has quite a few in stock though if patience aint your thing.

Tireman, thanks for the link, Id never seen that before. Definitely gonna have to keep an eye on that. Sweet.
 
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Let me know your thoughts on "Bat Tactical", I'm interested to see if they hold up to Bruce's expectations.

Bat wait times are 6-8 months depending on luck. As noted above, Bruno's has them in stock at least once a month (+$100-150 premium).
 
ShadyDiesel,

Do you have any information on "Bat Tactical"?
Are they completely made by BAT but only sold by Jamie?
Or perhaps Jamie makes some adjustments to Bruce's action with the permission of Bruce to advertise as BAT Tactical?
 
Jamie carries the BAT Tactical. He started accepting dealer orders. Give him a call and he'll square you away. I've got another BAT Tactical on the way. It arrives this Wednesday and I may sell it. :)
 
TireMan said:
ShadyDiesel,

Do you have any information on "Bat Tactical"?
Are they completely made by BAT but only sold by Jamie?
Or perhaps Jamie makes some adjustments to Bruce's action with the permission of Bruce to advertise as BAT Tactical?
Click to expand...

Yes Jamie is the only one you can get one from. And I believe the only BAT that is a standard Remington footprint. I have serial #13 and I can honestly say I like it about twice as much as my shooting partners surgeon.
 
BAT actions are like crack. Once exposed you can never own just one. I'm on my 9th. My 3L is a sweet heart and has been issue free.
 
I'm waiting on a BAT HRPIC action for my 300WM build - ordered it in November so I have a ways too go!!
 
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