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Kelbly's Atlas Tactical

MarkLeupold

On board the .25 train
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 10, 2017
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Any experiences with the Atlas Tactical, good or bad? I'm looking at getting one, since it's looking like smithing my action is going to run close to the price I can get the Kelbly's for and I know it'll probably be a much better action. I really like the mechanical ejector, but was wondering how it played with a push feed action (mostly see them on controlled feed). How's the action function if it's a little dirty out. Coming from a benchrest company, I worry a little that bolt fit may be a little tight for field use. The action just doesn't seem to have many reviews and I'm trying to get a feel for how people like them.
 
I run a Kelby Atlas on a custom build .260. Very fast & smooth action, good in all field conditions & competition. I've run 1200 rounds through it......perfect!
 
Bugholes has the best price I have found on Atlas, $320 less than a Bighorn which will buy you a barrel blank. I've seen nothing but rave reviews on the Atlas Tactical, did the research to buy one myself just recently and ended up finding a used Defiance for the same price so I went that route.

[video]http://bugholes.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=88_89_123&product_id=770[/video]
And that's exactly who I'm looking at buying from. Figured the Atlas Tactical and a BugNut prefit would keep costs down.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 
With a Bighorn TL3 only costing $1250, I would grab a TL3 over the Atlas for only a few more dollars...

I've definitely thought about the Bighorn TL3. Great price point, controlled feed, mechanical extraction, interchangeable bolt heads, it's great no doubt. The budget is just a little tight and I'm looking to get into the PRS game as soon as I can. I'm looking at the Kelbly mostly for the price, but also as a full featured action that will certainly not be the next thing I need to upgrade. I do know the phrase, "buy once, cry once," but I figure that this won't be the last rifle I build in my life, so it doesn't need to be the beat-all, end-all.
 
I own an Atlas Tactical, as well as a Bighorn TL3. Out of the box, the Bighorn is smoother and has a lighter bolt lift. However, the Atlas continues to get even slicker with use. Let's be honest, we're talking about very minor differences. The Atlas is a steal at the asking price IMHO. It is one of the most underrated actions out there IMHO. Kelbly has been in the game longer than most, and their actions are some of the best out there.
 
Thank you guys for all the great response about the Atlas Tactical! It's a great feeling getting on here and seeing the good reviews! If you have any questions please email me at [email protected] or give me a call at 330-683-4674. We have some barreled actions in stock and an awesome new rifle package coming out at SHOT this year!

- Ian Kelbly
 
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I just got my Atlas Tactical in last week. I really like the way it looks and feels. Still waiting on a barrel so I haven't got to shoot it yet, hopefully have it all together just after the first of the year.

I asked a similar question earlier and got some good feed back here.
 
Thank you guys for all the great response about the Atlas Tactical! It's a great feeling getting on here and seeing the good reviews! If you have any questions please email me at [email protected] or give me a call at 330-683-4674. We have some barreled actions in stock and an awesome new rifle package coming out at SHOT this year!

- Ian Kelbly

Ian, what’s the latest on the new flat bottom tactical action announced at SHOT last year? Still not up on the website.
 
sirspeedy we are about to deliver the first five rifles before SHOT this year. It has been a rough time getting the machining just right. We have material and are planning on delivering the first ones to consumers in February to March. We have been absolutely hammered with Atlas Tactical orders and it's great to be so busy. Thank you guys for all the support!