I've got 2. Both long actions in A5 stocks. One in 6.5x55GWI, One in 300PRC. I'll be running the 300 at the KRG and Niteforce matches. You can't go wrong with Kelbly's. Awesome people.
Kelbly's Black Bear Tactical
- Thread starter FollowThrough10
- Start date
Just the Black Bear Tactical. The flat bottom seems to scare people away. XLR was the only chassis maker to jump onboard.
Are you sure?
If so that sucks, because it's an awesome action and almost exactly what I'm looking for. I WANT a flat bottom tactical action with thicker integrated lug, integrated rail, and tight tolerances & head spacing that will allow one to change their own barrel- assuming a top tier barrel & pre fit.
In my mind the only improvement would be making the action from stainless because that's my metal preference. (ETA- the Kelbly site offers very few details on their actions so I'm assuming they're CroMoly and not stainless?)
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I love my Black Bears when running non BR cases but the Prometheus is the best option for "options". I run XLRs and they feed the Black Bears smoothly. The Prometheus looks like the Black Bears in the chassis and as things progress you will always have options for change because of its 700 footprint. If these actions would eject BR cases every time they would be perfect.
The 6br family or 6mm rem benchrest, 6 bra, 6 dasher etc etc
I love my Prometheus pretty sweet action. My only complaint is how long that factory bolt handle is... Thinking about sweeping it back
Is the Prometheus bolt a two lug like the BB? What are the pros and cons of two VS three lugs? I'd think 60 degree bolt throw is faster than 90...
I was talking to @FollowThrough10 about it a couple weeks ago. He’s one of their shooter and builds a lot on Kelby’s actions. Not sure if he still comes to the site.
Firstly, yes, there have been conversations regarding stopping production of the Black Bear due to the success of the Prometheus and newer variants of the Atlas that are coming. It hasn't been decided when, but there are plans to discontinue it.
Secondly, other than the Panda's, ALL of our actions are stainless. The ones that aren't kept stainless in color are nitrided.
@Hussell, would you mind explaining what issue you're having with ejecting BR variants? I've run mine with BR, BRA, BRX, etc barrels and I've never had a problem with ejection... My sneaking suspicion is you're not running the action hard enough... With it being such a short case and us using mechanical ejection, you HAVE to run the bolt hard to eject BRs.
All of our bolts for the tactical actions are the same. As in I can take my bolt from my Atlas, Nanook, Prometheus, or Black Bear and run it in another action no problem. We take headspace tolerances very serious and are quick to no go a bolt if it's not perfect.
The argument between 60 vs 90 is purely a shooters preference situation... But... The speed thing always aggravates me when it gets brought up by shooters or my customers... An experienced, well knowledged shooter, isn't going to care how fast an action is... It's about how smooth it is. And there is ZERO denying how smooth all the Kelbly's are.
I could easily argue that I run a 90 action as fast, if not faster, than a 60 action purely on the fact that cocking pressure on a three lug is almost double what I feel in my Kelbly's when opening the bolt, thus adding time to getting it open... Like I said, it's all shooters/customers preference and what they want, but speed is not a factor that should be considered when looking for an action...
We have had this conversation before. I have the old bolts, tried a new one with the new extractor etc. I have ran the bolt easy, hard, anyway it can be ran and 1 or 2 will fall off every single match. Had 2 flip and go back in the chamber at the PRS Finale and that was the final straw for me running BR cases for PRS in these actions. For a guy like me it doesn't really matter as far as score but its frustrating to give points away because I have to get a case out of the action with my finger. It has been talked about on this thread. Ian even commented on it, you have commented on it. Great actions but not perfect for BR cases with the mechanical ejection.
I had no idea you are with Kelbly's. So all Kelbly steel actions are stainless- great to know! Your webpages have too few details & specs (hence the stainless question), especially for the BBT. Adding data would surely improve the customer experience and probably increase sales a bit. Thanks for the replies!
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Yes they went to a 1 piece bolt a couple years ago. The handles on the newer 1 piece bolts are straight and the older designs have a slight cut/dip on the bolt handle. You can get multiple knobs.
I'm asking if the bolt handle and bolt are one machined piece- not just the bolt? Thnx
At about 2:27 he says the Aluminum bolt handle threads into the one piece CroMoly bolt. Before that he mentions the bolt is a one piece design (unmentioned is that the bolt handle is a second separate piece).
I shoot professionally for Kelbly's, I am not involved with the business side of things other than marketing the products and a little R&D when they ask us for it, granted Ian and I do talk on just about a weekly basis.
Just to be clear, all of the TACTICAL actions are stainless, not all of the Kelbly actions...our benchrest/f class actions (also known as the Panda) are aluminum.
The bolt body and extension up towards the handle are one piece machined, then the handle extension and bolt knob are separate due to customers wanting different length handles and bolt knobs.
Technically it's already been introduced but I don't think many have seen it, and we haven't really announced it. We now offer an Atlas Lite variant for lightweight hunting that is at a lower price point compared to the Nanook. Same overall performance of the original Atlas, but much lighter and set up for the Hawkins direct mount rings. (You can still run the 20 MOA base if you don't wanna run the Hawkins rings)
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Figure this would be the first place to ask, anyone looking for a BLACKBEAR inlet Envy Pro with full weight kit and options? basically what you get with a NYX minus the barreled action. Its the original one and not lightweight and is used but not abused. Just culling the herd from what I know I'm going to be more engaged with.
Older thread, but, thought i'd mention that I just got off the phone with Ian Kelbly to order a Black Bear action (long action, right bolt, right port, .532 boltface but went ahead and ordered a .473 bolt as well - planning on just shooting 30-06 Improved for now.... which has ended up my fave long range caliber .... I dont compete, i just shoot for fun, I like the extra "pop" over 308, but still having better barrel life than the magnum calibers.... and i've got almost 600 pieces of brand new lapua brass in 06, and a manson chambering reamer, and 06 improved dies, etc etc)
Ive had a lot of guns over the years, some decently nice ones, some with a fair amount of work done to them, but I decided to go full custom this time. This thread, and threads like it, are part of why i went that way. I appreciate companies getting online and talking about stuff too.
Have a couple barrel blanks here that i'll need to get threaded / chambered (both med/heavy palma contours, finish to 30"), need to shop around for those services soon. One krieger 5R, one Bartlein 400BB 5R
Anyways, its too bad the black bear actions weren't more popular, i love the sound of them. A flat bottom / stiff action sounds good to me (main target rifles before this a sleeved rem 700 and a post 64 model 70, and a TRG42).
For stock, i may just build up something in wood. I need about a 12.5" LOP, and i like a fully adjustable stock (cheekpiece, 3 way ass, etc). Will see. Not sure if I want to go chassis right now. fave rifle is sleeved 700 in a converted Anschutz stock, single shot, 5018 trigger, short stock thats fully adjustable. Thats my "happy place" for stocks. (I might want to take that stock and convert it to this action, but..... if I do, i'll never restock the old one, so.... right now trying to think of, find, something similar. Short LOP, small pistol grip area / short reach to trigger.... that all makes me happy)
i love the sound of these. A flat bottom / stiff action sounds good to me (main target rifles before this a sleeved rem 700 and a post 64 model 70, and a TRG42, with a number of others left unmentioned...). Esp getting into calibers with more recoil / torque than a .308, and running 30" barrels
So, too bad these actions weren't more popular, but am definitely excited to get mine
Ive had a lot of guns over the years, some decently nice ones, some with a fair amount of work done to them, but I decided to go full custom this time. This thread, and threads like it, are part of why i went that way. I appreciate companies getting online and talking about stuff too.
Have a couple barrel blanks here that i'll need to get threaded / chambered (both med/heavy palma contours, finish to 30"), need to shop around for those services soon. One krieger 5R, one Bartlein 400BB 5R
Anyways, its too bad the black bear actions weren't more popular, i love the sound of them. A flat bottom / stiff action sounds good to me (main target rifles before this a sleeved rem 700 and a post 64 model 70, and a TRG42).
For stock, i may just build up something in wood. I need about a 12.5" LOP, and i like a fully adjustable stock (cheekpiece, 3 way ass, etc). Will see. Not sure if I want to go chassis right now. fave rifle is sleeved 700 in a converted Anschutz stock, single shot, 5018 trigger, short stock thats fully adjustable. Thats my "happy place" for stocks. (I might want to take that stock and convert it to this action, but..... if I do, i'll never restock the old one, so.... right now trying to think of, find, something similar. Short LOP, small pistol grip area / short reach to trigger.... that all makes me happy)
i love the sound of these. A flat bottom / stiff action sounds good to me (main target rifles before this a sleeved rem 700 and a post 64 model 70, and a TRG42, with a number of others left unmentioned...). Esp getting into calibers with more recoil / torque than a .308, and running 30" barrels
So, too bad these actions weren't more popular, but am definitely excited to get mine
