Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats BAT Actions.

I am thinking of using a BAT action on a 22-250AI walking varmiter. Anyone have an expiereance with them?

I doubt you'll find a better action for a varmiter, and would be my choice if I was to build another rifle!

Maybe aalf will chime in I think he may have 1 or 10 lying around......

There are many custom actions available. BAT is very popular today. A Panda was the popular choice 10-15 years ago.

BAT actions are nice actions. when I was in business I used several of them for customers. how much time do you have. the last time I called to order a BAT I was quoted an 18 month delivery time. are they "better" than any other custom actions, that I don't know.

Several dealers stock BAT actions so the wait time is moot. Check over on accurateshooter.com for a list of stocking dealers.

Check out the Surgeon 591 action too.....I have several & they have never disappointed!!

I have a couple Bats on BR rifles, but a hunting rifle, NO!

Have friends that have them on hunting rifles with no issues, bolt clearance is snug but they work fine!

I am not worried about the bolt clearance. This will be going on a varmint rig that won't see really rough use in nasty conditions.

I believe the clearance is pretty close if not the same as my Borden Timberline, and I've never had any issues!

I think you will really like a BAT for a varmiter!

Someone holler?

Good morning aalf..... Pretty sure those get used more than a little!

Bat actions are the best for Benchrest, no question.

They are a bit heavy, and a bit tight for a filed gun like a walking rifle.. a good deal of the tact guys go with Sturegon or Defiance due to that.

Mormin'......

The top one is the newest 6.5x47 Lapua, with nothing more than paper/steel/milk jugs for kills so far.

The bottom one in 6x47 Lapua has been carried all over hell for coyotes, with more than a couple to it's credit.

I assume the OP is talking about the VR series, which has a S/A 700 footprint for a walking varminter, and not the BR series actions to which you refer.

The 2 pictured are Melanited VR actions.

I am indeed talking about the VR action.

If that is what you are looking for, don't forget to check out the Borden and Pierce actions too.

+1 or +2

I've owned a couple & they are excellent.

I have a VR in 6x47 Lapua. Great actions but the bolt is extremely tight. Cerakote adds .001 thickness and even that little amount causes clearance issues. Ive coated tons of custom actions BATS are the tightest. For varmint hunting I don't see an issue but for hunting I wouldn't chance it.

I'm going stainless and bead blasted so clearance shouldn't be an issue.

I already have a Manners ready to go.

Looks as if Shiraz has a good selection.

Different company........

Chris Harris's company.

yes I have one, I like the VR pic model which has the lug and pic rail built in. its a very stiff action. I think it helps alot. I would also look at a defiance, which you can get the same options on. they are the only other company that makes the lug and rail built in. surgeon last time I looked wasn't taking new orders.

Several vendors sell Surgeon actions ready to go.

The surgeon actions are a little too tacticool for my taste. The same reason I would not go with the built in picitinny rail on the BAT. Just don't care for the ascetics.

Hm...integrated rail = no screw heads, no parting line... What ascetics are you referring to (or do you want separate direct-mount rings/bases)? The integration is IMHO a great feature - no screws to loosen, no mounting issues, added rigidity and strength. I recently received a BAT M, single shot, with integrated rail and like it a lot.

Are you interested in the single shot or repeater version?

http://www.brunoshooters.com/category/actions_bat_model_vr.html - 5, all repeaters, all with 0 MOA integrated rail

https://bulletcentral.com/bat-actions/bat-machine-action-model-vr/ - 51, all repeaters, vast majority with 20 MOA integrated rail

BTW, if you are looking for a configuration different from the ones at those sources, going thru them (those two main distributors/resellers) will save you about 50% of the normal lead time going to BAT direct. It did for me.

I'm going with the repeater.

Just don't care at all for the look of the built in rail.