Custom BAT actioned rifle

[stubbicatt]

Guys, I've been homebound for awhile now due to health issues, and with nothing better to do, I've been living life vicariously via the internet. So I've set about to build my "dream rifle." I have concluded it will have a single shot BAT action, and either PacNor or Lilja 3 groove barrel, and be chambered in 6.5x47 Lapua. I haven't exactly decided on a stock yet, but I would (in my dream world) build it to be equally able to shoot NRA long range from a sling supported position with iron sights, as it would "F class". -- I doubt that I would ever compete again seriously, as competition has lost its lustre for me at my age, but the venue for shooting long range is handy, and might be fun once in awhile.

But this is sort of my thinking on it.

What this boils down to is I'm working on building a rifle for which I really have no use whatsoever! Truthfully, I'll bet I shoot it maybe 500 to 1,000 rounds over the remainder of my years on this spinning blue ball. Maybe if I'm ambitious, two or three times a year pull it from the safe and go shoot at extended ranges, clean it, and put it back in the safe. Probably use and reuse the first 100 cases exclusively, never buying any more than that.

Anybody ever do something like this? Buy a rifle that is extremely accurate and then not shoot it much? From a certain perspective it seems like a waste of time and money to me, but from another perspective it seems like it would, or could be, a lot of fun whenever the urge hits me. With a good optic on it, it would be good for long range plinking, right?

I mean, everybody needs an accurate rifle, yes?

 

[Jim Watson]

A friend has one like that, a no holds barred .308 F-TR on a Barnard.
He gets it out for the important events and continues to shoot his Winchester and Savage for the routine matches. Sparing the Bartlein barrel, no doubt.

Go for it.

 

[tobnpr]

I suppose there's something to be said for "because you can."

That said, you've pretty much acknowledged that it's mostly unnecessary.

Fact is, you've got to put rounds down the tube to be able to realize the potential of the rifle, as far as how it shoots and what it likes to eat- as well as your own experience at doping. Short of trigger time, it's going to be just another stick.

Albeit, a really nice one...

The good thing about precision rifles, is that as long as you stick with a fairly mainstream build- you'll always be able to recoup most of your investment, should you ever need to sell.

The difference in accuracy potential between a stick costing five grand, and one costing a grand- isn't really a lot these days if we're truthful. Matters a lot to competition shooters (although, Team Savage won F-Class World a few years ago with bone stock rifles), but not most others.

A Savage LRP will shoot half minute out of the box for a grand, so that's something to keep in perspective.

 

[ndking1126]

I've owned a heavily modified Jeep 85 CJ7 for about a year and only taken it off roading 4x! Absolutely love owning it though! I'm selling it very soon and I will definitely lose money in the whole deal, but I don't regret buying it at all.

I mean, everybody needs an accurate rifle, yes?

Of course..

 

[stubbicatt]

I understand that there are many rifles every bit as accurate as a custom build, true enough. And that Team Savage won a championship. To borrow from another sport, you could put me on Valentino Rossi's Yamaha, and put him on a Big Wheel, and he would still beat me around Valencia Circuit. I feel certain that any one of the guys on Team Savage could outshoot me and probably everyone else on this board, if we swapped back and forth on the same rifle!

Again, everybody has something he likes, and things he does not like. I have never liked Dodge or Plymouth automobiles. Just don't like 'em. Don't care much for the AR15 either. They are perfectly serviceable machines, and are great to those who like them. I kindof feel that way about Savages.

I remember years ago, a friend with a Remington 40X in 22-250 had a guy with a 22-250 Savage outshoot him easily. And this was pre accutrigger days. The Savage fouled something fierce, but there you have it. The Savage is an accurate rifle, to be sure, but I'll skip it.

I bought the BAT action, or rather, put a deposit on it. It is a 3 lug, left port right eject action with a 308 bolt head. Now I'm thinking through the barrel and chambering I would like. --I have pretty much settled on a 6.5x47 Lapua, and a 3 groove barrel, Lilja or PacNor. I figure maybe 28 to 30 inches. This will eke all possible velocity out of it, and allow me to get one rechamber out of it before buying a new barrel. Not sure, but thinking a light Palma contour.

After that, I think I will let it rest for awhile. I have to decide on a stock, and I much prefer wood over plastic or fiberglass or whathaveyou. But wood can be relatively heavy, and I would like it to be really beautiful, but I don't shoot a heavy rifle particularly well from a slung position. I'll take my time in finding the right stock, with adjustable cheek piece and butt assemblies.

Too, I have to get both a sight base and scope base on the receiver, and a proper ladder sight on the muzzle.

It is fun to work at it a little at a time, and see how it turns out. Worse case scenario, I'll have a used BAT action and a nice stock for sale in a few years.

 

[tobnpr]

I'm with ya...

I wasn't suggesting at all to consider purchasing a Savage, only that there's more to a custom build than accuracy.

It's an individual "thing". For me, an automobile is strictly a means of transportation to get me where I want to go...

For many others, it's an extension of their personality, or in some cases, a way to "keep up with the Jones'"

I think that for many of us, our rifles, are like cars are to car enthusiasts. And as I mentioned, like a well chosen classic car that was bought "right", a custom build is easy to sell for very close to what you paid for it. There's often guys that jump at the chance to avoid a six month or longer wait- it's just a matter of finding the right buyer.

Weight, wood can be very comparable to synthetics. My laminate stocks are just under 3 lbs., and that's with a solid forend/barrel channel, no vents, etc. or any attempt at weight reduction.

Good luck with the project, keep us posted.

 

[stubbicatt]

UPDATE?

OK. Have the barreled action. BAT 3 lug action and a 29" long, 1.25" diameter Brux barrel in 6.5x47 Lapua. That thing is heavy. Lester Bruno did an impeccable job on this piece. I bought the brass, dies, a RCBS Summit press, bullets, primers, RL 17 and VV N550. I bought a Farley co-ax front rest and bag. The Farley rest is gawdawful heavy, and I'll need to get some longer screws and wider feet I hear to assure it doesn't sink in soft soil. I bought it used, but you can't tell it is used, it is in perfect condition.

During the time I was saving for a stock, I chose instead of the McMillan, a MasterClass stock with laminated wood and an adjustable cheek piece and 3 way buttpad, "F Class" stock. Long, flat, 3" fore end to ride the bag in the Farley rest. --I haven't settled on a rear bag yet. The bottom of the buttstock looks to be nearly parallel to the forestock, I guess to assure uniform performance shot to shot.

The scope was a hard decision. The standard near as I can tell is the Nightforce BR or Competition scope. I have been reading as much as I can about both of them. In the end I chose a less expensive option, the Sightron SIII 10-50x60 scope with a target dot and crosshair. I bought it used, so if I don't find it suitable, I hope I can sell it for what I paid, or thereabouts. The one thing it has is the side focus/parallax knob, where the Nightforce BR one has to reach out and twirl the objective lens.

I also purchased BAT rings. I don't suppose it really matters, but what the heck. They are pretty nice and it is in keeping with the rest of the setup, and they are aluminum.

So next weekend I hope to drive to Raton to hang out and watch the Worlds F Class Championship. Maybe meet some guys, and learn a lot about the game. The rifle itself is almost ready, and all I have to do now is determine which rear bag i guess. My old Highpower 1980s spotting scope will just have to do for reading mirage etc. I cannot see my way right now to a Kowa.

There's the update.