Gunsmithing BAT Questions

[scotharr]

I posted a similar thread in the rifles section, but have some gunsmithing questions I thought more appropriate for here:

1. Anyone built a tactical/hunting rig with BAT? your experience?
2. BAT says the bolt body to action clearance is .0025" for the varmint repeater. Is this adequate for a field gun?
3. My gunsmith offered to machine an extra thousandth off the bolt body to provide more clearance (BAT seems unwilling to do this as they are too busy). Do you think this is a good idea and should any special techniques or precautions be used? How much of an impact on accuracy will this have?
4. The BAT actions use a sliding plate extractor. How safe, reliable, and durable is this in comparison to the Remington extractor or the mini-M16 extractor (308 bolt face). I'm not interested in a Sako for safety reasons.
5. All the parts on the BAT action seem proprietary: firing pin, extractor, bolt, firing pin springs, ejector, etc. I want a rifle I can bequeath to my grandchildren. HOw concerned should I be about spare parts availability and the like?
6. Seems like BAT and Surgeon are the only makers offering an integral picatinny rail and recoil lug. So, I am narrowing my selection down to these two.
7. I want to cerakote the action and bolt body: how much clearance should I have before and after? My research indicates cerakote is between .0005" and .001" thick when applied. I would do the bolt body but not the inside of the action.
Thanks much.

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: BAT Questions

redmist here has one. See a pic a couple post down on this link

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=669677&page=33

 

[427Cobra]

Re: BAT Questions

No question in my mind that BAT is the best, but for our game Surgeon is a better choice, there stronger than need be, use off the self replacement parts, and they are a lot tighter than a Remington receiver but not so tight a spec of dirt will lock it up.

 

[brand692]

Re: BAT Questions

I have a BAT 3LL action on order. I suspect I'll see it in 6 months or so. While BAT considers it a Long Action, it actually has the screw spacing of a 700 SA, so it will accept the Badger bottom metal. I had it custom ordered with a left sight port and repeater cut.

Basically, It is a Octagonal Three Lug, Short Action, Right Bolt, Left Sight Port, Right Eject Port, Repeater, set up to accept a Badger Ordinance bottom metal.

I hoping to build a highly accurate, short throw, 308 repeater. Time will tell if the tolerances are too tight to be a reliable shooter.

 

[zenbiker]

Re: BAT Questions

Don't bother opening up the clearance on the BAT bolt. Flute it to catch the crap, go ahead and CERAKOTE it, and enjoy one fo the very best actions ever made.

 

[scotharr]

Re: BAT Questions

I spoke to an XTC shooter here in Phoenix who uses a BAT three-lug for XTC and Palma. He said the action is indeed too tight for that kind of shooting and gets stuck once in a while. The BAT three-lug is built to benchrest specs with .0015" clearance. I am looking at the Varmint repeater with .0025" clearance, hopefully that will make a difference. If I understand the Surgeon specs correctly, that is the same clearance they use when the bolt is in battery. Would definitely get it fluted as suggested.

 

[brand692]

Re: BAT Questions

Forgot to mention I did have it fluted.

I also have a stiller. That is a fantastic action and while I'm not sure of the specifics on tolerance and clearance numbers, it would be a suitable, much more cost efficient action. And usually they are on the shelf.

 

[MWDG3]

Re: BAT Questions

My BAT 3L showed up with deep straight flutes(required for their ejector). I'll have the bolt and receiver nitro-carburized and probably leave the inside alone.

It's BIG and HEAVY, 1.4" dia IIRC. A buddy Surgeon XL owner fondled it and was very impressed. I believe Bat has a lighter version. For the same price I like the flat bottom 3 lug over the Surgeon. Mine is a right bolt, left port with Surgeon DBM. Sometime next year it will end up a .243/.308 switch barrel.