For those of you having experience with both, is one better than the other? Is it just preference? Like Chevy vs Ford?
BAT vs Defiance?
- Thread starter Safariman
- Start date
The Bat HR and the Deviant long actions. Both (either) would be used in a chassis.
I would certainly be open to suggestions.
I would certainly be open to suggestions.
Bat actions are arguably the best there is. The TR is an excellent prs style action. The HR/vampire/bumblebee are amazing for hunting. The new igniter line is prob the best thing out there for 1100$, especially the long action 338 version, has the same 1-1/8" tenon and larger lugs of the HR.
I have both. The first Custom action I ever bought was a BAT HR. I bought it new sight unseen based solely on what I had read about them. I shouldn't have done that. The only thing I like better about the BAT is the tenon thread size for large diameter cartridges. I think the Deviant is a much better action than a BAT HR.
My buddy has a BAT and has had a lot of issues getting it to reliably extract fired cartridges. We've pulled his shit apart and double checked barrel dimensions, ensured nothing goofy going on in the chamber, etc... and can't figure out why it's doing it. Extractor just decides "Nope" 10-15% of the time. In the time waiting to get his stuff back from BAT in working order he bought a Nucleus and is very happy with it. Also, this is completely subjective, but I hate how their bolt handle looks on the top side.
I used to bag on Defiance for the overly tight bolt/receiver fit but I think anymore they've backed off of that stuff so you can cerakote them or run them in a little bit of dirt. Also, I'm still not a complete fan of SS being nitrided, but provided you don't grenade your action with handloads, they run pretty fucken slick.
Machining and finishing on both is exceptional. Personally I'd lean towards Defiance between the two, but neither would on the top of my list. YMMV.
I used to bag on Defiance for the overly tight bolt/receiver fit but I think anymore they've backed off of that stuff so you can cerakote them or run them in a little bit of dirt. Also, I'm still not a complete fan of SS being nitrided, but provided you don't grenade your action with handloads, they run pretty fucken slick.
Machining and finishing on both is exceptional. Personally I'd lean towards Defiance between the two, but neither would on the top of my list. YMMV.
I prefer Defiance Deviant because you can customize a lot of things that you can't with BAT: port length, magwell cut, bolt handle shape and angle, bolt knob, blind bolt stop/release pin, tang thickness, rail cant, bolt shroud, etc. You can also specify the clearances if you plan on Cerakote. They offer two difference clearance specs. A lot of people don't know this and complain about Defiance being too tight to run dirty or Cerakote. But if you call 'em they can customize the clearances for you.
At one point Defiance was offering DLC as an option on their actions. I love my DLC'ed and polished Defiance action, which is sadly for sale.
The Defiance's of old could be pretty finicky in adverse conditions, with their tight clearances. Not a great fit for cerakote.
I have BAT HRs and VRs. Defiance Rebels, Ruckus, Tenacity actions. And just got my hands on the new BAT Vampire and Bumblebee’s.
All are extremely nice actions. Haven’t had any poor performance issues with any of them. I will say that the BATs are noticeably “smoother cycling” for me. Especially the melonite treated ones.
All are extremely nice actions. Haven’t had any poor performance issues with any of them. I will say that the BATs are noticeably “smoother cycling” for me. Especially the melonite treated ones.
