How It's Made: Bat Custom Rifle Actions

Have you ever wondered how a custom rifle action is machined and assembled? I certainly have, and in this video I'll take you on a tour of the shop at Bat Machine in Post Falls Idaho and in the process show you how they build world record setting rifle actions!

-------------------------------------------
Ultimate Reloader LLC / gavintoobe Disclaimer:

You alone are responsible for the safety of yourself and your property.

Check local and state laws before undertaking any activity involving possessing, transporting, and shooting firearms. Check local and state laws before attempting to load ammunition or perform any modifications to a firearm. Always abide by the law. Always practice gun safety.

The content on this channel (including videos, ammunition reloading data, technical data, comments, and any other information contained within) is for demonstration purposes only.

Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described in this video or on this YouTube channel (gavintoobe).

Any reloading data supplied on this YouTube channel (gavintoobe) or in this video, including any comments from viewers and readers must be assumed to be in error.

Always consult at least three sources of manufacturer's ammunition reloading data before reloading your own ammunition.

Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information found on this YouTube channel or in this video.

Gunsmithing procedures should only be performed only by a licensed gunsmith.

Ultimate Reloader, LLC can not be held liable for any harm caused to any individual or any personal property related to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this YouTube channel (gavintoobe) or in this video.

By watching this video in whole or in part, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this YouTube channel (gavintoobe) or in this video.

-------------------------------------------
Ultimate Reloader LLC / gavintoobe Material Connection Notice:

The following Ultimate Reloader partners are featured in this video:
- Bat Machine

Ultimate Reloader partnerships involve one or more of the following:
Product supplied for evaluation + testing + features in videos/articles, paid advertising and promotions, engineering and product development services, scientific testing and evaluation, external media production and related marketing services.

Ultimate Reloader LLC is committed to publishing subjective and data-driven information+insights related to products whether it be favorable or unfavorable or both.

[geckoproductions]

I'm a Texas gunsmith and I'm sayin this video is so cool on so many different levels. First the absolutely "beam me up Scotty" gee whiz of the machines themselves. Second, Mr. Thom actually knows what he's talking about AND is willing to talk about it. I'm not gonna compete with these guys on my old lathe and Bridgeport, but WOW what a nice video! Thanks

[godofmtal]

people freaking out about how much "waste" there is. it's machining from a solid block of steel. that's just the way it goes. but what, you think they just throw all the shavings in the garbage can? 🤣 stuff like that is usually sold back to the forging company. nothing is really "wasted" though to help justify product cost some places would love to have you believe that.

[ericjohnson]

I own one of his SV actions for my 20 Dasher on a Bartlein barrel and couldn't be happier, their customer service is one of the best out there and will go back for another action.

[David]

I am lucky enough to own 2 BAT actions (for 6BR and 300 WSM). They are expensive but of amazing quality. It was great to see the build process.

[rreye]

It’s cool to get an engineers perspective instead of a commercial from the marketing department.

A few slow moments in the conversation but it’s all awesome to see!

[wingbolt]

I'm a gauge maker at a tool and die shop and I program/setup/run Wire EDM. Everything is spot on and seems to be a very good order of operations. Including machining after heat treatment process. If heat treatment was done after machining, the molecule restructure in the steel will cause severe warping and twisting of the action. His process takes longer and I'm sure increases the tooling costs in his shop but that's the price to pay when doing something close to perfection. Nice video and shop.

[ianmoone]

I’m old / retired (64) and taking up manual machining as a hobby late in life after a lifetime wood butchering.
Saving for my manual lathe now, but have my Bridgeport mill already (72 years old so older than I am.

If I lived another 100 years I doubt I could ever learn to manually machine a receiver and bolt that would ever function let alone be accurate.

I’ve been shooting for ~ 43 years all up, and have always been amazed at the engineering and machining that goes into gun smithing as well as wooden rifle stock manufacture.

If I could “do over” my life again, I would take up gun smithing as a young man and become good at it with time & experience.

The CNC aspect of this manufacturing just blows my mind.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this video.

Thank you so much for the effort to record it & thanks to Bat actions for allowing us to see it.

Sadly living downunder, I would never get a gunsmiths manufacturing license from our Police Firearms enforcement / licensing branch - they are super super strict about policing the manufacture or repairs on firearms - the hoops to jump through are basically impossible to satisfy.

I have nothing but admiration for gunsmiths and stock makers.

I think it takes a special type of person to have that much attention to detail.

Even if I only made one custom rifle to hand down to my 2 sons I reckon I could die a happy man.

Way things are going here (downunder we have the most strict firearms laws of anywhere in the world) - with the new even tougher laws about to be passed by parliament - it’s going to be basically impossible even to keep the 3 firearms I’ve had for the last 43 + years.

Annual evaluations by a clinical psychologist, annual permission letters by farm owners to allow you to shoot on their property, stringent gun safes and security measures to prevent against theft and so on.

I fear the shooting sports downunder are in their final death throes.

We have no 2nd amendment right to arm bears! 😜😂

“econd Amendment Right to Bear Arms
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

It’s a sad old world we now live in ruled by woke lefty lunatic fringe tree huggin dope smokin land rights for gay whales Greta Thunbergs of this world unfortunately.

Glad I likely won’t live long enough to see it get much worse before my time is up.

[feelnrite]

It is amazing that people are smart enough to make these machines let alone use them. This was a very informative video that I just happened on to.

[matthewdonoghue]

As a machinist and former gunsmith I really appreciate this video. If I was making an action for myself I would use 4140 and 17-4 so I have a deep respect for the manufacturing choices BAT have made with their actions. My only wish is that they had shown how they make their firing pin tips and what hardness and material they are made from.

[Archfile]

A BAT action is on my bucket list, I handled one at my gunsmith. Jewelry is a perfect description. Go back and listen to it opening and closing in the final assembly area!

[hughstewart]

Man. These guys are awesome. I love the akward silences of two people that are just too damn smart. Lol

[glennhenderson]

Thanks for the tour of the BAT manufacturering facility. I enjoy seeing the best of the best, the pinnacle of any industry. They are simply stunning.

[dennisbush]

My family shoots and we now have three BAT actions we love them. Great video to see the care and hard work put into each action I appreciate them even more now. The actions are so smooth and take so little effort to work the bolt they have been great for teaching my kids to shoot benchrest.

[robinepps]

I bought a different action at the beginning of my 33xc build. As i was acquiring all my parts, i decided to sell that action and buy a Bat CT action! Best decision I made with the build!
Steve is a awesome person to deal with! He was available as early as 5am!

[charlesmynhier]

I did enjoy this. I have built several rifles from scratch same as he, but I did everything on manual machines. Even with all the skill I have, I would not be able to work in his shop, but I can appreciate the quality of his products. Those are some beautiful parts.

[spencertoolandgrind]

Precision shooting magazine did an article on BAT many years back. The investment they made, over the years is amazing. Cry once an own a BAT

[Ultimatereloader]

Hey everyone- lots of questions to the effect of: "why do you heat treat first, then machine, doesn't that cause more tool wear?". The reason is to prevent the distortion you'll get if you heat treat AFTER machining. Bat is all about "doing it right".

[tommyroberts]

Amazing how smart some people are to come up with these machines

[indigooutdoorservices]

After this video I made my mind up and ordered an action for my 300 Norma. BAT Action was in my top 3 but they became my 1st choice. Can’t wait to get my hands on my action. Thanks for great content!

[willyct]

This gentleman has got everything of the best machines. (Sodick, Mazak etc.)