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ABT Rifle Systems By Vince Bottomley


But, although the stock is an impressive piece of work, it’s the action which really bristles with innovation. For me, there is no finer action than the BAT Model M. If I were making my own action, this would be my starting point – simple two-lug design, rugged, and arguably the most beautiful action on the planet – am I biased? You bet but, I do have three!


However, if you’ve never seen the BAT, you might well be influenced by other designs and, in the case of ABT, if I had to name those influences, I would be thinking Unique Alpine, Accuracy International, RPA – to name but three. The ABT is however like none of these but the multi-lug bolt, Bellville washer-stack and the overall appearance inevitably draw comparison.


The action actually clamps into the stock, which, in theory eliminates bedding problems though it can be made with a flat underside for those wishing to use a conventional stock and bedding methods.


The ultra-short throw on the firing-pin is designed to reduce lock-time to an absolute minimum – a desirable feature on any rifle but less so on a rested rifle. Wisely, the ABT will take a Jewel or similar Remington pattern trigger – a great selling-point often overlooked by innovators but essential to discerning shooters.


Although the rifle in the photographs is ready to shoot, it perhaps needs to make up its mind which discipline it is aimed at – the stock fore-end is too short for F Class, for Target Rifle it would need some decent aperture sights and as magazine-fed tactical rifle, the stock would need sorting and a more appropriate barrel fitting.


In summation, it is an impressive project and I hope that ABT will soon take it to the next level and we will see a complete rifle, which will hopefully fall into a specific category and allow Target Shooter to evaluate it properly.


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