EAA’s Balikli BLK Offers 700-Style Bolt Action at Budget Price

EAA's new Balikli BLK brings Remington 700-style bolt-action looks and features to the hunting rifle market at a $669 MSRP, and American Rifleman's hands-on review found it delivers real value despite a few rough edges.

Key points

• 700-pattern, not a clone: The BLK's action closely mimics the Remington 700 and fits many aftermarket 700 stocks and rails, though American Rifleman notes minor geometric differences mean some parts, like Timney triggers, won't drop in without gunsmith work.
• Modern touches: Features include a fluted, threaded 20-inch barrel (5/8x24 tpi), a Sako/M16-style extractor instead of Remington's traditional spring extractor, and a relocated left-side bolt release.
• Trigger and fit quibbles: The single-stage trigger broke inconsistently between 3.5 and 3.75 pounds with some creep, and the magazine floor plate fit was uneven, according to the review.
• Accuracy once tightened: After the reviewer caught loose action screws and retorqued them, group averages improved 15 percent to 1.17 inches across nine five-shot groups with three different loads.
• Reliable in the field: American Rifleman reports zero failures to feed, fire, extract or eject across .308 Win. and .30-'06 Sprg. chamberings during testing.

Quick take

This is a budget hunting rifle that borrows heavily from a proven platform without pretending to be a perfect copy. The trigger and floor plate fit are the obvious weak points, but the underlying action and barrel work seem solid for the price. If you want a 700-pattern rifle without paying 700-pattern prices, American Rifleman's review suggests this one is worth a look, provided you're willing to check those action screws yourself.

Read the full story: americanrifleman.org