Opinions on bolt action please

Strabs

New member
What I'm looking for is a bombproof (well, maybe very abuse proof ;) ) pre-64 type action bolt gun chambered in .308 Win.
I've done lots of research and find that what seem to be the most proven are the Winchesters (good luck finding a full size one though), and rechambered/rebarelled Mausers.
What kind of opinions are there on the RugerM77 and (if they make a comparable gun)a Savage compared to the Win's or Mausers?

Thanks
 
Strabs. Just like the TV commercial says,"Maybe I'm a little partial." Well I'm more than a little, I'm a lot partial. I get the impression you want a controlled feed, "goofproof" rifle. So here are my choices in descending order. Mauser, Win. Mod. 70 Classic (current version) Ruger Mod. 77 MkII. Savage purports to have a form of controlled feed, but it is not of the Mauser claw type, therefore I am very skeptical. (Told you I was very Partial)
Assuming you plan on locating a complete rifle rather than building one up from components, My suggestions would run along these lines. Try to locate a Mark X Mauser. Nice rifles, unfortunately no longer imported. I had two, a .300 Win.ag. and a .375 H&H mag. Both were well made and very accurate. I consider the Win. 70 Classic and Ruger 77 MkII to be nearly equal. The Winchester's trigger is adjustable, the Ruger's is not. The Ruger is a bit less expensive, so the cost of replacing the trigger with a Timney won't be that big a deal.
I'm not sure Sears ever sold J.C. Higgins model 50s in .308, but if they did and you found a good one, I'd snap it up like a striking cobra. These were made on FN Mauser actions made in Belgium. Barrels and stocks were made by High Standard and H/S assembled the rifles for Sears. These rifles are real sleepers, and are very accurate, at least the three I have are.
Why do I like the Mauser action over the others? They're the original. The others are copies. Good copies, but copies nontheless. Paul Mauser designed his rifle for the most serious shooting of all. War. He wanted a rifle that raw recruits would not screw up or jam in the terrors of war. He wanted a rifle that was rugged.
You might find a good Mod. 98 mauser in .308. With a few simple changes to the stock, grinding down the raised portion of the clip guide, bending the bolt handle to clear the scope, and removing the double pull of the military trigger will make a fair sporting rifle. The cost will probably run about the same as buying the Ruger MkII, but that choice is for you to make. A full blown custom job? Well, I built a .280 Rem. on a 1909 Argentine Mauser for $2800. A Steyr 1912 Mauser was made into a very lightweight sporter for $1400. A J.C. Higgins in .270 was made into a pre-war style mauser sporter in 7x57 for $500. The Higgins cost me $250 to buy new, and the barrel was shot out. As you can see, I much prefer the Mauser for my sporting rifles.
Partial? Me? I'm not partial to Mausers, I'm prejudiced in favor of them.
Paul B.
 
one over looked claw extraction pre 64 is the cz 550.its a great action to start out with but plan on spending a lot of money customizing it.parts are not readily available like remington and winchesters
 
Gunmart--the original Ruger 77 was a push-feed action with a "Mauser looking" extractor. The 77 mkII is pure controlled-feed.
 
I have a zillion rifles and they all get 6" groups. Don't do what I do:
1) buy cheap guns
2) shoot once
 
I know you've been looking for a Winchester Classic Stainless in .308, Strabs. I recommend you hold out a bit longer. I looked for about 14 months and found one like new in box with a Zeiss 3-9x (USA) in Leupold rings and bases for 800 bucks...

One minor complaint is the bolt lift is quite stiff as the firing pin spring is very heavy. Minor. Other than that, it is just about perfect for my purposes.

I've made satisfactory rifles on the Mauser action and now I'm gearing up to build a .308 Utility Rifle up on a polished FN Columbian Mauser. This action has never had a barrel on it- it's straight off the mill. Each time the rifles get a little better- the metal work will cost you the most if you go to a gunsmith- provided you're not going to go for a full custom stock... This time I'll go for a 20" #2 contour, a Classic Microfit stock- probably with the Neider steel butt plate, a parkerized finish or perhaps rust blue depending on how much time I feel I have, and peep sights like the Gunsite ones...

Keep up the search... Try gunbroker.com
 
:eek: Debee, was that the one at Gunbroker.com? If so I tried to get a hold of the guy with no reply. You lucky dog.

[This message has been edited by Strabs (edited August 27, 2000).]
 
Clark: There's a ton of info on accurizing in the archives here at TFL. It's very easy to turn such guns into sub-2MOA critters, and not all that hard to make them into tack-drivers. Generally, it's more labor than parts, too.

Buy some books and a few tools, and practice on your cheapest "el cheapo". If you goof, you haven't lost much...And after all, nobody was born an expert anything.

FWIW, Art
 
Strabs--

It was not the guy at gunbroker.com so keep hammering away...

Prepare yourself for a lightweight well balanced thunderstick that is damn near bomb proof. The stock happens to fit me very well- length of pull, distance to trigger, no cheekpiece- slaps right up into position...

I shot a 4" group offhand with sling with only a Warne Peep Base and a front sight which was taped on for testing, pretty good for me with the first 5 rounds out of the gun-- and get this, the rifle has no bedding in it! Either the previous owner somehow removed it or the factory skipped this step-- there is not a trace of bedding or scratches or grinding to indicate removal.

As an aside, make sure you get a scope with plenty eye relief like some of the Leupolds because the rear ring in far forward extending maybe 1/2" over the ejection port-- the Zeiss didn't work for me with only 3 1/2" of eye relief...

I was going to do a Scout type or Sniper Scout conversion but now I might just leave it as is and send it to Arnold Arms for their accurizing package which includes a much needed pillar bedding among other goodies...
 
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