Who makes the best bolt act. gun

A

A.Rex

New member
Of the modern gun makers, in hunting calibers.

Saw a Ruger the other day and was pretty impressed with how nicely put together it was, seems they stepped up a notch from a decade ago. Tikka and Savage are great, and of course the REM 700 series, gotta love 'em, but there's others out there as well. Winchester, Browning, Steyr, the list goes on...

Let's put the price cap at $1200 to keep it reasonable.
Who's the best?
 
The same guys who make the best semi-auto: CZ.

They're using the best ('98) action, complete with third lug, their craftsmanship can't be beat, and the price tag lets you put about $700 worth of optics on it without going over-budget, assuming you meant $1200 total. You'll never spend a penny on extractors, nor will your grandchildren, which is something very few modern/cheaper designs can say.

Steve
 
Well, RFD is going to make another 10 actions... He wants $1,200 apiece.

Yeah, that's ONLY the action.

If I were going to build a varmint rifle today, I'd go with a Stolle, a Viper, or a Nesika Bay action, a Shilen barrel, Jewell trigger and a McMillan EDGE stock...
 
Winchester M70. They brought back the famous "Pre-64" action - itself an improved version of the venerable Mauser 98 - with better metallurgy and tighter tolerances. The trigger is a marvel of reliable simplicity. You get the famous three-position M70 safety on a field-strippable bolt. With controlled-round feed and the cone breech, it's suitable for a DGR. Your $1200 price cap will allow for a modest amount of customizing, if you so desire.
 
I'm gonna catch hell for this, but I'll take a Browning A-bolt any day over a Remington 700. I've had two Brownings (270 and 300WM), and one Remington 700 (30-06). The Brownings have better features and easily shoots inside the groups that Remington does. And, they are box stock! The Remington has had about 500 dollars worth of gun smithing done to get it to shoot and it will still only shoot 1.25" at 100 yards. The 270 will shoot 3/4" all day with factory loads and the 300 is shooting around an inch with the first loads I've tried so far (Hornady SST 150 grains). I can't wait to start trying other loads in it.
 
"CZ...their craftsmanship can't be beat"

Actually, yes they can and by every manufacturer mentioned, by a mile. Average wood, sloppy fit, gritty trigger, CZ rifles may work well but their fit and manufacture is substandard. Nowhere near the top of the food chain.

My vote goes to either Sako or Blazer.
 
What is the real difference in actions? What makes the extra $$$ worth it?

Better construction? OK, I'll give the "other" actions that. What is the actual effect in longevity, accuracy, etc.? Is it just like comparing a stock Springfield Armory pistol to a Les Baer or Wilson pistol? Stock vs. something that is specially made with a little more attention to detail and closer tolerances? What will these "other" actions do that a Remington or Winchester will not (given proper tuning, if needed)?

Not trying to knock anyone's opinion, but I would like to know exactly why I might have reason to go with one of the "custom" actions.
 
I'll take a gun with a Remington action, the Winchester three position safety, the Browing 60 degree bolt rotation/BOSS system. I like the ease in which you can adjust the trigger on a Browning, as well. Right now my favorite rifles are being manufactured by Browning. Next week that may change. I haven't owned a rifle from every gun maker but I have owned Winchester, Remington, and Browning bolt action rifles and I have to give the slight edge to Browning. They are accurate out of the box, I really do like the BOSS system. I have shot a few Rugers and Savage rifles but not enough to get a real long term impression. I have never seen a rifle that didn't have at least something unique about it. With all the new guns with new chamberings being manufactured, it is really a good time to participate in sport shooting.
 
Brownings are nice rifles...

I was considering a nice Browning A bolt in 300 WSM, who knows what will happen with this cartridge?, because I can't stand the feel of Winchester rifles. I love the fit and finish but I cant say I really "love" the way the A bolt looks. BOSS is definitely very attractive for accuracy but really takes away from the lines of the rifle. Hopefully, by the time I get my pennies saved for one 300 WSM will be a "common" cartridge.
 
I forgot to mention, neither of my Brownings have the BOSS system on them. I think it's a great idea for a rifle with mediocre initial accuracy. But I've never found Browning rifles bad enough out of the box to need it. Plus, I'd always be tinkering with the damn thing. I prefer to just find the right load for each rifle. And with Brownings, I know the right load is not far away.
 
We build precision bolt guns in my shop, MD Labs.

We use Winchester pre 64 type model 70 or 70 Classic actions; or in preference, the excellent Dakota 76 action.
Barrels by Pac Nor or Obermyer, depending on customer preference and/or availability.
Pick any caliber.
Totally custom stocks in wood or composite.
Optics and iron sights of customer choice.
Other options include leopard lights, interchangable recoil pads, night vision, and custom cases, slings, etc.
All weapons are double coated with our proprietary MD Labs Super Tefcoat II and weatherized to the Nth degree. We build them so you can swim with them if you have to.

They are very accurate, typically printing 1/2 moa or better at 200 meters.

Sorry, but you can not get the "best" for $1200.00.
The Dakota 76 action alone wholesales for that.
$1200.00 worth is about a decent entry level, stock component package price, and will get you a decent out of the box gun and a middle of the road scope. Not much else.

If you want the "best" you must spend some more money, and be prepared to wait a bit to get what you want.
My current delivery time on rifles is about two years.

For example, I am now building a Dakota 76 actioned magnum hunter right now.
It has a custom made laminate stock with exhibition grade walnut exterior, compression bedding, Super Tefcoat II on all metal surfaces, Pac Nor Super Match barrel with custom muzzle brake, banded ramp front sight with tritium insert, adjustable rear express sight, interchangable winter/summer recoil pads, hand rubbed oil finish, flush sling swivels in three position config, and Warne scope bases/rings.
Optics will be a Schmidt & Bender 1.5-6 X 42mm IR scope.
Custom fitted hard case, etc.
Total package cost is in the $8000.00 range.

BTW: McMillan stocks suck now. They used to be the best, but their quality has nosedived badly. I won't use them anymore.

-Mad Dog
 
remington trigger
win claw extractor and safety
browning bolt
savage barrel mount/head space
ruger mounts


full rifles
Howa
Win REpre64
Savage 110
rem mod7
 
"best bolt act. gun. Of modern gun makers, in hunting calibers."


Given those parameters, I'd definitely recommend checking out the CZ line of rifles.

Wide range of hunting calibers available; good value for the price; improved mauser action; integral receiver mounts; excellent shooters out of the box.

The stocks could be better, and some dislike the euro-"hogback" shape, but for the $$$ you're saving you can upgrade to a custom synthetic or wood stock later. My opinion, but you'd still be under that $1200.
 
Browning A-Bolt. 60° three lug bolt turns faster than the 90° Remington bolt. I have both rifles but really love the Browning. Plus it came with a real nice laminated thumbhole stock.

Get one, you won't be disappointed!
 
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