A quick video discussing the top 5 bolt action rifle designs! 1. Mauser 98 2. Winchester Pre 64 Model 70 3. Remington Model 700 4. Ruger M77 Hawkeye 5. Tikka Model 65/Model 55
I've watched countless RU-vid videos on firearm related topics but have only now discovered yours. I was struck by the mannerisms of your speech and presentation, very honest and without any hidden agendas. Funny that you were seated during this video as I was seated and drinking a cup of coffee so it was like having a conversation about bolt action rifles over breakfast, a great way to start any morning! As I listened to your explanation for the guns chosen, I had to agree with your choices except for the Ruger. I've never been that impressed with them because they always feel clunky and over built, however, if you run out of ammo and have to use your rifle as a club.... well, a Ruger would be high on my list! I've subscribed to your channel and look forward to looking at the rest. FYI - I'm a Winchester Model 70 fan (7x57 and 375H&H).
Hey Paul, that makes me feel great. So good to just sit and talk; share ideas and observations - things we've learned - good times. I know what you mean about Rugers but Bill Ruger worked so hard against all odds and the 77 is okay - even as a club! Yes - the Winchester Model 70 is it. Legend. Same goes for your favorite cartridges. Bye for now.
Yes! Seems we're in the same boat, Paul! I have a 1947 Winchester Model 70 supergrade in 30-06 and got curious about it's history and stumbled across this channel. Very nice!
Thank you! “Modern sporting rifles” are fun to build and shoot but there is something so basic, so satisfying about a fine bolt action rifle. I inherited a rifle chambered in .270 Winchester and built on a Belgian Mauser ‘98 action. It’s pretty much flawless.
Hear! Hear! I have an FN 30-06 and a Husqvarna. 270, as well 2 pre 64s a 270 and an 06. I use and shoot them pretty much interchangeably. All are fine rifles. Absolutely NOTHING wrong with an FN product.❤
I did well as a young man of twenty choosing my own hunting rifle. In 1972 I bought the Ruger 77 in 270 cal. It is still my hunting rifle of choice. I have no regrets.
Mike, I give you five great big YESSES!!!! on your choices! I love my 98 Mauser, and if I had to replace it, I would certainly do so with one of the other choices you showed. There is so much to be spoken of concerning the strength and reliability of the Mauser action. It was the Mona Lisa of rifle design, and always will be. Thank you for such a great presentation!
Hey - thank you for your kind words. The gun community worldwide seems to be a very fine group of people - of course - you're one of them. Thanks again.
Great choices, great rifles, well reasoned and presented. I have a strong preference for the Mauser action although I do own a Remington and a Tikka. Thanks again.
I really like the Mauser 77 that you had another video. I thought it was pretty incredible. If I had one of those I want it in something long range for big game. Like a 300 Winchester magnum or the equivalent in a metric European round. For deer and Hogs less than 200 yards I want a model 94 Winchester. As always thank you!
Just to add a thought about the claw extraction. I have an Argentine Mauser converted to 30-'06 which we have used for feral hogs. The importance of the positive extraction is for use against targets that shoot back; military uses and for dangerous game. There, it is vital that a shooter not run into extraction and/or feeding problems.
I’m a HUGE fan of the CZ 550 action and the old world craftsmanship that goes into it but understand your choice of your top five. Number one cannot be argued with-the M98 is the finest bolt action ever designed. Your other choices were interesting as well. I balked at the Remington 700 but you are correct in its influence on other designs as well as what it offered as an alternative when it came out. Another great video.
The Remington 700 has earned its reputation. There is a reason the military and police chose it. I would agree with you on the CZ 550. I have one in 308 WIN that I will never part with. With Handloads I get 0;33" groups using a cheap Nikon Pro Staff 3x9x40 scope. I am not a fan of the set trigger on the CZ because it's gritty, but it works.
@@DucDNA Remington is junk they put millions in danger with their crappy trigger safety design. Then they tried to cover it up, glad they went bankrupt those guns need to be melted.
Another excellent video. I have learned lots from all of your videos. Two points: I would place the 30-40 Krag (Model 1892) with the others. It has the smoothest action by far. This was the first video where you had bed-head (a little levity).
So did US (designer of 1903 Springfield, 1917 Doughboy, Winchester 70 etc) and the Swedish M41, and the French, and.......pretty much the whole world agrees Mauser 98 is the best bolt action ever designed and copied it to fit their own cartridge sizes.
@@edwardwu2749 Not the whole world. The British Empire stuck with the Lee Enfield whose advantages over the Mauser made it the best military rifle. Those advantages being the rear locking lucks which helped it handle mud and sand and gave it the fastest action which took advantage of its 10 round magazine. Expensive to produce however this was helped with the design of the no.4 which introduced peep sight, another advantage. I do not think any of the above had cock on closing like the Lee which assists with primary extraction when the weapon heats in action. The P13 and M1917 were great Mauser based military rifles and all the subject selection make good sporting rifles. All the rifles I own are collectables and the only one I now shoot is ..........wait for it...... A Zastava M70 i.e. 98 Mauser sporter in 22.250. Nice video. Cheers.
Until this evening, I couldn't figure out why I had trouble finding your videos, because I really, really enjoy them. It just now dawned on me that I was NOT subscribed. Oversight corrected, and thank you sir for so many delightful, informative, and well thought out videos! Of the actions you presented, the only one I've not owned in some incarnation is the Tikka. My Winchester is the newer controlled feed version, which I consider close enough to the pre-64 to have ended my quest. Again, thank you!
So nice to see that a true rifle connoisseur includes the exact same rifle on his list of great rifles that I have, the tang safety Ruger M77. Mine is a .30-06, and it will shoot five rounds of either of two of my home-rolled loads into just under MOA @ 100 yards.
Great video. I totally agree with your rankings. I do prefer crf actions, I’ve had rounds start to slide out of the action and trouble chambering with non crf rifles while hunting. I’ll always use a crf action now
I have a 1939 model 70 in 30-06, my great grandfather bought it new, killed countless deer for him, my grandfather, my father and now myself, only thing that has ever gone wrong with it was the extractor broke on me a few seasons ago, took awhile to find one that could be shipped to Canada but now that it’s fixed I’m sure it’ll be good to go for another 80 years and several more generations…still shoots great too, I’ve taken deer at 600yds with it
I just got a Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 7mm-08 and had a gunsmith lap the rings and mount a Zeiss on there. Got it back from the shop yesterday. Look forward to sighting her in
As you know - superb rig and the 7mm-08 is a fantastic and strangely underappreciated. Come to think of it - the 7mm-08 is probably a better cartridge than the Creedmoor - but fortunately not many know that so the Creedmoor sells very well.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I'm pretty excited about it. My Tikka T3 in .270 was stolen in September, out of my vehicle after a hunt. I was gutted. So this is the replacement, I always liked the M77. I gave up a free floated barrel, but this is a hunting rifle. Toughness trumps extreme accuracy IMO. And yes! I almost wish I had gone with the creed creedmore for the ammo availability, I live in a small town and 7mm-08 is expensive here. But the Creedmore is not the hunting cartridge the 7mm-08 is, not even close, and I'm not punching holes on paper with this thing :) Thanks so much, I subbed today btw 😁
I found your channel by watching this video first and immediately subscribed. I've watched many more since and I seriously listen to what you say! I've come back to video often, and I have to agree with your picks overall! Hey who dispute Mauser 98 and Mod 70! But being a Tikka Mod65 owner for several years now, and many rounds downrange from it, I've absolutely l9ve this rifle! It is like you said, pretty much the best of all actions simplified! I have a Rem 700 in 270, been around Rugers. They're great! But knowing from experience, my Mod 65 in 30-06, I doubt I'd trade it for a 98 or 70! It's absolutely the smoothest, best performing action I've ever seen, at any speed, single loaded or from the mag, fast or slow! IMHO it's #3 and as far as I'm concerned #1!
Thanks for being on the channel. You're right - the 65 is as good as it gets. Interesting how Tikka went from a one piece bolt and handle in the 65 to a bolt body and slide in bolt handle in the T3 etc... and the T3 has sold by the trainload. Oh well...the T3 does have a very smooth action. I guess smooth is preferred; although the bolt could still be one piece. Anyway, it's all good in gun land. Good health and good shooting.
@UnitedStatesOfGuns when I found the M65 on a Pawn Shop rack, I saw it, and before handling my first thought was a Weatherby! Which really caught my interest! When clerk handed it, he replied, no its actually a Tikka, Ithaca LSA 65 on barrel. I lost interest cause I was totally ignorant of any details on it. When I was handing it back, he mistakenly said it's made by Sako really, and a clone to the Finn Bear. That got my attention although my research afterwards showed him being mostly wrong! His comparison to the Finn Bear made me think, don't let this rifle slip. I gave it a good look and work, and it was plain, this is quality! I got home and blindly started searching. I found your video IDK how and subscribed! Further research showed how rare really and prized these rifles are, regardless of trader value! I found out why, it's incredibly everything and I consider it my most prized rifle find in my 64 years! It turns out it's a 1975 model, in 90% condition obviously a hunters rifle, ironsights perfect, shoots anything I put in it well to extremely accurate! I honestly would not trade it to a 98 or 70 unless I was allowed to prove them first by plenty testing! I'm a hunter, no huge collector but I live quality! That's why I love your channel and opinions they're based on truth not trader values! Thanks very much I appreciate what you do, it's beneficial to us! I'd love to see a video on the M55 & 65, they're very little to none knowledge of them at least here in KY! Thanks David
I agree with your selection. The M98 changed everything. So many of today's rifles are based upon the M98 action. I own several bolt action rifles and they are all very good actions. I think the Ruger M77 and Hawkeye are the two rifles I own that are the best actions. All 3 of the Ruger bolt action rifles I own are all weather models. These are serious heavy duty rifles that are going to function perfectly for several lifetimes. The three Ruger rifle calibers are 260 rem, 30-06 sprg, 338 win mag. The Ruger M77 MKII all weather 30-06 is the first center fire rifle I purchased. TY for yet another entertaining and informative video. MH
I’ll agree the Ruger M77 is the best rifle . All I know it’s not as good as the Remington 700 BDL. On the Stainless Remington 300 I had the solder from the bolt brake off . And was never crazy about there safety cut into the stock.
I have a Ruger M77/270 that I had re-barreled to 7x57. The action is a hybrid of the M98 and Remington. The extractor is the claw type but the ejector is the button like a Remington. Mine also does not have the cast in scope mounts or a 1/4 rib I wish it did have. They are expensive to buy and have installed. Great rifle, the action is what I wanted.
Some men measure their wealth by how many goats they have, while others by how many junk washing machines they have around their property. Me? Lets just say I have lots of really nice rifles.
Me, I've got a 40'x40' vault with antique motorcycles from the 60's, a tractor from the 40's, small machine shop and expensive RC aircraft hanging from the ceiling...can't leave out the Browning filled with 1865 thru 2020 firearms including one original S&W Schofield 45 Wells Fargo pistol. Might look into some goats though, they taste pretty good, except the daughter names everything, including the chickens.
That original Ruger was introduced in 1968. Round about the end of the 80's or 1990 they went to the Mark 2, which lost the much beloved tang mounted safety. Instead having a safety mounted on the bolt. NEXT came the Hawkeye, many years later. The 68 design had a Mauser type long claw extractor, but a "plunger" style ejector. But they work just fine! I've owned an original Ruger since about 1988!
Correct. The original Ruger M77 wasn't a true CRF, or Mauser extractor. Hence the plunger style ejector. Ruger returned to the CRF, and claw extractors in the M77 MK2's and now the M77 Hawkeyes. Which is why I personally prefer the Mk2's and Hawkeyes better. Although I did like that tang safety on the originals.
All of the actions, with the exception of the Rem 700, are either loosely based on the Mauser action or share Mauser features. We all know how great the legendary Mauser is and I am sure that these rifles all rightfully deserve to be on this list. I'd like to see the five best unique bolt action designs, for example the swiss K31, Lee Enfield, Mannlicher-Schönauer 03, and Mauser 98 of course. Again, I am sure that from a reliability perspective that these actions may be the five best. Just my thoughts, great video though!
You consistently produce excellent posts. THANK YOU ! What would be your TOP FIVE bolt guns PRE-MAUSER ? I am just beginning to collect .22 bolt-guns with a proclivity for single shots. Would like your thoughts on the following: how to check out a rifle before purchasing ( gun shows? ), and how to clean and treat a collectible rifle before long term storage. Would also like to hear your choices for TOP FIVE BLACK POWDER ( muskets and rifles ) long guns both modern replicas and originals that are reliable, precise and accurate long-range "shooters".
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Lol...Thanks...I like a good rifle that's for sure. I like the engineering aspects and esthetics. Unlike you, I just don't have the rifles!...Would love a Steyr Mannlicher Model M Professional or Westley Richards...but we use the guns we have! Cheers.
Yes - I do too. Such a smooth bolt operation and I always liked the rotary magazine. I had a couple of 6.5 X 54s - fantastic cartridge and flawless operation. Later I bought a 51 and then an MCA - all were excellent but I liked the original full stock carbine best. Thanks for reminding me of these legendary rifles.
All the bolt action rifles you mentioned are great rifles but you need to do a top five of the very best rifles ever and I would have to go with 1903 Mannlicher Shoenauer carbine in 6.5 x 54 ,Winchester model 54 standard rifle in 270 WCF, model 96 Swedish Mauser carbine in 6.5 x 55,model 1920 Savage rifle in 250-3000, German made Weatherby in 257wby. Thanks for the great vid.
ah 'the 98--found one years ago with modernized stock, but still in 8 mauser. paid about $200 and have a scope worth about twice that mounted on it. it remains an all time favourite.
Hi Greg - the 98 is timeless and no rifle since has surpassed its excellence. A fellow I knew bought a few crates of ammo many years ago and took his position at a remote range. His objective was to keep shooting his 98 in 7X57 until something went wrong. He finished shooting all the ammo and nothing had gone wrong. He waded through the brass and went home; then he returned for the endless brass.
Love your videos good sir. Any thoughts on the modern Sauer 404 rifles? The smoothest action I have seen with the ability to change barrels and calibres.
Hello Lacy - I'm going to find one for review and report back; I've only seen them in stores and print so far. Sauer usually makes first class rifles - as you know. I'm looking forward to studying the 404. Thanks for asking.
I have an uncle that has four Model 70 pre-64s. They are in 300 WM, 30-06, 7MM Rem Mag and 270 Winchester. They are all great shooters and I hope he leaves me at least one of them when he is done with them.
Good video, its not often i see someone thats so humble around firearms, unless theyre from europe... Although i dont know where youre from, but as i said, good video.
I really appreciate your video, especially on a topic like this where the potential for leaving off someone’s favorite and drawing a great deal of ire is so great. Well done. Given your level-headed presentation, I would value your opinion on the following question - if you were limited to one new, modern bolt-action rifle for hunting North American game, which would you choose? Here are the parameters: $1500 or less ($2000 max), 30.06 caliber and preferably weather proof (SS/synthetic). I’m considering the Mauser M18, Winchester Model 70, Weatherby Vanguard S2, and leaning heavily towards the M18. There is some concern that rifle is not a controlled feed action though, but since you mentioned the Rem 700 action, does it really matter? I’ve read that controlled feed is more of a ‘dangerous game’ necessity and not really applicable to North America, but a bear is pretty dangerous last I checked. Anyway, appreciate your video and a short reply if you have time on your recommendation for someone in my position (budget constrained hunter looking for quality and value). Thanks in advance, keep up the great work.
Thanks for asking. The Mauser is very well made and the other selections are without a doubt excellent rifles; but I would buy the Winchester Model 70 every time. Everything that followed hoped to duplicate the performance, design and value of the Model 70 - in different ways. Push feed is not better than controlled round feed - but push feed will do. The Mauser - with the bolt that locks into the barrel and not the receiver is not better than the Model 70 locking into the receiver, but it will do. A removable magazine is nice, but it is not superior to a floorplate - it is just different and it will do. I have no idea how the Model 70 can still be made and one of these days it will likely be gone again. There are still countless pre-64 Model 70s in the field every year. I'm not sure other rifles and actions will survive time as well as the Model 70. In fairness - the greatest of them all remains the Mauser 98 - which the Model 70 is the finest sporter version of. All of this is my humble opinion and any one of the rifles you mention is superb...but if it is only one.... All the best to you.
I agree Charles - but at a cost - a one piece bolt including bolt handle is the ideal : as we know from Mauser. Other features may serve other purposes which can be clever and useful and even reduce production costs. Yet, one ought to not forget that all these apparently advantageous elements are at the cost of the perfection of a one piece bolt.
Hi Dan - I forgot - sorry; The Win. 70 sort of falls into the Mauser category - at least the new and old pre-64 versions do. I realize there are differences. Anyway - those are the best actions. Thanks for the note.
Hi Kjetil - Yes I agree - the MS in 6.5X54 MS and other cals. is an amazingly smooth action and the quality of workmanship is about as good as it gets. Thanks for the reminder.
Never forgets concern for "less expensive". Notes the sad symptoms of Millions Sold. I wonder, did he crawl his way up, or learn to see down? Either way, the balance he finds feels right to me. Maybe for how he presents it. Gentle-man.
Great video I do have a question we have a older hunting rifle with what I was told had a Mauser action however unlike any other bolt action I seen when you got to open the chamber there is like a spring assist that helps “kick” back the bolt! I was wondering if you ever seen an a bolt action like this? Thank u
Hello FWF - Some bolt actions are "cock on open" - such as the Mauser 98. Others are "cock on close" - the latter actions - such a 1917 Enfields and Lee Enfields spring open when the bolt is raised. These actions take more effort to close as the cocking of the bolt firing pin spring occurs when the shooter pushes the bolt closed. Hope this makes sense. You likely have an Enfield. Please let me know if the action has a bent "dog leg" bolt handle. Thanks!
You hit it out of the ballpark with that buy. An incredible rifle and cal. I saw one change hands for 1700. about 2 months ago and it looked like it had been through a war, but to the buyer...a gem...which it is.
When comparing designs it depends on what it was designed to do For battle rifle I would choose the Lee-Enfield getting mud out of the bolt races of a Mauser or clone while being shot at would not be easy. For economy rifle I would choose the Remington model 788 while the stock left something to be desired and the action was a little ruff the lock time was very very short and it often shot better than the model -700 known for its accuracy. for straight pull actions I would choose the Swiss K-31 While it's never went to war it is a well proven design. For hunting I would choose the Mauser 98 or one of its clones. With very few exceptions almost all hunting rifles are clones or simplified Mausers the Rem 700 falls into this category. and finally for very long range hunting I would choose the Weatherby mark V Its action is smooth and only needs 60 degrees to unlock Instead of mausers 90 Plus you can hunt any animal on earth with its selection of magnum cartridges.
Schultz&Larsen Otterup, m54, 56( Roy Weatherby got them designed by them in .378 Wby ), m60, Rudolf Sand used one in 7x61S&H . The m65 and Dl, m68 and a few others. Rarest of them all , SL shotgun sidelock patterned after Holland& Holland Royal pattern.
UnitedStatesOfGuns It was made during ww2 when Germans banned them make rifles, less than a dozen made i think it was . Will look it up, more like 6-10 of them. If you get a M42 rifle for Danish Coastal protection Police you get a good rifle made by them that is sought after .
Nice video! I'm curious as to what you might think about some of the Browning bolt action rifles. I own two of the hi-power safari models chambered in 30-06 and a 300 win mag and they were made in Belgium. I personally think that that line of rifles from Browning were some of the best ever made with the exception of the salt wood period. I think that in the action, looks, accuracy, and reliability, those rifles should be ranked fairly high also. Any thoughts? Thanks
Hello DRD! I agree with you. I collected Browning Safari rifles for a few years. The FN Mauser based rifles Made in Belgium - with the stepped barrels are superb and so are the Made in Finland short action rifles. I'm going to think about it but as it is I'm not aware of a better Mauser based sporter. The stock design was particularly comfortable and although of Monte Carlo design - quite elegant and understated. Sights were excellent too. Altogether brilliant rifles - and undervalued. Thanks for writing.
I’m fond of Browning rifles since it was the first rifle that I actually purchased for myself. Mine was manufactured in japan and I’ve never had a complaint about the feel or action of the rifle.
Personal preference is the Winchester pre 64 action but in a stainless action and barrel with preferably a MacMillan fiberglass stock in a 300 win mag or a 7mm Rem mag.With a good straight fiberglass stock with no Monte Carlo hump and in the 10 to 11 pounds loaded range you can pack or sit for game
I agree with your selections of what you think are the best. I had an Israeli Mauser and unfortunately it was the most inaccurate rifle I ever owned. O/W i am very happy with my very accurate CZ 550 in 6.5x55 rifle that is based on the Mauser design.
Your CZ in 6.5x55 is just about all one needs in a hunting rifle - you chose well. Some of the Israeli Mausers have seen much use and if the lands are eroded - blow by can happen and accuracy goes out the window. I usually have someone thread on another barrel; but your CZ solves all issues as is.
I really do appreciate your channel. It is my time to learn and relax at the same time. May I ask , why oh why does the Tikka T3, Mossberg Patriot, Remington 700's not feel as 'deep' in feel , a sense of density of steel, almost like a well oiled machine feel of my Swedish Mausers , my Sako L61,and my M48? I can only assume metallurgy is the answer. Any opinion? Thanks
Hi Ed - Thank you and excellent question. The modern bolts are slick pipes running in slick pipes - they work and are accurate - but have no character. The rifles you mention have necessary complexity and feel and run right. The steel may make some difference but I think it is mostly the mechanisms.
Good video, thank you, but I think you missed adding CZ, I have two, 527 lux in 223 and 550 lux in 30-06 and in terms of quality and precision I think it better some of those mentioned.
Could you explain what changes were made from the Ruger 77 to the Hawkeye? I thought it was the safety but I have not come across a Ruger 77 to compare. Thank you.
I've only had one bolt action "go wrong" and that was a M700. It failed to extract the first cartridge fired in it and about 20% thereafter. I had to send it back to Remington's repair facility. No problems since. I guess my point is that almost all bolt actions don't fail and will last "forever". I think my favorite bolt action is the Weatherby Vanguard. A very quality piece at a very moderate price. In fact, I wonder how/if Weatherby makes any money off of them.
Hi Robert - sometimes there are troubles for sure. I like the Vanguard too - I have 3 - .243/6.5 Creedmoor and .240 Weatherby. I should update my list.
