Which is your favorite bolt-action rifle?

[DB is Here]

You still want that Tikka admit it!!!

Truth

 

[Ura-Ki]

 

[orygun]

For several years my favorite bolt action has been a Ruger 77 MKII in stainless. I'd tinkered around with it some, replacing the stock, changing out the trigger, etc. I shot a couple of Appleseed Known Distance events with it and was very comfortable when using it. Then I got the brilliant idea to have it rechambered to 30-06 Ackley Improved. Dealing with that was a pretty steep learning curve, but also a fun project. As time has gone by however, I find myself thinking about rebarreling it back to 30-06.

I haven't been involved with firearm projects for the last couple of years and was getting the itch to do something. That something turned out to be a 1952 vintage Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 that was kind of ragged. I've replaced the scope and stock, and am currently working on the re-bedding. I'd always wanted an older 70. I'd previously owned a very nice featherweight, but I really wanted the standard rifle. I am happy with the progress this project is making. Now I just need to get it shooting better.

These are my two favorites.

 

[joken]

For several years my favorite bolt action has been a Ruger 77 MKII in stainless. I'd tinkered around with it some, replacing the stock, changing out the trigger, etc. I shot a couple of Appleseed Known Distance events with it and was very comfortable when using it. Then I got the brilliant idea to have it rechambered to 30-06 Ackley Improved. Dealing with that was a pretty steep learning curve, but also a fun project. As time has gone by however, I find myself thinking about rebarreling it back to 30-06.
View attachment 7356
I haven't been involved with firearm projects for the last couple of years and was getting the itch to do something. That something turned out to be a 1952 vintage Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 that was kind of ragged. I've replaced the scope and stock, and am currently working on the re-bedding. I'd always wanted an older 70. I'd previously owned a very nice featherweight, but I really wanted the standard rifle. I am happy with the progress this project is making. Now I just need to get it shooting better.
View attachment 7357
These are my two favorites.

I have a pre-war Model 70 that shoots just about anything into tiny groups. Mine was a mess when I got it. The stock was cut, the bluing was very worn and it had a Oregon drivers license number ground into the floor plate.

 

[MechaNikSW]

My favorite is my 1903 made in 1918. Got a deal on it at a gun show and it's in pretty good shape. Shoots well, too. I only shoot light handloads from it, though. It'd be a sad day if something happened after so many good years

 

[Land Cruiser]

I have a newer Springfield, a M1903A3 that was "sporterized" after being sold as surplus. I got it for a $100.00 and it is fun to shoot. I also hand load for this rifle (.30-06 ammo is super expensive!)

My favorite is my 1903 made in 1918. Got a deal on it at a gun show and it's in pretty good shape. Shoots well, too. I only shoot light handloads from it, though. It'd be a sad day if something happened after so many good years

 

[1971Chevelle]

Well, I really only own two bolt action rifles and I like them both (I actually have a really old single shot bolt action .22, but it doesn't count). The first one is a Parker Hale .308, with a Sightmark Citadel 5-30x56 LR2 scope. The second one is a Mossberg Trophy Hunter .30-06 with a Nikko Stirling 4-16x44 Gameking Side LRX scope (this scope may end up getting replaced, as it doesn't seem to want to stay illuminated).

My friend sold me the Parker Hale for $350. I picked up the Mossberg in a trade deal for my Mosin Nagant M91/30 that I only paid $89 + tax for many years ago.

 

[Jory45acp]

Hands down favorite is my AI AW in .308. Built better and stronger than a tank, cold bore shot accurate. Action is like closing a bank vault door, solid and smooth. Had it imported from Texas Armory back in 2005, well before they were widely known. It's one of those rifles you stop adding up how much you have invested in it because it'll make your head spin LOL.

 

[nvshooter]

It's one of those rifles you stop adding-up how much you have invested in it because it'll make your head spin.

I'm in the process of building one of those right now. The Zermatt Arms TL3 action will be at the FFL's place in about a week; will be just over $1400 by the time it's in my hands. I assembled a cost estimate for the rifle today: It will be just a few dozen dollars short of $4000 without a scope. Add a nice Nightforce and the first shot will have the cost at about $6400. I could save about $2000 if I built the rifle as a standardized cartridge, but of what fun is that? I'm building a mildcat round that is pretty much the 6.5mm Creedmoor lengthened by 0.266 inches. I have calculated the case volume to be 70 grains of water, sans the neck.

With how badly COVID-19 has ravaged the economy, it may be a long time before the idea becomes reality. All we can do is to keep the faith and keep fighting for a better tomorrow. It's when we surrender the present fight that we lose the entire battle. That's not what Americans do. Maybe in France or in some other socialist welfare state, but not here...

I just looked: This is my 2000th post. I feel so privileged that the board has let me stay this long.

 

[Jarhead_0311]

Remy 700 5r, 20" barrel, .308 cal. timiney trigger. Nightforce 20moa rail and rings. leupold 6.5X20X50. GA brake adapter, form1, 8" Ti. can. Poly bottom metal and 10rd mag. Harris bipod
I shopped hard did most of the work and got it all for around $1700. Shoots sub moa all day.

 

[GOG]

My orphan, a Gibbs No. 7 jungle carbine.
These were made from Ishapore Mk II's which were manufactured in 7.62 NATO.
I'd wanted a jungle carbine for a long time, but I don't shoot or stock .303, so I held off. Then this came up and it not only fit the bill, but the price was right.

It was in good shape mechanically and the barrel was good so I figured since it's a clone I could do it up my way and have zero gun guy guilt about it.

I sent the metal to a gunsmith for parkerizing and did the wood myself.
The forearm had some hidden damage, so I bought a full size one and cut and shaped it. I mixed up some stains and finished it with boiled linseed oil.

It's a shooter.

 

[Old18C]

Excellent, I like my Enfields a bit Jealous of the .308 had to settle for an FR-8 for that caliber.

 

[GOG]

An FR 8 is also on the list. Great gun.

 

[Gabby]

Similar to the .243. Greater case capacity, so good for reloaders.
When they came out the public went with the .243 instead of the 6mm. Remington flubbed the advertising by pushing the 6mm as a combo medium game/varmint rifle, which it is but not with the factory rounds and twist rates of the time. With the hand loads the 6 is a great varmint round! It can pretty much turn a yodel dog into a head, tail and red vapor! They just didn't sell, so today factory loads are very hard to find! I'd just go with a .243 today and just avoid the hassle!

That is why Remington came out with the .223, corrected the twist rate which made it more accurate than the .226, they are both really souped up 22 cal rifles.
The Winchester .243 is often more accurate and the heavier bullets buck the wind better.
I shot a nice little 3 point over behind the Yavapai Indian Res right on the outskirts of PCT. I was on ranch land there, (but someone remind me what it was called you had to go down where the old land fill was and up the hill from there on foot) With a 243 with the heaviest bullet they sold back then, I think it was around 110gr, but don't quote me. The range was less than 50yds as I recall and I aimed for the heart. Bad mistake!
The bullet hit a rib dead center and exploded into who knows how many pieces, after I skinned him out I found fragments on the right shoulder blade, they had passed just above the heart and had severed the Aorta (not so funny I nearly died of a ruptured Aorta).
Due to the super sonic shock wave all the meat from behind his ears to the short ribs and down below his knees was jellied and turned dark purple.
I was able to salvage a little of the sirloin and the hind quarters, the rest was wasted! I always said if I was going to hunt big game with such a high velocity round ever again, I would aim for the ear! A vindictive EX stole that sweet little rifle when she split the blanket on me, that's a whole nother story though!
Gabby

PS I think the name of the ranch may have been YOLO
But I'm thinking that was way out NW of town out Miller Valley Rd, Age does its thing, Screwing with memory.
It's been over 20 years since I lived there.
I can visualize the roads and everything but I can't remember names.
ARGH
Feel free to correct me, I'd appreciate it.

 

[xAZPx]

Gotta be my Anschutz 1418 mannlicher .22, Ed Brown M40 Marine Sniper in .308, or a 1954 M70 Featherweight in .308. Got some other great ones, but these give me the tingle every squeeze.

 

[11Charlie]

Gotta be my Anschutz 1418 mannlicher .22, Ed Brown M40 Marine Sniper in .308, or a 1954 M70 Featherweight in .308. Got some other great ones, but these give me the tingle every squeeze.

I think we need pictures!!!

 

[xAZPx]

I think we need pictures!!!

I'll have to dig up some of the others, but here's the Ed Brown. Has a Mark 4 6.5-20x50 for an optic on it now...

 

[yipiyiya]

Hi guys, I own many cf bolt rifles including two Tikkas (a wood stocked Hunter model 22-250 and a 308 T3 Lite) and really like them all, but a couple of years ago I bought a Model Seven Rem. in 7mm-08 and from the first time I handled it, it has been my favorite rifle. I put an inexpensive Burris 2-7x33 scope on it which I believe is a good match. It is the first 7mm-08 I've owned so I don't know if it's the cal. or the rifle but it is my favorite. I've been looking hard at the Kimber M84 hunter in the same cal. but so far have contained myself . I enjoy this forum.

 

[11Charlie]

Hi guys, I own many cf bolt rifles including two Tikkas (a wood stocked Hunter model 22-250 and a 308 T3 Lite) and really like them all, but a couple of years ago I bought a Model Seven Rem. in 7mm-08 and from the first time I handled it, it has been my favorite rifle. I put an inexpensive Burris 2-7x33 scope on it which I believe is a good match. It is the first 7mm-08 I've owned so I don't know if it's the cal. or the rifle but it is my favorite. I've been looking hard at the Kimber M84 hunter in the same cal. but so far have contained myself . I enjoy this forum.

I think pictures are in order. Have to add the Tikka's as well.

 

[yipiyiya]

I think pictures are in order. Have to add the Tikka's as well.

I'll try, I will have to wait for my grandson to help me do it, I'm not to tall on computer knowhow.