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The best bolt action hunting rifle ???
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I've got lots of rifles, but before I quit, I want to hunt Africa (& other places) a few more times. My favorite hunting rifle is a bolt rifle. Now the question: what's the best bolt action rifle available (cost is not an issue) for hunting - in whatever caliber you need (not just the big bores, but don't rule them out) ? What's your recommendation ???


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Posts: 1587 | Location: Eleanor, West Virginia (USA) | Registered: 20 April 2002Reply With Quote
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Frank, ask 10 people this question and you'll likely get 10 different answers. It's based on what a guy/gal owns, and what they like. Bottom line (if $$$$ is no object) is what you like. If the best bolt action in the world sucks in your opinion, you won't have it. I'd be the same way. I like most of my factory guns better than my custom rifle, but mostly due to it needing more work. For me personally, my Rugers, Remingtons, Weatherbys etc., kill game just as dead as if I paid $550,000 for a custom double rifle. Maybe a few gunsmith's can shed better details. Good luck with the quest, and best of hunting on your next safari.
David


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Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......

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Posts: 6825 | Location: Tennessee | Registered: 18 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Frank,
You been around long enough to know the answer to your question, you just trying to stir up the masses! dancing

Mauser, Mauser, and Mauser...I love a good custom mauser done in English Africana, nothing to compare....


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
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Posts: 42182 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Frank;
Good BAIT!!

I really hunt everything with pre-64 Model 70's, stock and custom. If you want a really heavy hitter, have one nicely built up in a synthetic stock in 416 Rigby, 500 Jeff or 404 Jeff...or wood and engraved if you also want a showpiece...they will all kill things without question...if you do your part!! And, everyone must have one in 375H&H...goes without saying...and again a pre-64 70 really can't be beat!!...they are available in ablut any caliber you can imagine...they are really getting expensive....I saw a $5000 Super Grade 375 yesterday at a show!!


470EDDY
 
Posts: 2677 | Location: The Other Washington | Registered: 24 March 2003Reply With Quote
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It does not get any better than a properly tuned model 70.
 
Posts: 409 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 06 February 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Moose-Hunter:
It does not get any better than a properly tuned model 70.


Ditto, Moose-Hunter


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Posts: 1827 | Location: Palmer AK & Prescott Valley AZ | Registered: 01 February 2005Reply With Quote
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A properly fitted controlled round feed custom rifle by nay of the good custom rifle makers; proper fit is the reason why a custom rifle makes sense to me.
 
Posts: 523 | Location: wisconsin | Registered: 18 June 2007Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Frank Beller:
what's the best bolt action rifle available (cost is not an issue)


If you are willing to spend $50 K, then James Purdey will build you a nice rifle on a CRF Mauser action with wing safety. It does not get any "bester" than this.

If you want to sepend a lttle less, those people are nearly as good as Purdey (the founders are ex-purdey workers).


 
Posts: 34 | Registered: 05 March 2008Reply With Quote
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I shoot a Blaser 93 and love it. I can't see myself ever wanting another kind of bolt action after this one. There are more and less expensive ones out there but I think it is all personal on this qeustion and what you like and works for you
 
Posts: 894 | Location: Alberta Canada | Registered: 20 May 2005Reply With Quote
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If you want a piece of art, yet absolutely the finest in function, contact Peter Hofer-Jagdwaffen in Austria and rest assured no others will ever come close. All of his clients can afford anything but time and it is not for sale to anyone. His rifles are definitely at the peak of performance and artistry in wood and metal work. His web site is a journey well worth taking.
 
Posts: 1165 | Location: Banks of Kanawha, forks of Beaver Dam and Spring Creek | Registered: 06 January 2005Reply With Quote
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I have been told by a number of guys that I need to seriously consider an older Mannlicher-Schoenauer...like a 1903. I've owned most of the other action types and brands and they all have their place but many of them do not interest me any more. These days, I can walk through the average gun show and not even pick up a gun off a table. The same goes for the average gun shop.


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Posts: 4168 | Location: Texas | Registered: 18 June 2001Reply With Quote
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The finest of the finest is the one you have in your hand as you hunt the animal of you dreams in Africa.


If you own a gun and you are not a member of the NRA and other pro 2nd amendment organizations then YOU are part of the problem.
 
Posts: 1232 | Location: South Texas | Registered: 12 July 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
what's the best bolt action rifle available (cost is not an issue) for hunting



There isn't one!

Each one has his favourite, so use the one you like best.


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Posts: 68903 | Location: Dubai, UAE | Registered: 08 January 1998Reply With Quote
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Custom build Mauser with a 98 action in 375 H&H


Frederik Cocquyt
I always try to use enough gun but then sometimes a brainshot works just as good.
 
Posts: 2550 | Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa | Registered: 06 May 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
Mauser, Mauser, and Mauser...I love a good custom mauser done in English Africana, nothing to compare....

+1
Brian


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Posts: 745 | Location: NE Oklahoma | Registered: 05 October 2006Reply With Quote
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stir Big Grin stir Big Grin stir horse


nothin sweeter than the smell of fresh blood on your hunting boots
 
Posts: 746 | Location: don't know--Lost my GPS | Registered: 10 August 2005Reply With Quote
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Since I am a poor hunter, I can not think of a bolt rifle without considering the cost. Consequently, I will limit my responce to the action to make up a dream rifle. Also, I will tie my responce to rifles suitable for dangerous game since that is where your choice can become a life saver. I would only consider two actions and those are the M-98 Mauser highly customized and the pre-64 Mod 70.

465H&H
 
Posts: 5686 | Location: Nampa, Idaho | Registered: 10 February 2005Reply With Quote
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Frank, Easy the rifle that fits you the best.. and shoots accurately...
BOOM lefty Single barrel or double...
Mike


Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
 
Posts: 6768 | Location: Wyoming, Pa. USA | Registered: 17 April 2003Reply With Quote
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As long as it's accurate, reliable, balanced and left handed it will work fine.


Frank



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Posts: 12729 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Fjold:
As long as it's accurate, reliable, balanced and left handed it will work fine.


Fjold,

It is so hard for me to read further posts, after reading yours. For the life of me I just don't know why! shocker

Also, can you head over to Tommy's and get a double cheese burger and a chili tomale, and tell me how much I liked it. That is what I miss most about CA!


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Posts: 347 | Location: Weatherford, TX | Registered: 04 March 2008Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Fjold:
As long as it's accurate, reliable, balanced and left handed it will work fine.


I second that opinion. A right handed bolt action rifle just doesn't make it.
 
Posts: 932 | Location: Delaware, USA | Registered: 13 September 2003Reply With Quote
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Frank:

I would have to say that an Empire Rifle is probably the best easily available custom bolt action in the US today. They make a really fine gun.

Dave


Dave
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Posts: 3728 | Location: Midwest | Registered: 26 November 2006Reply With Quote
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Hi: What about a Mauser M77? Are they any good?
 
Posts: 201 | Location: Mackenzie BC | Registered: 15 February 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Frank:

I would have to say that an Empire Rifle is probably the best easily available custom bolt action in the US today. They make a really fine gun.

Dave


Who makes the Empire? Empire does not produce a single rifle, they are all contracted out to several different sources.



 
Posts: 5210 | Registered: 23 July 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Frank Beller:
I've got lots of rifles, but before I quit, I want to hunt Africa (& other places) a few more times. My favorite hunting rifle is a bolt rifle. Now the question: what's the best bolt action rifle available (cost is not an issue) for hunting - in whatever caliber you need (not just the big bores, but don't rule them out) ? What's your recommendation ???


I didn't even bother to read the thread after reading your post. You've got 4 double rifles and you're asking this old unanswerable question?
 
Posts: 1083 | Location: Texas Hill Country | Registered: 05 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Remember that no matter what you buy you will be turning it over to the airlines for the trip over and back!
 
Posts: 914 | Registered: 06 January 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by gunny:
Remember that no matter what you buy you will be turning it over to the airlines for the trip over and back!


great point! Doesn't that scare crap out of those that use custom guns? I worry about my off the self Rugers when I board a plane.
Why spend the $$$$$$$ cash on custom bolts when the mass produced guns work well? I understand the cost for doubles but haven't been able to shell out the cash for custom bolts yet Big Grin
Someday---maybe


nothin sweeter than the smell of fresh blood on your hunting boots
 
Posts: 746 | Location: don't know--Lost my GPS | Registered: 10 August 2005Reply With Quote
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I have found Dakota actions to be very well made, but then, mine are 10yrs old now. Close tolerances but yet smooth too.

I think the pre closure Winchesters are a bit sloppy. You can remove metal, but putting it back is a bitch.

Montana Riflemans are also sloppy.

The one or two Granite Mountain I have played with were really excellent and tight but smooth as butter.

Some old Mausers were great, but some were rattle traps too.

Remingtons are smooth, if you want to go that route.

Airlines may get your guns, and treat them like hell, but that is what insurance is for. Hunt with what you want, and if it is of concern, insure it for replacement.

I regularly travel with guns that would cost what a smallish house costs to replace (read here: double rifles) and have yet to have a problem, but I don't sweat the issue because the rifles are insured.

My thoughts, worth what you paid for them!

JPK


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Posts: 4900 | Location: Chevy Chase, Md. | Registered: 16 November 2004Reply With Quote
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if cost isn't an issue then a M-70 classic that has been run thru D'Arcy's shop is what fills the bill.


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Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003Reply With Quote
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Like JP577 said H&W is about as goood as it gets.
I have handled these fine rifles and they are IMO finer then H&H custom rifles Wink.
Raimer Johannensen couls also make you a nice custom rifle.

Cheers,

André


Always always use enough... GUN & KNIFE

 
Posts: 2293 | Location: The Kingdom of Denmark | Registered: 13 January 2004Reply With Quote
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I believe there is an answer to this question but it takes alot of practice shooting with different african rifles to know.I was told by a well known gunsmith that certain actions work better with large cartridges and others with slim ones.Then there is stock design and fit to consider.Also,different sights to compare.IMO,its not an easy thing to determine what works best,but there IS an answer to this question.
 
Posts: 11651 | Location: Montreal | Registered: 07 November 2002Reply With Quote
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Shootaway is in fact correct. Sorry, I was being flippant.

What the gunsmith said is true. I went down the same road strewn with bolt actions. But no, I never commited to a custom bolt. My journey may have been shorter if I had done so. In a factory rifle some work. The CZ works, Mausers and Mauser clones work (yes, Whitworth/Interarms/Zastava/now Remington), Model 70s work. But...the CZ needs the least amount of work, bedding, shorten barrel, but it will never be a truly nice action. Like Harald Wolff said, "you can't add metal back to the action". But it will handle almost all big cases. The modern commercial mauser clones need to be bedded and checked over but they are not built for a whole range of chamberings. But I think all the parts in these two rifles are generally good. The M70 may be the best action, will work with a whole range of cartridges but needs ALOT of work. The stamped internals are pretty strong but the extractor, it's clip and the gas block are not good.

What everyone says about the custom bolts and the modern Mauser (with a capital M) is true. You can't go wrong really with a true custom bolt. They're expensive tho...and the work is there...but I came to the conclusion that if I'm going to pony up $4-12K I'd rather have a double. BTW, if DG is on the menu then the double wins hand down for me as well.
 
Posts: 1083 | Location: Texas Hill Country | Registered: 05 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Gunbug,
The Mauser 77 is an interesting rifle and it functions very well indeed, it is accurate, it has switch barrels, it is shorter than a conventional Mauser and its really a fine rifle..I had one that was stocked by a famous gunmaker and it was a fine rifle...

The downside is it looks more like a damn Mossberg shotgun than a fine rifle, and I don't like ugly rifles, wimmen, er horses..I can tolerate an ugly dog however! wave


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42182 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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I cannot believe this has come up again killpc

and again killpc

and the answers are the same as last time and the time before that so --- horse


Thus if we are going to re-hash the re-hash -- just stick with Cindy -- vastly more visually appealing subject

coffee


OMG!-- my bow is "pull-push feed" - how dreadfully embarrasing!!!!!
 
Posts: 933 | Location: 8K Ft in Colorado | Registered: 10 December 2005Reply With Quote
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A Satterlee made M 98, a grade obove H&M,and Prechtal...
 
Posts: 1488 | Location: AUSTRALIA | Registered: 07 August 2001Reply With Quote
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Frank ----- I would have to agree with vapadog's answer. I have shot them all and own many, but the one's I really want to keep and pass on too my grandson's are the Model 70's. Good shooting.


phurley
 
Posts: 2365 | Location: KY | Registered: 22 September 2004Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by surestrike:
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Frank:

I would have to say that an Empire Rifle is probably the best easily available custom bolt action in the US today. They make a really fine gun.

Dave


Who makes the Empire? Empire does not produce a single rifle, they are all contracted out to several different sources.


Okay, you're right. The Blaser 93 is actually the best stir


Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE

"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"

"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).
 
Posts: 3728 | Location: Midwest | Registered: 26 November 2006Reply With Quote
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With no cost issue.I would be on my way to england right now.Purdy and Holland and Holland come to mind
 
Posts: 203 | Location: South Africa | Registered: 28 October 2007Reply With Quote
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The fact remains that some rifles that H&H sell are made by other makers, they just have the H&H LABEL no more no less, and a price increase of who knows how much !!
Daniel
 
Posts: 1488 | Location: AUSTRALIA | Registered: 07 August 2001Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by M 98:
The fact remains that some rifles that H&H sell are made by other makers, they just have the H&H LABEL no more no less, and a price increase of who knows how much !!
Daniel


I have never heard of H&H doing this. I know that some other makers in London do.

I disagree with anybody who says that H&H have lost their quality.

Does anyone know how many bolt action rifles they built last year?..... I do Wink


John
 
Posts: 172 | Location: Ireland/London | Registered: 09 February 2008Reply With Quote
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