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 ???

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

Frank,
You been around long enough to know the answer to your question, you just trying to stir up the masses!

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

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!!

It does not get any better than a properly tuned model 70.

quote:

Originally posted by Moose-Hunter:
It does not get any better than a properly tuned model 70.

Ditto, Moose-Hunter

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

The finest of the finest is the one you have in your hand as you hunt the animal of you dreams in Africa.

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.

Custom build Mauser with a 98 action in 375 H&H

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Mauser, Mauser, and Mauser...I love a good custom mauser done in English Africana, nothing to compare....

+1
Brian

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

Frank, Easy the rifle that fits you the best.. and shoots accurately...
Single barrel or double...
Mike

As long as it's accurate, reliable, balanced and left handed it will work fine.

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!

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!

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.

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

Hi: What about a Mauser M77? Are they any good?

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.

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?

Remember that no matter what you buy you will be turning it over to the airlines for the trip over and back!

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
Someday---maybe

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

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.

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 .
Raimer Johannensen couls also make you a nice custom rifle.

Cheers,

André

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.

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.

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!

I cannot believe this has come up again

and again

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


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

A Satterlee made M 98, a grade obove H&M,and Prechtal...

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.

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

With no cost issue.I would be on my way to england right now.Purdy and Holland and Holland come to mind

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

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