The subject of gas deflection properties of a bolt action typically run the gamut of "I really want/like this" to "It doesn't matter anymore with today's brass." I fall a bit closer to the front end of this discussion - I'd like to have it.

I spoke this week to Greg and exchanged email with Karl at wff Hein's about their Model N, similar to the pre-64 M70 design. In the gas handling arena, they appear to have diverged from the pre-64 M70 in three important areas relating to handling gas from a case head separation. (I'm a right-handed shooter, so my descriptions are based on that perspective.) First, there are vent holes in either side of the receiver, instead of just the right side. However, I stand on the left side, and I wonder if that'd be an issue, if and when. Second, holes in the bolt would vent gas into the magazine well rather than into the left bolt raceway - a decided improvement over the pre-64. Third, Hein has machined a gas flange to the left side of the bolt shroud to deflect whatever else makes it that far. (Thanks to Karl for the pic).

Together, these are valuable and desireable changes, IMO, to the fine pre-64 design. I just wish they hit the gunshow or demo circuit more east of the Mississippi than they do.



Jaywalker

I am with you and like features (like the gas flange) on actions that can help deflect gas away from the shooter. These Hein actions look like they are good pieces of engineering and workmanship.

I am not as theoretically informed about the various design aspects as many of the experts here but I have ahd the pleasure of meeting Karl Webber and Greg Hein along with member JJS who has a few guns on order with them and they are very nice and friendly people who took a long time to explain various details to me at the NRA convention in Milwaukee. It was a particularly nice experience which has convinced me that when I order what will probably be the only full custom rifle in my life later this year, I order from them.

Congratulations on owning one of their guns and shouldn't you post pictures of the whole rifle?

Cheers!

Mehulkamdar,

I was under the impression that your idea of your once in a lifetime rifle would be an M98-30/06( and understandably so).
Do I detect you slipping for a pre64 type?...or do you have one of WFHs'proposed M98 recievers in mind?

mehulkamdar,

Unfortunately, you're ahead of me in even having seen one of the fw Hein creations - I don't own one. I have my first custom on order from New Ultra Light Arms (NULA), though I have not received it yet, and am thinking about my next one.

I haven't decided yet whether the next one, if there is one, should be another NULA (so as to be able to practice the same controls) or completely different (with blue/blue and walnut). If the latter, I'm strongly considering Hein, particularly after learning about their gas-handling characteristics.

Their short action measures three-inches, so that allows such cartridges as the 6.5x55 and the 7x57 for a classic round in a classic piece. (It would also likely be easier on the shoulder than my soon-to-arrive NULA 6.25-pound 30-06.)

Jaywalker

Woodjack,

When I talked to Karl and Greg they told me that their Mauser action would be ready by next year's DSC show. I have some time to go before I place my order and the reason for this is the wait for the Mauser action to come out. Yes, it will be a 30-06 as I love the round and have some experience with it - it remains popular in India where I come from and a good friend who occasionally posts here and lives in the UK is going to get a custom 30-06 built for himself to take back when he returns, though in Germany. Though the Mauser is going to be my first choice, the present action was also very nice.

Jaywalker,

I saw a few rifles at the Hein stand and the one that really caught my eye was the single shot though the bolt rifles were also beautifully made. What I liked most was the friendly and helpful discussion that I had with Karl and Gregg.

I did spend some time at the NULA booth as well and talked to the lady there - she was also a very nice person to talk to. Your rifle should be very nice - don't forget to post pictures and show her off when she is ready.

Winchester also had a gas flang on the left side of the bolt sleeve similar to the one pictured. They were only made that way for a short while before the factory shut down.

quote:

hart: Winchester also had a gas flang on the left side of the bolt sleeve similar to the one pictured. They were only made that way for a short while before the factory shut down.

Yeah, I don't have one of those on my M70 Classics - just the flange on the bolt sleeve. Greg didn't think it would do much good like that, but I fall into the "it's better than nothing" category. The Hein and the late-model USRAC design is an improvement over the flanged sleeve approach.

Jaywalker

quote:

Yeah, I don't have one of those on my M70 Classics - just the flange on the bolt sleeve.

Jaywalker, I may not have used the right terminology. What I meant to saying was that the latest Winchester Model 70 also had a flange on the left side of the bolt shroud just opposite the safety, just like in the picture above.

hart,

I think you were clear and I understood and agree with you. Greg mentioned that some of the last model M70s (mostly WSMs/WSSMs, he wondered) had this arrangement, but I didn't understand what he meant. That's why I asked for the pic that he sent and I then posted. It looks like a good approach.

Jaywalker