It seems to me that most of the classic mauser sporting rifles, and many of the modern custom mausers seeking classic lines use a straight down bolt such as this one



(TC1 I hope you do not mind me using your picture. I have used many of your rifles to pattern my current custom under way)

Aside from tradition, is there any advantage to this style of bolt as opposed to something like this from my Custom mauser 35 Whelen? Or is it purely personal preference?

The straight down handle is supposed to be less likely to hit you hand during recoil. The swept back handle is supposed to be faster as it is closer to being inline with the trigger.

To some extent I believe the straight down look is popular because it looks "different" than all the M70s and M700s.

One reason for the straight down bolt handle is to keep the bolt knob away from the knuckles during recoil.

Iron Buck

That is a pretty nice looking shootin iron you have there. Please post any other photos you have of it and tell us a little bit about it.
Barrel. Wood. Who did the work. Etc.

I find the straight up to be easier and faster.There is also less of a chance for a thick coat sleeve to get under the bolt and open it while your pulling the trigger.I had a Steyr that would do that and when it happened the rifle automatically went on a safety mode.

JBrown has it right: Those "swept back" handles can really raise hell with the index finger when shooting "heavies"

The problem gets worse with such "designs" as the Weatherby Mark V. The trigger is further forward than a Mauser and with that swept back handle..Ouch!

The old M-70's were a little more forgiving, mostly because the knob was sticking "way out there"

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe:
The old M-70's were a little more forgiving, mostly because the knob was sticking "way out there"

But if you want a REAL knucklebuster, try a pre-64 458WM! I've built and shot lots of 45- and 50-cal high-velocity rifles but seldom if ever have suffered more than with the box-stock SG 458!

I remember Elmer Keith showing a photo of a custom pre-64 458 built for an African PH back in the '60s, incorporating all the owner's improvements and ideas for an ideal 458. It had a straight-down bolt handle and a wooden top handguard for protection from the sun, and it also had (HORRORS!) a set of WEAVER bases and rings with a 2.5X scope! The PH said he liked the QD feature of the mounts and the low scope position, lower than many others and thus more in line with the irons.

And obviously he liked the straight-down handle!
Regards, Joe

quote:

Originally posted by J.D.Steele:
a set of WEAVER bases and rings .....low scope position, lower than many others and thus more in line with the irons.

Regards, Joe

Sadly things have not gotten much better in the last half century.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Iron Buck

That is a pretty nice looking shootin iron you have there. Please post any other photos you have of it and tell us a little bit about it.
Barrel. Wood. Who did the work. Etc.

This rifle was built for me by Gary Stiles. It is a left hand Zasatava action that Gary went over very well. It has a Gentry left handed safety. Gary coverted the buttom floor plate release to an in the bow release. He put a new bolt on that he checkered. It has an a 23" Douglas barrel chambered in 35 Whelen. Talley mounts with a peep as back up. The front sight is a NECG barrel band sight. The Wood is Turkish that I bought here from Ray Atkinson. Here are a few more pictures





I have Gary making me a 7x57 right now. I am making this one along classic mauser lines and am leaning towards the straight down bolt handle.

Gary is my good friend. He is quite a custom gunsmith as well. He is a ACGM member as are many fine smiths here.

I've been admiring that rifle of yours for a while now. Have you managed to get it out hunting yet?


cheers,
- stu

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by J.D.Steele:
a set of WEAVER bases and rings .....low scope position, lower than many others and thus more in line with the irons.

Regards, Joe

Sadly things have not gotten much better in the last half century.

That's the beauty of a custom rifle. When you commission one you can have it built anyway you like.

Terry

quote:

Originally posted by Stu C:
I've been admiring that rifle of yours for a while now. Have you managed to get it out hunting yet?


cheers,
- stu

Yes Stu. I took it out last deer season and shot a few does. As with my other whelen......they get hit they fall where they stand. But it is a JOY just to have my custom mauser in my hands. I can't wait to get my other one. It will not be ready until next summer so I will not have it for this season.

Gary is a great guy to talk to and I am amazed how talented he is. I am more than happy with his work. I know my 7x57 will be a work of art....that will be taken out hunting! No safe queens for me. They are all working guns