The VZ-24 .270 keeps wanting to throw off its Timney safety --

The Remington 14A is at the gunsmith for (probably) a busted bolt release spring and a headspace check --

The Mexican Mauser in 7mm-08 still needs its stock finished and doesn't feed quite right --

Haven't finished grinding the recoil pad on the .30-30 --

The old Model 70 .30-06 works fine but I don't want to expose it to the harshest conditions (and it weighs 9.6 pounds unloaded without a sling, anyway, and I've been thinking about getting a pound or so taken off the crisp but heavy trigger) --

And now the cocking piece on my Mark X .30-06 (which is overly finicky about ammo on a good day, anyway) won't catch the sear if I work the bolt fast.

I just want one rifle that I can put a scope and a sling on, shoot OK because it's got a decent trigger, and that's really, really hard to break. (Being able to find parts easily would also be nice.)

It would also be nice if it were one that is suitable for deer or elk since that's what I'm hunting this fall, and that will shoot nicely with readily-available factory loads in case an airline loses my handloads, or at least that's easy to load for.

So we're probably talking about a .30-06 ... now the question is, which one? What is the most hassle-free, well-made, easy-to-service, durable, reliable and accurate, standard sporter out there, either in current production or that wasn't discontinued in 1958?

700 Remington.

700 remington......Model 70 Winchester........Even a savage??
Have not had a bad one of any of these or one that was unreliable.
Fireball

Not a Rem most certainly NOT a Winch ,Savage if you want accuraty, Ruger or BRNO for a headache free rifle.

Regards Martin

The story "Stepping Over Diamonds" was written for this. It's the M-70. That's the one.

Over the years, I've owned many of the currently available rifles. Of the bunch, the only one I will not buy again is the Ruger M77 (considerable frustration regards the nasty trigger, accuracy and scope mounting system). In the past 5 years, I've bought 2 rifles that gave me no trouble at all. Both were Weatherby LT's, one in 25-06, the other in .280 Remington. Both are accurate, both fit me well in terms of stock deminsions, both are very accurate and always go bang when I pull the trigger. The LT is available in 30-06. Take a look at one, the cost is only $50 - $100 more than your typical M700 BDL or M70 Classic --

Buy a Steyr!

Tigten screws, ev. adjust trigger. I never saw one that didn�t shoot.

Hermann

HOW ABOUT A REMINGTON 742 WOODSMASTER, ALL MY DOG RUNNING REDNECK BUDDYS LIKE 'EM.

Your problem with rifles sounds about my dismal luck with the ladies. However, I've had fantastic luck with one rifle in particular and that is the CZ 550 American. Go to GunBroker.com and in the little search space write in CZ 550 American. That will take you to all the CZs that Phil, owner of Hit&Run has on the internet. He's got them from $429 plus $18 shipping in .30/06 and a few other calibers as well. The trigger on the CZ is fantastic and very, very adjustable and what's more, it is a single set trigger. I have one in 7x57mm Mauser that is unbelievably accurate (.6 inch groups) with a 160 grain nosler partition traveling at 2,845 fps. Need more proof: go to HuntAmerica.com forums, then to the rifles and gunsmithing section and on the search mechanism write in CZ rifles. J Belk and a number of others did some evaluations on the rifles that is well worth taking a long, look at. Anyway, these rifles are a surprise. Tell Phil that Tom Purdom sent you his way if you chose to go this route. What's more, with the CZ 550 American the rings come with the rifle just like the Ruger. Good luck and have a nice day! Tom Purdom

I would assist the remark about CZ 550. I strongly vote against the Rem 742/7400. Problem areas: accuracy depending on forearm screw tension, loooong throat, powder burn rate must fit, accessory mags don�t work, trigger is bad even when tuned and the worst feature is the extractor.

I sold mine.

Hermann

That's easy it was made in USA - M17 30.06; utterly reliable; super cheap and holds 6 in case of attacks by sabre toothed field mice. I've been shootin mine in Club comp for over 20 years and NEVER a malfunction or fail to feed. You boy's sure built em right in those days.

The 742s are junk the insides of the recivers chip away and the they start to jam. I have many rifles that have never given me trouble. But as any thing that is mechcanical things happen.

Heck I feel bad now, my Type 38 Japanese has worked jam free since 1969 when John and I rechambered it (just think how many rounds it digested in its earlier life), 1903 Springfields work flawlessly, 1917 Enfiled just keeps loading and firng the lead pills and the Mod 70 338 Mag feeds those flat nose Hornady 33 Winchester bullets (at 33 Winchester velocities) like it thought the light load was fun.
Oh yeah, if the dang 513T would just eject them I'd be happy!
VBG
LouisB

John,
sorry to hear of your troubles.
get new triggers for the vz and mark-x. I am trying BOLD triggers.. dont really seem to be too bad. But, my next mexican will have a 3 pos.

sell me the mexican, if it's a 1910 or a 1936. or, just get a much stronger follower spring.. solves tons of feeding issues. BUT, if you are loading it, and/or the follower plate gets stuck, you might have an inletting problem (mega-stick IS your friend for testing.

send me an email and describe the feeding issue, and I'll give you a couple thoughts.

go get yourself a savage 99-358 for trouble free... or, sounds like you like bolt rifles, get a ruger or cz. Heck, move up a couple and get a cz in 375 for 550$.

jeffe

Sako and Tikka

Don't get a remingtin 700 ADL. I got one. It is more of a blank to make a gun of than a gun.

Johan

Put a Mauser trigger back in your Mauser; replace the standard safety with one for scopes; and don't look back. Ku-dude

Buy a Steyr

I have two. Both are extremely accurate, have superb triggers, and function flawlessly. Have not done any work on either one. They were excellent right out of the box.

Elmo

John Get yourself a Blaser R93. Choose the model you like the best. They feed,eject and function without any problems. The scope mount will fit without any "sight in or zero problems". Triggers are good and accuracy is excellent. You can change to different calibers without loss of zero. You can take the scope on and off and not loose your zero. Check one out.

Before buying a Blaser 93 I would do an extensive search around this forums. Some seem to love them, others react different ...

As the original question was "trouble free out of the box" I still vote for Steyr or CZ 550.

Hermann

A Sako 75 Stainless Synthetic (or any Sako!) will do the job.

Probably I have seen most off all and if I had a choice I would certainly looking around Sakos, Tikkas and BRNO's.
In my opinion they are the most reliable guns in the market.
My workshop never sees any of this guns for repairs other than adjusting triggers!!

Walter

Unless you want to spend the money for true top-quality custom work, the best plan is to look for an old Belgian-made Browning Safari (FN Mauser action), an older (60s thru 70s) Remington 700 "C" Grade from Remington's Custom Shop, a pre-1972 Sako, or else a pre-64 Model 70 Winchester. It sounds like you already have one of the later.

These are all quality rifles that are built to last, and won't need to be replaced. They are better-built than any current production rifle except for the semi-custom Dakota, and can be had for a heck of a lot less money. These rifles are also better-built than most so-called "custom" rifles, and retain their value better.

AD

The only troube free rifle I know about is the one that you do most of the work on . It is a very rewarding hobby , and you can also spend more time fine tuning your own shooting piece. I have recently completed my .22-250 on a Mauser98 action , with a Wilson barrel , Weatherby style stock with roll over comb , etc. This is the most accurate rifle I have seen in my life. If you want to stay with production rifles . go for either the Brno or the CZ550 . They are both great rilfe for the money spent on it . Simply bed the action & about 1" after the chamber & it should be truoble free . I have two Brno's in 243 Win , and 270 Win . I also have another .270 in CZ550. I have never had a days sh^&^& with any of them.

Regards
Rudie

Just so you people know, the 742 thing was a joke.

For the record I have had a couple m70's and a few 700/721's most have been very acuarte and all have functioned like they should. Most of all you can by any part for these guns after market or direct.
Just to heat things up for you m70 nuts I say the anti bind mechanism on the new ones makes them better.

allen day. thanks for mentioning the older rem mod 700 "C" custom rifles. i have one in 7mm mag that my dad gave me. probably late 60's or early 70's. i've killed two deer with it although it's a little much for 120-140 pound deer. it's very accurate and has a great trigger. just curious, what else can you tell me about it? thanks...bud

John,

Methinks you just have bad karma for guns. Have you ever considered stamp collecting?

Steve

Sako.

Tikka, you cant go wrong!!

You can own three old yugo cars and spend your time and money keeping them running. Or buy one nice quality car and spend your time driving it. Respectfully

"The old Model 70 .30-06 works fine but I don't want to expose it to the harshest conditions (and it weighs 9.6 pounds unloaded without a sling, anyway, and I've been thinking about getting a pound or so taken off the crisp but heavy trigger) --"

That is your answer. Get a used Pre 64 featherweight and go hunting. It is not a holland and holland, or one of Ray's fancy Mauser sporters. It is extremely practical, well made, and will last for the rest of your life.

"works fine but I don't want to expose it to the harshest conditions"

Why? It is not a super valuable collectors's item. It was born to hunt, take it hunting. Rub a bit of linseed oil in the dinges and gouges every couple of years and forget it. My featherweight is in 308 and has a 2-7 Leupold scope. I never fuss with it. I just grab a box of ammo, fire three to confirm that it is still sighted in, and it always is, Then I go and gather deer meat. I have pleanty of rifles to fiddle with. This one just goes hunting.

I'd recommend the CZ American 550 in 9.3X62. It will do it all from what I've heard. And so far, from what I've seen from mine, they are really accurate. Good shooting!

One and all,

Thanks for the thought-provoking replies.

For now it seems the crisis has passed -- I diagnosed the problem with the Mark X (too little trigger/sear engagement as set by the factory) and it appears headed for coveted trouble-free status.

But I do still need something to put in that extra Mark X stock ... and a long-action Rem. 700 BDL to go in the classic-style Fajen semi-inlet someone gave me ... call me a rifle redneck, I'm just not happy unless I've got something up on blocks!

John

If you get a new rifle sometime, go for a Sako

Do yourself a favor and buy a Sauer 202. I bought its predecessor (model 200) 15 years ago. Fired at least 5000 rounds trough it and it hasn't been to the gunshop since they mounted the scope 15 years ago. Superb tigger, accurate barrel, super smooth feeding. What more do you want?

Ever think about dropping the modern stuff, and using a milsurp? As is, most of the milsurps on the market will give you less trouble than the shiny new crap the factories are turning out. Some are just as accurate too!

Sako 75 stainless the most hasle free and accurate out of the box 30 06 I've ever seen.