What do you think is the best bolt action for a rifle? I've been looking at Dakota Arms & Winchester because I've been wanting a controlled round feed. Does anyone have any preferences as to which one is the best?
What's the best bolt action?
- Thread starter dcannon
- Start date
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
It's almost impossible to compare 40/50/60's era rifles with what we can get today. Knowledge. engineering and performance are totally different! We also demand more from our firearms that we used to. Rifles have evolved just like todays optics as compared to the same eras I mentioned. Our options for ammunition and components have evolved too. We get and demand performance that was unthought of previously.
I have several gun safes full of all types of big game rifles. Most are still older stuff that still shoot well and satisfy my requirements. I suppose if I wanted to consistantly kill animals at over 500 yards, I might need to spend some $$$ and get one of the new state of the art rifles. The closest I come is a rebarreled, restocked commercial Mauser in .300 Wby that will do a great job (moa) out to 600 yards, which is the furthest I've ever shot it. Everyone has their own requirements for what they plan on doing with their rifle. Mine all do what I want them to do.
I have several gun safes full of all types of big game rifles. Most are still older stuff that still shoot well and satisfy my requirements. I suppose if I wanted to consistantly kill animals at over 500 yards, I might need to spend some $$$ and get one of the new state of the art rifles. The closest I come is a rebarreled, restocked commercial Mauser in .300 Wby that will do a great job (moa) out to 600 yards, which is the furthest I've ever shot it. Everyone has their own requirements for what they plan on doing with their rifle. Mine all do what I want them to do.
There are lots of custom and semi-custom gun makers, and most claim they are best at what they do. Some make 20 pound varmint rifles, while others focus on 5 pound mountain rifles, and other yet believe in fancy engraving and extravagant wood.
You really need to define some parameters. To this open ended question I might choose a Holland and Holland double rifle for about $150K+, but I won't plan to take it sheep hunting anytime soon.
Kimber makes quality production rifles at a cost far less than Dakota. Nothing wrong with Dakota, but the great wood and finish doesn't make them kill better, or any more accurate. Most brands produce rifles capable of accuracy less than 1", but many hunters can't perform this well themselves repeatedly.
Decide what purpose you envision for the gun, whether it is investment, target practice, or specific type of hunting. Plan your purpose with the goal in mind, and don't get hung up in endless debates about best.
llp
You really need to define some parameters. To this open ended question I might choose a Holland and Holland double rifle for about $150K+, but I won't plan to take it sheep hunting anytime soon.
Kimber makes quality production rifles at a cost far less than Dakota. Nothing wrong with Dakota, but the great wood and finish doesn't make them kill better, or any more accurate. Most brands produce rifles capable of accuracy less than 1", but many hunters can't perform this well themselves repeatedly.
Decide what purpose you envision for the gun, whether it is investment, target practice, or specific type of hunting. Plan your purpose with the goal in mind, and don't get hung up in endless debates about best.
llp
Thanks for the info guys! What I'm thinking about is making a semi custom 300 mag. I was looking at taking apart a Winchester extreme weather because I don't really like the stock. But I've also been looking at the Dakota as I think I could put a stock on a barreled action for not too much more than the Winchester with a new stock. Edellweis, are any of those actions you mentioned stainless?
To clarify my question, I am looking to work on a stainless controlled round feed with a nice synthetic stock.
To clarify my question, I am looking to work on a stainless controlled round feed with a nice synthetic stock.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Check out these:
http://www.montanarifleco.com/custom.rifles.html#HighCountrySeries
They also have "production" models that are pretty nice, and are a little over a grand.
http://www.montanarifleco.com/custom.rifles.html#HighCountrySeries
They also have "production" models that are pretty nice, and are a little over a grand.
Edelweiss, I was thinking around $2500, maybe a little more. I would probably go with a #3 taper barrel, & a brown precision stock if he still does elephant hide on them. Maybe a teflon coat too, not sure about that though. Also, do all actions with a mauser claw need a both in the barrel, or is it only Winchester?
I have looked at the MRC rifles, & they just don't feel very good to me. It was very rough & just seemed overly heavy.
I have looked at the MRC rifles, & they just don't feel very good to me. It was very rough & just seemed overly heavy.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Was that a "production" MRC or a high country custom?
The high country guns are pretty light, IMO. They also have a tiny 5 lb. ultralight.
Even the production guns seem to smooth out after a little breaking in.
Just another option to look at for controlled round feed.