Rifle Actions (Ranked)

[Ontario Hunter]

Rifles I own. Strongest actions

1917 Enfield complete action with adjustable trigger, cock on closing kit installed, filled island, drilled and tapped, bolt face opened to magnum, nice sporter bolt handle. For a .585 Nyati build

Original 1960s Bauska action in a .505 Gibbs The smoothest cycling rifle I own.

And a 1903 Remington/Springfield in .458 WMView attachment 590779View attachment 590780View attachment 590781View attachment 590782

Did you have the bolt handle reshaped or replaced? They're obviously not the same and neither is original. 3-position Model 70 safety for those go for $500! Ouch.

 

[Altitude sickness]

On the Remington 1903 ?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

On the Remington 1903 ?

I thought it was a 1917. Bolt handles do not appear to be same in all photos.

 

[Altitude sickness]

The rifle I posted is 1960s Bauska action

I didn’t post the Remington/ Springfield

 

[Manny R]

Sauer 404
Dakota 76

 

[Bert the Turtle]

For strength, my vote goes to the R8:

“The R8 lock up was successfully tested at the DEVA institute laboratory at 1,450.0 MPa (210,300 psi; 14,500 bar) piëzo pressure.”

I wonder how they generated that level of overpresure? 30-378 Weatherby full of bullseye?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

For strength, my vote goes to the R8:

“The R8 lock up was successfully tested at the DEVA institute laboratory at 1,450.0 MPa (210,300 psi; 14,500 bar) piëzo pressure.”

I wonder how they generated that level of overpresure? 30-378 Weatherby full of bullseye?

Yeah, the gun may have held up to it but I wonder about the shooter. He better have a mattress tied to his back and nothing solid behind him for thirty yards!

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Yeah, the gun may have held up to it but I wonder about the shooter. He better have a mattress tied to his back and nothing solid behind him for thirty yards!

I imagine a LOOONG string was involved.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

CZ 550
BRNO ZKK 602
Ruger No. !

 

[Longwalker]

Big question, but if considering commercial, non-custom bolt actions only, and in no particular order. These are all very good, but all are quite different...
Brno ZG-47
Blaser R8
Mannlicher-Schönauer

 

[Aaron N]

CZ 550
BRNO ZKK 602
Ruger No. !

Why are you so dead set against a ruger?!

 

[Neil Molendyk]

No problem at all with the Ruger, I have a M77 original version and its fine but don't have a Hawkeye so I can't fairly judge, I think their RSM is a very fine action (wished I had one, or better yet, all 3). Actually its just about any 98 Mauser or variation that floats my boat. No issue with the No. 1 at all, How else do I explain having 16 of them to Momma if I don't like them. Lol

Why are you so dead set against a ruger?!

 

[Aaron N]

No problem at all with the Ruger, I have a M77 original version and its fine but don't have a Hawkeye so I can't fairly judge, I think their RSM is a very fine action (wished I had one, or better yet, all 3). Actually its just about any 98 Mauser or variation that floats my boat. No issue with the No. 1 at all, How else do I explain having 16 of them to Momma if I don't like them. Lol

You poster “Ruger No. !” Fat fingers get the best of us all

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I have been following and really enjoying the recent thread: “thats why I dont like doubles (have one)”.
One of the subjects that is heavily debated within this thread is: double rifle vs bolt action.
So, I would love to see how you guys and gals would rank the different rifle actions based on three criteria: strength, durability and reliability.
My list, based on very rifles owned, would look something like this:
1. Winchester Model 70
2. Remington Model 700
3. Colt AR-15

1. Controlled round feed bolt action. Not too picky about manufacture as long as it's smooth and reliable.
2. Push feed bolt such as Rem. 700.
3. Lever action (Winchester, Marlin or Savage 99).

I have no use for the AR platform as a hunting rifle, and yes I own one. I spent 22 years training with them in the prison system. I have no intention of using it on any animal that I respect other than a coyote. They really have no place (for me) in the hunting field.

 

[Boone66]

Did he test the Arisaka? My understanding is that they are unbelievably strong.

Hatcher did, they couldn't blow one up. Strongest, but ugliest action also.

 

[Boone66]

Ruger no1,
Manlicher schonauer,
p14,
Springfield,
Mauser 98,
Anson and Deely..
Merkel with greener cross bolt.
Remington 700 and Savage, good for varmints
For levers, savage 99
Not necessarily in any order.

 

[AN.87]

kipplauf tilt block
falling-block + variations
Multi lugs bolt
Third bite doubles
...
Everything that exists now, has existed for a long time. And have all proven themselves.

Tolerances are as important as the layout

But I guess one with minimum moving parts, so front loader.

 

[colorado]

That seems an awful light trigger for DGR. Aren't you concerned that it might go off prematurely in the heat of combat as a wounded angry buffalo or elephant is upon you? I actually set my DGR trigger up a bit on the heavy side. But just a bit.

All of my rifles have that same trigger weight, including my BDL in 270 I bought in the late 60s guided with for almost a decade. Took many elk and bears with it including have to stop two charges. I learned early to always control where the muzzle is pointed and never take my finger off of the trigger guard until i'm ready to shoot. Sight picture, safety off, then finger on the trigger. At the last stage the decision to shoot has already been made. Never had an issue.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Hatcher did, they couldn't blow one up. Strongest, but ugliest action also.

P.O. Ackley tried to blow one up too but couldn't. He did blow up a Mauser 98 though.

 

[mauserhunter]

Most any design based of the mauser 98.