My Perfect Bolt Action

Scoutmaster · 01-08-2008, 05:43 AM

I'm looking to buy another bolt action rifle to use mostly for deer and for the occasional elk hunt. While looking at all of the rifles offered, I decided that I'm going to pick all the features that I like and pick the perfect bolt action rifle. My perfect bolt action would be lightweight, I'm not getting any younger, so 6.5-7lbs. without the scope, it would have a 60 degree bolt lift, button rifled, pillar bedded, free floated barrel, a controlled round feed with standing ejector, a scissors type cartridge elevator in a removable steel magazine, integral recoil lug, a tang mounted three position safety, integral scope mount, a flat bottom receiver, all stainless steel construction, adjustable trigger and a laminated stock.
Of course there is no such thing as a perfect bolt action rifle, at least not one that contains all the features I would like. Well like anything else, I guess I have to weigh the options and pick a rifle that's as close to perfect as I can find. I guess the best place for me to start is with the perfect cartridge, the 30-06, or is it? LOL.
Don

texnmidwest · 01-08-2008, 06:57 AM

Well, as far as calibur I would have to say that one of the medium calibers would be my bet. 7mm-06, 260, 7x57, 6.5x55 and the like. Mild on recoil even in light rifles. Of course one can not go wrong with the venerable 308.

As I was reading the description I could not help that the savage comes close.

A-10 · 01-08-2008, 07:22 AM

Look into a Browning A-bolt also.

ArkansasHunter · 01-08-2008, 07:37 AM

I'll try to help...I bought one of the new Ruger Hawkeye boltaction rifles in 308 and it sure is nice.
It's so much better than the former M 77's. And mine is accurate.
I will assume you've been to there web site in your search, if not I suggest you do.

If you like Winchesters model 70 pre 1964 rifles, Winchester has started back produceing these and there suppose to hit the market in June.
There feather weight line will be some of the models available.

You've got CZ, Howa, Weatherby, Remington, Savage and many more to choose from
I bought the Ruger because of the mauser style action and the new target trigger which is so sweet.

It's a good looking gun worthy of consideration the heft and feel would please anyone
So my vote goes to Ruger...A.H

EDIT : I reread your post and you described my Ruger. I bought the stainless/Black synthectic stock model.
If your wanting shinny stainless then forget the Ruger it's matted and I love it...A.H

Bravo · 01-08-2008, 09:57 AM

The 30-06 is probably going to be the most perfect Deer and Elk caliber that you can get.

As for the rifle, it sounds like you want to spend a little bit of money. I'd recommend looking at some Remington M700's...

like this: Remington Model 700™ Mountain LSS

nighthawk80 · 01-08-2008, 10:44 AM

You can always check out the new bolt action from Thompson Center. Icon™ - Thompson/Center
It sure looks pretty!!!!

Troy · 01-08-2008, 12:08 PM

i like the '06, i just pick up a P17 scoped for cheap and it fits most of your specs.

Scoutmaster · 01-08-2008, 06:06 PM

I took a long ride to Cabelas today, and let me tell you in case any of you have never been to a Cabelas store, it's the absolute best place to shop for rifles. Don't buy any there because their prices are insane, but go there and handle any rifle your interested in because they have them all, then go order it at your local dealer. I handled as many as caught my fancy, Ruger Hawkeyes, Browning Hunters, Remington various 700s and Sevens, Tikka, Sako, Savage, Weatherby, Howa and CZ rifles. Drove the salesman crazy! LOL Well I was the most impressed with the Sako's handling, quality and lightweight the price tag was equally impressive. The Tikka is very close, but lacking some of the quality. The Ruger Hawkeye was also very nice and like the Tikka, much more affordable. After leaving Cabelas I stopped at a local Dicks Sporting Goods store and they had a Tikka Lite S.S. in 30-06 for the great price of $479! I haven't even seen it that cheap on any of the internet gun stores. So that rifle just had to come home with me. I still felt that the Ruger Hawkeye was very well built and a fine looking rifle for the money, so I stopped at my local gun shop and asked him for a price. He doesn't carry all that many rifles NIB, but he'll get anything you want and always carries a nice supply of used guns. He quoted me $549 for the Hawkeye. Now having just bought a 30-06, I need to pick a good chambering for the Hawkeye before I order one. The Hawkeye is between .5 and 1.5lbs. heavier than the Tikka Lite depending on caliber, so I'm thinking of getting it in a heavier cartridge. Now I have to do some studying in my reloading books and here online to see what cartridge will get the nod for that rifle. Also is the question of blued with a nice walnut stock or another S.S. synthetic. But these are the kind of troubles I can easily live with.
Don

sbowers5 · 01-08-2008, 06:19 PM

scoutmaster, the one caliber that no one has said anything about and has served me very, very well over the years is the 280 remington it has outstanding ballistics, mild recoil and is in my opinion about perfect for the two types of game you are going to hunt and is available from most manufactures. just my opion of course.steve.

Scoutmaster · 01-08-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbowers5

the one caliber that no one has said anything about and has served me very, very well over the years is the 280 remington

Steve,
I've owned and loaded for the .280 in the past and you have another fan here. I'm a big fan of the 7mms and the .280 in particular. Max loads will come very close to 7mm Rem. Mag. ballistics in a cartridge that headspaces off the shoulder rather than the belt. It seems to me that there are less and less gun manufacturers chambering for the .280 these days. Ruger however does chamber their Hawkeye All-weather for it and I'll definitely keep it in mind.
Don

Midas · 01-08-2008, 07:45 PM

The .280 is an excellent cartridge, its a shame that it isn't more popular, it shoots flat, hits hard, and has manageable recoil, what more could ya want? I guess it's too similar to the legendary .270

sbowers5 · 01-08-2008, 07:46 PM

Don,I not only have a 280 but also a 7x57,7x57 ackley imp. 7mm mag so you can see that i also am quite inchanted with the .284 caliber rifles, they just seem to be able to preform really well in all of the hunting situations i have so far been envolved with.
Steve

Mooseman684 · 01-08-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoutmaster

I'm looking to buy another bolt action rifle to use mostly for deer and for the occasional elk hunt. While looking at all of the rifles offered, I decided that I'm going to pick all the features that I like and pick the perfect bolt action rifle. My perfect bolt action would be lightweight, I'm not getting any younger, so 6.5-7lbs. without the scope, it would have a 60 degree bolt lift, button rifled, pillar bedded, free floated barrel, a controlled round feed with standing ejector, a scissors type cartridge elevator in a removable steel magazine, integral recoil lug, a tang mounted three position safety, integral scope mount, a flat bottom receiver, all stainless steel construction, adjustable trigger and a laminated stock.
Of course there is no such thing as a perfect bolt action rifle, at least not one that contains all the features I would like. Well like anything else, I guess I have to weigh the options and pick a rifle that's as close to perfect as I can find. I guess the best place for me to start is with the perfect cartridge, the 30-06, or is it? LOL.
Don

Actually what you are describing is Very close to a Rifle I just aquired...Kimber 84M in .338 Federal, Lightweight, Controlled round feeding,Not laminated,European Walnut and not Stainless however, but most of all the best Features ! A real beauty ! ( Pre-64 Model 70 Action)
Rich

SwedeSteve · 01-08-2008, 11:34 PM

Moose, Moose, Goose! You shot that beauty yet?

ArkansasHunter · 01-09-2008, 12:22 AM

Scottmaster WOW A Ruger Hawkeye in 300 win mag would be a nice rifle to own.
A.H

Bear_Down · 01-09-2008, 12:27 AM

sounds like you need to take a look at the Browning X Bolt.
Slimmed down stalk, Stainless, Adjustable trigger, Rotary clip, 60 degree bolt.
Everything you want and it's a Browning to boot. How cool is that.

It is an up dated/ Trimmed out A Bolt.

Magnumsrule · 01-09-2008, 01:26 AM

That 338. fed seem sto shoot nice. I would also say that the 280 is quite unapreciated. It beats the 270 and is very close to the 7mm mag. Many balistics charts have the 280 outdoing the 7mm mag after about 100 yards. The 280 has much less recoil and requires less powder. But as said above its hard to find a rifle that you like chambered for the 280 as not many manufacture it. I think remington just came out with an aniversary adition for the 280 cause its like 50 years since it was released. Stainless laminate i think.
I have to disagree with Bravo about the 30-06. Many people think that the 06 is the perfect cartridge but i dont see whats so great about it. The only thing it has going for it is the range of ammo choices and maby some surplus rifles. Other than that it dont have good trajectory when compared to many other calibers. I have heard of many elk getting away because the 06 failed to preform.

rasterman77 · 01-09-2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear_Down

sounds like you need to take a look at the Browning X Bolt.
Slimmed down stalk, Stainless, Adjustable trigger, Rotary clip, 60 degree bolt.
Everything you want and it's a Browning to boot. How cool is that.

It is an up dated/ Trimmed out A Bolt.

I can't wait to handle one, we don't have one locally so I'm travelling to check this "x-bolt" out.
I've pondered the Tikka as well but a person I respect highly (Chuck Hawks.. truly a googles worth of info on his site) rips Tikka a new one and what he says makes sense.
I've recently (yesterday) shot a Sako 85 in .300 WSM and loved it so knowing the Tikka and Sako are cousins makes me wonder if the Tikka is worth a "shot".

nvshooter · 01-09-2008, 03:01 AM

Therefore, you must go with Nesika Bay. They make a bunch of different actions. You would want one of their Hunter actions. They will make it any way you want it. Period.

01-08-2008, 05:43 AM	#1
Scoutmaster Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 39	My Perfect Bolt Action I'm looking to buy another bolt action rifle to use mostly for deer and for the occasional elk hunt. While looking at all of the rifles offered, I decided that I'm going to pick all the features that I like and pick the perfect bolt action rifle. My perfect bolt action would be lightweight, I'm not getting any younger, so 6.5-7lbs. without the scope, it would have a 60 degree bolt lift, button rifled, pillar bedded, free floated barrel, a controlled round feed with standing ejector, a scissors type cartridge elevator in a removable steel magazine, integral recoil lug, a tang mounted three position safety, integral scope mount, a flat bottom receiver, all stainless steel construction, adjustable trigger and a laminated stock. Of course there is no such thing as a perfect bolt action rifle, at least not one that contains all the features I would like. Well like anything else, I guess I have to weigh the options and pick a rifle that's as close to perfect as I can find. I guess the best place for me to start is with the perfect cartridge, the 30-06, or is it? LOL. Don

01-08-2008, 06:57 AM	#2
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,460	Well, as far as calibur I would have to say that one of the medium calibers would be my bet. 7mm-06, 260, 7x57, 6.5x55 and the like. Mild on recoil even in light rifles. Of course one can not go wrong with the venerable 308. As I was reading the description I could not help that the savage comes close. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

01-08-2008, 07:22 AM	#3
A-10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 734	Look into a Browning A-bolt also. __________________ If there's nothing worth dying for, there's nothing worth living for.

01-08-2008, 07:37 AM	#4
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,722	I'll try to help...I bought one of the new Ruger Hawkeye boltaction rifles in 308 and it sure is nice. It's so much better than the former M 77's. And mine is accurate. I will assume you've been to there web site in your search, if not I suggest you do. If you like Winchesters model 70 pre 1964 rifles, Winchester has started back produceing these and there suppose to hit the market in June. There feather weight line will be some of the models available. You've got CZ, Howa, Weatherby, Remington, Savage and many more to choose from I bought the Ruger because of the mauser style action and the new target trigger which is so sweet. It's a good looking gun worthy of consideration the heft and feel would please anyone So my vote goes to Ruger...A.H EDIT : I reread your post and you described my Ruger. I bought the stainless/Black synthectic stock model. If your wanting shinny stainless then forget the Ruger it's matted and I love it...A.H Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 01-08-2008 at 07:40 AM.

01-08-2008, 09:57 AM	#5
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,900	The 30-06 is probably going to be the most perfect Deer and Elk caliber that you can get. As for the rifle, it sounds like you want to spend a little bit of money. I'd recommend looking at some Remington M700's... like this: Remington Model 700™ Mountain LSS Last edited by Bravo; 01-08-2008 at 10:00 AM.

01-08-2008, 10:44 AM	#6
nighthawk80 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Just south of Central Indiana Posts: 403	You can always check out the new bolt action from Thompson Center. Icon™ - Thompson/Center It sure looks pretty!!!!

01-08-2008, 12:08 PM	#7
Troy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 2,501 Images: 3	i like the '06, i just pick up a P17 scoped for cheap and it fits most of your specs.

01-08-2008, 06:06 PM	#8
Scoutmaster Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 39	I took a long ride to Cabelas today, and let me tell you in case any of you have never been to a Cabelas store, it's the absolute best place to shop for rifles. Don't buy any there because their prices are insane, but go there and handle any rifle your interested in because they have them all, then go order it at your local dealer. I handled as many as caught my fancy, Ruger Hawkeyes, Browning Hunters, Remington various 700s and Sevens, Tikka, Sako, Savage, Weatherby, Howa and CZ rifles. Drove the salesman crazy! LOL Well I was the most impressed with the Sako's handling, quality and lightweight the price tag was equally impressive. The Tikka is very close, but lacking some of the quality. The Ruger Hawkeye was also very nice and like the Tikka, much more affordable. After leaving Cabelas I stopped at a local Dicks Sporting Goods store and they had a Tikka Lite S.S. in 30-06 for the great price of $479! I haven't even seen it that cheap on any of the internet gun stores. So that rifle just had to come home with me. I still felt that the Ruger Hawkeye was very well built and a fine looking rifle for the money, so I stopped at my local gun shop and asked him for a price. He doesn't carry all that many rifles NIB, but he'll get anything you want and always carries a nice supply of used guns. He quoted me $549 for the Hawkeye. Now having just bought a 30-06, I need to pick a good chambering for the Hawkeye before I order one. The Hawkeye is between .5 and 1.5lbs. heavier than the Tikka Lite depending on caliber, so I'm thinking of getting it in a heavier cartridge. Now I have to do some studying in my reloading books and here online to see what cartridge will get the nod for that rifle. Also is the question of blued with a nice walnut stock or another S.S. synthetic. But these are the kind of troubles I can easily live with. Don

01-08-2008, 06:19 PM	#9
sbowers5 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: sawyer, ok Posts: 539	scoutmaster, the one caliber that no one has said anything about and has served me very, very well over the years is the 280 remington it has outstanding ballistics, mild recoil and is in my opinion about perfect for the two types of game you are going to hunt and is available from most manufactures. just my opion of course.steve. __________________ For those who never fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.

01-08-2008, 07:45 PM	#11
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,813 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	The .280 is an excellent cartridge, its a shame that it isn't more popular, it shoots flat, hits hard, and has manageable recoil, what more could ya want? I guess it's too similar to the legendary .270 __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

01-08-2008, 07:46 PM	#12
sbowers5 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: sawyer, ok Posts: 539	Don,I not only have a 280 but also a 7x57,7x57 ackley imp. 7mm mag so you can see that i also am quite inchanted with the .284 caliber rifles, they just seem to be able to preform really well in all of the hunting situations i have so far been envolved with. Steve __________________ For those who never fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.

01-08-2008, 11:34 PM	#14
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,396 Images: 1	Moose, Moose, Goose! You shot that beauty yet? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

01-09-2008, 12:22 AM	#15
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,722	Scottmaster WOW A Ruger Hawkeye in 300 win mag would be a nice rifle to own. A.H

01-09-2008, 12:27 AM	#16
Bear_Down Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Prince George B.C. Canada Posts: 36	sounds like you need to take a look at the Browning X Bolt. Slimmed down stalk, Stainless, Adjustable trigger, Rotary clip, 60 degree bolt. Everything you want and it's a Browning to boot. How cool is that. It is an up dated/ Trimmed out A Bolt.

01-09-2008, 01:26 AM	#17
Magnumsrule Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Alberta, Canada Posts: 593 Blog Entries: 2	That 338. fed seem sto shoot nice. I would also say that the 280 is quite unapreciated. It beats the 270 and is very close to the 7mm mag. Many balistics charts have the 280 outdoing the 7mm mag after about 100 yards. The 280 has much less recoil and requires less powder. But as said above its hard to find a rifle that you like chambered for the 280 as not many manufacture it. I think remington just came out with an aniversary adition for the 280 cause its like 50 years since it was released. Stainless laminate i think. I have to disagree with Bravo about the 30-06. Many people think that the 06 is the perfect cartridge but i dont see whats so great about it. The only thing it has going for it is the range of ammo choices and maby some surplus rifles. Other than that it dont have good trajectory when compared to many other calibers. I have heard of many elk getting away because the 06 failed to preform. __________________ Cartridge Group Like to discuss cartridges? Join HERE! Last edited by Magnumsrule; 01-09-2008 at 01:29 AM.

01-09-2008, 03:01 AM	#19
nvshooter Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fernley, NV Posts: 46	The perfect rifle must start with the perfect action... Therefore, you must go with Nesika Bay. They make a bunch of different actions. You would want one of their Hunter actions. They will make it any way you want it. Period.