BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[moderator]

August 2006 Poll:

Who makes the best bolt action rifle?

[bitmasher]

If you voted other, what would you have voted for? Kimber, Howa, etc...

[Mckie Hollow]

Dakota,Jarrett,Nula, Empire - The List goes on

[WesternHunter]

I think the serious mistake folks make is by begining a phrase with the words "the best" The best for what?? Are brands costing six figures the best?? Maybe, depends on who's shooting them. Does that mean that guns made for the common hunter are the best?? In the right hands they are. What's the best for what situation?? It all varies. Nothing will cause more controversy than someone walking into a group of enthusiasts and stating "this ______ is the best and I'll tell you why" :[-X

M.D. Johnson (author of a few hunting books) once wrote something along the lines of - some of the best, accurate, and most impressive shooting he's ever witnesses in the field has been done by folk (both guys and gals) who shoot some pretty well used workhorse type firearms (such as those listed in the choices to vote for). He goes on to say that these people may not have owned the prettiest or even the best guns, but they sure knew better than any how to shoot what they owned, be it a rifle, shotgun, or handgun :thumbsup1: I'm reluctant to have to admit it, but that has been my observation as well.

[DUGABOY1]

IMO, it is a mistake most shooters make to rely only on accuracy, of any rifle, without considering how well the rifle is put together, how reliably it feeds, how dependable it extracts, and ejects empties, how well the stock is made, and finished, and if it fits the shooter. Finally, what the rifle is to be used for, and how well it opperates, and stays together when needed most.

Also in my opinion price is not always an indicator of quality , up or down. Lots of money can be spent on up grade wood, that in some case is a detrament to the rifles reliability, and engraveing does little to inhance the reliability of a given rifle.

An entry grade bolt rifle, IMO, needs to be tweeked quite a lot to be the way it should have been when it left the makers warehouse, and this includes some of the most popular names, and models on the market today. I think the poll taken here is way out of whack, when just two of the choices are the way they are in the list. Those two being the Remington, and the SAKO, IMO there is no comparison in quality of manufacture, eventhough I don't consider either of them to be a good choices for some types of hunting. Many of the others got little mention, which are far better than either of those two. I would bet my hat, most of the responders, are between 15, and 25 yrs of age, and that they have never owned any brand other than the one they voted for. I base this on the fact that the rifles that got the most votes are the one most available in Wal-Mart, and other discount stores, and are therefore the most common brands seen in treestands over a deer feeder . Nothing wrong with that, except that it is not a good representation, of hunters of all types, and all places for all animals. I think a real spread of very experienced shooters, and hunters would show a consoderabley different outcome. ::-k

[340Wby]

WEATHERBY MARK V :thumbsup1: .

[thom1175]

Muaser action rifles sorry used to have one the 7mm (7X57) muaser it was the best gun I had when I started hunting I miss this gun alot after I got rid of it for shooting the barrel out of it really like to find another one but any ways that is my vote.

[WesternHunter]

Yup, I'd have to second that. A Mauser action or Mauser "type" action is what I prefer on a big game rifle.

[Float Pilot]

My old 1930s vintage M-98 DWM Mauser that was sporterized in the 1970s (cost $30 in military condition) , is a better rifle in accuracy and reliablity compared to my $1,150 Remington 700 Mountain Rifle and it's $400 scope.
It is also better than my newer M-70 Winchester classics.
My old pre-64 M-70 in 300 H&H in on Par with the custom Mauser.

[wonksy]

i just bought a 300 wsm in the browning stainless stalker line. alot of guys dont know that the browning a-bolt was made up from the ol mauser bolt action,thus being a little more fancy. it uses the same 3 locking lug design and ect. theres alot of expensive guns out there but for the average joe they dont need them. i own browning, remington, tikka and the list goes on and they all do the same thing as far as i'm concerned...thanks again

[halvtaz]

I prefer the S&W bolt actions. Have one in the .308

[d3238]

i have my Sako .270!!!

[Makwa]

Older model Sako's and FN mausers.

[ajndad]

Steyr Mannlicher has my vote.

[WeatherbyScott]

Weatherby mark V is the best there is.