Ten Best Bolt-Action Rifles — Do You Agree with this List?
RifleShooter online magazine has published a list of the Ten Best Bolt-Action Rifles of All Time. Ten classic rifle designs (including the Remington 700 and Winchester Model 70) are illustrated with a paragraph or two explaining their notable features.
These Top 10 lists are always controversial. While most readers might approve of half the entries, there are always some items on the Top 10 list that some readers would challenge. Here is RifleShooter’s Top 10 list. What do you think? Are there some other bolt-actions that are more deserving?
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1. Springfield M1903 |
6. Sako L61/AV |
Savage Model 12 FTR
Seeing as how the Springfield 1903 was an unabashed copy of the Mauser 98, so much so that until 1914-17 (thereabouts) when the US entered the war, we were paying a royalty for each 1903 we manufactured, I would remove it from the list.
Next, the Winchester Model 70. Burn me as a heretic, but the “rifleman’s rifle” is little more than another Mauser clone, and an improved 03 Springfield. It can be replaced as well.
So too goes the Ruger M77, again a fine rifle, but not enough different from the M70 or the Mauser that it stole most of its design from. I do like the original tang safety, and they do get points for different construction methods, ie. lost wax casting.
How about some innovation to the list, maybe a Blazer? While not a turning bolt rifle, it is still functioned by a bolt, only a straight pull.
And, considering this is an accuracy dedicated site, I’d be remiss if I didn’t nominate the Accuracy International series.
My last suggestion, include the SMLE. Yes, it had it was an ugly gun. Yes, it cocks on closing (which isn’t all that bad). But the Tommies and ANZACs put it to good use through two world wars and we copied it(in the form of the m1917) and used more of them in WW1 than we did our beloved Mauser clones.
I forgot the Mosin-Nagant!
Hardly an influential design, crude is being kind in it’s description, but it has seen near continuous use around the globe for over 118 years. Supremely strong action, with crude ergonomics, but it can be cleaned up quite nicely and is affordable by anyone. While it will never be on par with even a 1980’s vintage Savage 110, billions of them around the planet should at least move this rifle up to number 11.
Maybe a Browning A or X Bolt…
or the Howa 1500 (a Vanguard by any other name…)
I’d like to see a list compiled by competitive rifle shooters, for whom accuracy and reliability are tested and measured daily.
Any reason why a sako trg-22 doesnt make the list?
Remington 700 is the only commercial action worth doing anything with.
Well pretty much …no. a lot of rifles are clearly missing!
but ay if your only on the american continent shure it look pretty nice
I would put the Mark V above the Remington 700 and Model 70 but as a list of significant milestones in the progression of mass produced bolt actions. Yes.
The best bolt action battle rifle of all time is the British SMLE, and it should top the list. Period.
Not mentioning the Blaser R 93 is doing a great injustice to the bolt action rifle.
The R 93 modernised bolt actions like no other design in the past 100 years
Too many Mauser clones, just put the original at #1.
Missing Sauer 202, Steyr SSG (but featuring Mannlicher-Schoenauer? why?), and AI.
Remove Remington 700, its only qualities are low price and ease of tinkering.
What Jim said about Springfield, Winchester and Ruger being derivatives of the M98.
Support other comments about the SMLE and its legacy being ignored.
But then you would not have 10 actions
what kind of crappy list is that?!?
I’d say the list is a pretty good one, with a couple exceptions. To those that dismiss the Mauser, pretty much every action on the list is a derivative of the M98. Some of the finest custom rifles built today are built around early 1900’s M98’s, and very high end custom 98 clones made today. There are certainly better options for precision rifles, but the 98 started it all. Not all shooters as we all know are wrapped up in the precision rifle world…I like them ALL.
The Tikka T3 is a lot of rifle for the money.
Ditto the Howa 1500.
And don’t forget Accuracy International AW rifles.
Winchester Model 70’s have probably won more High Power rifle matches than all other bolt action rifles combined!
Reaction: Yawn
Longer version: Waste of bandwidth in the original. Can not imagine what the criteria for selection were.
Savage 10 FP…
That topic was guaranteed to stir up a discussion. LOL!!! My Bob Green custom rifle is the best rifle in the world!!!
A bit of a strange list to may way of thinking. Even considering that the Springfield was a Mauser derivative it is debateable whether it was better than the original, poor heat treating on the originals and 2 piece firing pin. Anyway the list must be consigned to the bin without recognising the Lee Enfield actions, the Moisin Nagant and if derivatives are to be included the Jap Arisaka, the strongest of the Mauser Pattern rifles.
What are the best bolt action rifles? Easy: mine are.
The Finnish M39 should be on that list if not near the top. Its tuff, has the best sight of just about any combat bolt action rifle and was still in use by the Finnish military in the 1970 and even today as a sniper rifle. not bad.
The 1903 though its a good gun its just a copy of the K98. So why is it even on the list. Sorta like listing a Mustan GT and a Mustang Snake in a list of top ten best sports cars. Even though I love my Stand it would not sit well with me to see both there like the K98 and 1903 are here.
Agree with support for British SMLE but over all I would say the Schultz and Larsen rifle from Model 54J, the M60, 65DL’s, M68DL’s etc through to the present day M97 and M97Classic DL’s , Victory;s etc are THE best rifles in the world. Many other manufacturers have used S&L ideas but in consistent over all quality and supreme accuracy from hunting through to target, these rifles must be better than any other factory produced quality weapon for sporting and recreational use. One of the most famous in the S&L line was the 7*61 Sharpe and Hart.
Have to agree with Graham A Sperry – The Shultz & Larsen rifle should be at the top of the list -definitely. the best made bolt-action rifles on the planet. I have only 5 of them, but have had many over the years. And the 7X61 S&H is by far the best 7mm ever developed. GJK
No mention of Anschutz? No remington 40x? This should have been called top 10 bolt guns,as we want to remember them…..others are better…..
I have a 1903a3 and my Anschutz 1710 will shoot groups 3x smaller….