10 BEST Bolt-Action Rifles of All Time — What Do YOU Think?
A while back, RifleShooter online magazine published a list of the purported Ten Best Bolt-Action Rifles of All Time. Ten classic rifle designs (including the Remington 700 and Winchester Model 70) were featured with a paragraph or two explaining their notable features.
“Best” Lists Stir Controversy…
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 |
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Tags: Mannlicher, Mauser, Mauser 98, Model 70, Rem 700, Sako, Savage, Swedish Mauser, Tikka, Weatherby, Winchester
A person could possible add a couple more, but these 10 sure would be at the top of the list.
What about the Howa action? Or the Mossberg?
We could put an argument for the Lee Enfield N04…
Evidently this list was compiled by a group of neophytes.
Mauser M98= Ne Plus Ultra
Anyone who understands bolt action design, manufacture and function realizes the Mauser M98 is supreme in every way.
Every bolt action rifle listed is a variant of the Mauser M98. One must ask, is it AS GOOD AS a M98 Mauser because it is definitely NO better! The M98 reigns supreme in form and function. Also, the M98 is the most prolific rifle on the planet with well over 100 million produced. Some production numbers indicate upwards of 150 million rifles having been produced. Paul Mauser got it right 120 years ago and no one has been able to come up with a better design. End of story!
EJ
PS. Long live the Mauser M98!!!!!!!!!!!
Can’t hardly understand how you couldn’t have the Mosin-Nagant on this list , since it is the longest serving military Bolt action in history , still in service today . 1890 to current . Must be more than useable to last that long . “Best” is definitely subjective .
american’s list full of clones of mauser…
Maybe the list should have been the 10 best that are NOT the Mauser 98.
Not sure who compiled this list BUTT how the Remington 700 (The Most Copied Action) not being #1 Being of original design. Where as most of the others are copies AKA improved designs of previous actions/
1.Remington 700
2.Sako tied with Weatherby
3.Mannlicher-Schonauer
As innovators then draw straws for the rest
They might be the 10 most POPULAR rifles but not necessarily the 10 BEST
Who in their right mind would list a savage 110 over a k31?
Joe DuBiel says Mauser. Find someone more informed and I’ll bite.
The 1903 Mannlicher carbine in 6.5x 54 should be at the top of the list not the bottom.
My money is on a TRG-22 from Sako
The “list” is really silly as there are big differences between hunting, target shooting and battle. I like the rifles listed however all things considered the SMLE is at the top of my list for versatility and length of service. I believe it is the best bolt action battle rifle ever fielded by any nation.
Hmm, not really sure why the 03 Springfield is even on the list let alone 1st. It is a 98 derivative as is the Model 70 and to be fair the 03 is probably inferior in some respects. Shocked that the SMLE or No4 aren’t on the list nor the Moisin Nagant.
Really? The Blaser R8 and R93 are not on the list?
You can’t be serious about a Springfield. Two-piece firing pin, and a history of blow ups when chambered for magnum cartridges. Ever hear the words “heat treat”…?
1. 98 Mauser. Standard of the world prior to gas guns.
2. Old Model 70. You could buy them chambered in everything from 22 Hornet to 375 H&H. “The rifleman’s rifle”.
Dave, Blaser management determined that ruptured cases would never happen and decided to replace a central element of the bolt design by a polyethylene part. Very understandable, because this way management could save probably about 2 dollars per 3500 dollar rifle.
Alas, a case indeed ruptured and a guy (in Norway if I remember correctly) shot himself his R93 bolt through his eye into his brain, because polyethylene and hot propellant gases do not really go together well.
That is the difference: old-fashioned Paul Mauser very thoughtfully evolved his designs to minimize harm to the shooter if anything went wrong. Modern managers only think in dollars. The previous position of Blaser’s current top manager was in a waste management company (Remondis).
This is in my view the obvious reason why Blaser designs do not belong and do not appear in the list and why ranks 1 through 4 went to Mauser 98 or its immediate derivatives.
Mosin Nagant.
Everything else is just a glorified firing stick in my eyes.
The very finest bolt action hunting rifle or carbine you can own is the Mannlicher Shoenauer model 1903,the precision workmanship and function of these guns is is as good as it gets,when you own one of these you can truly say you have the very best.
A bolt 2 browning!!
The Springfield 1903 was a copy of the Mauser 98. Mauser 98 was the most influential bolt action ever. The smoother bolt action and accuracy. It must has been NUMBER ONE! In your list!