jf89
Member
Wich bolt actions are the" glocks" or Mossberg 500's of the rifle world?self serviceable and not requiring a professional gun Smith to work on it when needed along with good after markets and rugged yet simple
good bolt action rifles for people who like to work on their own guns?
- Thread starter jf89
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Maybe only the Savage rifles with their barrel but would be something I would possibly consider self serviceable. Everything else I can think of requires a fair amount of special tools and skills.
ironworkerwill
Member
Savage rifles or the Remington 700. There are tons of aftermarket parts for both rifles.
RugerOldArmy
Member
Savage...their design with the barrel nut allows you to headspace, swap barrels, swap bolt heads (to support another cartridge), etc. You can do this easily, and with great precision, in your own garage.
AR(s) are also guns that you can do most of your own work on. You just have a little less control over headspace, etc.
AR(s) are also guns that you can do most of your own work on. You just have a little less control over headspace, etc.
Sheepdog1968
Member
Remington 700s have been around for a very long time so lots of aftermarket support.
jf89
Member
Just maintaining my own gun and learning to work on them my own...I like how the glock and Mossberg 500 make it easy for the average person to work on their guns
BCRider
Member
Accessorizing is a lot different from maintaining. And I can see where folks would be confused by your wording on which you mean.
To me easy maintaining means bolts that can be completely detail stripped with basic tools and without the need to use pin punches on pins that will wear out over a number of removals and replacements. I don't have a lot of bolt rifle experience with different brands but the Mosin Nagant rifle seems like a good example of a fully user maintainable rifle. With the one handy Mosin hand tool I can fully disassemble the rifle including the bolt and reassemble it including checking the firing pin for correct protrusion.
I suspect that most military main bolt rifles would be the same.
To me easy maintaining means bolts that can be completely detail stripped with basic tools and without the need to use pin punches on pins that will wear out over a number of removals and replacements. I don't have a lot of bolt rifle experience with different brands but the Mosin Nagant rifle seems like a good example of a fully user maintainable rifle. With the one handy Mosin hand tool I can fully disassemble the rifle including the bolt and reassemble it including checking the firing pin for correct protrusion.
I suspect that most military main bolt rifles would be the same.
farmerboy78
Member
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I second the mosin, but get a Finnish made one (sako, tikka, vkt)...you can do so much to them to make them appear as a modern rifle, and the finns are accurate. .. I suggest a m28/30, m39, m28, m27, m28/76...hell any Finnish mosin
jf89
Member
Wow those sound like pretty awesome rifles, don't suppose they make anything like it in. 308 win? I used to own a cheap wal Mart savage bolt action it had a really scrappy stock and scope but good trigger and pretty accurate I guess.....I really like savage rifles thigh so I'll probably just get am the one
GAMEOVER44
Member
Ruger GSR.. mine was a 308 made it a 358 
Uncle Nubbs
Member
I second the Mosin Nagant as an ideal choice however, they are collectible Mil-Surp rifles and if you modify and post about it, you will take flak for it. So be ready for that. On the other hand, I can't think of a simpler example if you are looking for something you can break down into parts, clean, and learn about mechanics. The initial storage grease removal process is a project unto itself.
Plus, they are a BALL to shoot and ammo is cheap and easy to find.
Plus, they are a BALL to shoot and ammo is cheap and easy to find.
Uncle Nubbs
Member
I'm glad you said that. I forgot to mention that in my post to the OP. Always take the time to allow a competent gunsmith to look it over first. Always.
armedaccountant
Member
No Mosins in .308. As far as I know they were all chambered in 7.62x54R.
Float Pilot
Member
Only a few actions can be totally 100% stripped down without the aid of tools.
I am talking about the ability to totally disassemble the bolt and separate the firing pin from the firing pin spring and cocking piece ( bolt Shroud)
Plus remove or replace the extractor. WITHOUT ANY SPECIAL TOOLS.
The M-98 Mauser (with bolt mounted 3 position safety)
The M-70 Winchester
The Kimber Montana series. (smaller size M-70 clone)
The Montana Rifles ( M-70 clone)
M-96 Swede Mausers.
M-93 and M-95 Mausers
M-1903 and 1903A3 Springfield Rifles
M-16 / AR-15 AR-10 series of rifles.
AK- series of rifles.
Rifles like the M-700 Rem and even the M-77MKII Ruger need a firing pin spring de-compression tool to remove the firing pin spring from the firing pin and bolt shroud.
I am talking about the ability to totally disassemble the bolt and separate the firing pin from the firing pin spring and cocking piece ( bolt Shroud)
Plus remove or replace the extractor. WITHOUT ANY SPECIAL TOOLS.
The M-98 Mauser (with bolt mounted 3 position safety)
The M-70 Winchester
The Kimber Montana series. (smaller size M-70 clone)
The Montana Rifles ( M-70 clone)
M-96 Swede Mausers.
M-93 and M-95 Mausers
M-1903 and 1903A3 Springfield Rifles
M-16 / AR-15 AR-10 series of rifles.
AK- series of rifles.
Rifles like the M-700 Rem and even the M-77MKII Ruger need a firing pin spring de-compression tool to remove the firing pin spring from the firing pin and bolt shroud.
scythefwd
Member
Savage requires 2 special tools to change the barrel, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER RIFLE, BUT they are much easier to headspace. There are folks that do the same savage barrel nut to remingtons for that single reason.
The savage just requires an action block and a barrel nut wrench (vs a barrel wrench for the remmy 700).
Shilen rifles (MUCH MORE $$$$) use the same system.
The ruger 10/22 lets you swap parts at will pretty much too... Its not a bolt action, but its "smithing" experience none the less. AR's are also in this boat. Then again, I dont consider swapping parts smithing... smithing requires parts fabrication to me.
Float - I have completely disassembled a savage bolt with a screw driver and a punch for 1 pin (actually, it was a maize nail that I cut off.... ). I'd agree that your assessment on the others, but I think I'd be willing to lump the savage 110 based actions in there as well.
The savage just requires an action block and a barrel nut wrench (vs a barrel wrench for the remmy 700).
Shilen rifles (MUCH MORE $$$$) use the same system.
The ruger 10/22 lets you swap parts at will pretty much too... Its not a bolt action, but its "smithing" experience none the less. AR's are also in this boat. Then again, I dont consider swapping parts smithing... smithing requires parts fabrication to me.
Float - I have completely disassembled a savage bolt with a screw driver and a punch for 1 pin (actually, it was a maize nail that I cut off.... ). I'd agree that your assessment on the others, but I think I'd be willing to lump the savage 110 based actions in there as well.
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ironworkerwill
Member
^^^+1 The Remage system for nutting the barrel to the action of 700s. Also the Shilen uses the same system of barrel nut and floating bolt head but has the Remington-esque bolt and trigger group.
scythefwd
Member
OH, to correct myself, 2 special tools that are specific to the rifle, and headspace gauges... but those are kind of a given. I dont want to leave em out though, its a very real necessity.
Float Pilot
Member
I did not list the Savage actions , because I do not have enough experience with them to make an informed comment.
When the original poster said "" rugged, simple, the Glock of Rifles""......
While he may not have been thinking the same thing,,,,,, what comes to my mind is sitting under a poncho on a freezing night with rain and sleet coming down. Meanwhile I am stripping my rifles bolt down to the small pieces with my dirty bare hands so I can wipe out all the mud and crud from some misadventure. I have had to do that on a couple occasions....
He might be thinking of something totally different like the ability to change out modular parts without any gunsmiths skills.
When the original poster said "" rugged, simple, the Glock of Rifles""......
While he may not have been thinking the same thing,,,,,, what comes to my mind is sitting under a poncho on a freezing night with rain and sleet coming down. Meanwhile I am stripping my rifles bolt down to the small pieces with my dirty bare hands so I can wipe out all the mud and crud from some misadventure. I have had to do that on a couple occasions....
He might be thinking of something totally different like the ability to change out modular parts without any gunsmiths skills.
scythefwd
Member
Well, in that case you cannot strip the bolt of a savage without an allen wrench (or flat head screwdriver), and some sort of pushing tool (I have used the FP for this).
You can, theoretically strip a r700 bolt without tools, but I cannot say for sure.
You can, theoretically strip a r700 bolt without tools, but I cannot say for sure.
Float Pilot
Member
I did manage to get a M-700 firing pin spring off once, using an assortment of scrapped knuckles and assorted shop tools. But putting it back together was a real pain. Try holding the tension on the spring while replacing the pin. They make a tool just for that which makes it work pretty fast. Or you can use a Model 70 Win or M-98 clone and just do it with your hands in less than 30 seconds.
mgkdrgn
Member
Mosin Nagant ... buy 'em by the dozen!
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