Best Bolt Action Centerfire

[kennyboy]

What is the best bolt action centerfire rifle?

 

[dakotasin]

the one that fits you the best, has the best eye-appeal to you, and the one you have the most confidence in.

in reality, all production-class new rifles are going to shoot very close to the same. the differences are in what speaks to you.

 

[garrett1955]

where's my Browning???

 

[Infidel]

Well, Neither the best nor the next best are on the list. That would be Sako and Tikka.

 

[db_tanker]

urr...sporterized Mauser?

I agree wholeheartedly with dakotasin about the one that feels right, though...you can have the tightest Dakota or a MacMillan stocked, tweaked out, mega-dollar scoped rifle chambered for whatever Bench Rest cartridge or whatever you want and if it don't fit then it ain't gonna shoot worth a flip to you.

One thing I do like...a nice palm swell on the stock. Browning has that covered...and they just shoulder up nice. Shot a few and all have shot very nicely...much better than just a hunting rifle.

MTCW
D

 

[hoghunting]

I assume the Browning would be included in Fabrique Nationale as they own Browning and Winchester.

Agree with Infidel, Where are Sako and Tikka? I will pick these over any other.

 

[jerkface11]

Any old sporterized military rifle.

 

[sumpnz]

Best also depends heavilly on the intended use. Some types of rifles are simply not made by some manufacturers, so no matter how good their other rifles are, if they don't make the style you want/need it is not going to be the "best" brand.

I think most of us are partial to what we "grew-up" with and we tend to stick to that regardless of what else is out there. I'm partial to CRF style actions, which means I gravitate towards CZ, Winchester Classic and Ruger MkII rifles as well as sporterized Mausers. Doesn't mean they're necessarially any better than Remingtons, Brownings, and Tikkas.

 

[iamkris]

My apologies for my reaction, but ugh, not another question like this. It's like asking "what's the best car?"

The natural response to this question should be "for what?"

The best bolt CF rifle will be dramatically different if you are asking for

benchrest shooting
high power rifle competition
big game hunting eastern states
big game hunting western states
big game hunting dangerous game
plinking
on a budget
$ be d@^ned
antipersonnel
antimateriel
etc, etc

 

[Cosmoline]

If the question is who makes the highest quality current production bolt action rifle for the money, you've still left a bunch of companies off the list. But overall my vote would go to CZ. In quality and value, their rifles are the closest to the vintage war rifles that set the benchmark. Ruger is second on my list. Their 77's are often degraded, but they're extremely tough and inexpensive. I have neither time nor money to waste on Remchesters.

 

[GeoW]

Another asking why isn't SAKO even listed. It's a given I guess

GeoW

 

[kennyboy]

I did not include Sako and Tikki intentionally because I knew that they would get an overwhelming number of votes. I wanted a fairly close poll. I just simply forgot Browning though.

 

[dakotasin]

I did not include Sako and Tikki intentionally because I knew that they would get an overwhelming number of votes.

interesting... i won't buy a tikka because of all the plastic, and 2-3 weeks ago i got rid of my very last sako...

 

[Mannlicher]

Now how can you possibly leave out the magnificent Mosin-Nagant? From what I read online, these old war horses can shoot MOA out to 1000 yards, fire as fast as a machingun, and are wonderfully accurate.

 

[kennyboy]

Well, Dakotasin, you are one of the very few people to be displeased with Sako and Tikka. Although I do not have any firsthand experience, an overwhelming number of THR members are extremely pleased and beyond satisfied with their Sakos and Tikkas. Also, please do not ask me why I did not include particular rifles. Had I included every bolt action rifle ever made the list would be rediculously long and plus, the poll can only allow 16 entries.

 

[dakotasin]

surely i wasn't displeased w/ the sako. it is a fine rifle. but, for the $1200 i stuck into it, i saw zero advantage over some other guns. especially since for that same $1200, i can build my own rifle including the custom barrel.

 

[brentwal]

Savage will be the "most bang for the buck".


Pardon the pun.

 

[redranger1]

since i consider crf action to be a higher quality firearm then the pf im gonna have to go with a winchester, cz, ruger, or an old military firearm. after all, look at the demand for pre 64 winchesters, and not just for collecting. winchester brought back the classic and for good reason, that design is in high demand. frankly i think that remington and weatherby only sell guns because of the name.

 

[AStone]

Like others, I'm a bit surprised that there's no "Browning" option, or at least "other".

OK, I'll deal with it.

Tikka is running a very close second right now to a Browning A-Bolt for my deer rifle.

Who can say which one I'll end up with...

 

[possum]

i have always been partial to the winchester model 70's. but now all the companies are making great advancements in the gun making business. i personally have experience with all of them except the rugers, i think all are great in there own way. i love the cz's especially the cz .22lr they are too sweet, i know i know that it is a rimfire but i had to give the credit where it was do. I am really into the savages to especially the model 10and 110 series, i like em all but i have alwayshad a thing for bolt guns but my favorite is still the winchester!

 

[Old Dog]

Little silly to ask a "what is the best?" question which results in answers that are all totally subjective and completely lacking in actual reasons why respondents believe a certain rifle to be the best ...

Best what? Value? Accuracy? Durability? Reliability?

I love my Win. Model 70, my A-Bolt, my Sako, my Ruger ... am lusting after a CZ ... and certainly couldn't articulate what I thought any of my rifles were better than another, much less which maker produces "the best."

Concur with responses by sumpnz and iamkris ... and yeah, "Ugh."

 

[AStone]

I concur with the praise, including 'lusting after', for CZ.

I own a CZ 452.
IMO, no finer .22LR has ever been made.

Haven't shot one of their centerfires yet,
but if they do for centerfire what they do for rimfire,
then, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

 

[1911 guy]

Savage and Remington

I voted Savage based on two things. Accuracy is exceptional with them and they're inexpensive. My runner up would be Remington. They are more "purty" and in my experience just as accurate if you feed them well, but more expensive.

 

[MCgunner]

I don't own a Browning, but a friend has an A Bolt in 7-08 and that is ONE NICE RIFLE! I have a Savage and two Remingtons, a M7 in .308 and an older M722 short action in .257 Roberts. I'm sorry Savage guys, but there is no way I'm going to pick Savage over the Remington. The bolts on the Remmies feel like they're gliding on ball bearings. The Savage, even after some years of use, feels like it's gliding on sand paper. The Remingtons are more accurate, nicer finished, better looking, have better triggers, and are less ammo picky to boot. Sure, the Savage can shoot with its best ammo and it's a great bang for the buck, but head to head with Remington, sorry Charlie, no dice here. I don't really care for the Remington's extractor design, about my only complaint, but I've never had either rifle fail to extract.

 

[GeoW]

interesting... i won't buy a tikka because of all the plastic, and 2-3 weeks ago i got rid of my very last sako...

I am interested in what you replaced your last SAKO with... That's what I need.

GeoW