I was talking with someone who was trying out one of those new T/C Venture rifles. He liked it pretty well, and said that with no load development it shot 1" 3 shot groups, with both a 130 grain and a 150 grain load, just as advertised. What he wasn't happy about was the 60 degree bolt lift, which made it impossible to work the bolt without lowering the gun from the shoulder.
To me that would be a dealbreaker for a hunting rifle. I'm used to a slick old prewar Mauser 98 and a Swedish Mauser, and to slapping that bolt back and forth with reckless abandon right in front of my eyeball with the rifle shouldered.
The 60 degree thing kind of makes sense, in that it gives you better scope clearance, but why insist on retaining cock on opening? Wouldn't it make more sense to make it a cock on close like the Mauser 96?
I know, I know, I've just invented the SMLE. But still, wouldn't a modern action with front locking lugs, 60 degree bolt lift, and cock on close be sweet?
While puzzling over this, another thought came up. Has anyone ever made a bolt action with an AR type bolt head? If 60 degrees is better, would 20 degrees be better still?
To me that would be a dealbreaker for a hunting rifle. I'm used to a slick old prewar Mauser 98 and a Swedish Mauser, and to slapping that bolt back and forth with reckless abandon right in front of my eyeball with the rifle shouldered.
The 60 degree thing kind of makes sense, in that it gives you better scope clearance, but why insist on retaining cock on opening? Wouldn't it make more sense to make it a cock on close like the Mauser 96?
I know, I know, I've just invented the SMLE. But still, wouldn't a modern action with front locking lugs, 60 degree bolt lift, and cock on close be sweet?
While puzzling over this, another thought came up. Has anyone ever made a bolt action with an AR type bolt head? If 60 degrees is better, would 20 degrees be better still?