What short action bolt action rifle has the lightest bolt lift?

[axxxel]

My old mauser 98 has a wonderfully light bolt lift. This makes it easier to cycle (when oiled) than newer rifles with shorter receivers and heavier bolt lift, even though the newer rifle designs don't require the user to pull the bolt as far back when cycling.

Most short action rifles such as the Sako L579, Howa 1500 or remington model 700 that I've messed with have very heavy bolt lift. Are there any bolt action rifles designed around the .308 cartridge that have a bolt lift as light and comfortable as the mauser 98 or similar rifles?

Long actions chambered for .308 do not count!!

Cheers

 

[taliv]

I don't believe length of action has anything to do with it.
It's mostly about how strong the spring is. A super light cocking may mean it's time to change the spring in that 100 year old rifle

That's not to say there aren't some differences in various actions such as the 60 deg vs 90 deg bolts or cock on close vs open. And also differences in the incline that does the cocking as the bolt rotates.

Most of the custom actions will be pretty smooth but still require a lot of force because they use heavy spring for very reliable and consistent ignition

The lightest that I've ever seen was a rem700 etronix. Of course it was electric and didn't have a spring....

 

[axxxel]

My short action Sako is considerably heavier than my fathers long action Sako.

If you need a specific amont of mass*velocity in the firing pin when it hits the primer, then you need a corresponding tension in the spring (which is a function of the length of the spring) and mass. I've never done the math on this but I've always assumed that my perception that short action rifles have heavier bolt lifts have something to do with a shorter and lighter firing pin.

 

[dh1633pm]

I am not sure I get the full point of the purpose for a light bolt lift. It certainly is easier for me if the knob is bigger, but even my old Mauser didn't really have that light of a bolt lift, at least not enough to question it. My CZ seems light enough, but compared to what.

It is noteworthy that you found a rifle that traces itself back over 100 years has the smoothest bolt left of all.

 

[axxxel]

If you're shooting rapidly in the standing position it's way easier to get it right with a light bolt lift. I'm faster and smoother with the Mauser than with the Sako, even though the mauser has a longer bolt travel and all that. Also, when you're shooting from the prone or from some stable but a bit awkward position, having a heavy bolt lift may force you to break your stance to operate the bolt. A heavy bolt lift forces you to counterbalance the momentum put on the rifle by the actuation of the bolt. With a lighter bolt lift, less force is required and the bolt may be rapidly cycled without losing sight picture or having to move your support hand from where it was useful for stability to where it's useful for cycling the bolt.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but to me a too heavy of a bolt lift is a nuisance that slightly impedes on the usefulness of the rifle.

 

[Speedo66]

They've been long gone, but I seem to recall my Swedish Mausers had very light bolt lift, however, they required effort to close them as that was when they cocked.

 

[axxxel]

Ah, yes, some of the older Mausers are cock-on-closing, which of course eliminates the bolt lift problem.

 

[mgmorden]

They've been long gone, but I seem to recall my Swedish Mausers had very light bolt lift, however, they required effort to close them as that was when they cocked.

Yep - cock on closing action. The 1917 Enfield rifle was the the same way.

As to the OP - honestly, I've got several Mausers, and none of them seem to be particularly "light" when opening the bolt after a shot. I'd almost go with taliv's theory - what you're perceiving to be a feature may just be a symptom of a worn spring.

Of course if you wanted to, go to Wolff's website and as long as they make them for your rifle you could certainly try a reduced power spring. That will make the bolt open lighter (though perhaps not smoother). Just make sure to check it with a variety of primers to make sure you don't get light strikes.

 

[Corn-Picker]

Blaser R8, no bolt lift at all.

 

[taliv]

also don't forget that the bolt handle usually operates like a lever. i.e. the farther away you hold it, the more leverage you get and the less force you have to exert. so the "tactical" bolt knobs that stick way out may feel a good bit different than the slim ones that are almost flush with the stock when closed.

 

[TTundra]

^^^ Answer right there to improve any bolt throw. I added a PTG "tactical" bolt handle to a 700, longer than the stock bolt handle and it was very noticeable for the very fact of leverage, which is exactly why I had it done.

 

[jmr40]

I don't know exactly why, but based on my observations it is at least as much the individual rifle as it is design. I own several Winchester 70's. Each is a bit different, and all are easier to lift than the one Remington. I can get off repeat shots a lot faster with my 308 model 70 than all others that I own.

While my sample is limited, the 3 lug bolt designs that require only 60* lift vs the traditional 90* lift seem stiffer to me. But maybe it is only the small sample I've tried.

 

[Bart B.]

That depends on:

* Lubricity of all parts moving against each other.

* Lubricant between those parts.

* Surface condition of those parts.

* Force those parts are pushed together.

For example, the cocking piece arm angle (and that of the cocking slope on the bolt), firing pin strength, bolt handle length and where the bolt touches the receiver.

I've shot Mauser 98's, M1903's, M1917, Winchester 70 (push and controlled feed), Remingtons and a couple others in rapid fire from prone and sitting; 10 shots in two 5-shot strings reloading the second five with a stripper clip. All with factory spec firing pin strengths. Different lubes on the better ones.

Mauser's were the worst. M1917 was not so good. Remington's were only fair. Winchester push feed's were pretty good. Winchester controlled feed were easiest and fastest.

No wonder the Winchester 70 classic was the favorite for match rifle competitors wanting both easiest and fastest to use in rapid fire matches. They were also the most reliable.

Same was said by two white hunters from South Africa when asked about their preferences for a bolt gun use to take the big five; they liked the classic Winchester in .375 H&H or .458 Win Mag. In second place for big bore was the Brevex Magnum Mauser with polished camming surfaces on cocking piece and bolt. and a slightly weak firing pin spring.