Action Specs/Choices

[DGgunsmith]

I'm currently in the design phase for a new bolt action rifle. The action is right handed and single shot only for the time being. What I'm asking is what would you want the perfect bolt action to be? Please be specific.

 

[6Dasher]

Mine :lol:

 

[tightneck]

It all depends on the specific purpose of the rifle. Plinking, varmints, small game, big game, dangerous game, short range BR, long range BR, cross course, F-Class and other disciplines as well? You need to be more specific.

 

[DGgunsmith]

The action is going to be aimed more towards the competition end of the spectrum. However, single shots can be used with great effectiveness in the hunting world too. What type of trigger do you like? Win 70, Rem 700, others? Overall functionality? I'm starting from a blank sheet of paper here.

 

[tightneck]

The best actions out there are custom actions such as BAT, Stolle, etc. Most of them are set up to take a remington style trigger. However a remmy trigger from the factory leaves much to be desired. The trigger that goes into most of these actions is a Jewell, however the people that make the Stolle action,Kelbly's) have a new trigger out that just maybe nicer than the Jewell. A Jewell HVR trigger can be adjusted from 1.5oz to 4lbs but the Kelbly is strictly a BR trigger and I believe 2oz. Jewell also makes a 1.5-3oz. trigger.

 

[sling_n_glove]

It depends on the kind of competition you intend the rifle to be used for. The various competitions have stringent requirements that mostly don't cross to the other types.

For instance, the benchrest shooters seem to be happy with the Jewell trigger as it is. I have a Jewell and it's sharp and all but trigger position is not adjustable, nor is the shape of the trigger post changable. It also is a single stage trigger which is not comfortable for me. I like the adjustability of my Anschutz trigger and the ability to change the trigger post altogether. I don't think many hunters would want to bother with a highly adjustable trigger though.

Benchrest shooters don't seem to consider ergonomics too much. In fact they seem to minimize contact with their stocks. Instead, they tinker with the way the stocks sit on their rests. Position shooters need to be able to fine tune their stocks to get an absolutely perfect fit. Prone stocks have lots of adjustability but the adjustments are meant to be made once and left that way. Three-position shooters need to be able to make precise repeatable changes between positions and then make fine adjustments depending on the unique arrangement of the range. Cutting edge 3P stocks are probably most demanding mechanically and the most expensive to build but you probably won't sell many here in the U.S. anyway.