Classic Bolt Action Rifles.... what is your vote?

[FEENIX]

I have a few different actions and I like them all but what makes an action classic? Pre-requisites, i.e., year of design and production?

I have a Carl Gustaf M1894 in 6.5x55 Swede and Remington 1903 in .30-06.

 

[Greyfox]

I have a few different actions and I like them all but what makes an action classic? Pre-requisites, i.e., year of design and production?

I have a Carl Gustaf M1894 in 6.5x55 Swede and Remington 1903 in .30-06.

I'll bite....A well proven, widely accepted design, object or idea that has endured over a long period of time.....

 

[FEENIX]

I'll bite....A well proven, widely accepted design, object or idea that has endured over a long period of time.....

That's a good nibble, that's why I asked for a baseline time period and used the actions I have. What is considered long period of time?

Savage 110 was designed in 1958 and Remington 700 was designed in 1962 and both are still around today. Are they considered classic?

 

[PRCLITE]

That's a good nibble, that's why I asked for a baseline time period and used the actions I have. What is considered long period of time?

Savage 110 was designed in 1958 and Remington 700 was designed in 1962 and both are still around today. Are they considered classic?

American made classics... yes they count

 

[JohnnieB]

For me its a Ruger M77, tang safety, red pad. I got one in .270 Win for my 16th birthday in 1978. Its now well worn and weathered and its the only rifle I will never sell. I have no idea of how many rounds are down the barrel and it still shoots 1 inch groups for me.

 

[257Tony]

I too am short on wood stocked hunting rifles, I have a couple nice A-bolts but they are in small calibers.

My grandfather had a 50's vintage Model 70 in .300 H&H, it got passed down to the oldest grandchild when he died, unfortunately my Cousin that got it is an anti-hunter. I've been trying for almost 20 years to get it from him, i doubt I'll ever succeed, but I won't stop trying!

 

[Greyfox]

That's a good nibble, that's why I asked for a baseline time period and used the actions I have. What is considered long period of time?

Savage 110 was designed in 1958 and Remington 700 was designed in 1962 and both are still around today. Are they considered classic?

I suppose time frame can vary when it comes to firearm classics. The Model 70, Remington 700, and others from the 50-60's, or, 1903 Springfield, even lever guns such as the 94 Winchester, 99 Savage from an earlier period, IMO, all qualify as classics from different time periods. In the end, I think the market determines whether a particular firearm(or other items) qualifies as a classic.

 

[therifleman556]

So by that definition, are there any designs that are say.....less than 10 years old that are likely to become classics?
Probably hard to say since there haven't been any real big leaps in bolt action designs in that time.

 

[Deleted member 48126]

So by that definition, are there any designs that are say.....less than 10 years old that are likely to become classics?
Probably hard to say since there haven't been any real big leaps in bolt action designs in that time.

Nosler?

 

[Black Tail Hunter]

My vote is Winchester Model 70 blued finish walnut stock hands down. Pre 64 is great but in my opinion they are all beautiful. I own 3, a sporter in .300 win mag, a classic super grade in .338 mag and classic super express in .375 H&H. All heirloom quality rifles. One thing I really appreciate about the Winchester Model 70 is you cannot now, nor do I think you will ever be able to go buy one at Wal Mart for 299.00 on sale the way you can with what used to be iconic actions manufactured by other gun companies.

 

[Greyfox]

So by that definition, are there any designs that are say.....less than 10 years old that are likely to become classics?
Probably hard to say since there haven't been any real big leaps in bolt action designs in that time.

Good question. It seems everything for quite a while has been simply a refinement, extension, or minor modification of well established designs. A sure sign that the bolt action market is quite mature.

 

[Timnterra]

If I was going to pick a classic, fine wood, with blued finish hunting rifle it would be hard to beat a pre 64 model 70. Of course, it would have to be chambered in 270 Winchester.

I have a savage 1899 built in 1904. It is pretty cool but it is a family heirloom and all the finish is gone. It is also a 30-30 and doesn't really doesn't really fit the bill. There are other Savage 99's that would be great , the calibers I'd pick from would be 300 savage, 308 or my favorite the 250-3000.

I also really like the Ruger no. 1s. They usually have really nice wood and are pretty classy and available in any caliber imaginable.

Last but not least would be a 1895 Winchester in 30-06. One of the famous Roosevelt rifles from San Juan hill and his safaris would be awesome.

 

[CMP70306]

Last but not least would be a 1895 Winchester in 30-06. One of the famous Roosevelt rifles from San Juan hill and his safaris would be awesome.

The San Juan Hill rifles were chambered in .30-40 Kraig while the safari rifles were chambered in the famous .405 Winchester. If you actually want to shoot one of those heavy hitters make sure it has a shotgun stock, I have a Carbine Repro in 30-06 with the curved stock and I'm going to replace it as it is painful to shoot.

 

[Timnterra]

The San Juan Hill rifles were chambered in .30-40 Kraig while the safari rifles were chambered in the famous .405 Winchester. If you actually want to shoot one of those heavy hitters make sure it has a shotgun stock, I have a Carbine Repro in 30-06 with the curved stock and I'm going to replace it as it is painful to shoot.

I was referring to the model 1895 being both at San Juan and with Roosevelt on safari not specifically the 30-06 caliber. I'm sure that steel but plate is pretty unforgiving!