Controlled Round Feed, worth the time?

[86alaskan]

So, I have a good Ruger ss long action at my disposal. I'd like to get into the game, maybe build a 300WM or something in that neighborhood to use for hunting and target shooting to 1000. I notice that there is very little talk of CRF style actions on the forum, and even fewer on the classified section. So, is it worth my time and money to put together a gun on this action or should I look toward a Remington or Savage action to build off of?

 

[Joel Russo]

You don't see much talk on here about CRF rifles because this is mainly a long range hunting discussion board. In general, CRF rifles are not commonly used amongst the long range hunting/shooting clientele.
Your decision to build off the CRF action you have is purely personal, and would depend on what your future aspiration are for hunting. If this particular build will accompany you on a hunt that will involve the need for a CRF rifle, then you answered your own question. I have not seen many rifles that do dual duty as a long range rifle and as a DGR rifle. There are just too many areas to compromise to make the build worthy of service in either area...
You mentioned shooting to 1000 yds with the same rifle.
I would suggest building a dedicated long range/target rifle with a different action, and leave the CRF action for short range application.
Just my .02.

 

[86alaskan]

thanks for the heads up. what are the compromises involved? I've read about the extractor causing tension on the case as being a negative thing, as well as the case head not being surrounded by the head of the bolt. I do already have a DGR in a 375 Ruger, so this would be more of a caribou, bear, moose rifle with long range target on the side. So, what you're saying is I should search out a savage or Remington 700 to build up on on? I'm just trying to get a feel for all this long range stuff and why some things are better than others.

 

[WildRose]

So, I have a good Ruger ss long action at my disposal. I'd like to get into the game, maybe build a 300WM or something in that neighborhood to use for hunting and target shooting to 1000. I notice that there is very little talk of CRF style actions on the forum, and even fewer on the classified section. So, is it worth my time and money to put together a gun on this action or should I look toward a Remington or Savage action to build off of?

If that is what it has already there's absolutely no reason to change it unless you plan on redoing it in a caliber that is so long it has to be loaded single instead of from the magazine.

 

[dig]

Agree with no reason to change. Other than singe feeding I would like to know what the disadvantages are? We seem to dream up minuscule excuses. Yes there are more options/parts available for a Remmy but that's all. It's preference. I just said that and don't even like Rugers.

 

[benchracer]

I am with Wildrose and dig on this. I would add that there is a lot of Kool-Aid drinking on the part of Remington and Savage. To be sure, both rifles are capable of very good accuracy. However, they are not the only rifles with such capabilities. IMO, barrel quality and good machine work have far more effect on accuracy than action type or brand.

When it comes to your rifle build, another critical aspect is to choose your gunsmith with care. Don't take your Ruger to a smith who specializes in Remington builds. There are certain aspects to getting the most from a Ruger that are different than other rifles. If your smith does not understand that, you will likely end up dissatisfied with the final product.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

The cool-aid drinkers rule the roost a lot on lr forums and at lots of shops. Since you already have a 3 and six bits Ruger you don't need a bear rifle. And if your action has a magnum bolt face I myself would go with the good old 7 mm Rem Mag. With a quick twist barrel it will give you the option of grabbing abox of factory loads if necessary. A 30 cal won't kill any better than a 7 with an accurate shot and the 7 recoils a little less.
If you want the max u can get from that action with minimum machine work for target and hunting and you reload look at the 338/375 Ruger wildcat

 

[HARPERC]

I have used the Mauser's, Model 70's, Montana, and Rugers, that perform regularly in the 0.5"-0.75" zone.

My Mauser .375 H&H is the best I've owned, consistently 0.5" with a one time best of 0.13". It will shoot factory, and a variety of reloads. I can't think of any one that shot it that didn't walk away impressed. A short period where the stock shot loose has been the only gap in performance.

I had a pre-war Model 70, .300 H&H, that was almost as good, until we shot it out.

My partners son has a stock Ruger .338 Winchester that is an honest .75" rifle.

 

[WildRose]

I am with Wildrose and dig on this. I would add that there is a lot of Kool-Aid drinking on the part of Remington and Savage. To be sure, both rifles are capable of very good accuracy. However, they are not the only rifles with such capabilities. IMO, barrel quality and good machine work have far more effect on accuracy than action type or brand.

When it comes to your rifle build, another critical aspect is to choose your gunsmith with care. Don't take your Ruger to a smith who specializes in Remington builds. There are certain aspects to getting the most from a Ruger that are different than other rifles. If your smith does not understand that, you will likely end up dissatisfied with the final product.

Personally I'm big on the Winchester Mod 70 action but the Ruger can be very accurate as well. If a guy wants a full custom built on one send it to Kirby Allen. If you want to spend a good deal less on a Semi Custom send it to Chris at Benchmark and he'll true it up and install a barrel all for about 800.00

I'm going to have him use one of my existing M70's to build a light weight 26 nosler for packing and another for a heavy dedicated LR Rig.

 

[Kennibear]

My old school LR rig is a 30/06 on a M98 Military converted. The trigger and barrel work are the same on most bolt guns. Stock selection I am not familiar with on Rugers but you should find something. +1 on using the Ruger.

As to single feed; push one down into the mag and stuff it home. I have pushed the cartridge into the chamber first and slid the bolt home by squeezing the extractor body to lever the claw over the chambered round. This works great on the M98 but I've not tried it on a Ruger. I reach my left hand under the mag and pinch the extractor body between my thumb on the off side and my index and middle finger on the extractor. It works.

Savage and Remingtons are easy to modify so they are the favorites. Military Mausers and Springfields used to be the choice of actions to customize but times change. I like Ruger #1 & #3's and very few of them are ever customized. Too bad 'cause they start a good 6" shorter. Look at it this way, a Ruger #1 w/ 30" barrel is the same length as a LA bolt gun with a 24" barrel. Kinda look interesting huh?

Do the Ruger!

KB

 

[mountainman56]

Don't be afraid of building something out of the ordinary. Seems to me one of the great aspects of this sport is not coloring between the lines. Remingtons may well be the small block Chevy of the rifle world but that is no reason not to build on something else. I have Remingtons.........I also have many other makes and models. I have a post 64 Winchester with the unpopular action that is going to become a 6.5-284. I have a Husqvarna (basically a commercial mauser action) that has been re-chambered in 300 Win mag. It shoots well, but not great. I'm pretty sure it's going to get re-barrelled and turn into a 300 H&H one day....why? Because I don't have one and I always wanted one. What other reason do you need?

 

[J E Custom]

Agree with no reason to change. Other than singe feeding I would like to know what the disadvantages are? We seem to dream up minuscule excuses. Yes there are more options/parts available for a Remmy but that's all. It's preference. I just said that and don't even like Rugers.

Like Joel and Wild rose said, In this game the controlled feed actions are not as flexible as a push feed action, the reason I would not recommend a CF action is= Every round has to be placed in the mag box and if your rifle likes longer cartridges you are stuck. and as the rounds come up from the mag box they can get damaged, also they may allow the case head to move up or down when fired
if the chamber is not very tight.

The CF action is Not any more or less accurate than a push feed, but a push feed with a center feed mag box is the best IMO of all the action types because it will not damage the round or the bullet in any way.

Another advantage to the push feed is that If you need a quick follow up shot (After empting the mag or firing the second shot if loading single, long rounds that wont fit in the mag box, all you have to do is throw a round in the action and close the bolt.

One other advantage to the push feed is that you can fill the mag box and still get one more round in the chamber, Adding one round to the capacity of the rifle.

Just My Opinion

J E CUSTOM

 

[Kennibear]

Question for JE:

Since you are very much the custom maker is it not possible to spec the barrel's chamber to account for the controlled feed's mag length rounds? If I know I'm shooting say a Berger 215 Hybrid in 300 WinMag can the gunsmith chamber the barrel to accommodate the required barrel leade? Within reason? And if going custom with a controlled feed action do the gunsmiths generally recommend lengthening the mag to help eliminate battering the bullet noses?

I would think if your talking custom that the load specifics would come into play. My M98 30/06 built in the early 80's was chambered for a 3.34" 180gr Sierra GMK. I intended it to be the primary load for that rifle.

Just askin'

KB

 

[J E Custom]

Question for JE:

Since you are very much the custom maker is it not possible to spec the barrel's chamber to account for the controlled feed's mag length rounds? If I know I'm shooting say a Berger 215 Hybrid in 300 WinMag can the gunsmith chamber the barrel to accommodate the required barrel leade? Within reason? And if going custom with a controlled feed action do the gunsmiths generally recommend lengthening the mag to help eliminate battering the bullet noses?

I would think if your talking custom that the load specifics would come into play. My M98 30/06 built in the early 80's was chambered for a 3.34" 180gr Sierra GMK. I intended it to be the primary load for that rifle.

Just askin'

KB

Yes you can, and lots of people have the smith do a custom chamber . But Be aware of the many problems that may show up if you do a special chamber.

Some of the things that sometimes come up are = if you short throat a chamber for a certain
bullet and the rifle/barrel doesn't like it you are screwed. Then you have to have it throated to be able to shoot other bullets. extending the mag first will help to determine the COAL and then deciding if you want to go with a special chamber or just shoot the lengthened rounds that will fit in the mag.

I prefer extending the mag box and using a SAAME reamer because it allows you to seat different bullets in the chamber to there desired lengths and you are not stuck with one bullet or load length.

Controlled feed and COAL length are two separate issues and need to be addressed separately.

Bullet nose damage can be caused by any poor feeding action including push feeds and should be addressed also.

Sometimes altering an action to make it do something different than it was designed for can be more expensive than buying the correct action for the intended use.

J E CUSTOM