In Praise of 3-Lug Bolts

[Danehunter]

I have used 2-lug bolts for most of my life and found them perfectly good for my purposes, hunting and competition.

But back in the late '90s I bought a Browning A-Bolt and became a supporter of 3-lug bolts.

Recently I got a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 CM and it also has 3 lugs, one of the reasons I bought it, plus its good bedding block system and trigger. It shoots as well (sub MOA) as the BOSS enabled Browning and for a lot less $$.

And soon I'll be selling the Predator and getting a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 CM, which is based on the American action.

TOP TWO REASONS I LIKE 3-LUG BOLTS:
>The lower lift clears scopes better, especially when wearing insulated gloves.
>the lower bolt lift means faster bolt cycling and that is nice for a fast follow up shot when hunting or under the gun of the timer's clock in competition.

Yeah, I'll still keep my .300 Win. mag. Rem. actioned HS Precision competition gun for a while, at least until Ruger makes its RPR in .300 Win. mag. or .300 Norma mag.

So are there any others out there that prefer 3-lug bolts?

 

[gohring3006]

I have TC Venture 3 lug fat bolt and love it! It is bt far my favorite rifle in the safe. I just ordered a Ruger American predator 6.5 CM its back ordered, i ordered it, then news of the Ruger precision came out. But I'm going to keep the predator and order the precision, i think they both have their place. I wish the predator had 5R rifling like the precision, my TC Venture has it and i believe it has alot to do with the accuracy and precision achieved with my TC..

 

[Marine sniper]

9 lugs are even better

 

[Jokostel]

I just hold the round in my hand and hit it with a hammer.

In all seriousness... they all have pros and cons.
Stick with what feels right to you.... a better hunt, a better shoot/match will come of
it.

I honestly am indifferent to ANY Weatherby action. Why? Just my tastes. Give me a good #1 falling block, or a LA/Magnum model 700.... and Im happy.

As far as "non-standard" actions go... the action that Nosler uses on the M48s I have taken a shine to... as I own a 6.5x284 and a 280 AI in the Patriot line.
gun)

 

[sable tireur]

Litehiker,

We have just started using these recently:

3-lug action, constant diameter bolt with breech ring. The rail is not integral but is available in several angles.

It was named Best New Product at SHOT Show 2015.

Regards.

 

[Danehunter]

sable t.,

That is a beautiful piece of work. I can easily imagine it with a Christensen CF barrel and a nice adjustable stock poking sub 1/2 MOA holes in paper or elk.

I've been wondering when this would happen on a custom action scale, with all the CAD programs out there and the many CNC milling machines available.

 

[Greyfox]

Given the bolt action delivers the accuracy and reliability, I' ve never really been married to any particular action but I will say that my 3 lug Cooper 52 in 6.5x284 is one of the slickest, smoothest bolt guns I own. The one feature that I wish all my hunting bolt guns had is a safety system which locks the bolt down.

 

[scottishkat]

I have a 3 lug cooper and 2 3 lug sako 85's they're the smoothest firearms I own. Their design is just plain better I have plenty of accurate 2 lugs though.

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob

 

[Deleted member 46119]

9 lugs are even better

W W W W W W W W What!

Says the man from Paso Robles.

But not the easiest to make.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

I prefer more than 2 lugs. Modern machining should help keep things straight and in contact.

As far as I'm concerned, 9 of Weatherby (that was 9 Ws in the above post) is cooler than ice cream on a hot day but I would never attempt to build one on my own.

 

[Mauser34]

I have a browning a-bolt stalker in .270 and it consistently shoots .4 inch groups at 100 yards with sierra 135 match kings and 55gr of 4350.

 

[Gene]

Good accuracy starts with having all bolt recoil lugs contact their action lug recess. This becomes more difficult for the manufacturer with multiple recoil lugs. Put a drop of Prussian blue on the rear of each bolt lug. Install and remove the bolt. Inspect for even contact on each lug. If you see uneven contact, clean the lugs and use an abrasive paste on each. Work he bolt up an down several times until all lugs make even contact. Check for contact on each lug frequently and do not over do it.

 

[Danehunter]

Gene,

Abrasive Fire Lapping paste was what I also used on the rear of the breechblock on my Savage 99 lever gun. I worked it until I had full contact. It likely added headspace but when I get my new hexagonal 5R barrel it will be properly headspaced again. That rifle has the best trigger of any lever gun I've owned, including a Browning BLR.

My Browning A-Bolt had total contact on all three lugs, probably due to meticulous Japanese craftsmanship.

 

[gohring3006]

My TC Venture also has contact on all three lugs. My Weatherby Vanguard has only two lugs and one has no contact at all on the I think the left/ upper lug and it shoots about half inch. My friend has Rem. 700 with no contact on one lug and it shoots less than a inch. It has all to do with the trigger and ejector springs influencing the bolt. So I don't buy in to bolt lug contact with the trigger and ejector springs installed. Then tested with a piece of brass in the rifle. It can show no contact, but can have even contact when bolt thrust is applied.
I think blue printing a action can make some rifles shoot better, but in my opinion barrel quality and and light crisp triggers are what makes a rifle shoot best.