Thread: Bolt Action Rifles

Wintchase: I built one simular, but in 300wsm. Need a fourwheeler to take it anywhere and really boring to shoot at closer ranges typical to commercial rifle ranges.

I love the old rifles as well...

As a semi-retired British 1st Airborne Recce WWII reenactor I have a huge soft spot for Enfields as well. My Savage No4 Mk1 asterix is a dream and taught me how to shoot. Sadly it had been sporterized sometime between then and when I got it with the barrell being shortened. Luckily I have a good friend who is a collector of Lee-Enfields (23 different variations or so if I recall right) and is going to hook me up with a proper one so we can get it back into proper shape.

I have a soft spot for the Swiss K31 in 7.5x55mm Swiss caliber. Superbly made and accurate; the straight-pull bolt action is very fast to operate.

Originally Posted by Sticky

I have a soft spot for the Swiss K31 in 7.5x55mm Swiss caliber. Superbly made and accurate; the straight-pull bolt action is very fast to operate.

That is a remarkable example of a well designed, well made weapons system. The rifle was superb and perfectly augmented with an equally superb caliber.

I wonder if it would have been plagued by similar problems other straight pull bolts had if it had been pressed into war?


The rate of fire, the caliber and the superb craftsmanship and design of the K31 make it one of the truly great battle rifles ever placed in the hands of soldiers, even if it never tasted battle. (At least to my knowledge it didn't.)

Originally Posted by Muirtach

As a semi-retired British 1st Airborne Recce WWII reenactor I have a huge soft spot for Enfields as well. My Savage No4 Mk1 asterix is a dream and taught me how to shoot. Sadly it had been sporterized sometime between then and when I got it with the barrell being shortened. Luckily I have a good friend who is a collector of Lee-Enfields (23 different variations or so if I recall right) and is going to hook me up with a proper one so we can get it back into proper shape.

I had a Savage No4 Mk1 that had been put through the ringer. It didn't look like much, but it was still accurate and reliable. I often thought about sporterizing it, since it was what I carried on many hikes up the mountain behind my home in case I came across any bears. I carried it, but even with a pretty banged up stock I never could bring myself to cut it up.

The guy i gave it to later still has it and it began his affair with the Lee-Enfield design. He has a very nice Webley and Scott I'd like to get my hands on, such was his like of British small arms after that old Savage No 4 Mk1.

Another reason for the bolt on the Lee-Enfield/Metford being turned down was to allow for faster cycling of the action during the "mad minute." A trained soldier could literally flick the bolt open and closed with his thumb and fore finger. That is, firing 15 aimed shots per minute. As said before, the Hun found out about that at Mons in 1914.

I love the Lee in all of it's variations, but my true love is the US Rifle, Caliber .30, Model 1903.

Originally Posted by GeauxLSU

Another reason for the bolt on the Lee-Enfield/Metford being turned down was to allow for faster cycling of the action during the "mad minute." A trained soldier could literally flick the bolt open and closed with his thumb and fore finger. That is, firing 15 aimed shots per minute. As said before, the Hun found out about that at Mons in 1914.

I love the Lee in all of it's variations, but my true love is the US Rifle, Caliber .30, Model 1903.

I have a Remington '03A1 that I have been shooting since I was 9 years old. I am 50 now and have yet to find another rifle with a smoother,more 'buttery' action. It was my father's deer rifle and has a Monte Carlo stock,Lyman peep sight,etc.

The '03A3 was a popular starting point for hunting rifles. At one point, I think you could buy one through the mail for $25.

I've owned probably 40 '03s over the years, all in issue configuration.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

When telescopic sights came into more common use the straight bolt handle was modified to allow clearance IIRC.

I recall in the 60's a lot of gunsmiths making a good bit of change
cutting off and then modifying and welding the bolt handle so it would clear
the scope.

This is a detail folk should look at when making a purchase decision.
Especially if you are a reloader. Also pay attention to the ejection path.
Some scopes interfere with cartridge ejection.

I have a couple of No1 Mk 1 enfields, both originally with magazine cut offs and long range sights. One is a Sparkbrook action and I have had it made into a brush gun with Lithgow heavy barrel am still working up loads for it. The other one was sporterised in the 1920s by a mate of my late father, I have nailed roos with it at about 300 yds using WW! mk 4 ball, nickle plated and corrosive primers, have to use boiling water to clean the barrel. Amazing old rifle, bore is nearly shot out but still shoots really well.
Back on track, I suspect straight pulls were thought to be faster than the bolt action. The Canadian Ross used to jam in the mud during WW!.
Funny just got a note from a mate in SA here is his Schmidt Rubin straight pull and his first target shot off the bench at 100yds,he is happy as a cat with two tails!!

Cheers all

Heelerau