an hour and a rack full of rifles

[Handwerk]

so I was able to spend an hour at a gander mt. store here in Mn. that has their rifles in a rack where you can pick each up and look them over. I thought I'd share what I noticed. One of the main things I look for is a smooth action and a short bolt lift. Of the guns I tried the sako,tikka t-3 and the kimber won out. I know there are a lot of things to compare but the action tells a lot. The weatherby's seemed next in line. The remington, were nice looking but not as smooth as they used to be. The savages where quite rough as well as the winchesters. The cz 550's although nice looking, had a very rough action. The brownings were pretty good but seemed kinda chunky in my hands.I held a sauer 202 which was the prettiest of all but the barrel in the 2 part stock was loose to me. So this is by far not a complete list but in an hour I looked at 50 or so guns and kept coming back to the tikka and sako. I have always been a remy man but since my last 3 rifles have been tikka's I guess I'm sold on sako/tikka. I would like to try something different but just can't considering the smooth action, great trigger and overall quality of these guns. Just my view but is it a quality thing? the kimber was very nice and oh so light, (model 8400) I just wish it had a shorter bolt throw. What do you guys think of the current rifles, sorry to ramble on, I'm no expert just a sort of therapy for me in the off season.

[BackCountry]

Handwerk,
I did the same thing you did not to long ago, and came up with about the same answers. I ordered a Sako 75 Grey Wolf, like you stated I felt that Sako and Tikka had the best fit and finish. What gander store did you go to, I would like to take a look at that sauer, they to are nice guns. Was the CZ the one that uses Montana Rifles action.

Have a good day

[Handwerk]

Backcountry, I was at the forest lake store. The sauer was a wood in .270 It was on sale, $ 1199. I thought maybe this was my dream gun, very smooth action, 60 degree bolt lift and awesome wood. But with the 2 part stock the forearm and barrel had a loose fit. I know this is by design to stop warping, I just didn't like that play in it, otherwise a beautiful gun.

[bigjeepman]

My last bolt action was a Savage 10 FP in .223 and you are certainly right about their action not being the smoothest of all the rifles. But ... and this is a big butt ... I have never been happier with the accuracy in a new rifle. This rifle will flat out shoot and I now have two loads that have grouped less than .300" with 5 shots. As for as being consistent, this rifle has delivered many groups already less than .500" in a day at the range. I put a B&C stock on it that really helped too.

I, too, have looked at the Tikka line and it is on my list to get in the next six months. That is one smooth action. I am unsure about what caliber I will get though.

Good post ...

[marylandeer]

An hour and a rack full of rifles. I do the same thing every chance I get, I'm like a kid in a candy store. After about an hour the guns guys start wondering if I'm going to buy one or just waste their time. I have bought Savages and what a bargain they are. All Savage wants to do is make an accurate rifle the cheapest way they can. This is exactly what they do, A Savage might not have a smooth action and a pretty stock but I have a few and boy do they SHOOT. The Tikka T3 is a STEAL to. I heard a lot of guys on here talking good about them. I went to the rack and checked one out. As soon as it touched my hands I knew it was a high class rifle and I needed to reach for my wallet. I got a T3 lite stainless in .30-06 and put Weaver grand slam 3-10x40 on it. I love this gun, it shoots like a Savage, looks sweet and has an action like greased lightening. You can't get a higher quality rifle than a Tikka unless you spend WAYYY more money.

[KENTDEP]

I bought a Kimber 8400 in .300WSM a couple of months ago. It has the smoothest bolt throw of the rifles that I have checked to date. Like butter really. I like the Sako rifles too. If you want a rifle that can do it all I would not hesitate to get either the Kimber or the Sako.


Jay

[longwinters]

I bet that Sauer was last years model.  The new ones are over $2,000.00 now.  My buddy (Big Tom) had a Sauer (bought on sale for $1199.00).  Beautiful rifle, really too nice to take out into the woods.  He traded it on a Sako 75 in 270 WSM.  But at least he can add the Sauer to his list of "I had one of those rifles". :lol:

Long

[Ramrod]

An hour and a rack full of rifles.  Not married anymore.  And a credit card in my wallet.       Oh, I'm gonna hate myself in the morning. :shock:  I don't go anywhere near my local Gander Mountain store with that much free time on my hands. I'm too weak! :-D

[nipprdog]

so I was able to spend an hour at a gander mt. store here in Mn. that has their rifles in a rack where you can pick each up and look them over. I thought I'd share what I noticed. One of the main things I look for is a smooth action and a short bolt lift. Of the guns I tried the sako,tikka t-3 and the kimber won out. I know there are a lot of things to compare but the action tells a lot. The weatherby's seemed next in line. The remington, were nice looking but not as smooth as they used to be. The savages where quite rough as well as the winchesters. The cz 550's although nice looking, had a very rough action. The brownings were pretty good but seemed kinda chunky in my hands.I held a sauer 202 which was the prettiest of all but the barrel in the 2 part stock was loose to me. So this is by far not a complete list but in an hour I looked at 50 or so guns and kept coming back to the tikka and sako. I have always been a remy man but since my last 3 rifles have been tikka's I guess I'm sold on sako/tikka. I would like to try something different but just can't considering the smooth action, great trigger and overall quality of these guns. Just my view but is it a quality thing? the kimber was very nice and oh so light, (model 8400) I just wish it had a shorter bolt throw. What do you guys think of the current rifles, sorry to ramble on, I'm no expert just a sort of therapy for me in the off season.

Is this a true test of a rifles action?

the rifles on the racks have trigger locks on them.  which means most of the time, you're lifting the bolt on a 'cocked' action. instead of lifting it after firing, therby cocking the action with each lift, as it would be used.

not to flame, just an obsevation.

p.s. Gander Mountain should issue bibs to us when entering the masive rifle section! :wink:

[lilabner]

Since the discussion is about hunting rifles, it seems like more attention is being paid to bolt lift and throw and action smoothness than is really warranted. The higher priced guns are much better finished and smoother, but the test of a hunting rifle is accurate bullet placement of a single shot. Safeties are more important than bolt smoothness in getting that job done and so are triggers.  A beautifully built piece of equipment is enjoyable in other ways but not necessarily the most functional hunting rifle. On the other hand, wish I could afford one of those hand fitted German jobs!

[Handwerk]

nipprdog, that is a good point, yet most of the guns I speak of I have looked at unlocked., also to Illabner's point the two rifles that impressed me the most tikka and sako not only have a short bolt lift but also the rest of the goods, shoot well awesome triggers and so on. I feel the action and bolt lift do come into play in a hunting situation when you need that quick follow-up shot. After having several guns with a 90 degree bolt lift I've come to appreciate having more room between my hand and the scope, partially because if I need to take a second shot I may not be all that calm at the time. I just feel if the gun has a smooth action it shows that the quality throughout the rifle is good.