Bolt action battle rifles

[MPG]

Krag

[Sailormilan2]

FR8 Comes with Flash Suppressor, which is needed much more than a brake, and has typical Mauser reliability and strength. I personally don't care for the straight bolt handle, but that is a relatively easy fix.

[CSACANNONEER]

A pump or lever action will cycle faster. If you want a fast cycling bolt action, a straight pull might be the way to go.

[ElvenSoul]

Savage Hog Hunter and call it a day

[JeffSD]

Lever action rifle. I have two of them, both in .357 Magnum.

That being said, I am going to be getting a Ruger American Ranch. It's an FDE 16.25" barrel bolt action in 5.56/.223. It has 5-round magazines that can be loaded to 6, so that's 6+1, with a few extra magazines in the pocket. It's better than throwing rocks, but worse than my lever guns.

[usmcchet9296]

Any ban on semi-automatic rifles will first of all take till 2017 to take effect so you have a year to get any and all semi-autos you want and second would almost certainly be fought in the court and if broad enough would probably loose .....

[Pharmboy]

My humble thoughts: The advantage of a bolt action is based on reliability, accuracy, precision, and power. I don't think one will gain much of these benefits with a 223 or like cartridge. Stick with the AR, AK, or semiauto platform for plinking, HD, and modularity.
If you do want variety. Try looking at Chuck Hawks webpage for bolt action info. If you want a short action, I would steer you toward the 7mm08/308/338 calibers in bolt action. The WSMs are good substitutes for 270/7mm mag in a short cartridge, but also more expensive. I like the idea of a light platform for carrying, but recoil would be restrictive.
Having said that, I enjoy a nice bolt action with control feed. I used to like 3-lugs for 60 degree throws, but now leaning toward 2-lugs for easier movement, albeit at 90 degrees. Most bolt actions shoot straighter than I could, so having proper fit and control is nice. I also like a more horizontal or pistol grip angle.
I personally don't like the Rem 700, and prefer Kimbers version, or the CZ and Ruger 77.
If you want to use popular magazines, then you maybe limited to one of the scout rifle styles.
If I was in the market, I'd lean toward 308/7.62 for a well rounded cartridge. If I wanted a plinker or varmint round, I'd get a 7.62 Russian, practice with cheap ammo, then go longer distance with the match grade stuff.

[as_rocketman]

I have an M1917 for this, so I'm covered. Now with moar bayonet!

One option that came to mind was the Browning BLR... fast, sturdy, available in a wide range of calibers including military standards. You can even get one with a 16" barrel and a big ol' rail, though it's easily the ugliest rifle they make...

In my limited experience, however, you'll want the ability to charge with stripper clips much more than you'll benefit from the slightly faster lever action. Tubular with loading gate, maybe.

[russ69]

Not a bolt gun...but pump action that would fit the bill nicely: http://troydefense.com/pumpactionrifle/.

For the shooting sports this is what you want. The real world might require a different choice but this one would work as good as a semi-auto AR.

[Ford8N]

holy confusion, Batman! by far the best bolt action combat rifle is the Lee-Enfield. 10 rounds and quick cycling, it's a no brainer.

available in .303 Brit and 7.62 NATO.

you're welcome.

The Enfield SMLE is considered the AK 47 of WWI. If that tells ya anything...

[not-fishing]

Match proven in Europe against HK91's the Swiss K31.

[Sutcliffe]

Enfield

Other than maybe the Krag it is the smoothest bolt action I can think of.
The only downside is good .303 ammo is pricey. A lot of surplus ammo from Pakistan is scary.

[bajajoaquin]

My humble thoughts: The advantage of a bolt action is based on reliability, accuracy, precision, and power. I don't think one will gain much of these benefits with a 223 or like cartridge.

..snip...

If I was in the market, I'd lean toward 308/7.62 for a well rounded cartridge. If I wanted a plinker or varmint round, I'd get a 7.62 Russian, practice with cheap ammo, then go longer distance with the match grade stuff.

Not to focus on your reply specifically, since there were others along the same vein, but I think you're leaving out other elements of the move towards an intermediate cartridge.

Studies of combat showed that most action took place within 100 yards or so, and the capability of massed volley fire or seriously long range power on a mass scale was really no longer needed (if it was ever needed in the age of the cartridge-fed rifle).

Intermediate cartridges are smaller, requiring smaller, lighter actions, and allowing for greater amounts of ammunition and other gear to be carried.

These two things remain true regardless of whether the action is a bolt or a semi-auto. Moving to a bolt action doesn't magically make a .308 overcome these issues.

Also, if you're talking about a SHTF or WROL situation (I agree with the OP that I'm not really into that sort of thing), I think that you have substantially the same restrictions on use of lethal force that you have now. You really can't just start shooting at people 300 yards away.

Which leads us back to the intermediate cartridges.

Given this, I'd say that there are no surplus bolt action rifles which fit the criteria. If HD and run-n-gun is your intended purpose, the Ruger Scout seems to be a pretty good fit.

Edited to add:

That Troy pump-action .223 is actually very interesting. Never having shot it (or the Ruger), I'd say that, on paper, it probably best fits your stated criteria.

[section31]

Bayonet!

[noozeyeguy]

Why not an M44 or Type 53? Common ammo, stripper-clip reloads, decent accuracy, plus a pigsticker. 5-rd magazine is a drawback, tho.