Bolt action battle rifles

[E Michael]

Could do a type 53 in archangel stock. Friend has one and it's decent to shoot. Optics on mosin Seems limited thOugh.

[Click Boom]

Just go with a semi?

[ChuckDizzle]

Just go with a semi?

You didn't read the first sentence did you?

[Mayor McRifle]

I would have no problem whatsoever using my Ruger GSR with an extended relief scout scope as a SHTF rifle.

[ChuckDizzle]

Thanks for the responses guys. A lot of good input and a lot more options out there than what I first thought.

I'm going to stay away from a Mosin because I feel like the long pull of the action prohibits speed of operation having to basically re shoulder after each round. Playing around with my own 91/30 (which is a really fun rifle) has convinced me that a shorter action is absolutely necessary for me to get anywhere close to the speed and functionality of a semi-auto.

The Troy and POF offerings are very interesting, and I suspect, given my skill level with a pump shotgun vs. my auto at clays and doves that it would almost be a wash with the Troy vs. a semi-auto. While these options are probably great for people who hate bullet buttons or live in countries where semi-autos are banned I feel like they would be cheating the challenge for me as they are essentially AR rifles converted to manual operation.

That leaves me leaning strongly towards the Mossberg MVP and Ruger scout. The lack of detachable magazines and uncommon ammo has removed many of the surplus recommendations from my short list, which is a shame because I like the idea of a bayonet for this project. Also on the short list would be to pick up a used Remington 700 and spend a few hundred bucks customizing it for this purpose. I guess a CZ 527 would also be considered on this short list if I went with an intermediate cartridge.

Some concerns I have with my lack of experience for any of these rifles would be the operation of the safety, and the durability of the rifle as I plan on doing some movement and grass drills as part of a course of fire.

[TMB 1]

One of these for something currently made.

http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/11Scout

http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/10FCPSR

[TMB 1]

That leaves me leaning strongly towards the Mossberg MVP and Ruger scout. The lack of detachable magazines and uncommon ammo has removed many of the surplus recommendations from my short list, which is a shame because I like the idea of a bayonet for this project. Also on the short list would be to pick up a used Remington 700 and spend a few hundred bucks customizing it for this purpose. I guess a CZ 527 would also be considered on this short list if I went with an intermediate cartridge.

Some concerns I have with my lack of experience for any of these rifles would be the operation of the safety, and the durability of the rifle as I plan on doing some movement and grass drills as part of a course of fire.

RFI 2A1 has detachable magazine and is 7.62x51. It's the one on top.
Bottom is 303. You can see the difference in the mags.

[NapalmCheese]

The lack of detachable magazines and uncommon ammo has removed many of the surplus recommendations from my short list, which is a shame because I like the idea of a bayonet for this project.

I would rather have stripper clips and a drop floor magazine than detachable mags for an 'everything'/SHTF rifle.

Have you ever tried to feed a magazine fed bolt action rifle without the magazine?

Lose the magazine(s) and you have a heavy, awkward to load, single shot rifle. Lose a stripper clip and you have to carry your ammo loose in a pocket.

I'm a hunter not a gun fighter, your mileage may vary.

[jpx0123]

im not a very good rifle shooter yet. but if you wanted to run and gun with a bolt action rifle, wouldn't iron sights be better than mounting a scope for faster target acquisition?

[bajajoaquin]

The Troy and POF offerings are very interesting, and I suspect, given my skill level with a pump shotgun vs. my auto at clays and doves that it would almost be a wash with the Troy vs. a semi-auto. While these options are probably great for people who hate bullet buttons or live in countries where semi-autos are banned I feel like they would be cheating the challenge for me as they are essentially AR rifles converted to manual operation.

I'm enjoying the process here, but I must say that I don't think semi-autos are going to be banned any time soon. Having said that, if they were, I think it would be a long time for the ban to include "features" on manual-operation, which is to say that a Troy is probably going to be legal for a long time to come.

It also has the advantage of using those 30-round mags you bought in 1999.

Plus, I shot my Winchester 62 again recently. That is just about the most fun I've had with a fire arm. Pump rifles are cool.

[stix213]

While I wouldn't call it a battle rifle, I picked up a Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308 and fit it with a 2.5x fixed scout scope. I think it has pretty optimal usefulness as far as the OP's criteria.

It is fairly small, light, and handy as far as .308 rifles go with its 16" barrel and adjustable length of pull, which I set to its shortest. It can be used quickly for both close range and out to medium range (for .308) shots. Unlike some popular bolt actions it has detachable 10 round mags. The safety is also really easy to understand even though it has 3 settings (fire, safe while allowing bolt cycle, safe while blocking bolt cycle). It also comes with irons that are just fine.

Its not ideal nor intended for long range.

[Tanner68]

I am in the K31 camp. Have you seen the waxed cardboard stipper clips? They are pretty neat.

[ChuckDizzle]

So interestingly I ended up at the range yesterday next to a gentleman with a .308 Mossberg MVP. Initial impressions weren't all that great. I'm surprised how much recoil there was for a .308, the recoil increase for the lighter than average bolt rifle was more significant than anticipated. The action was very rough and clunky. Honestly, my 91/30 feels smoother. Nice trigger though. The gentleman experienced nearly half a dozen failures to feed.

I think an intermediate cartridge makes more sense after my experience.

[ChuckDizzle]

I am in the K31 camp. Have you seen the waxed cardboard stipper clips? They are pretty neat.

I also saw one of these during the same range trip, however I didn't get a chance to check it out like the MVP.

[crono35]

A decent muzzle brake/compensator helps a lot with the recoil on a MVP. I have an AAC brakeout 2.0 on mine and it shot very soft. I can't say what it would be like without it since I bought it that way.

I'll agree that the action isn't as smooth as other options, but from what I understand it's a compromise made to be able to feed from a double stack magazine. I didn't have any feeding issues with mine at all. If I was to do it again (short bolt action rifle with iron sights and detachable magazine) I'd probably look at the savage scout first. I actually really like my mosin setup with scout scope, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that mounting the scope forward of the action makes it much easier to load.