There is no question that the greatest bolt action ever designed is the Mauser 98.
To dispute this fact would be to say that H&H, Rigby, Jeffrey,Purdy, Westley Richards, Dorleac, Mauser, Prechlt, and all the other makers of the finest most expensive bolt action rifles in the world
are wrong and that you are right. Only an American would want their dream hunting rifle built on another action.( Pre 64 Winchester, 1903 Springfield, P17 Enfield all based on Mauser patents but built to save manufacturing cost as is so evident in Mod 70 bottom metal).
The Mannlicher Shoenauer is also incredibly well made and to me is the second best and well worth owning but Mauser has been by far the best for 118yrs and is still the best today. Granite Mountain, Saterlee,Mayfair,Prechlt/Golmatic, and FZH manufacture and sell actions for $4k-7k.

This really is a one post argument.