NitroX,

I like CRF as a rifle to use. You can run cartridges through the magazine without having to close the bolt on them.

You can push the bolt forward and then only need to turn the bolt handle down but if you don't fire you just pull the bolt back. A push feed of course requires you to "chamber" the round and then open and pull the bolt back. Simply pulling the bolt back on the push feed does not always result in the cartridge dropping out of the chamber.

You have lost me here:

One time the bullet was too far out a little and got pulled out of the case spilling powder through the chamber and action. It took a fair while to clean it so the action would function again.

Unless I am reading you wrong the same deal will apply to a CRF but probably worse.

If it was a 'standard' configuration rifle why would anyone consider anything but a controlled feed bolt M98?

Several reasons.

Firstly there will be the "complete package" and in this case the action is one part of that package.

Secondly, with switch barrel accuracy guns you can be setup so as to swap barrels between your own actions and a mates actions. CRF causes a problem because of the extractor slot having to line up in M70s. With M98s the bedding configuration is quite poor and you can't fit Jewell triggers. By the way, don't forget a Jewell is adjustable for weight of pull and sear engagement without taking the rifle apart and depending on which trigger return spring you are using the pull weight brackets run from about 1.5 ounces to 12 or 13 ounces, then from about 9 ounces to near 2 pounds and then from about 1.5 pounds to about 3.5 pounds or so.

Scope mounts are also much easier with the M70/Rem700 size which also incluudes other actions eg. Weatherby.

Now you as an individual might not have any interest in the above but some other shooters do.

As to the M98 not everyone wants an old sloppy piece of shit that has to be done up. Not everyone wants a Mauser 98 like a Mark X with the C ring machined out on the left hand side. It all fucntions but it is "el cheapo".

If you have the Mauser as it was intended to be then it does not encourage "single loading" and that is something which is inconvenient for many shooters.

For many shooters Mausers have demonstrated a tendency to be poor feeders. Much of this can be traced back to the fact that they are conversions but the fact remains that the image of M98s being troublesome feeders exists.

Combined with the last point is the fact that the M98 is seen by many shooters as the "cheap option" to start with.

Mike