Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact
NitroExpress.com: Best quality bolt guns?

View recent messages : 24 hours | 48 hours | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | More Smilies


*** Enjoy NitroExpress.com? Participate and join in. ***
You are not logged in. [Login] Main Index · Search · Active Topics
New user · Who's Online · FAQ · Calendar

Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles
Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | >> (show all)
mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: bwanabloke]
      #36783 - 03/09/05 05:27 AM

Bwanabloke,

The Schoder company are bad in responding to requests for information though they always send you mails wishing you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter. I am sure that the rifles would be as expensive now as they were in the past - the Mannlicher was always a stylish rifle for aristocrats.

Wish I could afford to buy one!

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
nitro476
.300 member


Reged: 21/10/04
Posts: 120
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: 500grains]
      #37652 - 17/09/05 08:14 AM

Steve Heilmann, hands down! The guy is truly an artist.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
iqbal
resigned as a member


Reged: 05/02/03
Posts: 778
Loc: Karachi,Pakistan
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: 500grains]
      #37719 - 18/09/05 01:23 AM

Anschutz and Carl Gustav surely deserve a mention in this category of best bolt action rifles.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
vapodog
.300 member


Reged: 28/12/04
Posts: 237
Loc: Nebraska USA
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: iqbal]
      #37747 - 18/09/05 02:17 PM

ME.....I'm the only one I can afford.....

--------------------

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
bwanabloke
.224 member


Reged: 24/03/05
Posts: 27
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: vapodog]
      #37764 - 18/09/05 06:34 PM

Does anyone here own a Dakota rifle ?if so what are your thoughts on it ?Its good you can get a take down model with a couple of barrels ,and they are not as pricey as some of the other rifles which run around 10k.For me it would be a take down with 300 and 458 barrels which i think would take care of most everything

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
500grains
.416 member


Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: bwanabloke]
      #37803 - 19/09/05 01:09 PM

I have not voted yet, so let me put in a good word for Ryan Breeding, Reimer Johannsen, Ray Branigan and Duane Wiebe.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
starman
.275 member


Reged: 23/08/05
Posts: 53
Loc: nsw
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: 500grains]
      #37807 - 19/09/05 02:15 PM

Bwanabloke,
Had look at D76 t/d at SCI. They seem ok for the price. Two barrels is about the practical limit (they all have to lapped to the same bolt). Going to 3 barrel set is pushing it.
What I did not particulary like was the thin reciever wall that accepts the barrel. There did not seem to be much metal for the scope ring base screws to hold onto.I am not saying theres anything wrong with it,just that it does not strongly appeal to me the way it is. I asked them if they would make an integral squarebridge version,they did not seem interested. Moral of the story is,if you want egg or a slice of pineapple with your burger,dont go to Mcdonalds.
I would probably have one in 9.3x62 if it came up at a bargain 2nd hand price.
Look at the Theo Jung wesite posted earlier. That TORNADO is what I call a T/D!

Edited by starman (19/09/05 06:42 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Poacher
.224 member


Reged: 18/08/05
Posts: 11
Loc: Sunny Florida USA
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: bwanabloke]
      #37907 - 21/09/05 07:00 AM

I have been a gun dealer and shop owner for over thirty years and needless to say have owned most of the "great guns" from doubles to bolts to single-shots and have never found a bolt gun as satisfactory as the Dakota 76 Safari Magnum. In .450 Dakota it has been and still is the work horse of my dangerous game battery. I trust it completely when at close quarters, and hey, it's nice to look at also! Regards, The Poacher

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
starman
.275 member


Reged: 23/08/05
Posts: 53
Loc: nsw
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: Poacher]
      #41243 - 11/11/05 11:30 AM

Mehulkamdar,

ealier in this post you gave us a website for Theo Jung rifles(fantastic!). If you have a look at his "repetier buchse", there is a photo of a rifle and it mentions the 300wsm/intermediate below it. In all the searching that you do,do you know who makes that particular newly manufactured large ring intermediate 98 action that is shown? If the action can handle a 3.1" magazinebox,then I may be inspired to build a 7x57.

Edited by starman (11/11/05 12:02 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: starman]
      #41382 - 12/11/05 05:12 PM

Starman,

If I remember right, Theo Jung uses Hartmann & Weiss actions. They are phenomenally expensive in the US but also considered the best post war Mauser actions of all. Theo Jung was the first fine gunmaker in Europe to start making rifles for the WSM and WSSM calibers though others may have started doing the same now. Why don;t you send him an e-mail and check with him?

Best wishes and do post pictures of your rifle when it is ready.

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: 500grains]
      #41384 - 12/11/05 05:19 PM

500 Grains,

I wonder if you or any other member know about a California ACGG member gunmaker called Larry Amrine who, I am told, specialises in big bore rifles? There are references to him in both Krause books on custom guns, the forst by John Amber and the more recent one by Tom Turpin though none of the major forums seem to have any post about him.

Thanks for the information, everyone!

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
starman
.275 member


Reged: 23/08/05
Posts: 53
Loc: nsw
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #41519 - 14/11/05 02:48 PM

Mehulkamdar,
A few months ago I did enquire with MartiniHagn about a special order for a H&W Kurz squarebridge action with large ring. The responce was that it is available only in small ring.
The Hagn lads probably have the best relationship with H&W. If they cant get one at their request, i dont know who can. However the Theo Jung site shows a large ring action that is definitely shorter than your regular 98.

The magbox is 2.8" on that H&W Kurz action. Ralf said it may be streched a little,(0.1") but 3.1 does not seem likely.

The only two new 98actions H&W make are Kurz and Magnum length. As you say, they are truelly magnificent actions, and after handling afew at Reno,I lost interest in just about everything else. I may just have to settle for something on the H&W magnum(300h&h) if I cannot find what i am looking for. Could also cut and weld a magnum to intermmediate length. !!



Edited by starman (16/11/05 12:20 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
577Robert
.224 member


Reged: 10/02/05
Posts: 30
Loc: Germany, NRW
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #41522 - 14/11/05 10:24 PM

Starmen
the large ring intermediate action you see on the Theo Jung webpage as .300 WSM started live as an original intermediate Mauser 7x57 action. A friend of mine sold his original 7x57 rifle to him, which was used for this project ( what a shame ).

To this moment of time, I know nobody who manufactures a new intermediate one. Even Hartmann & Weiss uses Mauser Modello 1909 Peru action for this job. For small cartridges the can ground the large ring to a small ring configuration. The magazine lenght is 79 mm or the requested 3.1 inch this action is perfect for a 7x57 Mauser.

Mehul Kamdar
someone must have misguided you on the assumtion that Theo Jung is using Hartmann & Weiss actions.
He has introduced, together with the German distribitor "Alberts" a magnum action which is a direct copy of the Hartmann & Weiss action in terms of look and design a couple of years ago. The two major differences what H&W invented against the original Mauser magnum ( longer thread 21 mm against 16 mm , and thicker left lug ) are also find on the Jung / Alberts action.
There is mayby a possibil difference in the manufacturing methode casting against milling but othervice they are very close looking.
Robert

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: 577Robert]
      #41776 - 17/11/05 09:30 AM

577 Robert,

Thanks again for a very instructive post!

Best wishes again,



--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
starman
.275 member


Reged: 23/08/05
Posts: 53
Loc: nsw
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #54102 - 04/04/06 11:23 PM

This deserves to be added to the list for consideration of Best quality bolt guns:

www.satterleearms.com

Someone who goes to the effort of building an action himself to begin with before doing all the other work as well,is truelly in the gun "making" class.
It is something they can really call their own trademark feature, and be uniquely distinguished and regarded by.

It is a product of true Pedigree,rather than some high (overly)priced English brand that cannot/wiilnot tell you the quality /origin of the military reciever they use when selling you a $40K rifle. Why would you give them that money when so much more can be had for so much less.

Edited by starman (05/04/06 01:20 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
8x56mn
.300 member


Reged: 26/02/04
Posts: 149
Loc: Wine Country, Finger Lakes Wa...
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: starman]
      #54107 - 05/04/06 12:12 AM

Well I would have to say hands down best form and function gun ever produced were and are the pre was Mannlicher Schoenaurs, 1903, 05, 08,1910, followed closely y the post war 1950's era guns. You could get the 1929 model in many high pressure loads including 35 Whalen and Win. .458 . They are I believe Americas best kept secret. Once you pick one up, and cycle the bjutter smooth action and throw it up to your shoulder and feel the lightning quick response, you have a hard time setting it down. Truly a fine old world craftsman ship. :


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
allenday
.333 member


Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: 500grains]
      #54108 - 05/04/06 12:16 AM

The David Miller Company, D'Arcy Echols & Company, Gene Simillion, and John Bolliger are at the top of my list.

D'Arcy Echols has built the very best rifles that I've ever owned or used, period.............

AD

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Judson
.300 member


Reged: 21/09/05
Posts: 192
Loc: St. Albans Maine U.S.A.
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: 500grains]
      #54953 - 16/04/06 11:32 AM

Are you guys talking true custom jobs or semi production line guns like Dakota? If you are talking true custom jobs then price is not in the picture as the action alone may well run as much as $3500 for a Joahnason which is really made by Orbendorf (SP) or so I was told by Rigby. The custom rifles we build are built to fit the customer and start at around that price and go up from there however we are not using double square bridge actions made by Orbendorf.
Who or what is the best is really a personal thing. I do not for example care for the Dakota offerings for the most part. On their dangerous game rifles for example, I feel the sights are too fine and there is more drop in the stock which increases muzzel jump and recoil. Then again this is what custom is all about!!!! A custom rifle should be built to your likes and requierements and each builder has their own style and you must find the builder who can give you what you are looking for.
I did an article on this subject which you can read at our web site if you want, the site is http://www.customguns .us/

--------------------
It is the small calibers that are the biggest bores.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
EricD
.416 member


Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: Judson]
      #54974 - 16/04/06 04:12 PM

Judson,

FWIW, Johannsens actions are made by Gottfried Prechtl ( www.golmatic.de ).

Erik

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: bwanabloke]
      #55062 - 18/04/06 12:42 AM

BwanaBloke,

I own a 76 safari in .375 H&H. I've never been a huge fan of a bolt gun, but this rifle is faultless. At $5000.00 it is not cheap, however IMHO you can buy a more expensive rifle, but not a better one.

Funny, I reluctantly took this rifle as a partial trade on my chapuis double sale. Today, I would not part with it for anything.

I think I've reached rifle Nirvana. I have a glorious 1906 Jeffery 450 No. 2 double and the Dakota 76 .375 H&H. If I sold every firearm I own except these two - I'd still be in gun heaven.


--------------------


"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.

"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus

"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

"Yo! Mr. White"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
allenday
.333 member


Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: bonanza]
      #55152 - 19/04/06 01:30 AM

I'm sorry to differ with you, but I just don't agree. Certain Dakota's are very good and reliable rifles that delight their owners to no end. Personally, I've owned two Dakotas that were dogs, and I'll never own another one.

But the truth is, as I see it and in my experience, a Dakota is not in the same league by any stretch of the imagination with a true custom bolt gun made by a top America custom riflemaker. And there are even some guys, such as Roger Biesen, who produce a better rifle that Dakota does for about the same money as Dakota charges..........

Great custom rifles can't be mass-produced, or even semi-mass-produced............

AD.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: allenday]
      #55158 - 19/04/06 02:10 AM

Allen,

I’d like to know what sort of problems you had with your Dakota’s, please elaborate. Insofar as not being in the same league as a true custom bolt rifle, how do you qualify that; function, mechanical, longevity or presentation? Are you making the kind of comparison one would make when comparing a Merkel to a Purdy double? Certainly the Dakota is plain in finish (I call the look ‘no frills’), but mechanically it feeds and extracts flawlessly, and ultimately, if it works every time I don’t see the point in a so-called custom bolt rifle.

Blair

--------------------


"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.

"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus

"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

"Yo! Mr. White"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
allenday
.333 member


Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: bonanza]
      #55339 - 21/04/06 12:30 AM

The biggest single problem I've had was in terms of accuracy, and I mean near minute-of-foot accuracy. It was horrendous, and I think the pistol grip is misshapen as well, and the oil-type stock finish wouldn't protect the stock from an April shower around here.

Best-quality custom bolt guns offer better fit, finish and finishes, better tolerances, better quality wood (or non-wood!), better stock designs, fittings, etc. You're paying also for the experience of a single artisan of team of artisans, and the consistency of the finished product is much better as well. Most of these guys break-in the barrels, thoroughly test for accuracy and function, and send out only truly tested and proven products. Nothing is mass-produced or even semi-mass-produced, and it shows the minute you open the case and take delivery.

For fun, get a copy of Tom Turpin's great book, "Mastery of Wood & Metal - David Miller Company" from SCI, and you'll see what I mean.

And visit:

www.biesen.com

www.rbbigbores.com

AD

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
smicha6551
.275 member


Reged: 09/08/05
Posts: 88
Loc: NYC & Kuwait
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: allenday]
      #55349 - 21/04/06 01:40 AM

The Waffen Jung take down rifle looks really appealing - I've considered the Dakota takedown but I'd like another option. Are they imported to the US? Any idea on pricing? In the article they have on their site one of their non-takedown rifles is listed at 5500 Euro, somewhat more than Dakota but not vastly more - I'd rather not have a scope fall off during recoil while shooting a .416 Rigby.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
JPK
.375 member


Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
Re: Best quality bolt guns? [Re: allenday]
      #55350 - 21/04/06 02:06 AM

Allen Day,

Your comments about your experience with Dakota are interesting. I have two Dakota 76's and both are excellent shooters and one, a 375H&H, is really exceptional. The rifles are nearing ten years old now and function has been perfect. The stock finish has held up really well, better than I would ever have guessed, blueing is holding up OK, but not as well as expected so far as wearing from handling. Both rifles are glass bedded and have aluminum pillars as well. Fit, checkering, etc is excellent. Personally, I like the grip on the Dakotas and the drop suits me well. I had the stocks made to my length so that works too. If the rifles were truely custom I would have had the forearms made slimmer. The barrels were broken in at Dakota and targets supplied that had been shot with factory ammo of my choice.

When I first got the rifles they were unaceptable in fit and finish and quality of wood and they went back. They went back a second time as well and for the same reasons. After a couple of long and difficult conversations, and a year and a half of sending rifles and eventually stock blanks back and forth I got the rifles I wanted, at the price I was willing to pay. I would never do it again, and I suspect that the resolution I finally got from the Allens is no longer available.

On the other hand, if I found a used Dakota that suited me, at a fair price, I would snap it up. They are generally very good rifles, but, as you point out, they aren't in the same league as a really good custom rifle.

JPK

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | >> (show all)


Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Extra information
0 registered and 121 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator:   

Print Topic

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Rating: *****
Topic views: 24570

You rated this topic a 5.
Jump to

Contact Us NitroExpress.com

Powered by UBB.threads™ 6.5.5


Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact


Copyright 2003 to 2011 - all rights reserved