Rem. 700. Hands down. Just take a look around and see what most people are using today in this regard. There's gotta be a reason why, and dependability, ease of parts, and availability are paramount, in my mind.

Check out Christensen Arms website, they have a build your own rifle interactive program. They use Remington, Sako, Weatherby, and Browning actions. It depends on how much you want to spend. H-S Precision makes there own action and it looks really nice, but it's expensive.

I have had Mauser, Sako and Remington rifles. Guess I would go with a Mauser for a custom hunter, if you have the bucks! Just like the slick way it works. But heck, I want to hear about the wood too. (Or you going synthetic?)

Remington. I have built several. All on 700 Remington actions. The why is just that I think they are the best action for the money out there.

Right now I have three 1938 VZ-24 actions just looking for an excuse to use them. They are so smooth that goose**** is envious.......and that's smooth!!!!! They would make a very fine action for anything on the 30-06 case or the 300 win mag case. Add a threeposition safety and they're equal to the M-70 pre -64 actions......and that's saying a bunch.

That said it's not a cheap way to go.

Of the choices you mentioned I'd pick the '98 Mauser, the M-70 or the Howa as all about equivalent and top picks.

The Remington 700 is also a fine choice but IMO a second place runner up to the front runners.

Savage don't figure in a custom gun as it's barely a functional mechanism on it's own!!!

Sako actions are fine but over priced.

Of your choices I would go with a Sako action, but if I could afford it I would go with a Dakota Model 76 action. Good luck.

Results so far:

Remington 4
Mauser 4
savage 1
sako 1

What no one likes Model 70's? What difference does it make if stock is synthetic or wood ..none in my mind ..quality action is a quality action irregardless.

Yea, I like model 70's,especially pre '64's, so chalk up a vote.

Also, what about the Montana 1999? I've never seen one in person, but it would seem to have all the necessary features to make a nice reliable rifle.

Votes so far

Remington4
Mauser 4
savage 1
sako 1
Winchester 70 1


Sort of have mixed feelings about the MRC..seems some love them and others hate them. The one and only one I saw looked great CZ model 3

Mauser hands down...... lap everything and square it up. Rugged, reliable, dependable....... accurate.