You are so right.....and IMO the Mauser just isn't a better action....

I picked up a Winchester M70 CRF action only (formerly .338 win mag)
for $350.......and it costs a lot more than that to get a Mauser in that condition....easily $700-800 by the time a 3-position safety and hinged bottom metal is added.

However one can use the original bottom metal.....a Buehler safety, bend the bolt handle, and if he wants work on the military trigger, install a prefit short chambered A & B barrel and a tupperware stock for a fairly reasonable sum.....if he wants he can retain the original 8 X 57 barrel and wind up with a powerful and inexpensive truck gun.....this isn't a bad gun so decked out!!!

Mauser.

(and I've got one in the cabinet waiting for me to get up the $$$ to do it)

My best friend has 3 customized mausers in 25-06,280 remington and 338-06. All three vary from lightly customized to very heavy customization. He also has a pre-64 300 H&H.. One guess which has a smoother sweeter action.

Having second thoughts here.....

If the cartridge I'm looking for is a long one...like the STW or 300 H&H or even the 300 Weatherby series of rounds I'm going with the Montana 1999 as it's available standard in that length. A bit rough but totally adequate and if one wants to smooth them up a bit you can have anything from the 7MM STW to the 404 Jeffery in that 1999 magnum action and it can be had for under $500.....This is a relative newcomer to the market but will be heard more and more as time goes on.

If the cartridge I'm considering is based on the .458 Win mag length and diameter case, then the M-70 will be used most likely. Again...a standard tried and true action and can be had...again for well under $500 on the used market. Either CRF or pushfeed.....makes no difference to me here.

If the cartridge I'm building is based on the 30-06 case then it's Mauser (VZ-24) time in the gun shop...not that it wont do the other jobs but at higher cost.....money still means something here!!!!! (7 X 57 family is included here)


Since we're talking about big game rifles the final class is the cartridges based on the 308 Win case.....Here my pick is the M-70 short action in a push feed.

Now.....maybe we should rerun this thread looking for a varmint rifle.....

If I were going to build a DGR rifle it would be based on the CZ magnum action period end of story.

If I were going to build anything from a 243 to 3380 RUM it would be built on the Model 70 post CRF model. I like the MRC I don't like the fact it is a glorified Ruger in the fact its cast. I know casting and the way they do it is good but I really like machined metal. Peculiar quirk of mine.


If I were going to build a WSM of any sort it would be on the Sako 75 action. I have never had a WSMround feed any smoother then it has thru that action.

Of course I could always save a thousand or more and buy a Kimber 8400 select grade in 30-06

Those would be my choices