On a serious hunting rifle, the safety must lock the bolt shut when on safe. That is my one non negotiable. I have a list of preferences, but am somewhat open minded on other items.
This is my only criticism of my new to me Marlin XS7 in .308. The safety doesn't lock the bolt...
Russ
Each rifle will have purpose. Hunting. sport, various discipline, etc... So, non negotiables will depend on purpose. Accuracy is prime characteristic for match rifle, but reliability for hunting rifle.Like the title says, what are your not-negotiables when purchasing a new rifle?
Funnily enough I dislike the Winchester 3 position safety. I do love the M1917/P14 safety though.For bolt action rifles specifically, my one and only non negotiable for anything going forward is the rifle having a 3-position safety on the bolt. I have tried most if not all of the various designs and have determined that this is the correct configuration for a safety on a bolt action rifle. You may call it personal preference but I think there are valid mechanical principles that support my opinion on this.
I otherwise prefer controlled round feed, but will not turn down a good deal on an accurate push feed M70. I simply accept the limitations of that design.
I also prefer an open trigger design, for reason of durability and reliability. I do not care for the “box” type trigger units so common these days. This is, for me, the only significant drawback to the current production Winchester M70. I had an extreme weather model with the MOA trigger, thought it was okay but didn’t fully trust it in the field, and traded it away after a few years. I think these adjustable box type triggers are a fine choice for shooting from a bench, but we’re talking about a hunting rifle.
I will say that I really like the concept of the hinged floor plate with detachable box magazine. The Browning A-Bolt had this one feature that I thought was great. Marlin borrowed the concept for their MR-7 rifle in the late 90s, and along with the M70 style trigger and safety, M700 type bolt face, conservative styling and value, it was a great design that unfortunately wasn’t kept in production.
I have three primary reasons why the 3-position safety on the bolt shroud is my one non negotiable on a bolt action rifle: (1) locks the bolt closed when on safe, (2) controls the firing pin independently of the trigger/sear, (3) allows easy disassembly of the bolt in the field without special tricks or tools.Funnily enough I dislike the Winchester 3 position safety. I do love the M1917/P14 safety though.
@BadboymelvinHi.
Like the title says, what are your not-negotiables when purchasing a new rifle?
Now this is obviously going to be a very personal thing and we are all going to have very different ideas on this.
My perfect rifle may be your worst nightmare!
But it's still interesting to hear other people's opinions a- and you never know, my mind might be changed.
Here a are a few of my not-negotiables...
1. NO detachable magazines. I won't buy a rifle with a detachable magazine. I especially don't trust budget rifles with plastic magazines that can wear, get lost or are unreliable.
Floorplates - or better yet, blind magazines for me.
I'll tell you a story... l hunted with a mate who had a Mossberg .308 with 10 shot magazine and we had to walk a fair way to get to our spot. Once we got there my mate somehow realised that he had somehow released his magazine on the walk and now he had a very awkward to load single-shot.
As a side note on the walk back he somehow found it again (!!!) but he never used that rifle hunting again.
2. NO wooden stocks. Once again a very personal choice and l have to add that l love the look of a nice wooden stock as much as the next person, but l absolutely hate scratching stocks, so fancy wood stocks are a no for me these days...
And unlike most people l actually don't mind the looks of a synthetic stock. I think practical has a certain beauty to it.
Having said that l believe that shotguns and quality air rifles SHOULD have a wood stock.
A nice shotgun with a synthetic stock just doesn't look right to me... so what l should've said is all my centrefire hunting rifles have synthetic stocks.
3. NO muzzle brakes. l have owned several big-bore rifles and l have personally never felt the need for a muzzle brake.
YMMV.
Sure, shooting a .458 off the bench is hard work but take your time, fold up a towel and put it between your shoulder and the rifle and hang on!
Once sighted in the hard work is done and l've never felt recoil in the field - even when l've been kissed by the scope.
Not judging other people for using a muzzle brake, they may have an injury etc... but personally for me, l don't want/need one.
4. Heavy rifles. Just sold my last heavy rifle and won't buy another. My hunting style consists of walking, and walking, and walking... yep, light rifles for me.
5. Classic styling. I prefer my rifles to have plain classic lines.
6. NO attachments. Personally - and for the type of hunting l do, l don't need flashlights, bipods or anything like that on my rifle. It just adds weight and l simply would never use them for my style of hunting.
So that's my personal not negotiables for when l buy a rifle.
l'm sure other people's are different and that's totally fine by me.
So what are your personal not-negotiable's when buying a new rifle?
Russ
You turn them over pretty quickly, won’t be a problem for long but keep a .308 in the inventory it’s versatile and ammo is always available.
Either way you are committed to keeping a .308 for Harry now because we will remind you.
You're right mate, in the past l have... but l'm sick of buying and selling guns l just want to use the ones l've got.
l reckon this .308 will be a keeper though... it's light, handy and looks good to my eye - and the .308 is perfect for the deer hunting l do.
And like you said it'll be prefect for Harry
Even worked out a load for him, the 125gn Sierra ProHunter in front of a min charge of 2206H for around 2700fps. Nice little low-recoiling deer load.
Between the 425 Express, the .243 and the .308 l reckon l'm covered mate.
Russ
Well, now got me thinking…again. My Mark X .416 doesn’t either. I installed a PTG 3 pos on my M98 .458WM so guess the CC gonna breathe again.This is my only criticism of my new to me Marlin XS7 in .308. The safety doesn't lock the bolt...
Russ
Barbie rifle?@Badboymelvin
Russ
My non negotiables are
Must be accurate
Must be adequate for the game I hunt
Must be in a calibre I like eg 22 Hornet or 222 REM,25, 35,7mm( non magnum).
Big calibres are nice but don't really have a use for them.
NO 243 WILL EVER GRACE MY GUN Room OR HUNTING, I WOULD RATHER SHOOT MYSELF THAN OWN ONE.
I don't mind detachable mags or synthetic sticks but really love nice wood and blues steel or bead blasted stainless.
No high class rifles like Rigby because even tho I like them will never afford one.
Definitely NO BARBIE RIFLES. My GI Joe ex- militarys wouldn't play nicely with them. The would probably get but stoked to the mag well or scope
Bob
Oh no! Bob, you better check your supply of blood pressure meds.Barbie rifle?
And why the hate on a 243? Its a fine flat shooting round I hear.
The older Mark X does lock the bolt on safe, I believe to accomplish this in yours you would just have to swap in an older safety with the bolt locking extension. That is if your receiver is slotted for this extension. I believe it would be. My newer Zastava action was not slotted so I cut the slot to use the older safety.Well, now got me thinking…again. My Mark X .416 doesn’t either. I installed a PTG 3 pos on my M98 .458WM so guess the CC gonna breathe again.