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Reliable rifles
@ 10:22 pm (GMT) |
Craig Sanfordhttps://www.africahunting.com/threads/rifle-lessons-learned-from-the-zimbabwe-professional-hunter-proficiency-exam.2604/Here’s an article by an African ph regarding bolt action rifle selection, primarily from the standpoint of reliability. The author apparently dissected a couple thousand elephants in bullet testing projects, among other achievements in his field. Just thought I’d share it here for anyone interested. I found it pretty informative and, although I don’t have any plans to go to Africa, I find this topic fairly relevant here in Alaska as some of our big game animals have been known to fight back or fight first. I’ve had several close calls with angry moose that got me thinking about things like this. Spoiler alert: Winchester M70 rifles did pretty well in their proficiency exams. |
Replies
@ 08:29 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Reliable riflesHi Craig, thanks for the share. The article certainly covers some of the older / known complaints. But he shares some unique observations based on usage at local temperatures, all very important factors. I would like to add a few notes, but not as a means to discredit the author or downplay his annoyances.The author states that apart from some exceptions, American rifles are nasty, cheap junk. This is now a very old meme. Due to this widespread belief, most hunters do not understand the reasoning behind Remington's design decisions. For example, Remington incorporated the small extractor as a means to ensure the bolt head fully enclosed the cartridge within the chamber. The goal was to design a very strong rifle. As a contrast to this, other types of extractor can become shrapnel should the receiver rupture from a plugged barrel etc. While it is true that the M700 extractors can fail (have experienced this myself) and that U.S manufacturers sought ways to mass produce rifles, the original intention was to produce excellent rifles. Should the extractor break, fixes include - 1. replace with a new factory extractor while at the same time addressing why ammo was sticky, 2. Mody the bolt, fitting a Sako / Howa type extractor. The author also claimed that the M700 magazine was difficult to recharge. I have found the opposite to be true but would say that recharging any unfamiliar magazine can be difficult. Dump feeding is yet another layer to this. Single round dump feeding a Mauser or Winchester can cause a jam and can also result in breakages. Modern detach mag fed rifles can also prove difficult to dump feed if you need to take 'just one more' shot, depending on feed lip design. The M700 is very easy to dump feed into and is one of the reasons I prefer it. But that again comes down to familiarity. The same can be said of the Lee Enfield. Either you knew how to load and use it - or you didn't. As I wrote in the book series, it is important to take time to prep the rifle properly (setting up the rifle) and gain familiarity. Regarding high power cartridges, one must work with a suitably long action / magazine length. This is a primary consideration. Pretty much all bolt rifles need bedding - not just some as a means to prevent the stock splitting. Modern stock making materials can also bolster strength, doing away with any need for barrel lugs. Other issues should also be worked out during the prep phase. Jamming (in stroke) on a DG rifle must be addressed by studying the feed rails and feed ramp etc. Sticky extraction should also be studied well before any potentially critical situation. Understand that at normal operating pressures, one may experience stiff cycling / extraction when using using neck turned ammo at normal operating pressures without any risk of extractor breakages or stuck ammo (this is an example only - neck sized ammo should never be used for DG hunting). If the bolt has to be malleted open, it tells us that pressure is up around 70,000psi. This might be caused by the chamber reamer that is not matched to the ammo (CIP versus SAAMI chamber / ammo issues are not uncommon). But it could simply be the ammo has been made too hot for the temperatures (as the author mentioned). There are of course elements of various U.S rifles that could be improved. The Weatherby Mk V (stock pitch / tang and trigger layout) leaves much to be desired. The Remington would benefit from a slightly longer bolt handle for high pressure work and most folk would prefer a Bergara style extractor. The Ruger African Magnum would benefit from a full revision. So it goes on. Fortunately, some of these things can be addressed via gunsmithing. So often we come back to building rather buying factory items. I did not see any of the old Sako's on the list, maybe I missed them. The original finnbear had a claw extractor and three lugs. A very fine rifle. The modern Howa is the nearest equivalent (though not the same lugs / extractor) The Howa action needs to be prepped accordingly if chambered for a large cartridge, altering the feed rails and ramp to ensure ammo feeds correctly without jumping out of the mag. I am of course the first to complain about mass produced junk and annoying features. This level of frustration is quite understandable. Nothing the author stated should be discounted. This includes the little things the author mentioned such as the safety being bumped back (into the safe position while trying to cycle and shoot). This is a major annoyance when under pressure. My notes here should only be viewed as additional observations and not as criticisms of the author. https://youtu.be/eAxO0EL1IzM?si=Ypz6l3sWO4jbDslu |
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@ 05:58 pm (GMT) |
Craig SanfordRe: Reliable riflesHi Nathan, thanks for the reply. I have read that article several times over the years and while re-reading it the other day thought to share it here. Your experience and wisdom really adds more dimension to this topic.It seems the pre 64 Winchester M70 has great merit. I had one of the newer FN guns and it was nice enough, quite reliable, but the old trigger was preferable for me. The curious thing about the pre WW2 design specifically is the safety swings the opposite direction. This seems to be what the author was fundamentally getting at with his safety complaints. I have a .35 Whelen built on a Springfield 03A3 action that exhibits an interesting flaw. Unlike rifles that feed smoothly when worked slowly then fail when they get going fast, mine is the opposite, often failing to feed the second and fourth cartridges when worked slowly or gently, but running that bolt as hard and fast as possible functions flawlessly. I’m not quite sure what to make of that. Thanks for sharing your video of the cattle beast hunt too. I enjoyed that. |
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