The Greatest Sporting Rifle of All Time

[Dosing]

People need to stop saying the 98 is A) the best ever, and B) every other gun is based on a 98. The 98 for a commercial rifle is passe junk that no one makes or uses anymore. Does anyone see blind mags, thumb cutouts and charger guides on commercial guns anymore?
Its like saying the Model T was the first car, and that every car today, including the Tesla owes it all to the Model T.

Best commercial rifle ever, as much as i dislike them, remmy 700. If Mauser still made those they might have a better presence. My preferred is the Howa 1500, a sako design that imho howa improved. Its been on sale for decades, but remmy got there first with a reasonably good design that buries the 98 in sales and long gevity.

 

[dgradinaru]

People need to stop saying the 98 is A) the best ever, and B) every other gun is based on a 98. The 98 for a commercial rifle is passe junk that no one makes or uses anymore. Does anyone see blind mags, thumb cutouts and charger guides on commercial guns anymore?
Its like saying the Model T was the first car, and that every car today, including the Tesla owes it all to the Model T.

Best commercial rifle ever, as much as i dislike them, remmy 700. If Mauser still made those they might have a better presence. My preferred is the Howa 1500, a sako design that imho howa improved. Its been on sale for decades, but remmy got there first with a reasonably good design that buries the 98 in sales and long gevity.

Recent production. Blind mag w/floor plate. Thumb cut out and the whole works.

https://www.mauser.com/en/mauser-98/mauser-98-dwm.html

 

[Ardent]

Its like saying the Model T was the first car, and that every car today, including the Tesla owes it all to the Model T.

Except... that statement is absolutely true. From the development of road networks spurred by the automobile becoming commonplace, to assembly line manufacturing the blueprint was laid by the Model T. Not as much has changed between the Model T and the Tesla as we like to kid ourselves, both have four wheels and are trying to find a home in the developed world’s garages. It’s easy to forget where things started and presume ideas sprout anew all on their own, truth of the matter is everything has a family tree. Tesla as we know it wouldn’t exist without the Model T and the M700 wouldn’t without the M98 though I hate to associate it to a Tesla in any way.

Your opinion on 98 is welcomed and that’s all fair, I have a very different one. I know for sure they’re tougher than many a modern action having seen it myself. Faults? Slow lock time, scope mounting isn’t ideal, safety as original isn’t well suited to scopes. Pros? Ridiculous durability and reliability, no plastic or solder, last multiple lifetimes in beyond severe service. I also find the lines of a 98 much more attractive than a 700, 1500, or T3 but that’s personal.

The long and the short of it is the 98 was the design emulated or that at the least inspired nearly every other nation to adopt or manufacture a direct competitor to counter it for longer than any other design. There’s no debate it changed the entire world of firearms technology, and the Model T did with cars. Funny thing about the 98 is it’s still competitive with modern rifles where as the Model T is not with modern cars. I’d still opt for a Zastava Mauser over a Model 700 any day for what I do for work with a gun. Canada still used a 98 right into Afghanistan with the Parker Hale, finally getting replaced with the PGW.

This is good stuff, let’s keep it going.

 

[Ardent]

I was forever a push-feed fan;until in recent years that I realized how great the Mauser action really is. There are many variations of the Mauser action, however ones I find to my penchant are the pre-Sako 85 accompanied by the Belgium made. A Mauser action rifle chambered with a classic European cartridge is a combination of a great flavor, like ice cream and apple pie. Yes, they are generally gravitationally challenged compared to the push feed, but worth the extra burden.

Good to hear, had the same progression.

 

[3macs1]

Canada still used a 98 right into Afghanistan

Not a good example IMO. Just shows the poor financial state of our military

 

[Leeper]

When building rifles, I always told people, for an accurate varmint/target rifle, the easy way was a Remington 700. For a classy hunting/target rifle, a pre-64 Model 70 was the way to go. For a classic hunting rifle for serious field use, base the rifle on a Model 98 Mauser. Making a Mauser close over a cartridge is a solid ten minute job after which it is flawless. Various Mausers were made with hinged floorplates. The trigger, two stages and all, is infallible. The bolt stop and ejector are unbreakable. Commercially, Mauser actioned rifles varied from passable to superb but the best of them are the best sporting rifles ever made.

 

[pacobillie]

Here is another vote for the Mauser family of rifles. In my case, it is an FN Mauser Supreme in 300 H&H Magnum. As smooth, reliable and sturdy as it gets.

 

[jamesharrison]

Mauser 98, as presented by Messrs. Holland & Holland in .318 Rimless N.E. (aka 318 Westley Richards)

 

[Ardent]

When building rifles, I always told people, for an accurate varmint/target rifle, the easy way was a Remington 700. For a classy hunting/target rifle, a pre-64 Model 70 was the way to go. For a classic hunting rifle for serious field use, base the rifle on a Model 98 Mauser. Making a Mauser close over a cartridge is a solid ten minute job after which it is flawless. Various Mausers were made with hinged floorplates. The trigger, two stages and all, is infallible. The bolt stop and ejector are unbreakable. Commercially, Mauser actioned rifles varied from passable to superb but the best of them are the best sporting rifles ever made.

Appreciated that post and for those who don’t know who Bill Leeper is, he’s built more than a few rifles in his day and I respect the opinion not solely because I fully agree with it.

 

[hoytcanon]

Over the past four plus decades, I waded my way through every conceivable sporting platform, starting with traditional 98's, through European and domestic iterations... there are many that I like, but I have come to settle on the Ruger M77 Mark II rifles as the closest factory rifle to fit my tastes in the areas of ergonomics, reliability, functionality and accuracy. There are various versions of this rifle that are particularly useful from an "all round" perspective. I think the quintessential sporting/hunting rifle is embodied in the M77 Mark II Express rifle, the little brother to the much heavier Ruger Safari Magnum rifle... the Express was offered in .25/06, .270, .30/06, .300 WM and .338 WM. Offering Express sights on a quarter rib machine as one piece with the barrel, 3 position safety, CRF, Circassion Walnut... a beautiful piece.

 

[bunny]

I would like to find an express like that in 25-06 !!

 

[Ardent]

She’s a beauty Greg, I owned a .300 Win Express Rifle I never should have sold. They were better than the RSM, as they handle so well.

 

[dgradinaru]

Some Mausers and variants show and tell I've had and still own. Have many regrets letting certain rifles go though.

 

[manitou210]

Model 10 Sporter in 280 Ross

Some members never saw or touched a Ross Sporter, there pistol grip was slender with ultra fine checkering as well the for-arm and gun was light, deep dark bluing, peep sight at rear and a blade sight on barrel mark 300y and it was a pure cannon In its day. My Uncle told me in early 19 century after a days hunting deer in western Quebec guys would shoot across a lake 350y at large a stone or more, most guys shooting 44 40, 38 55 30 30 etc they would be hitting water 100 to 150 yards short. He said when he fired his 280 there would be smoke off stone. The . 280 Ross is a semi-rimmed, bottlenecked centerfire cartridge using a . 289 inch bullet. With its ability to fire a 140-grain (9.1 g) bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,900 feet per second (880 meters per second), it qualified for the contemporary "magnum" designation.
and gun was manufactured in Quebec Canada
There sniper rifle in 280 won at Bisley I believe his name was Mortimer the brits banned it as 303 could not compete with

https://books.google.ca/books?id=wJEsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT296&lpg=PT296&dq=mortimer+at+bisley+with+280+ross&source=bl&ots=zE3bZv4j8S&sig=ACfU3U25nUGFDoO1rcKsUcsAk2hSCQ1sxg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjcxOXsvpXnAhUKc98KHfzbCVkQ6AEwCnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=mortimer%20at%20bisley%20with%20280%20ross&f=false

View attachment 342847View attachment 342848View attachment 342849
Chris Jones is holding rifle, Chris is a black powder shooter quite amazing watchng him hitting bull at 900m
last picture is friend of Mine Alain Marion I brought gun to Connaught he fired one fouler shot from hip then laydown and fired one shot at 300m yes a vbull
hes fellow sitting in chair
View attachment 342855View attachment 342855

 

[FoymountFarm]

"...this is all personal opinion."

As some...many...most...here, I've gone through a couple of hundred sporting rifles to reach my personal opinion on what makes the greatest sporting rifle.

I've been through bolts, levers, singles and semis from Enfield, Winchester, Browning, Marlin, H&R, Ruger, Tikka, Smith and Wesson (Howa), Benelli, Remington and Savage.

What I've learned is, to be the "greatest" for me it has to: fit me, have a short action bolt action, have a steel detachable magazine, have a stainless barrel and receiver, have a walnut stock, be easily scoped, be priced within my budget, be reliable and have access to readily available parts if it needs repair.

Where I've ended up has surprised me.

I'm not saying it's the "greatest sporting rifle" by any means. I'm saying it met all my criteria and is the greatest for me, now.

But, I'm not done yet...

 

[ericrose]

Best all around sporting rifles ever built imho is a tie between the Winchester M94 30/30 or a Lee Enfield 303 jungle carbine. Not ###y, but very efficient.

 

[Evanguy]

Best all around sporting rifles ever built imho is a tie between the Winchester M94 30/30 or a Lee Enfield 303 jungle carbine. Not ###y, but very efficient.

If we are talking factory mill surplus then the Lee Enfield Carbine (LEC 1) has the Jungle Carbine (No5mk1) beat by miles

we all like pics, might as well add some

LEC 1

 

[SuperCub]

My current vote ........... Getting tired of 700s.

 

[guntech]

I am surprised no one has picked the Browning Safari bolt action 375 H&H in a Midas grade from the late 60's...

and the title of this thread should be "One of the greatest sporting rifles".

... and the 'sporting' part of it should automatically eliminate military rifles...

and no doubt a commercial Mauser 98 reworked and restocked by a skilled smith is one of the nicest rifles to look at, handle, appreciate and use. It may not be the strongest and safest bolt action but it certainly deserves recognition as one of the greatest.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

I pick the Winchester Model 94 to be the greatest sporting rifle ever. The millions of hunters who used them since the rifle's introduction can attest to that.
There are many supreme works of gunmaker's art built on the '94 out there, but the standard grades were/are still getting the job done for many hunters.
Nothing carries & handles as nice fer me in the woods than a Model 94 or 92 as game rifles go.


For scope rifles, the M70 and Mauser sporters be my second picks. Lots of happy folks been doing the deed over the years with 'em as well.