Best Military Bolt Action Service Rifle?

2021-01-06T14:41:57-05:00

Rules: Must have been a mass issued service rifle. Not some one off for a shooting team. Must be a bolt action rifle.
Did not have to be used in a conflict.
What technical advancements did bring?
My Choice: The Finnish M28/30 Mosin Nagant. Simo Haya used it for his 505 Confirmed Kills. It helped beat back the Soviet during the Winter War of 1939. It had a improvements over previous Russian and Finnish Mosin Variations, including a slower rifling, better sights, heavier barrel, and a forward barrel bushing to keep the barrel free floating. The stock was made of Artic Birch and coated with Pine Tar Oil to keep it weather proof.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Jan 6 at 2021 10:03 PM

2021-01-06T22:03:59-05:00

The Finnish still make some very fine rifles. We had a beautiful, used Sako in the shop a few weeks ago, and it didn't last long.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Jan 6 at 2021 10:04 PM

2021-01-06T22:04:08-05:00

Sounds like a winner.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jan 6 at 2021 10:05 PM

2021-01-06T22:05:44-05:00

Brit Enfield MK IV

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jan 6 at 2021 10:13 PM

2021-01-06T22:13:28-05:00

I'm rather fond of the Krag 30-40, although it was already obsolescent by the time we adopted it. Smoothest action in my collection. Only a five round magazine, and the side loading gate made it slow to reload. Plus the round was already below standard when the rifle entered service in 1896. But it was a vast improvement over the Springfield Trapdoor. The Krag only saw service for about 10 years before the Springfield replaced it. I had one, but by the time I got round to shooting it, the sights were too fine for my old eyes to focus on. Swiss Schmidt-Rubin has a reputation for extreme accuracy, and the straight pull bolt action made it one of the most rapid shooters in Europe.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Jan 6 at 2021 10:20 PM

2021-01-06T22:20:32-05:00

I believe I will go with the British Enfield .303.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 6 at 2021 11:13 PM

2021-01-06T23:13:55-05:00

Simo Hayha interviews indicate that he may have killed more Russians with a Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun than the Mosin. The reality was that the Fins used Mosin's because that was what they had available.
If I had to pick the ultimate military bolt action, I think that should go to the Mauser 98. There were probably more Military Bolt Action Rifles based of the Mauser design, including our own 03 Springfield.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jan 6 at 2021 11:17 PM

2021-01-06T23:17:27-05:00

M1903 variants, followed by the multitude of the Lee Enfield versions from Mk1 through the jungle carbine MK5.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Jan 7 at 2021 1:14 AM

2021-01-07T01:14:11-05:00

My father has an Arisaka rifle from WW2 converted to a .300 Savage. My choice.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jan 7 at 2021 10:19 PM

2021-01-07T22:19:07-05:00

Swedish Mauser 6.5 X55, I love that round
Somewhere in the literature - WWI -ish or earlier in the War Dept high command to have the rifles made with left hand bolt-actions - because it force soldiers to aim each time. - as a lefty I would have loved it.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jan 9 at 2021 4:56 PM

2021-01-09T16:56:52-05:00

I did like my Russian Nagant. However, my shoulder not so much. I found the German 98K Mauser had the smoothest action I have ever used.

Response by SFC Bill Kurtz made Dec 31 at 2021 1:56 AM

2021-12-31T01:56:37-05:00

M1903 Springfield. Strong action, accurate my pap sporterized two WWI vets. Beautiful groupings at 200 yards

Response by LTC Lane Altenbaumer made Jan 1 at 2022 9:46 AM

2022-01-01T09:46:58-05:00

I'll go with Carlos Hathcock and the M40