Thread: What are some of the smoothest bolt actions you have handled?

Mannlicher Schoenauer , Harre 49

Originally Posted by HandH

@Woody That Winchester wasn’t a mid 50s Super Grade by any chance?
I’ve been trying to track the history of mine that I picked up about 15-20 years ago used from Reloaders..it has a stock that I think is a Fajen? Cheers, Charlie

The stock was dark walnut and had no checkering. The safety catch had been removed.

Originally Posted by Woody

The stock was dark walnut and had no checkering. The safety catch had been removed.

Cheers, definitely not mine then.

My fluted model 7 bolt is about as smooth as 60 grit sandpaper

Originally Posted by Ryan

I'd have to agree with the Enfield action.

Likewise, even for a lefty it’s smooth and fast.
Just that when in a real hurry I can end up with a blood blister on the outside edge of my left hand from the bolt pinching it against the rear of the action.

Early Sako L461 actions are ultra smooth.

you all need to try Sauer 202 super smooth!!!

My SMLE No 1 mk3 is so smooth. My late father said it was as smooth as a 1960's Yashica camera.

Originally Posted by Tech

Over the years I have owned or played with some very smooth actions, so my list from smoothest down are,
Sauer 90 or Carl Gustaf 3000
Schultz and Larsen Victory, Classic DL and Legacy
Mannlicher Schoenauer
Sauer 202
Carl Gustaf 8000/9000 or Husqvarna 1900
Cooper M54 and M52
Original Tikka

Imagine owning that list😀

"Now I'm going to go out for true abuse after that little warm up - one of the best I have at the mo is a poxy old norinco 7.62 bolt (but this is after a LOT of polishing and cleaning up). The JW103 is actually not badly designed and when polished and cleaned up there isn't much for it to hang up on."

My old jw15 is almost dangerously smooth. Can literally flick up and back with a finger tip, but still doesn't seem sloppy. Thankfully it has a positive lock up once engaged otherwise I would be wary of using it. Seems like it has been used a lot but barrel doesn't, though I doubt very much that someone rebarrelled a 15.

Don't currently own a Tikka but agree that they are pretty bloody good for the $. Older Howa 1500 I had was pretty slick too.


My old man had a Steyr of some sort, double triggers (rear one was a feather light set trigger deal) although I was young I still recall it being insanely slick.

Don't have experience with any other high end stuff for comparison but the rest of them still make deer dead.

I note some people mentioning Lee Enfields... Is it just a possibility that they have fired 100K+ rounds? I tried an almost new out of the grease (SMLE) and it was about as smooth as cheap bourbon. Horrible

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

I note some people mentioning Lee Enfields... Is it just a possibility that they have fired 100K+ rounds? I tried an almost new out of the grease (SMLE) and it was about as smooth as cheap bourbon. Horrible

How dare you besmirch cheap bourbon, Sir I am offended.

Originally Posted by Preacher

How dare you besmirch cheap bourbon, Sir I am offended.

Smooth as Krico model 600 from West Germany in .270 cal. Brought second hand 1981. Only if you can afford one! 3 shot box magazine. Slick bolt.

i go with sauer 202

Probably a schultz and larsen classic so smooth I swear it loaded itself if you let gravity do the work.
kimber, some super light carbon stocked thing
and my swedish mauser. so nice.

everything else has been pretty average