r/canadaguns • u/Life_Dragonfruit6441 • May 25 '26
Buy recommendations Best battle proven bolt-action currently available?
Humor me on this. I would like to add a “fighting” bolt action to my quiver, with iron sights and in a modern, easy to get caliber. What would YOU get, and why?
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u/hafetysazard May 25 '26
Mauser action in .30-06, or .308.
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u/Tookan_ Jun 03 '26
Battle proven, Mauser action, and .30-06. Sounds like the path to an M1917 Enfield.
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u/AdeptArt May 25 '26
For battle proven the CDX-33 is being used in Ukraine right now. Various militaries worldwide use the AXMC, MRAD, TRG42, etc. I'm sure any of these you could just slap on some iron sights (since you asked); it would be funny, but not its intended use case unless you've got superhuman vision. I would get 308 win just since it's the easiest to find/cheapest but that's just because I'm not the one going off to fight in a war.
If you mean historical battle proven rifle with military provenience I would love a K98 in 8mm mauser. There are israeli conversions to 308 if that's your cup of tea.
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u/Flat-Dark-Earth Big Bore Specialist May 25 '26
Lee enfield.
It’s not modern and 303 is outdated, but it checks all the rest.
Ruger Gunsite Scout would have been the other ref but they are discontinued.
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u/HappyCan7250 May 25 '26
Not necessarily battle proven, but the Savage 110 is nearly as old as some of the Milsurps (well, 60-70 years of production I think?). You can get some with iron sights from the factory. I'd say it's a pretty reliable, basic bolt gun with lots of parts availability and iron sights for a pretty reasonable price. I just ordered a 110 Hog Hunter in 223 for $750, cheapest way it seems to get a new 110 these days. Medium heavy barrel and iron sights on the hog hunter models.
Not "battle proven", but meets some of your criteria while still being well under $1k
Mosin Nagant is probably the most battle proven though, lots of cheap ammo still available, and it was even being used in Ukraine fairly recently, and probably still carried by some rear troops on both sides.
SKS has also been spotted in that war several times, still in use, kinda cool to see troops still carrying it
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u/Dependent_Account603 May 25 '26
Ruger makes nice scout rifles. But i still dislike their single stack magazines. The Lee Enfield still wins due to smoother bolt and better magazine. Nobody makes a modern rifle with all the perks of a Lee Enfield. They can be had in .308.
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u/Q-Ball7 In the end, it's taxes all the way down May 25 '26
P17, because it's the only practical option.
Though really, if you have enough money for an unsporterized copy, you probably have enough money for a Garand... and the Garand is by far the better rifle.
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u/Life_Dragonfruit6441 May 26 '26
Are you referring to the M1917?
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u/Q-Ball7 In the end, it's taxes all the way down May 26 '26
That would be the one, yes.
It's a Mauser action, except one that's specifically set up as a fighting rifle (and by that I mostly mean being cock-on-close and having a safety you can disengage from a firing grip- most Mausers lack those things), and chambered in a round that isn't obsolete (which rules out the Type 38/99 and the P14).
Not as flashy as some of the other rifles, but still a war-winning rifle, and a modern owner will appreciate its attributes.
It's also not as liable to breaking itself into pieces as the Enfields are; the wood on those (particularly the draws) is more fragile than most give it credit for. The P17 doesn't have that problem.
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u/boozefiend3000 May 26 '26
.303 isn’t modern at all, but the Lee Enfield is the best battle proven bolt action
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u/YourLoveLife May 25 '26 edited May 25 '26
If I'm concerned about penetrating armour in this battle, I probably want something in 5.56 out of a 20 inch barrel. Something like a ruger american ranch with iron sights.
MRA makes straight pull bolt action rifles that kind of fit what you're looking for. https://mapleridgearmoury.com/renegade/mra-renegade-rifle-mkii-223-wylde/
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u/samwisegamja May 25 '26
Is this a survey for the next ban wave of MiLiTaRy WeAPoNs oF wAR /s