The bolt action carbine has been around a long time. These days it's not exactly at the top of any lists, but I think the short barrel bolt action is enjoying a bit of a resurgence.

A part of that is the success of the Gunsite Scout, I'd say. I've owned a Steyr Scout for many moons, and it has always taken a lashing for being too expensive, impractical, etc. Time passes, someone finds the sweet spot of cost and utility, and a commercially popular scout is born.

But, this isn't really about scout rifles, as the scout is just a carbine with a particular scope and some other features.

Bolt action carbines can be found in their natural state, like the SMLE jungle carbine, and for many years here in the US, cutting down and modifying surplus rifles was very common. A practice that has dried up for some very good reasons.

While I shopped, I did find commercially available "short barrel" bolt rifles in a variety of calibers, the selection dwindling with the shorter the barrel, but they're out there, and that's good.

My own diversion lately has been getting one in 30.06, of which there are few commercial options, so I recently cut down a Ruger American All Weather. A stainless barrel meaning I don't have to bother with cold bluing, rattle cans or other finishing methods.

When the 6" of barrel hit the floor, and I got a feel for the rifle, I had no regrets. Will it be loud? Yes, but not much louder. Will there be some velocity lost? Yes, and with it some range, but how far will I shoot it? Will accuracy remain the same? As long as I don't fuck up the crown.

Now I'm waiting for Brownells, and Leupold to put a German #1 in a low power scope that doesn't weigh much more than the piece of barrel I lopped off. I weighed the scrap with my wifes baking scale, it feels like it weighs more than 110 grams, but maybe not.

The way people think of short barrel bolts has become of interest, particularly compared to the way they think of short barrel semiautos. We all recognize the utility of the M4, and people have espoused the accuracy of .308 autoloaders with shorter barrels.

It's interesting that when the subject of a short bolt rifle comes up, peoples minds are blown, add to that cutting your own barrel, and I'm like a mad scientist in some of the conversations I've had. Not too many decades ago, whacking a bolt rifle down to the length you need was a touch more common I'd say.

I think if I'd got a rifle in carbon steel, in .308 or less, and cropped the barrel to 16" it would be very light indeed. But being stainless, and needing some meat for 30.06, 6lbs is it. Not quite 7 with a scope, 4 rounds, and a sling.

im currently trying to get a cz 550 carbine in 30-06.

quote:

Originally posted by newmexican:
im currently trying to get a cz 550 carbine in 30-06.

If you can't source one of those, you might try for a Ruger M77 International (RSI), which were made in .30-06 for many years and might be easier to find. Very similar concept to the CZ 550, with a compact barrel, iron sights, and Mannlicher stock. Unfortunately, the Ruger lacks the CZ's sweet set trigger, but the M77 RSI is slightly shorter and lighter than the 550 in return.

M77 RSI top
CZ 550 bottom



Here's my RSI in .30-06:

One of those would have been sweet, if I were more patient I probably would have found them.

GunBorker.com is not nearly as useful as Gunbroker.com.

I have a very old ( like first year of production) Winchester model 54 in 30/06. My wife bought it for me like over 20 years ago. I rarely shoot it, and it has a marginal quality reboy's and extra holes from an old side scope mount. It will stay in my collection forever though. The little lady also bought me a model 70 super grade in 300 magnum as well. All three are keepers!

I picked up a Ruger American Predator in a 308 with a 18" barrel that is already threaded on sale right before hunting season. Surprising how light it is. Ruger list it 6.2 pounds and 38" overall.

http://www.ruger.com/products/...specSheets/6974.html

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:

GunBorker.com is not nearly as useful as Gunbroker.com.

No idea why, but this sentence has made my chuckle all morning long. As you can tell it's the small things that amuse me most. Thanks for that.

I'll type fast sometimes, and I had actually entered that. It's not a website, so I imagine it could be an amusing one. Where the Swedish Chef evaluates firearms or something.

As far as your scope is concerned, I just got a smoking deal on a Leupold VX6 1-6x 30mm illuminated German #4 reticle, and the CDS (Custom Dial System) for "43% off" through Midway. I paid $809.00 and saved $620.00, with no shipping charges.

I put the glass on my Savage Model 99 in .308 and plan on using it as my "go to" gun for wild pigs. While not a bolt gun, the Savage is pretty light and handy in its own right. Over the years, I've found some very good deals at Midway

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
I'll type fast sometimes, and I had actually entered that. It's not a website, so I imagine it could be an amusing one. Where the Swedish Chef evaluates firearms or something.

He makes the doughnuts.

quote:

Originally posted by pulicords:
As far as your scope is concerned, I just got a smoking deal on a Leupold VX6 1-6x 30mm illuminated German #4 reticle, and the CDS (Custom Dial System) for "43% off" through Midway. I paid $809.00 and saved $620.00, with no shipping charges.

That is a smoking deal alright. I just went with a humble VX2 1-4x. Wanted to keep it compact and light.

Cz 527 in 7.62x39. Featherweight & accurate. Superb little gun, sweet shooter.

I keep thinking the Howa mini action in 6.5 Grendel would be cool. And chopping one down to 16" would be really cool.

(and if I didn't have a 16" AR in 6.5 Grendel that doesn't see much use, I might be tempted)

At first I wanted a Model 70 Lightweight for a dumb scout/carbine project, but now I desire for a Kimber Adirondack. EuroOptic has a smoking deal on the 7-08...

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
At first I wanted a Model 70 Lightweight for a dumb scout/carbine project, but now I desire for a Kimber Adirondack. EuroOptic has a smoking deal on the 7-08...

Those are sweet, Ive shot one, great light weight rifles.

Word on the street is that kimber is coming out with one called the "Afognak" that will be in 358. Sort of a re make of some well know guides bear rifle.

I might have to get it even though I have no use for it.

Also if you want to save some $$$, you could get a kimber montan and chop it down.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by newmexican:
im currently trying to get a cz 550 carbine in 30-06.

If you can't source one of those, you might try for a Ruger M77 International (RSI), which were made in .30-06 for many years and might be easier to find. Very similar concept to the CZ 550, with a compact barrel, iron sights, and Mannlicher stock. Unfortunately, the Ruger lacks the CZ's sweet set trigger, but the M77 RSI is slightly shorter and lighter than the 550 in return.

M77 RSI top
CZ 550 bottom



Here's my RSI in .30-06:

nice looking rifle, Ill look into those. The particular kimber im after dosent have the manlincher stock, just a standard composite one.

Although it wasn't a carbine, I had and old style Ruger MKII All weather with the funky Zytel stock that I really liked and wish I still had. It had I think a 20" barrel and was a pretty decent gun.

This is precisely why I'm interested in a closeout M77 in 338 RCM. I know, I know, the RCM's are dying in their infancy. I don't care, I'm a hand loader. But a 338 RCM will give me 30-06 heavy performance in a short action, 20" barrel. Very intriguing. Some retailers are moving M77 Hawkeyes for <$500 in the RCMs.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
It's interesting that when the subject of a short bolt rifle comes up, peoples minds are blown, add to that cutting your own barrel, and I'm like a mad scientist in some of the conversations I've had. Not too many decades ago, whacking a bolt rifle down to the length you need was a touch more common I'd say.

I've been thinking similarly lately. Sometime back, I was given a sporterized Enfield No4 MK? that was missing the handguards, barrel band was gone, the barrel shortened to I forget what length, and either had the protective ears shaved off the front sight which was reattached, or something else was used, but it looked like a home job. I idly considered converting it to a jungle carbine replica but traded it instead. But the feel of a light, short bolt rifle in a quick action has kept a flicker of interest in the back of my mind ever since. That rifle would've been a hoot if I'd made a little project out of it.

I know the Enfield isn't typically the action of choice for a custom bolt rifle, I honestly think it would be a great choice for a brush gun. When I'm ready to start messing with it, I intend to eventually do just that.

Arc,

While this may not be directly related, there are some guys over at Ballistics by the Inch that have tested numerous calibers to find the optimal barrel length. If nothing else it provides a nice reference or at least food for thought.

Where I live we can't use "coke bottle" shaped rifle cartridges for hunting, only "straight walled" cartridges and not all of them either. To top that off, it has to be .357 or larger. Mike Bellm has a wealth of info pushing the .357 Mag well beyond its limits to reach .357 Max levels creating very accurate 200 yard rifles. Not everyones cup of tea, but interesting for those trying to stay within legal hunting limits.