Next Hunt - Rifle Choice (Pics)

[herb]

Herb, Thanks for the reply. From my readings, I gather that a CRF action may not offer any tangible advantage over a push-feed action while hunting non-dangerous game.Would you like to comment on that?Thanks.

Best-
Vikram

Vikram - In my limited experience with push feed's, I have never had a jam. Apart from the controlled feed aspect already mentioned by tworivers, I personally think that the extractor on CRF models are much better than the small extractor and plunger ejector on most push feed designs.

My only personal experience of problem is with a particular snap cap in .375 H&H, it always fails to extract and throw clear in the above pictured Remington 700 but the CZ 550 extracts it flawlessly. Never had any issue with extracting live ammo or empty cases in the Rem 700. I think the snap cap has some manufacturing defect but in spite of that the CZ 550 never fails to extract & eject it.

If you look at the below picture the extractor on the Rem 700 is so small you can hardly see it in the picture, whereas the extractor nearly cover 1/2 of the rim in CRF CZ 550.



Most of us rarely (if at all) seek and hunt dangerous game with out adequate backup i.e a PH with a big bore, so a failed extraction/ejection or jam is not a life and death situation (99% of the time) . Since I am carrying a repeating rifle I would like to have the ability to take a quick follow up shot on any game I am hunting (dangerous or not). I know of people who have used PF's all their life and never had a problem, but it could happen.

Herb

[Hunter]

Hi Herb,

Have sent you an email and awaiting a reply whenever the time permits you.

Many Thanks/Clarence

[maximus]

You have a great rifle collection, may you have a great hunt.

Happy Hunting !!!

Maximus

[357 S&W]

Good collection there. Can you please share the area you will be hunting in? How much it would cost you
Good luck

[timmy]

Herb: regarding the choice, I have never been to Alaska or hunted in Canada, either, so I have no personal experience to call upon. However, my Brother (I capitalize, because I only have one) has done so. His battery, though not as extensive as yours, includes a Model 70 (pre '64) Featherweight in 308 and a Sako 300 Win Mag he got from my uncle. Upon settling on the trip, he got a McMillan composite stock for the Sako for his caribou and moose hunt, and that was that.

It appears that you are thinking along the same lines he did, and were I in your shoes, I would certainly think the same way.


Regarding your pics, thanks for sharing your beautiful rifles with us. You most certainly have choice pieces there and are a rifleman of impeccable taste.


Regarding the push feed issue, I think that the Remingon 721/700/7/etc family that uses the little spring steel C clip arrangement is really in a different league than, say many modern extractors or that of the post '64 Winchester. My complaint isn't so much the idea of the PF vs CF, but the fact that the extractors have to rotate around the head of the cartridge as the bolt attempts to cam them out of the chamber. The non-rotating extractor design avoids this. So the extractor may not be as huge as the Mauser type -- the SMLE doesn't have that large of an extractor, for instance (tho one might well argue that SMLE chambers are cut large to eliminate chamber problems).

Personally, the 721 I had worked fine with its cheesy extractor with any of the factory ammo I used (300 H & H), but with hot handloads, the extractor would, more often than not, rip a chunk from the rim. Then again, such loads had other unpleasant attributes, so I didn't do to much of that.

Anyhow, keeping the cartridge rim under the claw would have to be the most reliable way to feed in all weather, even without considering double loading or extraction failures.

Have fun on the hunt! At least the rest of us will get to see pictures. (I hope!)