Is Christensen Arms A Controlled Round Feed

It's been an statement that has gone on for well over a half-century: is the controlled-round-feed or the push-feed design better for the hunter? The discussion is equally relevant to the bivouac counsels as the magnum vs. standard cartridge argument, or whether you desire all of the bullet's energy to stay in your animal vs. an go out wound.

Controlled-Round-Feed Bolt (right), Push-Feed Bolt (left)

The repeating burglarize went through all sorts of dissimilar designs in the late xix^th century, as the technology for both metallurgy and production improved. Peter Paul Mauser's bolt-activity (read 'turnbolt' in England) rifles adult the controlled-circular-feed organization which we are all familiar with today; it remains on the Mauser 98 (and Rigby rifles) likewise as existence cloned in the pre-'64 Winchester Model seventy, 1917 Enfield, Heym Limited, Dakota 76, Montana Model 1999, Ruger 77, Kimber 84 and many others. The concept is uncomplicated: when the bolt is fatigued rearward, the mag follower raises a cartridge into the bolt's path, and when the bolt is pushed forward, the extractor takes the cartridge—under control—into the sleeping accommodation. Two locking lugs, 180-degrees apart, secure the bolt in the receiver, and there is normally a slot cut into the bolt confront for the fixed blade ejector, though some designs employ a spring-loaded plunger ejector. The positive side of the controlled-round-feed (CRF) design is that information technology minimizes the risk of a jam; the negative side is that the design is plush to manufacture.

The button-feed bolt-action blueprint—which I believe showtime came to the marketplace in the Remington Model 721 and 722 rifles in the late 1940s—just pushes the cartridge into the chamber without controlling it at all until information technology's fully chambered. A portion of the bolt face up is affixed with a spring-loaded extractor, and a spring-loaded plunger on the bolt face serves to squirt the spent case. There are quite a few different lug designs, from those which mimic the CRF 2-lug design, to the nine-lug design of the Weatherby Marking V. The Remington 700, Savage 110, post-'64 Winchester Model lxx, Sako 75 and Mossberg Patriot are all good examples of push-feed rifles. Converse to the CRF actions, the push button-feed guns are cheaper to manufacture, but y'all can run the run a risk of short-stroking the activeness and creating a double feed, which really sucks. And, it seems that when this malignance rears its ugly head, information technology'due south in the worst situation possible: when a game brute is on the other stop of the line. Of course we all should be working the bolt vigorously—especially when hunting—but that isn't always the instance, and it can toll you dearly.

Weatherby Mark V Nine-Lug Bolt

I do realize that there are a good many button-feed rifles, especially those models listed to a higher place, which will give a lifetime of service without posing an upshot. That said, I take personally experienced a couple of cleaved extractors—at the demote, not in the hunting field—on push-feed guns of excellent pedigree, and while I still chase deer and other mutual game animals with that design, I much adopt the CRF guns for dangerous game, or for those hunts far from civilization.

Controlled-Round-Feed Bolt Holding Cartridge

My experiences in the dangerous-game fields, along with the numerous conversations around the campfires with professional hunters of all sorts, assert my affinity for the large, non-rotation extractor of the CRF rifles, besides as the fixed-blade ejector. Inarguably, I believe the Mauser 98 and its clones are over-designed, but this is a proficient thing. I've seen, heard or read of very few failures from the CRF rifles that didn't involve wrong ammunition, a barrel obstacle, or some other catastrophic mistake; the design is simply rock solid. I routinely chase with a custom rifle built on a 1916 Mauser Gewehr 98 activity, and with over a century of service under its belt, it shows no sign of slowing down. I am a fan of less moving parts, and spring-loaded extractors and ejectors can and will wear out.

Mauser Gewehr 98 Controlled-Round-Feed Bolt

When I'thousand hunting in an area where a broken rifle results in a dejected walk back to the truck at worst, I have no problem using a button-feed design. I similar the accuracy of the Savage 110 and its siblings, and I enjoy my Tikka T3x Lite; both are fantabulous performers in the field, but mine are chambered in common cartridges and I unremarkably pursue deer, black bear and similar game with it. Many African professional hunters despise the push button-feed designs—fifty-fifty the near expensive—equally the rut of the torrid zone combined with the smaller extractor can pose an result. For example, the .416 Remington defenseless a bad rap early, not considering of the cartridge blueprint, but considering the Model 700 rifle showed its flaws in the terrific heat of the African summers. Yeah, there are PHs who rely on button-feed designs, and yes, there have been probably hundreds, if non thousands, of visiting hunters who have relied on the push-feed blueprint to chase dangerous game in Alaska, Africa and Australia. However, I know my own luck—Mr. Tater and I take become close over the years—and I prefer to hedge my bets by using CRF rifles when pursuing dangerous game.

Is in that location a correct reply for the deer/antelope/sheep hunter? Probably not, as the statement tin can be made and fabricated well for either design. The sometime 'I want my rifle to be able to load a cartridge when upside down' argument may non hold h2o, every bit I've seen button-feed guns piece of work just fine at any angle, but I accept seen a number of excited hunters foul up a push-feed burglarize when excited. Endeavour both, and spend a flake of time with each blazon earlier buying your next rifle; you may observe y'all take a preference yourself.

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