Defining Bolt "smoothness"

[lennyo3034]

People discuss the smoothness of actions quite often, but I'm wondering how people actually characterize it.

Bolt life weight?
Bolt forward and aft cycling
Bolt close?
Speed it can be cycled?
Combination?

For me forward and aft cycling and bolt lift are the most important, but I'm wondering what other people think.

 

[SuperSneakySniper]

Honestly this is a great question. I bought a couple actions because people said it was "smooth" only to find that their definition was completely different than mine.
To me, smooth means doesnt bind. But to most, smooth means a glass-like forward/aft movement of the bolt. Actions can be very smooth, but still bind, even a lot. I learned that the hard way.

I should also point out that for me, when it comes to custom actions, smoothness seems pretty much equal across the board in terms of pushing/pulling the bolt, it's the bolt lift and resistance to binding that seperates the good from the great.
I recently felt an Impact Precision and Lone Peak action, and they define "smooth" perfectly for me. Super slick, and yet, no binding and flawless bolt lift.

 

[mercracing]

I haven’t handled a ton of actions but AI and Impact are the best I’ve felt. For me it’s, bolt lift force and bolt sliding/not binding is what I look for.

 

[FUNCTIONAL]

For me AI and a properly set up tempest are the best average. Bolt lift is a bit heavier than a custom 2 lug action but i can run it as hard and fast as humanly possible which is how I run my guns.

If I was just doing bench shooting only my money would go towards either a Kelbly action or BAT. Nothing I have felt is smoother than those 2 actions with effortless bolt lift.

I pick my action like you asked.... what doesn't bind. The AI and tempest don't have any lugs that protrude past the bolt body and eliminate the possibility of bind. In use ive managed to bind (even if just a quick catch) any action with protruding lugs. This mostly happens when you use the farthest point of bolt handle. The 2 lug actions I have you need to push the bolt forward as close to the bolt body as you're thumb will allow to prevent any binding. Just my experiences....

 

[morganlamprecht]

I haven’t handled a ton of actions but AI and Impact are the best I’ve felt. For me it’s, bolt lift force and bolt sliding/not binding is what I look for.

this ^^ ive handled quite a few, and my AI and Impact feel better to me than others

 

[RTH1800]

A well used pre war Winchester 70 on its 5Th barrel defines smoothness to me. ?

 

[tomcatfan]

My Savage 10 is the smoothest bolt I've ever felt and in general Savage rifles have the best in the business. But seriously, its a personal preference question. Are you a butt or boob guy? Does the bolt bind in any way, how easy is it to manipulate, does the mechanical action feel gritty, these are what I look for.

 

[TorF]

Colt-Sauer aka Sauer 90 is the benchmark for a smooth boltaction.
I have a factory heavy barrelled 6.5x55 competition rifle built on this action. Carl Gustaf 3000 Sporter.

 

[steve123]

It's been so long I can't remember the name of the Co. It was made in Fountain Hills AZ and I found it at a NRA show. I could hold the rifle at a low ready position to the floor, let go of the bolt in it's full open, it would glide home and close "bolt down" by it's self. It was slick and easy to open too.

That was about 10 years ago and it was a hunting rifle costing $5000 back then so I didn't buy one.

 

[S12A]

AI are very smooth but the best i've felt is the Sako 75

 

[Travis224]

Smoothness to me is also bind and equally bolt wobble. To me and others who have had higher end custom actions, the Tikka is tops in the regard of smoothness. I tried a TL3 this last winter. To be fair, it was a heavy bolt and likely caused it to feel less smooth. I let a buddy shoot my Tikka and he checked the chamber twice thinking it didn't pick up a round.

Not to ruffle feathers, if I where to pick a custom action, the TL3 would be damn nice, just deeply invested in Tikka