A New Vison for an Old Concept

[Petrol & Powder]

It’s an entirely academic exercise but that doesn’t reduce the fun.


And I agree, a lever gun in a decent caliber checks most of the boxes.

An AR-10 in 308, gets close.

The SAKO Carbonlight 85 is stupid expensive, but it gets the weight down. A short action SAKO 85 with a more conventional synthetic stock is probably close to checking all the boxes except the weight. And does it with a price tag that’s reachable for most.

A Remington Model 7 is probably very close but for the blind magazine and there are ways around that.

A reduced size Mauser 98 pattern with a light contoured barrel and light weight stock, is probably in the running.

Some of today’s optics are nothing short of amazing. 1-4 power with illuminated reticles, compact models with red dots, the only real limit is your wallet.

 

[Glaciers]

It’s all fun, that’s certainly the point.
We all like to chase the idea of building something special or setting a bit aside at a time and sell something you no longer use to add to the new to me gun kitty.
That’s exactly what I’m doing right now. Phil called yesterday and said that I should come over and do some shopping. There’s a 95 in 405, a couple of 92’s and a 94 full rifle that he thinks I should own. So I’m probably going to come home with 3 or 4 nice shooters. Not sure how I’m going to pay for them, but they quit making them close to hundred years ago so we’ll see. Phil is pairing down, he’s getting on and has already set stuff aside for his boys but they have no interest in leverguns. I’m thinking he will be reasonable, have guns going where they will get used and appreciated does have a lot to do with it.
We have been doing the local gun shows for at least 40 years. He used to specialize in Savage levers and I was always doing Winchester takedown levers.

 

[Glaciers]

But, Sako and CZ’s are really awesome rifles. I do like bolt guns, no doubt.

 

[Missionary]

The 95 in 405 will not disappoint you !
We got one that CDNN Sports sold off cheap about 7 years ago... It being a caliber .41 with big potential to launch 350 FN grainers at 2200 fps with ease made it a Buy Now.

 

[fiver]

if roughly pushed in a single direction a slightly shortened MK-4 No-1 with a scope mounted wouldn't be a bad choice.
i have a K-31 i shaved down [a lot] and mounted a scope on, it sits a bit to the side and i shaved the stock down so i sit my chin on it rather than my cheek.
it gives me an either or option, but that action length just adds some unnecessary weight, plus the bolt ain't really all that smooth nor quiet.
you'd only need one shot per trouble maker though, and you do get to switch magazines out if so desired.

i'd say number-5 Jungle carbine [yeah i know that ain't the real designation] but shooting one more than twice in a row is,,, well, it just leaves something to be desired.... you know like your vision.
if a good stock were designed and a short 1X4 power scope was bolted on ahead of the action you'd be pretty hard pressed to come up with something to compare for good nuff, tough nuff, size nuff,, weight just right enough.
if it were a semi you'd be in great shape, but then you lose all the simple ruggedness that keeps those rifles just ticking along.

 

[Glaciers]

I had a takedown 405 30 years ago but it and most of my collection went down the road in the early 90’s. Really regret that.

 

[RBHarter]

I saw a picture of mags ........ The lowly 30-30 ...........

The Savage 325/340 is almost a perfect fit .....

 

[Walks]

The problem I have with detachable mags is the "uncomfortableness" of caring the rifle at the balance point. I grew up carrying a bolt gun with an internal mag into the field, or a lever gun. it just feels too strange to me to have that uncomfortable box mag in my hand.
And it's just personal preference, I ain't gonna change in my old age, no how.

 

[Jeff H]

The problem I have with detachable mags is the "uncomfortableness" of caring the rifle at the balance point. I grew up carrying a bolt gun with an internal mag into the field, or a lever gun. it just feels too strange to me to have that uncomfortable box mag in my hand.
And it's just personal preference, I ain't gonna change in my old age, no how.

The Ruger American, as one example is one on which this problem was addressed in the original design, but it is absolutely true on the lighter CZ 527s. Looks like the SAKO 85 nipped that annoyance in the bud too.

The work-around for the CZ is an extra hundred bucks to convert at least one magazine to 3-round status. I could live with that, as I'd keep the 3-round mag in the rifle and carry another (or two) 5-round mags in my pockets.

I'm not sticking up for detachable mags, as my preference is integral as well, but I'm willing to willing to make the compromise because I like the gun so much, and I will take advantage of its benefits as well.

When I'm "out," I'm carrying a lot more than shooting, and an unobstructed balance-point for purposes of comfortable and convenient carry are extremely important to me. I'm struggling with this a bit on the shorter Contender Carbines right now too. Waiting, waiting, waiting for a can to be delivered for the shortest one, and am hoping it tips the scales (literally) in my favor for that. That point is the ONE annoyance I have with those carbines, and it's not one I can overlook - it has to be cured, so yeah, a magazine right there IS a problem, IF it sticks out. not all of them do.

 

[fiver]

just carry them by the scope, they balance perfectly right there.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

For the purpose of this academic exercise, the reason for the detachable magazine is to eliminate the need to load the magazine from the top of the action, and therefore allow more scope mounting options.

A detachable magazine doesn’t have to protrude below the stock. Nor does it need to contain 40 rounds. It’s just a means to quickly load the rifle from the bottom of the action.

As much as Cooper liked to promote the wide field of view and fast target acquisition of the forward mounted scope, he reluctantly admitted the need to use stripper clips was the primary reason for the forward mounted scope. Eliminate the need to feed the action from the top, and you eliminate the majority of the need for a forward mounted scope.