[quote=FSJeeper]
What is it about a push-feed action that makes it not reliable enough for a mountain hunt?
SP, I agree the CRF and PF bolt action design is not a significant priority for equipment choice on this hunt. For "normal" hunting under "normal" conditions, there is no "practical" difference in reliability between a push feed and controlled round feed bolt action rifles.
It is, within the realm of possibilities, a controlled round feed rifle could be the difference between life and death in dangerous game hunting.
In the heat of battle during war campaigns, and after testing earlier designs with millions of rifles, the push feed limitations were discovered. These limitations included accidental double loading with FMJ spitzers firing off the cartridge in the chamber in the shooter's face and failure to feed due to a round being bumped out of the loading port during loading. Mauser upgraded the 1889-1891 bolt action to the1898 design for a reason. To increase reliability, function, and to save lives. This upgrade required retooling and significant expense and the improved reliability and function were deemed worth the cost over 130 years ago.
Even the Savage 1895-1899 model lever-action was purpose-built to be Control Round Feed to compete in the military trials and to counter the issues uncovered with the push feed design rifles.
The Controlled Round Feed argument was won a long time ago.
The Push Feed design persists because it is cheaper to manufacture.
As for Greg's hunt and renting a rifle in Tajikistan, my money will be on it being a Controlled Round Feed bolt action rifle design they give him. There aren't many Remingtons bouncing around that part of the world in the hands of locals.
