Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Different controlled feed bolt actions

Alright, we all know about the Mauser, 03, Model 70, and Ruger type bolt actions that are controlled feed in operation. The question being, is there an controlled feed type action that differs from these with the typical big claw or hook style extractor? Something of another design?

Wasn't the LAW/Brown action CRF? What about the Bighorn Origin?

The LAW/Brown was indeed CRF, but did not use the typical Mauser/M70 claw extractor. Instead it was based on the M1 "Garand" system, which is also CRF but without the long claw extractor.

The short-lived Model 70 "controlled push-feed" action (used in the short WSSM M70 action) also used a similar system.

Would a Savage 99 or a Winchester 1895 be controlled feed? Maybe?

The Ruger CRF action seems different to me from other CRF actions when I cycled one years ago. I had a Legendary Arms .300 Win. mag. for about a year and sold it as I never fired it and was not going to give up my custom Mod. 70 in .338 for a .300 Winny. I really liked the way the bolt field stripped, kind of like taking a bayonet off. The fluted bolt body was all fluff, but I kind of see the appeal of it and the fluted barrel. It is my understanding that legendary 1911pistol smith Ed Brown designed the action. Other then the forearm being cut to short in my opinion the Bansners stock is what's on my .338 and if I go to another custom synthetic I will get another one.

I guess other then liking the action because of ease of field stripping and a rather unique take on a CRF action I had heard so many negative reports on the rifles as a whole I never gave it a chance. I would like to see the action work and become a dependable alternative to traditional CRF actions, the pre-64 Mod. 70 and 03A3 etc.

I personally have a hard time believing Ed Brown stamped his name on a rifle that he designed that has so many reported issues. That makes me wonder if who ever ended up with Ed's action didn't mess up the manufacturing of it and bedding of action to stock and assembly of components. With the internet that would be a death sentence for the rifle. Darn shame.

Yep, and in fact a LOT of older lever-actions were CRF.

The term is defined by the cartridge's rim rising up under the extractor as the round is chambered, instead of the extractor being "pushed" over the rim.

The Savage Safari Express 116 in 375 and 458 had their version of CRF. I'll see if I can dig up my photos of the bolt head on my old computer.

This is the only photo I can find right now. I had the 375 and took some photos. I'll look for them.

Had no idea about some of these. Especially the Savage CFR bolt head.

I was looking at my old Savage 99 and Win 1895 and they seem to be, but on the other hand it look like a good deal less purchase on the case from the small hook of those extractors. Reguardless its fascinating to see different designs and how they conquer the same basic issue or operation.

You answered my question before I could ask it. Thanks.

I can't believe nobody mentioned the Lee Enfield. GD

Doesn't Sako currently have a push feed system without the long extractor in their 85 series? That was the first thing to come to mind.

I have a M70 short action "Coyote Lite" action that began life as a 22-250 that's CRPF as well. It's still a 22-250 but is now a 1:8 twist Rock bbl and McMillan stock. What I'm getting at is that it wasn't just the WSSM that utilized the CRPF bolt/action.

Pretty sure that's the major difference between 75 and 85.

Zermatt/Bighorn and ARC mausingfield do....

Mannlicher Schoenauer

Didn't Macmillan offer a crf with a short extractor a few years ago?

The Mauser and cz 550s have an undercut tongue on the extractor that aids in the removal of a stuck case. None others do afaik. Key feature of those rifles. MD has written about this.

The back side is that while many guns are controlled round feed...they don’t feed very well. Cz 550s and mausers included. They need gunsmith work to function perfectly. The cases tend to not slide under upon coming out of the magazine and don’t seat until the round is pushed into the chamber.

I have 3 czs and while they feed, fire, extract and eject they will leave a round on top of the magazine if you pull back prior to fully chambering. Almost all of my controlled round feed guns have behaved this way

I think the McM used the brown/law action. It may have been a howa though I can’t remember

What about a marlin lever action?

Bighorn Origins are CRF, as are the other current production Zermatt actions.

John