Are butter-smooth actions overrated?

[Richard22]

When it comes to smoothness and overall ease of movement, the action in my old Remington Model 700 that I purchased back in the late 80's is hard to beat. In fact, it moves so freely that if I forget and leave it open, it will slam forward or backward and practically surprise me. On the other hand, the action on the Howa 1500 Super Deluxe that I recently picked up has the zipper slide feel that you hear about so often these days. Of course I could be wrong, but I suspect that's because the inside of the action Howa action either wasn't polished as much as the Remington, or it has a steel coating that wasn't used back in the 80's. Whatever the case, I cannot see any advantage in terms of functionality since both actions work flawlessly at loading and unloading the chamber. If I had to say which action I like best between all my rifles, it would be the ones on my two Winchester Model 70's. They both seem plenty smooth but not so much that they move too freely.

 

[yakimanoob]

Are butter-smooth actions overrated?​

Yessir. They sure are.

 

[std7mag]

Run a Tikka action some time and you'll throw those others to the back of the safe.

 

[noharleyyet]

No, Sako is not over rated....

 

[LousyResident]

No.

Is the lack of one a deal breaker? Also no.

 

[VikingsGuy]

Tikka

 

[WesternCO68]

It’s nice to have. A bolt that’s a little zippery is no big deal. A bolt that binds up is a problem.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

One of those things that might not functionally matter much if you're not binding up so bad that you're fighting it. But if you have actions that function like an action should and shoot em side by side with your mediocre ones it makes a guy lose appreciation for the mediocre ones and want to replace them.

 

[Maverick1]

Purchased first Tikka in 2000. Found something that works exceptionally well, smooth, reliable, and shoots as it should. Never saw a need to go elsewhere. There are other brands?

 

[Richard22]

It’s nice to have. A bolt that’s a little zipper is no big deal. A bolt that binds up is.

You make an excellent point Western. When it comes to bolt functionality, the amount of effort needed to push a cartridge from the top of the magazine and into the chamber is perhaps the best indicator of action performance. The ease of movement over an empty magazine can be quickly lost once it becomes time to push a cartridge from the top of a plastic magazine with its plastic follower.

 

[Outlaw99]

Smooth is a 1951 model 70….definetly not overrated. Brings a smile to my face every time I rack one of their bolts

 

[Flatbrimmer]

When my buddy bought a tikka 30.06 off @Southern Elk, that was the first thing I noticed. BUTTERY smooth. I fell in love with them that instant. Lucky SOB. Lol

 

[peterk1234]

You make an excellent point Western. When it comes to bolt functionality, the amount of effort needed to push a cartridge from the top of the magazine and into the chamber is perhaps the best indicator of action performance. The ease of movement over an empty magazine can be quickly lost once it becomes time to push a cartridge from the top of a plastic magazine with its plastic follower.

Getting the torque right for your stock can go a long way to fixing that. Ask me how I know

 

[DFS]

I do love a good clunky savage action. Tikka’s are nice though.

 

[isu22andy]

Smooth actions don't equal accuracy. First shot is the one that counts anyway.

 

[Doublecluck]

I use to think it didn’t matter, all the savages I had or built shot. But now that I own actions from defiance and zermatt, I couldn’t go back. I have a zermatt Tl3 in stainless that I’m now on my 4th barrel in and it practically ejects the shells by itself. Smoothest action I’ve ever owned and it’s noticeable smoother than the same action model in the black finish. For 2:30-4:00 minute stages with 4-10 rd consecutive shooting while staying on target yes it matters. Hunting not as much.

 

[Potsie]

I’ve got a savage .308 that feels like it’s cycling through rice crispies, but it sure does stack 165 gr GameKings into tight little groups.

That being said, so do my tikkas…

 

[WapitiBob]

Don't confuse "butter smooth" with "hotdog down a hallway" slop.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

My old model 7 will bind a little bit if you cycle it too aggressively which is not a big deal 99 percent of the time. I bought my dad a cz 600 for Christmas and it has without a doubt the slickest finest bolt I've ever felt. If I needed a quick follow up I know which one I would want.

 

[geetar]

No