Any accuracy difference between push feed and CRF actions?

[Aussie Hunter Steve]

I once owned a mod 70 7mm WSM where the side pressure from the extractor caused the case to expand somewhat elliptically, so cases needed to be full length resized each time. If I marked the case and reinserted it in the same position it would chamber ok. Had to send it back for rectification.

 

[Greyfox]

I have personally seen no difference in accuracy between push feed and CRF with my precision rifles. There are other attributes that have contributed to the popularity of push feed action with Benchrest shooters. Among them, easier single round feeding, a more direct bedding platform due to the tubular bolt body compared to the traditional CRF designs. Also, easier barrel changes/replacements. Many CRF designs require an extractor cut in the chamber increasing complexity. Generally, there is a lower overall tooling cost of the more simplistic push feed design. Some of the more contemporary CRF designs(ie Bighorn) have narrowed these differences. IMO

 

[vancewalker007]

I've always been a big fan of controlled round feed rifles. Getting ready to order parts for my first custom build. In talking with a very knowledgeable smith and some bench rest guys most say push feed for best accuracy and the least temperamental rifle. Their reasoning is mainly the side case pressure of the extractor. What are your guys thoughts? For info looking at a 28 Nosler on a Defiance. Thanks!

You won't be disappointed in your Defiance based build. But, I don't think you can tell the difference between a properly built push-feed versus a CRF. The complete effort, barrel quality, chamber cut accuracy, the barrel threading accuracy, stock fit etc. play a lot more into the accuracy of a rifle. You realize you can get a Defiance action with a CRF bolt and a 3 position safety, right. I have a Defiance Deviant Ultra Light push-feed on my current rifle and its as smooth as butter.

 

[Ol' Red]

If you hunt "long range", why would you need CRF ? A'int like that Elk is gonna run 700 yards and gore you.

There has yet to be a documented incident of any hunter being killed because he used a pusg feed rifle.

A lot less expensive to build an accurate rifle with a floating push feed bolt head. Savage shooters know that.

Gerry, I was attacked by a ground squirrel last year and have been trying to find a CRF .22 every since

 

[Mike Matteson]

I think it what a person whats, or feels they need it, or it works for them. I have generally use Mauser 98 actions, because of there safety devise. A great many years ago, while hunting Muley in Utah I knock my safety on my 721 Rem rifle. Being a left hand person, I carried my rifle on my left side, and carried a round in the chamber too. The safety devise is on the right side of that of rifle. So it moved against my left side and moved the safety off. I was climbing up on some rocks and lost my footing. Reaching back stabilizing my rifle, Somehow I got my thumb into the trigger well, and touch off the round coming close to taking my head off. I never carry a round in the chamber again while hunting muley with that rifle. When hunting Elk they can disappear in a moment, so I had to go back to carrying a round in the chamber, but I had Mauser 98 action, which you can't knock the safety off. So any 700 Rem or other action with the same location for it's safety devise, and you are left handed beware.

 

[Black Hat]

If the question is simply revolving around raw accuracy, I would listen to the benchrest guys who actually compete in a sport where the main goal is raw accuracy.

Then decide if the application you're building the tool for fits it's pros and cons.

Most bench rest shooters remove the ejector plunger from their bolt, on a push feed action.
I could not see any improvement in doing this, shooting FTR class, and it's hardly suitable for hunting.

 

[Mike Matteson]

We learn a lot from the bench rest shooters. My rifle needs to be suitable for hunting, and that what I uses them for. I do work on getting the most accurate load for my rifles. Generally I use one bullet type for that rifle. That way you know what your bullet is doing down range. That a must for me. To me that's what's hand loading is all about. Accurate, Velocity, Bullet placement, and expansion of the bullet hitting the animal. Target shooting is a different thing and my hat is off to them.

 

[Deleted member 125160]

Sounds like he might like CRF actions. 'Need' never really enters into a custom hunting rifle.
That said I have 2 M70s that shoot 1/2 and 3/4 MOA stock. One of them is even on a belted case! Blasphemy!

Wrong answer. I have hunted a lot in Alaska and Zimbabwe. There have been many instances of failures from push feed rifles with disasterous results. You will be hard pressed to find a model 700 or A Bolt in the hands of a professional hunter or those of us who have hunted these places more than a couple of times. This said, a push feed is probably just fine for backyard whitetail hunters and of course many, many animals are killed quite dead with push feed rifles. I just prefer the "better mouse trap" because I can and know the difference. Most don't really understand how the two mechanisms are vastly different.

 

[Deleted member 125160]

I eschew push feed rifles for hunting completely. Benchrest and the excitement and nervousness of a shot when hunting are two different animals. I have owned and now own many CRF action rifles which are crazy accurate. Barrel quality, bedding, trigger, load and THE SHOOTER are the bigger issues or contributors as I see and have experienced things.

 

[ButterBean]

Wrong answer. I have hunted a lot in Alaska and Zimbabwe. There have been many instances of failures from push feed rifles with disasterous results. You will be hard pressed to find a model 700 or A Bolt in the hands of a professional hunter or those of us who have hunted these places more than a couple of times. This said, a push feed is probably just fine for backyard whitetail hunters and of course many, many animals are killed quite dead with push feed rifles. I just prefer the "better mouse trap" because I can and know the difference. Most don't really understand how the two mechanisms are vastly different.

Really Neighbor?????? 4 posts in and we are a bunch of backyard amateur's and you are the Great White Hunter, SMH

 

[Deleted member 125160]

Really Neighbor?????? 4 posts in and we are a bunch of backyard armatures and you are the Great White Hunter, SMH

New to this forum, but far from new to making hits on game way out there, and more. Former (very successful) hunt booking agent, been wildcatting for several decades, and I did not call anyone a back yard "armature" Might want to use your specllcheck feature, neighbor.

The topic was CRF vs push feed rifles and while both can be used to good effect, the CRF actions are just more reliable and rugged, with accuracy equal to each other IME.

 

[ButterBean]

New to this forum, but far from new to making hits on game way out there, and more. Former (very successful) hunt booking agent, been wildcatting for several decades, and I did not call anyone a back yard "armature" Might want to use your specllcheck feature, neighbor.

The topic was CRF vs push feed rifles and while both can be used to good effect, the CRF actions are just more reliable and rugged, with accuracy equal to each other IME.

Thank you for the heads up on the spelling error and it has been corrected and I'm perfectly aware of what the thread topic is

" You will be hard pressed to find a model 700 or A Bolt in the hands of a professional hunter or those of us who have hunted these places more than a couple of times. This said, a push feed is probably just fine for backyard whitetail hunters"

 

[orkan]

This will help your understanding of some of the differences between them, as it pertains to ejection systems.


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[The Oregonian]

New to this forum, but far from new to making hits on game way out there, and more. Former (very successful) hunt booking agent, been wildcatting for several decades, and I did not call anyone a back yard "armature" Might want to use your specllcheck feature, neighbor.

The topic was CRF vs push feed rifles and while both can be used to good effect, the CRF actions are just more reliable and rugged, with accuracy equal to each other IME.

@pistol packin preacher coming through the door like this….