Sitting in the darkness of my ground blind before sunrise in the middle of Saskatchewan, the thought popped into my head: If I needed to take a second shot on a big buck, should the first one not be enough, would I remember to work the bolt straight back and forward or revert to the traditional up-back-forward-down motion? 

On a hunt where big bucks in the 170-inch class are common, this momentary hesitation could be a serious mistake. I’d practiced on the range with the Strasser RS Solo Evolution rifle but now, doubt stuck its tentacles into my head.

Nothing I could’ve done about it at that point other than to try to overcome adrenaline and rack the bolt correctly. The rifle was a beauty, topped with a Trijicon AccuPoint scope. For the 50- to 75-yard shots our crew likely would be taking on this hunt, the rifle and scope were more than enough. At the range, stretching to 100 yards and beyond wasn’t an issue. The biggest thing was remembering to forget what I’d done for more than 45 years of shooting bolt-action rifles. Yes, remembering to forget about the up-back-forward-down motions with the traditional bolt. It only took a shot or three to remember that the Strasser was a straight-pull action.

In the end, in Saskatchewan with Safari River Outfitters, the bucks I saw weren’t what I went to the land of giants for, and my tag was unfilled. I got to briefly watch an explosive, loud chase of a gorgeous shooter buck and doe that happened so quickly I didn’t have time for a shot. The doe circled behind my blind as the buck pursued. She went on and it stopped, close enough behind my blind that I could hear it panting and smell its rank tarsals. Full rut, indeed. Then it quietly vanished, likely hearing or smelling me, the interloper in his woods. The Strasser rifle remained unfired that week.

That was three years ago, and I haven’t fired a straight-pull rifle since then. Haven’t seen one in any hunting camps. Haven’t seen one in any stores that sell rifles, other than some old models from 100 years ago on display. Haven’t heard anyone talk about them on hunting trips, or in online forums, or anywhere else. The straight pull is the, “Oh, yeah, I’ve heard of those” rifle with a solid design and popularity in Europe that isn’t on the radar here in the United States.

That’s a shame, to be honest, because they shouldn’t be overlooked.

The History

Bolt-action rifles have been around for about 180 years, first developed in central Europe and modified, improved and put into use as the continent churned with turmoil. Political upheaval was a constant at the time and continued building toward the end of the century.

By about 1880, Ferdinand Mannlicher had perfected the straight-pull rifle. He joined the Steyr manufacturing company and the Steyr Mannlicher M1895 went into serious production. It was used by the Austro-Hungarian Army through World War 1, which was sparked by the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.

Mannlicher’s straight-pull design wasn’t his only success, as he also improved the turn-bolt design and locking mechanism. Both were instrumental in the advancement of future bolt-action rifles as they along with developments with ammunition and bullets also improved. The M1895 rifle also influenced the design and development of other rifles, notably the M1 Garand. The M1900 variation helped spur the M1 Carbine.

After World War 1, the straight-pull bolt action was becoming less prominent in military use. By the 1940s it was virtually obsolete as semiautomatic rifles were becoming the norm. Today, some target shooters and hunters use them as well as Olympic and international competitors in biathlon and indoor disciplines. In the latter, the straight-pull is favored because little movement is needed to work the straight-pull bolt. This gives competitors in biathlon quicker shots; in the indoor disciplines, a flick of the bolt before resetting for the next shot means minimal movement.

How They Work

The straight-pull bolt works exactly as it sounds. It slides back and forth. When forward, the bolt locks securely enough to prevent pressure from the fired cartridge sending it rearward through the shooter’s head. That would be a bad thing. In the earliest days of straight-pull rifles, even with less pressure from ammunition at the time, this sometimes happened. 

Today, it does not. Mannlicher’s innovations, along with future improvements, helped solve the blowback issue. It was challenging because the straight-pull action does not have a rotating lockup system like a traditional rotating action. In the latter, when the bolt is lifted the locking lugs rotate so it can slide back and forward. When the bolt is forced downward, the lugs lock into place.

In 2021, Savage, under new ownership, introduced its Impulse rifle with a straight-pull bolt design. Myriad reactions spanned the gamut, among them being “Why? No one will buy that.” Three years later, the Impulse line lives on and has expanded to seven rifles for big game, precision, mountain hunting, hogs, predators, driven hunts and a special model for a big chain account. The Impulse is a solid workhorse with an affordable price compared to European models that cost two or three times as much.

Savage is known for innovation. It continued that legacy with the award-winning Impulse, which features the Hexlock bolt locking system. Savage engineers figured out how to create a better lockup system that can safely and reliably handle magnum cartridges that have higher pressures. These include the .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua. The Impulse is available in other popular calibers from .22-250, .243 and 6.5 Creedmoor to .308 and .30-06.

The Hexlock employs six ball bearings deployed by a plunger in the bolt when it is forced forward. When the bolt is shut, the plunger forces the bearings from the bolt head into recesses in the end of the barrel extension. Slide the bolt rearward and the plunger moves back to release the bearings. When shooting magnum cartridges, the detent ball-bearing system increases tension to handle the higher pressures.

Different, But Cool

To say the straight-pull bolt action is new would be wrong, but it’s new to the thoughts of many American hunters and shooters. That’s OK, though, because it’s good to get some variety in the industry now and then. Having all of the same things punched out of cookie-cutter molds becomes boring. Introducing new techniques and lure designs, often from Japan, to the U.S. market is one thing the fishing tackle industry does pretty well. The straight-pull bolt design has its roots in Europe, where it still is employed, and kudos to Savage for trying it here.

A couple of other things Savage did well with the Impulse helps to make it a rifle to consider. The bolt handle knob is oversized, giving a shooter easier purchase even while wearing gloves. The bolt handle can be adjusted to multiple positions, on either side of the receiver. Left-handed shooters don’t have to wonder if a version might be available for them in a year or three. The Impulse also has a quick-release button, allowing the removal of a live round. 

Savage isn’t the only company that manufactures rifles with straight-pull bolts. Blaser, Steyr-Mannlicher, Merkel, Strasser and Beretta do, as well. Browning makes a target rifle, the T-Bolt Target SR in .22 LR. Beretta introduced its BRX1 into the United States earlier this year at a competitive price point with the Impulse. Among the challenges of selling these mainly European rifles in the U.S. market are typically higher price points, exposure to American hunters, and the “just because” tradition of about 100 years or so. It’s somewhat akin to the Gas vs. Electric vehicles battle. Combustion engines have been the norm for so long that it’s difficult to change. But they’re available for consumers to consider and purchase.

Straight-pull rifles should get that consideration, too. They’re not evil or difficult to use. One thing I learned while using my Strasser rifle a few years ago in Canada is the learning curve was short. After a few shots on the range, the quick-shuck bolt was fun to use. I’m sure if I had put a dozen or more boxes of ammo through it that I’d have been better with it. Perhaps I’ll get another straight-pull action rifle and give it another try. I’d still like to settle a score with a big, savvy whitetail buck in Saskatchewan.