The last post is funny
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I am running an ATX now, ran AT, AX SA and had an AXSR in the shop. Regarding bolts - don't get wrapped around the axle about it.
Some of my observations over the years...
1. 90 degree bolts seem to be lighter to lift than 60 degree bolts
2. For the most part they are all doing the same work over whatever distance (compressing a spring) so the shorter distance is more work (ie harder lift).
3. Many of the custom remington 700 actions are more optimized for competition shooters and are focused on smooth lift, smoother manipulation but come at the cost of function under some circumstances (maybe dirty conditions, ammo variablility - say hard primers, different trigger interactions etc).
4. Factory rifles are built and tested as a system, and its on the manufacturer to make sure things work to their use cases. Custom actions are not, and its on the gunsmith to make sure all the parts work togather to meet the shooter requirements.
My decision to shoot the ATX is based on wanting to know my rifle will always go bang, and if I have a slightly heavier, or less smooth bolt lift then that is a trade off I am willing to make to avoid safety problems and spare myself the work of making the combination of components always work well.
The ATX has a chassis that is very similar to most that custom actions are running, so that took away one of the large negatives for me running an AI. The bolt manipulation is not much of a concern for me, and isn't the reason I am not placing first at a match.
Finally - there is no best rifle. They all come with compromises, and different people have different use cases they want to achieve - so the choice you make is a balance against the benefits and compromises a manufacturer is making.