Though tubular receivers like the Remington 700 (above) with separate, washer-type recoil lugs have certainly proven themselves in the hunting fields as well as in competition, the author prefers a flat bedding surface and an integral recoil lug, as seen on the Ruger.

And while we're on the subject of the Howa, I'd want the bolt handle to be integral with the bolt body, as it is on the Howa 1500 and the Ruger 77 Mk II, i. e., machined from the same chunk of steel rather than being brazed or collared onto the bolt body. Though it's almost purely academic, what would you prefer, particularly if the root of the bolt handle turns down into a slot in the floor of the receiver to serve as a nonbearing safety lug?

My ideal receiver would also have integral dovetails for direct attachment of the scope rings. It's another example of simplest being strongest and best because direct ring attachment eliminates two separate bases and the four screws that hold them on. That's four less chances of something coming loose. Three such systems are found on the Ruger, Sako and CZ, and of those, I like the Ruger best, but only marginally. I like the fact that the rear ring mounts as far forward on the bridge as possible. However, I wish the front ring were on a tapered dovetail like on the Sako. Then the ring could be slid fore and aft for scope-mounting latitude instead of the fixed position now dictated by the one recoil slot the ring must engage. I think one recoil lug on the rear ring and a tapered dovetail up front would preclude any forward movement of the scope under the most severe recoil.

A flat bedding surface and integral recoil lug are two features the author would want on his perfect rifle.

Shape of the bolt handle? Strictly a subjective thing, but for me it's the Model 70 Winchester. Close behind would be Ruger's dogleg; both are elegant and distinctive.

For my fire-control system I'm torn between the Model 70 and the Ruger. If I were considering triggers only, I'd go with the Winchester because other than a military Mauser, it's the simplest, most compact unit I know of. There are equally good triggers but none as simple; everything is out there in plain sight for you to see and understand how it and its adjustments work.

Ideally, the bolt's handle should be integral with the body, even though on most rifles it is either silver soldered or collared on.

The reason the Model 70 trigger is so simple is because there's no safety mechanism involved; it's up on the bolt sleeve where it cams the striker assembly out of contact with the sear. What I don't like is that the safety doesn't block trigger movement, and in that respect, the Model 70-type safety is no different from a lot of others out there. If the trigger is pulled with the safety on and for some reason--like dirt, a foreign object or swelling of wood--prevents the trigger from returning to its forward position, releasing the safety will discharge the firearm.