ORIGINAL: dean790
hawk, I understand your basic explanation. I think I understand why the bolt is the most accurate, but can you provide more detail on thethe physics of this concept? If I'm thinking correctly, the bolt action is the most accurate because there is no movement in the gunonce the bullet is fired. It isa somewhat difficult concept to explain.
That's exactly it. From the time the hammer drops/striker strikes the primer the only movement of the gunis the gun recoiling. In a semi-auto the bolt cycling is added movement, and unless it moves the exact same way every time it will has the potential to move the gun differently from the last shot. That's not to say there aren't accurate semi's, but generally you can get an accurate bolt gun for much cheaper. Also nchawkeye is correst that the one piece stock supporting the actionis more stable than a lever actions 2 piece stock with the reciever essentially supporting itself between them.