Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Just wondering, if your out in the woods hunting for that perfect buck or standing in your feild shooting at ground hogs, which would you preffer in a rifle?[/align]

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I have and use both, and I can confidently kill with either.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Well, levers may be a little better for speed, and more handy in the brush, but how many of them do you see at the benchrest shoots? Oughta tell you something....

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Only need one round anyway so no need for speed to chamber another round. I own both but my choice would be hands down bolt action.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

If I hunted box stands over food plots or on powerlines or somewhere that I might have to shoot over 150 yards consistently, I'd probably stick with a bolt action. For the type of "in the thick" "waist deep in swamp" hunting that I do, you really can't beat a lever gun. They're typically much handier and balance really well for long days of toting it around. My new favorite will likely be my winchester 94 AE Trapper in 45lc. The only bad thing about this one is that it's typically only good for maybe 50-75 yards.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Overall, I'd prefer a bolt action, if I could not use a Ruger No. 1 singleshot, or a Dakota Model 10.... (BTW, a Browning BLR is a lever-operated bolt action-quite acceptable for big game....)

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Bolt...

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I'd choose Bolt if I had to choose, but there's nothing wong with owning both!! :)

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I like leverguns because most of what I hunt are small fields and piney woods. Levers are fast handling and quicker on the reload if needed, but someone said, there's nothing wrong with usingbolt or leveraction. It's a personal preference.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Bolt action- faster, much more powerful, safer,and a whole lot less moving parts to break.

Leverguns have a nice nostalgia factor and some look downright nice, but I personally don't find them practical.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Bolt action for me...;)

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Not to be argumentative, but how do you find a bolt action to be faster?

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

For me it's a no brainer! I always use the gun that will work for "everything" and then hunt where ever i want with it!

Why would anyone carry a gun that limits them to "only" short/medium range shots, if they didn't have to????

DM

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Bolt is simple meaning less potential for trouble. I can cycle my bolt and re-acquire fast enough if a follow up shot is offered. I am not one for packin' lead up the hoop, if the shot isn't thereI simplydon't shoot.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

DM
What about those of us who never take a shot beyond 250 yards where is the bolt more acccurate or faster. I know I would rather take one of my levers most of the time instead of my bolt actions. I know I a lot has to do with my age as an old fart I just like the old way of doing things and the lever is way older then the bolt. Just asking a question as I am new here.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

+1 on that one except most of my hunting is done well within 100 yards. I do own a 7mm Rem mag and a 300 Win mag, which are both fine calibers for whatever you and your rifle's yardage limitations are. Personally, for most situations I'm ever in I feel perfectly comfortable with my trusty Marlin 336W in 30-30. For really up close and personal I'm trying to get my hands on a winchester 92 with ghost ring sights. I have a cousin with one in 45lc and it's a beast with those buffalo bore 300 grainers

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I like a well made bolt

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Why Not Both ?

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

:D:D:D You're a bad influence!

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I like both and all the others too.............

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Actually I prefer a pump. Got a 7600 in 7mm-08 & love it. Got a round worked up for the open areas and one for the woods.

However......given the choice between bolt & lever....I'd go with the bolt.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Pump rifle!

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I have a pump, a lever, and a bolt for deer. Toss a coin between the lever and the pump first, and the third choice for me is the bolt.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Comparing a lever gun to a bolt gun is like comparing a minivan to a pickup. They were not designed to serve the same function. Sometimes you need one and sometimes the other is better for the task at hand.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Well, i'm an old fart too, but i've NEVER hunted where i could "never" take a longer shot. Maybe the longer shot would be when walking into the spot, or maybe i changed my mind, and moved to a more open spot later in the day???

I'm not into shooting into the next county to kill an animial, but i'm also not into limiting myself to 250 yards either...

One thing is forsure... If you buy10 bolt guns and10 lever guns, using factory ammo, i'll bet you the bolt guns will out shoot the levers. Maybe not in every case, but it's no secret that bolt guns outshoot levers almostevery time.

Personally, these days i don'thunt much witheither one... BTW, ido NOT hate lever rifles...

DM

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I can't use magnums never could except a .264mag I had decades ago and never should have let it go. I do have an old winchester 92 and wouldn't trade it for anything. I have several winchester 94's in 30-30 and .375 winchester including a custom built one with a 26 inch barrel and several bolt actions. I also have have a winchester model 1886 in 45-70 which I am having fun with.
In bolt actions I have a 257 bob, 270 winchester and 30-06 I told you I am an old fart and I like the old stuff as it works for me and most have long barrels too. You know the ones that don't work in the brush for the new kids but they did when they where all that there was. Strange how now you need a 20 inch barrel to work in brush and to have a light enough rifle to carry all day. I will pass up a shot if I think it is to far for me as I want a good shot and a clean kill more then taking a maybe shot that could allow an animal to a long slow death.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

DM
never thought that you did hate levers.
I also don't use much factory ammo in my levers either. I have gone back to lead bullets and the limitations that puts on my hunting. I am going backwards and I know a few others are following my tracts and others have to have the newest rifle out there. That makes it easier for me to find your cast offs and use them at a lot less cost and they still get the job done.
I do limit myself to 250 yard shots but can take a much longer one if I have too but do my best to keep this as a seldom done. It takes more skill to get closer and that is what I like. I also hunt with a muzzle loader which might be why I limit shots to 250 yards.
I want very much to take my .375 winchester with 26 inch barrel cow elk hunting one day but I have to have someone go with me as my legs are no good anymore and will need help to get it back to the truck. I am working up loads for it when time permits. I will be using a 280+grain fn bullet made from ww's should leave the barrel at about 1900fps which will have enough engery to stop my cow elk.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I guess the bottom line here is, if your hunting where 500 yard shots or moreare possible then use a bolt action rifle. If you hunt where 50 yards out to say 300 yard shots are as far as you will need to shoot then go with a lever. I have taken deer at 200 yards with a 30-30 and saw an antelope taken with a .308 levergun at 300 yards. I'm an old phart also 62 to be exact and have used leverson grizzly bear to whitetail deer with great results but wouldn't even think of taking a shot over 300 yards with a lever. They are good rifles if they are used the way they were intended to be used. Not all of us require a rifle with 500 + yards capabilities but only 300 yard shots max.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Bolt

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I use both, and I am good with both... so it just depends on the situation and where I am hunting. My favourite to carry would be a lever, but I really only carry it when I am hunting brush or timber

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I have no desire to own any bolt action gun. My lever guns work just fine for me. And my .308 lever gun will reach plenty far for me. Not all lever guns have a tube magazine, you can shoot any style bullet in just about any caliber you want with a lever gun.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I take most shots prone. A lever gun would be a handicap for a follow up shot. They look great in the movies though.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

again pump gun, I will hunt a pump w/any gun pout there. It is fast, you can keep on running game w/out pulling out of the site picture and they are accurate. Shoot em/ w/ the first shot, then this is all hyperbole. If more than one shot is required nothing , nothing faster than a pump!

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

bolt..accuracy lever..tradition both kill when used properly

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Lever, pump,bolt.

Lever - Faster cycling a bullet and you can keep the gun on the shoulder. Works for righty/lefty.
Pump - Comes more natural if your a shotgun pump shooter. Works for right/lefty.
Bolt - Try keeping it at your shoulder when cycling the action and you'll punch yourself in the face.
Action style is specific to righty/lefty. Other action accuracy stands up to bolts IMO.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

I never see levers at benchrest shoots and that tells me that I never go to bench rest shoots. I think we're talking hunting accuracy here and most levers that I know of are pie plate accurate out to 300 yds.

I have both bolt and lever guns. I'm partial to levers. I would like a pump too, but they don't seem to fit me. Yes they all have their good and bad but I find that alever is just a bit handier for me; with the half cock option I find that they are safer as well. If you don't like them, then fine, use your favorite bolt gun.

I used to be a diehard bolt gun hater, but I've found a couple that I like. The bolt to me always feels cumberson though. I really like brownings in both bolt and lever. I gave up telling folks how much I love the feel of a good lever gun, because most of the bolt guys just look at you like you're crazy. I usually keep it to myself now and just enjoy my leveractions.

Spud

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

my slug gun;)which is a single shot:)but if i had to choose, i would choose the lever, because, where i hunt, it is pretty thick.

RE: Lever action or Bolt action?
 

Try a Win. 88 or a Sako Finnwolf or a Browning blr. They work great in most any situation, especially if you handload.