I guess it boils down to what a person wants to use.For many seasons I' ve used either Bolt Actions or a old model 760 Rem.This season I' m going to try out a Browning BAR Stalker in 270.Bolts actions as a rule are some of the most accurate rifles. The BAR' s are very accurate. At least mine shoots quite well.With the Semi' s you can get a second shot off faster then with a Bolt action.Like someone mentioned it doesn' t excuse a first bad shot or mean you have to empty the gun at a running deer.I do like my bolt actions, but got a deal on the BAR I couldn' t pass up. It' s all personal preference as to what you like or want. I' m just grateful we still have the right to choose what rifle we want to take afield.
Ruger Redhawk.

Sorry taxman,didn' t know you were asking me. I posted up above how I got mine,it was either tradding with him or quit hunting with him.
Years ago I didn' t mind carring the 742,but now I am in my 60' s and any extra weight to carry I try to do without.Thats why I haven' t used the 742 in awhile.
Mine looks in pretty good shape to have had at least 3 owners before. If your' s looks new I would hold onto it from what I hear they are better than the new ones.

Old elk you hunt private land down your way or some of the refuge?I am on a club down in Anson county and a club in the mts,in Caldwell couny

Herman, there are 3 different properties I can hunt...2 are near me and 1 is near Boone. I didn' t do much hunting here the last few years have spent most of my time in Alabama.

If you are talking strictly as a hunting rifle, there is no real need for a semi. If you are talking about a rifle that can double as a self-defense weapon, the dynamics change.

The lack of cycling noise with a semi-auto is a good point. A very wise pig hunting guide in CA warned me that the sound of the bolt cycling after the shot would scare other pigs. Either be very quick or very quiet.

A point not mentioned regarding semi-auto actions as opposed to turn bolts would be reliable extraction. I don' t believe that there are too many hunters going after dangerous game with anything but a turnbolt or a double gun.

That being said, I would think an accurate AR type weapon would be a hoot to shoot prairie dogs with in the right situation. I' m sure glad I live in a place where I have the freedom to make that happen.

Why do we have cars that will run over 55 MPH?

I have both and I know you said that you can get on target for a 2nd shot just as fast with a bolt as you can a semi-auto, I sure can' t and sometimes that split second is all you need.

If one shot is all you need why not hunt with a single shot and just carry one bullet.

i use a older BAR in 30-06 (its actually my grandpas) and it is very accurate, more accurate than a lot of bolts