Why bolt action ?
11-11-2014, 06:21 AM
#11
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 749
Bolts offer you a wider choices of rifles and cartridges to choice from. Also with practice you can work a bolt action almost as fast as a lever or pump and more accurately. Also some autos are not just a military weapon they have their places in hunting.
11-11-2014, 10:22 AM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 1,081
Nothing that I can add to what has already been stated. I have found that people that shoot a semi tend to spray because they have it in the back of their minds that if they miss or maim with a semi they can spray a few more in the general direction of whatever they are shooting at. I can count on one finger the number of semiautos that shoot half decent. I am a big fan of bolts and single shots. It takes one well placed shot to harvest dinner, not a barrage of shots.
11-11-2014, 04:20 PM
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,902
For whitetail deer hunting, I carry a full magazine, and a full row of cartridge loops on my buttstock, good for about 14-15rnds on hand in the field.
If I come back with more than one empty case, I either have more than one animal to drag, or I did something wrong. For big game, I haul bolt guns.
When coyote hunting, I like to load up in the morning and not have to load again all day. Having multiple animals come in on one stand, or taking a few shots at a running coyote happens enough that I prefer to be equipped to manage those situations. So for coyotes, I haul semiautos.
I don't count myself in the camp that believes that having a semiauto entices anyone to take irresponsible shots. My advantage on doubles/triples on coyote stands means that the second and third dog haven't covered extra ground while I cycle the bolt, so I have an easier shot. For coyotes, I'm going to take running shots, and I'm ok with that. For deer on a dead run, I'd pass unless I knew I had a less than ideal placement on my first shot that might mean a lingering death. Driving a car that can go 200mph doesn't make anyone break a 75mph speed limit. If someone's prone to want to speed, then sure, they'll buy a car that helps them go fast, but there's nothing about a mechanical device that makes you take more or less ethical shots. I'm actually quite critical of those that say they take ONE BULLET into the field - to me, it's just not ethical, because you have no way to dispatch a wounded animal in the event SOMETHING goes wrong and you don't get a clean one shot kill. Semiautos don't make anybody "spray and pray". That person would spray with a bolt gun too, they'd just be slower at it.
For what it's worth, the only reason I ever load 6 rounds in my big game revolvers is because it can damage your action to fire with only one round in the wheel. There's really no such thing as a follow-up shot in handgun hunting of big game, so I'd have plenty of time to reload a "finishing shot" on a downed animal. Same deal, I walk out with a full cylinder and a speedstrip in my pack, if I come back with more than one empty, I did something wrong.
If I come back with more than one empty case, I either have more than one animal to drag, or I did something wrong. For big game, I haul bolt guns.
When coyote hunting, I like to load up in the morning and not have to load again all day. Having multiple animals come in on one stand, or taking a few shots at a running coyote happens enough that I prefer to be equipped to manage those situations. So for coyotes, I haul semiautos.
I don't count myself in the camp that believes that having a semiauto entices anyone to take irresponsible shots. My advantage on doubles/triples on coyote stands means that the second and third dog haven't covered extra ground while I cycle the bolt, so I have an easier shot. For coyotes, I'm going to take running shots, and I'm ok with that. For deer on a dead run, I'd pass unless I knew I had a less than ideal placement on my first shot that might mean a lingering death. Driving a car that can go 200mph doesn't make anyone break a 75mph speed limit. If someone's prone to want to speed, then sure, they'll buy a car that helps them go fast, but there's nothing about a mechanical device that makes you take more or less ethical shots. I'm actually quite critical of those that say they take ONE BULLET into the field - to me, it's just not ethical, because you have no way to dispatch a wounded animal in the event SOMETHING goes wrong and you don't get a clean one shot kill. Semiautos don't make anybody "spray and pray". That person would spray with a bolt gun too, they'd just be slower at it.
For what it's worth, the only reason I ever load 6 rounds in my big game revolvers is because it can damage your action to fire with only one round in the wheel. There's really no such thing as a follow-up shot in handgun hunting of big game, so I'd have plenty of time to reload a "finishing shot" on a downed animal. Same deal, I walk out with a full cylinder and a speedstrip in my pack, if I come back with more than one empty, I did something wrong.
Last edited by Nomercy448; 11-11-2014 at 04:27 PM.
11-12-2014, 07:21 AM
#15
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 408
I like all actions. I started out on a lever action and grew tired of having to cycle through to unload. We do a lot of deer drives so its constantly loading and unloading. Semis can force you into a bad habit of pulling the trigger and not focusing for some people but I don't have anything against them, heck I own a couple. My current rifle, Browning X-Bolt .308 allows me to have a magazine for more convenient loading and unloading and I like to use a bolt. Like someone else mentioned, with practice you can be just as quick with a bolt if additional shots are needed. I went with a bolt too for previous reasons mentioned with the top being accuracy. I know I can get other type of action guns with a mag but I just prefer the bolt.
11-12-2014, 08:01 AM
#16
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,230
There is an old saying: "Beware the man that only uses one rifle because he probably knows how to use it".
I've been carrying the same 7mm Rem Mag since I was 13 years old. I'm 52 now. I have never found it wanting even when it went to Africa 5 times. I can kill deer as easily at 25 yards with it as I can at 400 yards. Accuracy is more important than firepower to me and I know where that old bolt gun hits at hunting ranges.
I have other guns, even some lever guns that play with from time to time. But when I need to put meat in the freezer, that 7mm is the one I'll pick up every time.
I've been carrying the same 7mm Rem Mag since I was 13 years old. I'm 52 now. I have never found it wanting even when it went to Africa 5 times. I can kill deer as easily at 25 yards with it as I can at 400 yards. Accuracy is more important than firepower to me and I know where that old bolt gun hits at hunting ranges.
I have other guns, even some lever guns that play with from time to time. But when I need to put meat in the freezer, that 7mm is the one I'll pick up every time.
11-12-2014, 08:16 AM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location:
Posts: 2,186
I have used bolt, single shot, lever and semi-auto designs as a hunting rifle off and on for decades. My expereince is that the bolt action seems to be inherently more accurate out of the box. And there is a chance to make a relatively quick follow up shot if need be. The design of a bolt action has been around for well over 100 years. It lends itself to a strong, reliable and simple action. Positive control bolt actions such as the Mauser 98, Ruger 77, and Winchester 70's (Pre 1964 and Classic) are practically impossible to jam, though the push feed actions which are very popular are very reliable as well.
