[CWL]

Why is there a need for a smooth action on a bolt gun?

We talk about this as an indication of a quality gun/design. But aside from ascetics/pride of ownership, and quality of manufacture, does it really affect the accuracy/performance of the rifle when shooting a round which is already chambered? Even a slob can work a sticky bolt during combat conditions.

Does a 'smooth action' really come into play during rapid fire such as in WWII-era combat? Allows the shooter to get of faster reaquisition of sight picture & therefore faster follow-ups?

Does it really affect the usability of the weapon itself?

[LevelHead]

In my experience a smooth action tends not to bind on cycling like rough ones do. This of course may be anecdotal, but confidence in my rifle is important to me. When under stress I need to slam the bolt home, I don't want it to bind on me.

[hps1]

A smooth bolt action is extremely important if one is to get off accurate followup shots. The smoother the action, the less the shooter's position is disturbed while manipulating the bolt. This becomes an important factor for competitive shooters firing the nationl match course in which the shooter must fire 10 rounds from the sitting position @ 200 yards in 60 seconds.

Regards,
hps

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't want to start a flame here, and no personal attack should be implied.

A smooth action is like an accurate rifle -- very important, but ONLY to a man who can shoot.

If a shooter can't keep his shots inside a washtub at a hundred yards, what difference does it make if his rifle can shoot 1, 2, or 3 inch groups at that range?

Similarly, if a man drops the butt from his shoulder to work the bolt, what difference does a smooth action make?

It's the man who can shoot pretty close to the rifle's potential who needs an accurate rifle, and the man who can reload a bolt action before it comes back from recoil who needs a smooth action.

[Crimper-D]

With proper Motivation I can get any boltgun to shoot as smoothly as I desire. :D
To quote the late gunwriter/hunter Finn Aagard : " You have _No_ idea how fast I can work a boltaction - when I'm Frightened! ".:what: :D

[Art Eatman]

A smooth and polished bolt just makes the darned rifle look and feel like somebody cared enough about what they were doing that they finished the job.

I've always pulled the rifle down from my shoulder after a shot so I could mark the spot where Bambi fell down. :D

Art

[swingset]

Fire a Mosin or straight bolt milsurp from the shoulder, rapid fire, without relenquishing your cheek weld - if you can. Try to put 5 shots into a paper plate at 50 yards as fast as you can work the bolt.

Now try the same with a SMLE No1.

You shall see the answer to your question in painful detail when you examine your time and your targets.

Sgt. Snoxall backs me up on this, btw.:D

[Vern Humphrey]

The US Army managed to train troops to manipulate the bolt of the Springfield from the shoulder with no problems.

Major General A. S. Newman told me he once had his company (this was about 1928) training rapid fire with dummy rounds next to the Officer's Club at Fort Benning, with the targets located where Post Headquarters now is (about 300 yards away.)

The target detail would raise the targets, and the troops would go to the sitting position, rattle off 5 rounds, then reload and rattle off another five.

There was a sudden "KA-PLOW!" And time stopped.

Looking toward the targets, he saw one man with his hand covering the center of the bullseye -- pinwheel!:)

[Will Fennell]

In a word....YES. If that answer is a shock to you, you need to spend more time behind the trigger of a bolt gun, shooting under time.

[wanderinwalker]

swingset,

I've tried to work a Mauser and a Springfield from the shoulder before. Only problem is my long neck and the short stock mean I whacked myself in the nose with the cocking pieces. Not good for concentration!! :rolleyes: But my short-action 700 I can operate very quickly and easily from my shoulder, and it runs smooth as silk.

Mr. Humphrey,

How big is this washtub you're referring to? How much time do I have to hit it with how many rounds? Standing, sitting in sling, prone in sling? ;)

[Navy joe]

Swingset, you forgot about the lefties of the world. I smoothed up my action on a MN44 and can run it at near semi-auto speed. Noe an Enfield just befuddles me unless I shoot right handed in which case I'm much slower.

[Vern Humphrey]

"How big is this washtub you're referring to? How much time do I have to hit it with how many rounds? Standing, sitting in sling, prone in sling?"

Hit's about three foot wide -- but you got to hit it while swinging from a grapevine, while the wife's a-carryin' it on her head.
:D

[wanderinwalker]

Three feet wide at a hundred yards, eh? Doesn't sound too hard to hit. But if the misses is carrying it.... Easy. Drop one at her feet, she'll drop the tub, and presto! Stationary target!! :D

Seriously, I don't feel moving targets are as hard as some "riflemen" think they are. Just shoot shotgun every once in a while, and you'll know the basics. Swing, stance, and follow through.

[Vern Humphrey]

Don't forget -- you have to be swinging on a grapevine. :D

But most people never practice shooting offhand, and are shocked when they find out how bad they are.

Just as most people never practice working the bolt from the shoulder.

[wanderinwalker]

"But most people never practice shooting offhand, and are shocked when they find out how bad they are."

How true. My favorite thing at the range is watching some he-man with a mega-magnum (attempt to) ring the 100 yard gong from the bench. All of his buddies are cheering him on, and congratulate him if he makes 3 out of 5. (Have never seen a female shooter with a super-mag. They normally have AR-15 target rifles or handguns.)

Most people only know how to shoot their weapon, not how to shoot with it. This includes aspects such as working the bolt from the shoulder, using a sling, positions, hasty rests and the such. It is the demise of the American rifleman that we are witnessing.

BTW, it would be quite a trick to work the bolt while swinging on that grapevine!! ;)

[Vern Humphrey]

That's almost a quote from many years ago -- a sergeant was demonstrating the use of shooting positions with the sling and an Arkansaw boy said "Ah can shoot better than that swingin' from a grapevine." :D