Bolt Action vs Semi Auto

The only semi-automatic rifle that I really enjoy shooting on a regular basis is the M1 Garand. I own several other very nice semis, but I tend to prefer bolt and lever actions. So my biased opinion, go for the Winchester Model 70.

For hunting, as a "sitting" rifle,I am biased towards a bolt action, for walking around. A lever gun. My semis are current or former military style rifles and used as an SD rifle.

I think bolt guns are ideal for hunting rifles. Simple, reliable and lightweight. They don't cycle as fast as a semi but I think that very rarely matters. My only caveat on that is I'm not a hog hunter, they don't exist where I live, but I could see how faster cycling might matter in that scenario. This is more versus a lever action, but the other nice thing about a bolt rifle is that you can cycle the action easily no matter how you're situated - prone, rifle over your backpack or a log, etc.

I have a BAR mark 2 in 7mag. I also have a bunch of bolt guns and almost always use one of those I think I've carried the BAR once.

I don't see a great advantage either way honestly My mk2 is as accurate as it needs to be for hunting, And my bolt guns have proven to be plenty fast.


Giving the choice between a BAR Mk2, and a Winchester model 70 I would choose the BAR. That's 100% personal preference, as I don't care for wing safeties.

Split the diff and get a Browning Maral

Doesn’t matter for the described shooting you do. Post again when you start hunting.

I'd go bolt, although I too don't care much for the much praised and worshipped Model 70 Safety. Safety aside, sure can't find any fault with a Winchester 70. And the functioning of a bolt action will never be persnickity or picky about what you feed it, other than some minor differences in accuracy. Having said that, I sure whacked more than a few deer with a Ruger semi-auto .44 magnum carbine that I have. It sure knocked everything right down, even a big old Mule deer. ! I used that many years before moving to single shots and muzzle loaders.

Bolt action is my preference for big game. Semis like the BAR Mk II and Remington 740/742/7400 just never appealed to me for that purpose.

I have used .308 ARs for hogs, but even there, I ended up going to a 673 guide gun in .350 mag. Where we were hunting them, they scattered too fast to score more hits even with a semi.

I like both rifles.

It would come down to a simple question for me:

How important is that immediate second round?

Todd.

I have a preference for the bolt action. When I resided in PA one of the shooting organizations I was a member of had "Sight In Days" prior to the opening of Deer season. The average attendee's skill level in marksmanship were questionable at best. The average attendee shooting of a bench rest would zero their rifle. Getting off the bench shooting from standing off hand they mainly shot patterns as opposed to groups. I've allowed hunting on the property only from tree stands with this rule, shoots fired must equate to deer taken or you no longer hunt this property. This is the last season I'm allowing hunting after allowing for 25-Yrs.

I rather like the feel of the Remington pumps and autos, prefer them over the Browning versions.

Have not messed w any Blaser or Merkel straight pulls ( or the Browning ).

No shops have em

For deer hunting - choose the bolt. Properly sighted in with a good scope you'll likely never need a follow up shot.

Truth is, with the ammo shortage the way it is, semis just eat too much. Kind of like trying to wolf down a delicious pizza in 3 minutes.

As for bad shooting.....sounds like folks need to associate w a better group.

I missed a deer w handgun about a decade ago. Got him on followup. Only thing I can figure is there was a branch I didnt see.
Not my normal stand either. Hell it came in before I even got my safety belt on.

Buddy missed one yr before, still dunno how.

It happens. But ia kind of a rare deal for my bud and I. And those missed shots still burn our arses. No solace in a miss.

Did have a deer take a bullet to the leg, saw it get up in field next door. We found the impact site by backtracking the blood trail.
Evidently some idiot shot it from the bridge, before we got there. Note: we arrived that morning in the dark.

My old spot wounded deer common in the 80s. Next door lots of shooting. It was bad.
But less wounded deer and less shooting as years went. Farmers kids grew and got better.

I shot 3 off that farm that had been hit by others. One in bad shape, still going though.
One maybe make it w long term cripple, and the other proly heal up ( bullet stay in ).

Theres a guy in Michigan, kills big bucks, Ebenhart?

Says most of the bruisers he takes are carrying wounds/ hardware from previous encounters w hunters.

So not all lost deer die or suffer. Unfortunatley many a Walmart hunter thinks a story about buckets of blood is better than having a miss. How much of the " almost " is true? I dunno. People are weird.

Bad stuff can happen to anybody.
3 strikes and youre out seems reasonable.

For medium and big game my 5 preferences on actions are
1 bolt
2 bolt
3 bolt
4 single shot
5 lever
Never found a semi that wasn’t at least somewhat clunky.
Go with the model 70. Adjustable trigger , easy to clean, and accurate.
The bar is plenty accurate for hunting, however, the triggers are not very good. Also a detailed cleaning is a pain.

Note: back in the 80s most folks ran shotguns. Recoil can be fierce. I do think givong a kid a boomer that didnt fit contributed to misses/ wounds.

Add in some folks not shooting til right before season.

Think todays hunters probably better informed and equipped. Should be anyway.

Had some guy at work tell ne he lost one w a HP rifle. Not. Newb either, but new to rifles. Soft build, bet he flinched and or shot beyond his comfort range or ability, proly thought a rifle gave him " more ". Nope. You still gotta know how and when to shoot

People differ. Some take the sport and responsibility way more serious than others.
Odd in how some of it differs by culture/ region. Aint always defined by education/ class either

For some deer are revered. Others just see them as things.

I have always had a respect/ understanding about living things. Even pests. Always strive to get the job done as swiftly as possible.

But I also bowhunt. Understand how tbat stuff works differently but humanely.

Honestly, for feel i rather like a Ruger #1 falling block.

Best bet for finer accuracy and faster follow up if needed, a pump or bolt rig.

Think 1.5 moa is probly fine for most deer hunting.

Smaller groups help w confidence and are nice, but arent really needed. But yeah, 3 in an inch w my 760 at 100 is pretty cool.

Had three 742s. One was minty, a carbine, and it shot funky ( hot barrel.major change in impact ). My othrr two were well used and did at or just over 1.5 inches at 100 w factory ammo. Good enough. And probably why they had seen use.

They are heavier than the pumps. But they are soft shooters. I dont think the pumps to be bad though, 150s in my 3006 were no big deal when wearing just a T shirt. Bud has one and says it beats him. And we about same build. Both of us had 3006 w buttplates.

Anything hunting (except for coyotes) I prefer a bolt gun simpler, quieter, usually more accurate, lighter, etc. etc. etc.

And with a little practice, really not all that slow. From this years late season doe hunt:



I've doubled up on does multiple times, and tripled twice, with a bolt gun. Of course it helps when they stop to look back...

Bolt gun 10 times out of ten for big game hunting. They are cheaper, lighter, more accurate, more reliable, have better triggers and will shoot a wide range of loads that a semi will choke on. Ammo for semi's have to be loaded within a fairly narrow pressure range to function. Too much or too little and they won't cycle. That is a non issue with bolt guns.

The rate of "AIMED" repeat shots just isn't that much greater for 3-4 shots if someone learns how to run a bolt gun. I've gotten off 3 UN AIMED shots in under 2 seconds with a 308 bolt rifle. With the requirement that all 3 shots must hit a paper plate at 50 yards that time is just over 4 seconds with a bolt gun, just under 4 seconds with a semi-auto. Less than a second difference for 3 shots.

When you drop down in power to 223 levels recoil is so small that rate of aimed fire can be better. But with cartridges suitable for big game recoil is enough to pull you off target enough that aimed repeat shots still take time to get the sights back on target.

I used to hunt with a 742 and 7400 in 30-06. At my age I prefer lighter guns and calibers. Now I hunt with a Tikka bolt action. I never owned a BAR but always liked them. You didn't mention the caliber, that might make a difference in recoil. I found that I prefer a tradition stock as opposed to a tactical stock or pistol grip. If it were me I would alternate to see which one I was most comfortable with. I would probably lean to the Model 70 but it would depend on caliber. The heavier the more the BAR would be better for me. Either one is a good choice.

Ive doubled and tripled on groundhogs all in the field at same time, w a falling block.

Big whoop de doo.

I like a pump on deer. Shotgun or rifle.
If not spotting the first shot, can put in another for insurance ( smaller parcel hunting its nice to keep em on your side of fence ).

Repeaters dont mean bad followups, or crappy initial shots. You can either shoot, or not. Platform doesn't affect it IMHO.

Guys at deer check in used to blow me some crap for multiple good hits. Hmmm, rode to check in.....in my truck. Seems good enough.

Also was fun, good practice. And w mult good hits.....got the point across.

Oh but it wastes meat. Deer ribs suck. Shoulders aint all that either. Esp when your first shot was aimed to take one out.

I have heard of the " one shot purists" that did their thing, deer down....they go over and its gone.....never to be found.

Like I said, mine rode to check in.....in my truck.