Bolt Action vs Semi Auto
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crestoncowboy
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That's like saying "cars like the festiva or the veyron" lol
I have two remington semi auto in my safe. A 25-06 and a 30-06. I don't own a BAR. I have a few Browning and don't even care for them as a whole.....But ive never seen a BAR that wouldn't outshoot my remingtons by a pathetic margin with any ammo. Lol. I have a friend who actually collected those rems. He had more stolen 10 years ago in a house break-in than most people will ever see. I sighted them all in. None impressed me. At all. Thats just my experience but its not just 1 or even ten rifles either. Lol
Ive hunted with bolts and semi autos. I stalk and cover lots of ground. If the semi shoots sufficiently and weighed the same id carry a semi. But I haven't found one light enough to satisfy me. So I use light bolt actions.
9x56MS
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Sound reasoning and refreshingly honest opinion.
That's like saying "cars like the festiva or the veyron" lol
I have two remington semi auto in my safe. A 25-06 and a 30-06. I don't own a BAR. I have a few Browning and don't even care for them as a whole.....But ive never seen a BAR that wouldn't outshoot my remingtons by a pathetic margin with any ammo. Lol. I have a friend who actually collected those rems. He had more stolen 10 years ago in a house break-in than most people will ever see. I sighted them all in. None impressed me. At all. Thats just my experience but its not just 1 or even ten rifles either. Lol
Ive hunted with bolts and semi autos. I stalk and cover lots of ground. If the semi shoots sufficiently and weighed the same id carry a semi. But I haven't found one light enough to satisfy me. So I use light bolt actions.
Either feed a semi auto factory rounds, or learn to use small base dies and case gauges to set up your sizing dies.
And, you have to learn to use powders with the appropriate pressure curve or you will have malfunctions. Because the average hunter/shooter is quite ignorant of the function reliability aspects of ammunition and semi auto's, it is better if they go with the bolt gun. You can always beat the bolt handle down with a block of wood, and beat it open, with the same block of wood.
And, you need to clean your semi auto after you shoot it, and before you put it up. And how many people do that?
And, you have to learn to use powders with the appropriate pressure curve or you will have malfunctions. Because the average hunter/shooter is quite ignorant of the function reliability aspects of ammunition and semi auto's, it is better if they go with the bolt gun. You can always beat the bolt handle down with a block of wood, and beat it open, with the same block of wood.
And, you need to clean your semi auto after you shoot it, and before you put it up. And how many people do that?
tark
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I'm not a hunter so my observations don't count for much but it seems to me that there is one type of hunting where the semi-auto has a clear advantage; eradicating vermin. My Texas connection tells me that feral hogs fall into that category.
stillquietvoice
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I started hunting h100v with a rem 11-48 12 ga semi auto shotgun, but after a couple of seasons I traded into an m88 Winchester in 308, but also would carry a 7400 or 742 carbine in 308 win. I've even hunted with an m1 garand, but have hunted mostly with bolt actions since the mid 90's.
I still hunt and usually put on a lot of miles so weight is a major factor for long trecks, much easier to carry an 8 lb bolt action than an 11 lb garand.
I have a preference for bolt actions, most of mine are shot weekly at ranges from 300 to 550 yds because my hunting varies from 20 yds in the woods to 500 in corn fields. Have to be ready for any situation.
I still hunt and usually put on a lot of miles so weight is a major factor for long trecks, much easier to carry an 8 lb bolt action than an 11 lb garand.
I have a preference for bolt actions, most of mine are shot weekly at ranges from 300 to 550 yds because my hunting varies from 20 yds in the woods to 500 in corn fields. Have to be ready for any situation.
RCB
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I prefer a lever. 
Nothing wrong with any, but if there were two identical guns that looked the same, same barrel, same price, etc... I would go with the semi. Of course I also take my rifles target shooting. It allows a rifle to do just a little more, just a little more easily. All else aside, I probably buy based on looks or feel more than anything.
Nothing wrong with any, but if there were two identical guns that looked the same, same barrel, same price, etc... I would go with the semi. Of course I also take my rifles target shooting. It allows a rifle to do just a little more, just a little more easily. All else aside, I probably buy based on looks or feel more than anything.
Space Ghost
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I don't think it really matters if you hunt with a semi-auto or a bolt gun. A semi-auto can be nice, because most of them operate so that their system absorbs much of the recoil of the shot when they run. Main thing is to shoot the right caliber, and hit the target in the right spot.
That said, the only semi-auto guns I have are my ARs. These are defensive arms more than hunting guns, and shoot low recoiling rounds anyway, so it's a moot point.
For hunting, you don't, (shouldn't / rarely) need a follow up shot anyhow, so I prefer a bolt gun or lever gun. They are lighter to carry, (a semi-auto in a powerful hunting caliber is going to be substantially heavier than your typical AR) and more simple. (less things to go wrong)
Only way I'd choose a semi for a hunt would be taking out hogs...
That said, the only semi-auto guns I have are my ARs. These are defensive arms more than hunting guns, and shoot low recoiling rounds anyway, so it's a moot point.
For hunting, you don't, (shouldn't / rarely) need a follow up shot anyhow, so I prefer a bolt gun or lever gun. They are lighter to carry, (a semi-auto in a powerful hunting caliber is going to be substantially heavier than your typical AR) and more simple. (less things to go wrong)
Only way I'd choose a semi for a hunt would be taking out hogs...
I was in this same exact situation not long ago. Totally torn between the m70 and bar safari. Ended up choosing the bar safari and it honestly didn't have a ton to do with having a real need for a quick follow up shot. I simply liked the looks more, loved that it reminds me of an a5 shotgun aesthetically. Sometimes something just speaks to you. And I like that it's kind of a "one off" from all the bolt action varieties of hunting rifles out there. I will say mine is in .30-06 and it has a very mild recoil impulse due to the weight and semi auto action which I find nice. It was a tough choice, but I don't regret the bar safari in the least. Never had any hiccups after a couple hundred + rounds of various cheap factory hunting ammo. Only gripe is that the trigger is somewhat mediocre.
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9x56MS
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Not really heavier that 750 with scope sling and full mag weighed 8 1/4pounds. The gas system did reduce the recoil nicely.
Trashyshoots
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Which ever ones lighter.
JCooperfan1911
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The Winchester 70 Model.
IME, the action is unimportant, when sport hunting. One good shot is all you are ever going to get, in most circumstances. If you miss your first shot, 95% of the time you will not get another. It is, however, good form, to immediately load a second round, in the off chance you do get that second shot. But generally, that second shot isn't going to happen.
For pest management, or multiple targets, not sport hunting related, I would always go with a semi. It's usually a smaller caliber, easier to control, for backup shots, and with a multiple of targets, anything can happen.
For pest management, or multiple targets, not sport hunting related, I would always go with a semi. It's usually a smaller caliber, easier to control, for backup shots, and with a multiple of targets, anything can happen.
9x56MS
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Unless it is running right at you.
JCooperfan1911
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A good .30 caliber automatic rifle makes an ideal hunting gun.
Something like a Garand would even work, but a BAR would work as well so long as you weren’t concerned with the extra weight.
Something like a Garand would even work, but a BAR would work as well so long as you weren’t concerned with the extra weight.
Risky buisness
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Pre USMC bolts and levers were all that interested me. After being around a semi.....some full auto I got to liking them and persued them for sport and serious duty. Regularly hunt with an MI or a scoped M1A and have no complaints. Shoot military match and John Garand matches when I can find them. In so far as accuracy goes, my correct grade M1 after some bedding and unitizing work is a solid 1 moa rifle the lite match M1A runs a little under an inch. Compared to some bolt guns I've had they are a bit more accurate. I see some posters alude to having to do extra cleaning or load differently for a semiauto, ok I dont mind handling my rifles or cleaning them, just more familiarization time, the loading cartridges part, ok, I enjoy being an active participant with the manipulation and feeding of my rifles but other than a tight ruger chambered ranch rifle I dont require small base dies and prefer to use propellants that match the characteristics of the rifle. Really the choice is academic, as I have both styles, if it was go on a once a life time hunt.....I did and took my very familiar M1A.
jmorris
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My wife would consider that, in and of itself, to be an exceptional accomplishment.
If you can afford African Dangerous Game Hunts, don't you think the point is moot? But thanks, anyway, for trotting out that one very unlikely exception to the rule.
I think if you're actually ready for that second shot and expecting it, you'll get far more opportunities than one thinks. One of the best pieces of advice I've ever been given is that no matter what happens downrange get set up for your next shot, even if the animal goes down or you never get to take it.
Even if you're unwilling to take a moving target shot, fairly often an animal cleanly missed will bolt and then pause for a second where you can still take a standing shot at relatively short range. If your ready for it.
Hunting sheep out here they will almost always stop on a ridge after running for a couple hundred yards as long as you don't shoot at them after missing (or hitting) that first shot.
If you happen to hit the lead ewe, you'll always get a second shot, and sometimes third and fourth if you're really inclined to take it.
That has at least been my experience in the relatively limited different types of hunting I've done.
9x56MS
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If you had read my post that hunt took place I. Georgia using a savage 99 in 308. But hey feel free to jump to conclusions.
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