ezypikns
Member
I'm thinking of buying a .22 rifle. With everything else being equal (overall quality of the weapon, quality of sights, optics, ammo, etc.), is a bolt action rifle generally more accurate than a semi-auto, pump, or lever action?
A Basic Rifle Question
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Terrierman
Member
yes
accuracy is a relative. i doubt there's any shortage of folks on this board with AR15s that shoot 1 MOA with decent ammo.
just because a rifle uses a bolt action doesn't make it accurate, but most of the time people are interested in making an extremely accurate rifle, they use a bolt action.
just because a rifle uses a bolt action doesn't make it accurate, but most of the time people are interested in making an extremely accurate rifle, they use a bolt action.
Sharps Shooter
Member
Yeah, probably. But only generally. Especially when you're talking about a .22. I have a stock, Kimber .22 bolt action wearing a 6X Cabela's "Alaskan Guide" scope that with a good rest, will easily keep three bullets on a nickle at 40 yards. I also have a tricked out Ruger 10-22 wearing the same scope with which, using a good rest, I can usually put three bullets in one small, 3-leafed clover at 40 yards.
The other thing is, I could trick out 2 Ruger 10-22s, including the original purchase prices of the guns for what that Kimber bolt action cost me. I like it though. It closely resembles the looks and feel of my deer rifle.
The other thing is, I could trick out 2 Ruger 10-22s, including the original purchase prices of the guns for what that Kimber bolt action cost me. I like it though. It closely resembles the looks and feel of my deer rifle.
Ezypikns;
Since you limited this to .22 rimfire's, then I'm going to vote bolt with no hesitation. Not to say that the semi's can't be made to be accurate, but if we're talking no-mod outta the box guns; bolt.
There are several bolt guns that do an excellent job & also cover the whole range of price. But for cost/effective ratio it's pretty hard to beat the CZ's.
900F
Since you limited this to .22 rimfire's, then I'm going to vote bolt with no hesitation. Not to say that the semi's can't be made to be accurate, but if we're talking no-mod outta the box guns; bolt.
There are several bolt guns that do an excellent job & also cover the whole range of price. But for cost/effective ratio it's pretty hard to beat the CZ's.
900F
Yes, bolt actions are potentially more accurate than semi-autos, pumps, and levers, but there are exceptions.
Poor bedding and a single stock screw can be trouble for accuracy in bolt actions or semi-autos. Tubular magazine bolt-action rifles may or may not shoot good groups or maintain zero over barrel temperature variation.
Accurized semi-autos can be truly amazing. My 10-22 has made 10 consecutive 5-shot groups averaging .37", one being only .190". Tough to complain about a rifle that can do that.
I once had a 39A Mountie that shot amazingly well. They're very solid rifles with a very good barrel.
Picher
Poor bedding and a single stock screw can be trouble for accuracy in bolt actions or semi-autos. Tubular magazine bolt-action rifles may or may not shoot good groups or maintain zero over barrel temperature variation.
Accurized semi-autos can be truly amazing. My 10-22 has made 10 consecutive 5-shot groups averaging .37", one being only .190". Tough to complain about a rifle that can do that.
I once had a 39A Mountie that shot amazingly well. They're very solid rifles with a very good barrel.
Picher
rangerruck
Member
i would say that if it is a no box, or no removeable or openable internal ammo box, just a colsed receiver, then yes. If it is a removeable magazine, or opens from the bottom, i would say then that it is no more accurate than a lever or pump, but more so than a usual semi auto.
medic0437
Member
A bolt action and usually regardless of type of magazine feeding it will be more accurate that any type of action besides a breech loader for one simple reason--- smaller number of moving parts and a tighter seat of the round itself into the chamber- this is why ar15s and m16s have a load assist button-- sorry a segue but a point substantiation. All points aside- if you are looking for quality target performance at slow fire at distances up to 100 yards, buy a bolt- if you want to have fun with a .22 and not really be serious- a semi-auto will be a lot more fun and deliver performance that really will match normal ability--most people's ability of respiration, hold and trigger control technique will not realistically exceed any factory mfg bolt out there, and with .22's the economy of the ammo makes a semi-auto worth the fun.
AR15's have a forward assist not to get a tighter seal as you said but rather to push round that did not go in complete due to chamber fouling. That was the theory anyway. Its not good to use the forward assist at all. Most shooters feel its uneccessay. It has nothing to do with accuracy. Oh and AR15's will generally shoot with more bolt guns for accuracy.
Also it has nothing to do with moving parts. For example bolt guns are usually more accurate than most single shot break open actions.
Pat
Also it has nothing to do with moving parts. For example bolt guns are usually more accurate than most single shot break open actions.
Pat
Generally speaking, yes. Because the action on a bolt gun is more rigid...But, with a .22, I think the difference is somewhat less. I have a Marlin Model 60 (semi-auto) and a Marlin 25 (bolt), and the semi (60) is more accurate. In most cases, and I my experience with .22s, they're more finicky about ammo than anything else.
In short, when buying a new .22, I would generally choose the model/action type I lliked, and then spend time trying different ammo to see what it likes best.
In short, when buying a new .22, I would generally choose the model/action type I lliked, and then spend time trying different ammo to see what it likes best.
rangerruck
Member
i agree totally with dfaugh about the ammo. the reason i say what i did earlier, is that physics tells us, that if you have a closed receiver, that has no opening in the bottom of the receiver, for a magazine. or a open spring drop, it will naturally be a little stiffer, and usually shorter. More rigid equals more accurate. that being said, you would probably need a chrony, a high speed digicam and a computer prgm to notice a measurable difference in a 22. I happen to have a marlin mod 60 that i got lucky to get; it is world class accurate, and it is semi auto. But i tested over 100 different mfgrs, and then several differnent types , of each of these mfgrs' bullets, before i found the rounds it really likes. '
So get the one you like best, then spend lots of time and get as many diff type rounds you can find, then find out which one your 22 likes best. It will take some time, but hey , it is a fun chore.
So get the one you like best, then spend lots of time and get as many diff type rounds you can find, then find out which one your 22 likes best. It will take some time, but hey , it is a fun chore.
Me, too...Mine's SCARY accurate...It'll shoot most types of ammo quite well, but as we tried (My buddy and I have 5 .22s between us, so we tested each with the different ammo) we still found a big difference in accuracy. Mostly, standard velocity loadings 38 or 40 grain, worked well in all guns. Finally, narrowed it down to Wolf Match Target (best group I ever shot) closely folloed by Winchester T-22. Neither of these is very expensive, and in fact we tried some of the really expensive Match stuff, and it didn't do as well as the above.
Owen
Moderator Emeritus
Ranger,
You didn't keep samples of all the ammo boxes did you? I collect rimfire ammo boxes, and with several hudred loads tested, you are sure to have examples I don't.
You didn't keep samples of all the ammo boxes did you? I collect rimfire ammo boxes, and with several hudred loads tested, you are sure to have examples I don't.
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