Are bolt-actions a realistic choice for home defense?

[JustKen]

Bolt guns pro: Lots of used ones around for cheap, ammo is powerful and plentiful (308, 30-06, 7.62 russian), and they can extend my safety zone out to 300 meters or more, and I don't expect any zombie-style swarm attacks around here. Con: slower rate of fire so if I do get swarmed all I can do is draw my Browning HP and hope for the best. An AR, SKS, or Mini 14 would protect pretty well but that's all. They seem to have limited utility for survival hunting or long range marksmanship.

 

[jem375]

Sure, nothing wrong with a bolt for home defense, more reliable than a semi-auto anyway....

 

[Z-Michigan]

A bolt gun is better than a sharp stick, and many of them double as sharp sticks anyway.

A lot of home defense is very short range, and they would be a poor choice for short range defense, even against just one or two attackers (much less the zombie hordes).

If your budget is tight I would get an inexpensive 18" 12-gauge pump shotgun for defense, and whatever rifle you think best for hunting.

 

[Sam1911]

Mindset > Skillset > Toolset ... in that order. You can defend yourself with anything, if you're mentally prepared and have practiced the skills needed until you can succeed under any conditions. What gun you'll use is the least important detail.

Having said that, sure, you can defend yourself with a bolt-action rifle. However, it isn't exactly optimal. Lawful, justifiable self-defense shooting requires that the attacker poses an immediate, realistic threat to your life or that of your loved ones. Generally, that's going to be from contact distance out to a few yards away. The ability to defend yourself at 300m is somewhat of an oxymoron, as few credible, immediate threats would or could ever come from longer range, and there are far more realistic defensive strategies for dealing with them if they did.

So, redefine self-defense as something that happens inside of 25 yds, probably inside of a structure like your home, probably something that happens very quickly and with lots of movement by both you and the attacker. Now, the benefits of a long range rifle are gone, but you still must deal with the detriments of large size, long/awkward length, relatively slow recovery and follow-up shot time, limited/low magazine capacity, and tons of useless recoil/energy/noise/blast beyond what's needed for the task.

So, sure, if you want a hunting rifle that might be useful for predator/pest control, and which could be pressed into service to ward off an attacker or home invader should the need ever arise -- a bolt action rifle will do the job if you are prepared.

If you're contemplating what to buy to fill the specific role of home/self defense? Get something more suited like a reliable handgun or a shorter-barreled shotgun and then practice LOTs.

If you're worried about "getting swarmed," shake yourself awake and turn off the horror movie.

 

[Waywatcher]

Excerpt from Jeff Cooper's "The Art of the Rifle:"

Why do I want to learn to shoot a rifle?

"To defend myself." The rifle is not a defensive tool conceptually, though it has upon occasion been put to defensive use, but self-defense is not a convincing answer to this question.

 

[accrhodes]

Here is my view on home defense.

Most invasion encounters are within 20 feet or less (robbery).
I think for that range a shotgun is a better choice with 00 buck shot.
Personally I keep a 9mm and a small mag led light on my night stand.

I think its smart to have a long range gun though - but I would buy a reliable shotgun prior to a bolt action rifle.

 

[ugaarguy]

An AR, SKS, or Mini 14 would protect pretty well but that's all. They seem to have limited utility for survival hunting or long range marksmanship.

We have several members here who ethically hunt medium game with .223 rifles. Their input in recent threads disproves your assumption about .223 having limited hunting capability. Of course, survival hunting means fair chase goes out the window, so a .223 to the head with a spotlight is at least as effective as a .22 LR to the head under the same conditions. The 7.62x39 (SKS) is a ballistic twin to the .30-30 Winchester, and we all know how poor of a hunting round the .30-30 Winchester is.

As far as lack of long range accuracy, the SKS & Mini-14 definitely don't have it. They're still plenty effective out to 200 meters if the shooter does his part though.

Stating that AR-15s are lacking in long range marksmanship capability really shows your ignorance of these rifles. The US Marines still qualify out to 500 meters in basic with iron sighted M16A2 & A4 rifles. A target oriented bbl (rather than an endurance oriented bbl), and a free float forearm are two of the simplest things you can do to greatly improve AR accuracy. This does not necessarily mean sacrificing combat reliability either. You may wish to research the Recce Rifle, and US Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle. We have at least one former DMR instructor here on THR, and he can speak to that rifle's capabilities far better than I can.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

To me this has always been the rule:

Pistol: point blank to 15-20yards
Shotgun: Point blank to 50-75yards
Rifle: Point blank to 200-300yards

Can they be made to shoot further with training and practice: Of course.
Could I do much better minute of man with each tool at those ranges if scared, fatigued, and/or full of adrenaline: Honestly, No, if I'm being realistic

You can see that in my perception there is quite a bit of overlap as to what each tool can do. But, to me, each one excels at a solving a different problem.

For example, why would you use a long, long screwdriver, meant to get into tight/cramped spaces, to take the battery cover off a kids toy. If long screwdrivers are all you have around due to the nature of most of your work, then you are definitely justified in using what you have to get the job done. Similarly, why would one use a long firearm, with a slowish reload time and limited capacity, if given the choice.

Most on this board tend to have guns that suit a particular task, just like most of us have a toolset that allows us to work on a variety of "Mr./Mrs. Fixit" problems. We tend to have long, medium and short screwdrivers that allow us to do a variety of jobs, just like we own at least one example of each type of gun. There are others, though, who simply prefer a particular style of firearm, be it pistols, shotguns or rifles. That person would likely be, without fail, VERY good at using that firearm type to its fullest potential due to intimate familiarity with it's charactoristics.

So, as was said above, I also subscribe to the logic that it's the operator/user of the tool, not the tool itself that makes the difference.

Long post, to be sure. I guess I felt like giving you my LONG answer. Cheers.

 

[JohnD13]

If what you have when a self/home defense situation occurs is a bolt action rifle, than yes, it's your best choice. My choice would be a shotgun.

 

[Maple_City_Woodsman]

Sure it will work ... but just about anything else will serve you better.

 

[kb58]

1. Dog.
2. Cell phone.
3. Safe room - or leave the house.
4. Verbal warning (also tells 911 operator you're justifying your actions.)
5. Shoot whatever you have.

 

[Sky]

Hummmm agree with the above post....I hunt and occasionally I take a double pop to stop a large Pig from entering the brush and cover; depends on shot placement/angle of the first round or what I anticipate the Pig's actions if not DRT. Could not do that with a bolt action.

I use SKSs, AKs, and ARs with an occasional shotgun thrown in. Shotgun is always my last choice due to it's range and accuracy limitations for hunting Pigs.

If I only could take one weapon especially to an area I was not familiar with that contained brambles/brush forest and open areas where a shot could be taken anywhere from 25 yards to 400 yards it would be an Ar that would go with me. So that covers the hunting stuff for me and pigs....

Home defense I use pistols, shotguns, or one of the above mentioned rifles and do not feel under armed. I doubt I will ever use any of them for HD (absolutely hope not) but nice to know I have options.

I had a 30.06 bolt action that was good for sparrows at long range but.......I sold it and have not found anything that the above rifles can not handle in my area of Tx.

If I only had a bolt action or the funds to support it then that would be what I would have.....but for an all around do everything weapon (for me) it would not be real high on my list of things to have. Not trying to start a big argument just my thoughts on the subject.

Nothing replaces firepower and rounds down range if there are multiple assailants. The one shot one kill is great but not always a realistic remedy to a particular problem IMO.

 

[Furncliff]

A rifle or shot gun barrel is just too long for me to swing in the halls and around corners. My choice is a cut down barrel or carbine rifle or a handgun.

 

[Cosmoline]

If you're comfortable with it and familiar with it, there's no reason it wouldn't serve very well in the role. I'm not sure where people got the idea that a bolt action rifle is by definition limited to long range offensive use. I think it has to do with the high powered optics on most such rifles these days. Obviously a big scope creates major issues for short range shooting. But there's no reason not to go with irons.

I would absolutely pick a long gun, even a REALLY long bolt action such as the M91 Mosin, over *ANY* handgun for any defensive purpose. Or for any purpose at all other than CCW or tunnel fighting. The handgun is almost always the worst choice. Difficult to aim, hits with much less force, and is an extremely unstable platform esp. at 3AM. A choice between a small, hard to manipulate handgun that may or may not hit and may or may not stop an attack even if it does hit and a full powered SP round that will tear up anything it hits is no choice.

As far as manipulating long guns in close quarters, it can be done but clearing your home is a good way to get shot anyway. Hole up in a good spot, call 911, and wait. Preferably behind the biggest, baddest piece of artillery you own. "Getting swarmed" is a lot of video game nonsense. You are almost certain to be dealing with a small number of assailants and it would take some extraordinary courage on the part of No. 2 Bad Guy to keep after you when he sees No. 1's torso explode.

tons of useless recoil/energy/noise/blast beyond what's needed for the task.

I would take issue with this, as well. Having fired off both the long Mosins and (accidentally) a .357 Mag revolver in enclosed areas, the magnum was way worse. The rifles move the blast well away from you, and while they do zing your left ear a bit it's nowhere near as bad as the blast and flash of a magnum handgun.

 

[Sky]

I would absolutely pick a long gun, even a REALLY long bolt action such as the M91 Mosin, over *ANY* handgun

Yes if you miss with the Mosin it will certainly make for a great club and/or poking stick!

 

[sKunkT]

If you broke into someone's home and they were standing there with a bolt action rifle, wouldn't your underwear need to be replaced?

 

[Dr.Rob]

So you have a BHP, one of the finest handguns ever made and you are reaching for a bolt action rifle why?

Nothing about 300 yards is 'defensive'. I'm sure many a deer rifle has been pressed into service as a defensive arm but it's not the top choice, even in Michigan.

 

[Rail Driver]

Bolt guns pro: Lots of used ones around for cheap, ammo is powerful and plentiful (308, 30-06, 7.62 russian), and they can extend my safety zone out to 300 meters or more, and I don't expect any zombie-style swarm attacks around here. Con: slower rate of fire

I agree with this. Another downside to most bolt action guns is low capacity.

An AR, SKS, or Mini 14 would protect pretty well but that's all. They seem to have limited utility for survival hunting or long range marksmanship.

I disagree with this. I've used an SKS to down quite a bit of game as have many people I've known. The SKS I had awhile back (and stupidly sold) was the most accurate 7.62x39 firearm I've ever owned (and I've owned a few). I used to call my AR my "flyswatter" because I would shoot the dragonflies off my target stands with it around 75-100 yds (I had a small collection of dragonfly wings, some with obvious bullet holes, but my girlfriend made me get rid of them, said it was nasty to keep bug parts... I thought it was cool stuff. The dragonflies in Florida get pretty big, so you can see them quite well scoped). Obviously 100 yds isn't long range, but on a man sized target I'm confident with my AR and iron sights out to 300 meters.

 

[Cosmoline]

So you have a BHP, one of the finest handguns ever made and you are reaching for a bolt action rifle why?

Because even with a good handgun my ability to hit a moving, living target is iffy. Add 3AM issues into the mix--blurry vision, half asleep, maybe a hand asleep--and the handgun becomes all but useless. Given a choice between a BHP and an M91 long rifle, I would go with the long rifle. The first round stands a much better chance of hitting even when I'm bleary, it mounts a light really easily, and whatever gets hit is much less likely to still pose a threat.

 

[Kendal Black]

If you've got a bolt action, and like a bolt action, then sure. Here is something about shooting it quickly: http://shootery.blogspot.com/2010/06/fast-bolt-work-how-to-fire-bolt-action.html Back when the bolt action was the most commonly used type of fighting rifle, people worked out how to be fairly quick with it.

I will say a bolt action is not the optimal rifle for home defense; I would also say that the best choice is not a rifle, anyway. My opinion is worth every cent you paid, but I think a shotgun makes a lot of sense in that role. Among other things, it has less danger radius than the rifle calibers you mention.

 

[Sam1911]

...my ability...

And a great deal of it comes down to this.

If you shoot a lot of rifle ammo in practice/training, and just a little handgun ammo, the rifle's enormous drawbacks may be made less compelling by your lack of skill with the handgun.

If you practice a lot with handguns and just a bit with rifles, the handgun would be superior -- out to a certain range.

For myself, I practice with handguns-vs.-rifles at a ratio of somewhere around 100:1, going by round count, but do get practice in practical "defensive" shooting with both. Inside of, say, 20 yards, I'll reach for the handgun every time because I've proved to myself with which I am faster and more accurate at those ranges. I practice such things about once a week on average, and I have witnessed the timed results of such experiments.

If you aren't very experienced with either, maybe it's a toss-up. From what I've seen, putting neither a long gun nor a handgun into the hands of someone who hasn't practiced realistic defensive shooting produces acceptable results. They tend to be too slow to be effective at maneuvering and manipulating the long-gun and lack sufficient accuracy with the handgun.

Training and practice are the key with either, so pick whichever you think fits your needs the best and then practice with it until it is a part of you.

 

[Skylerbone]

Beyond skill set there are other factors such as who might be in adjacent rooms of the house. I'd not want to send 30 cal. rounds at an assailant with my children occupying the room on the other side of the hall. Same consideration must be taken with a handgun though plenty of ammo is sold for CQ work.

A weapon you are practiced with, a plan of action and a good source of illumination to see the intended target. I'd sooner choose a handgun, shotgun, lever action or AR but if a bolt is what you have plan around it until a better-for-you and your situation alternative is found.

 

[tahunua001]

there is no such thing as a tactical rifle. I can tactically pick my nose but I dont have a tactical finger. yes a bolt is less suited as a semi auto carbine but it'll still serve a well trained person better then the hoodlum that just bought an AK out of some guys trunk

 

[ATLDave]

Goodness, what sort of organized assault are you worried about where you need a 300 meter "safety zone," and then plan to ditch the rifle and go to the BHP? I figure any home defense scenario is going to take place within the home. Unless you live at the palace of Versailles, that's an engagement measured in feet, not in hundreds of yards.

Seems to me that, at interior home distances, you're probably going to only have time to get off one shot with a bolt action rifle before the imminent harm (you are in fear of imminent harm, right, before you shoot?) is on top of you. As long as that one shot hits, then a single shot is probably all that is needed, assuming there's only one assailant. If it misses...

 

[armoredman]

Mosin M44. That way if you miss, you can stick him with the attached pigsticker.

Not really a good choice for use inside a house, hard to maneuver, long reload cycling the bolt for the next shot, a missed shot going through six houses before stopping might be an issue. But, if it's all you have, use it. At one time in the past my only rifle was a Mosin M38, and it served.