Bolt action vs Pump

[Caliper_Mi]

OK, starting to look around for a deer gun. Rifles aren't permitted for deer where I am, so I have been looking at the rifled shotguns for slugs. Amongst all the Rem 870's and Mossberg 500's, I have come across a Mossberg 695 and Savage 220 and the bolt action nature of these guns has me interested.

What I'm wondering is how much more accurate a bolt action slug gun is than a pump action? Is it worth the expense of the extra gun? (although the extra barrel isn't free either)

 

[bigalexe]

I would pick a pump-action. Shotguns even with rifled barrels are not extremely accurate by their nature so the minute difference between bolt and pump accuracy isn't something I would be too concerned about.

Also the pumps are very common and have a million available parts for replacements (but they don't break anyway) and customization. Bolt guns are much less common in the shotgun world.

 

[chas08]

I'd stick with the pump and buy a Cantilevered rifled barrel, just my.02.

 

[Sav .250]

Pump.............

 

[627PCFan]

I havent seen a accuracy difference between the 2.

Warning: Bolt actions shotguns can over time suffer from excessive headspace and that can be a problem. If its use, get a Go/No go gauge and field gauge.

 

[Pancho]

If you ever need a fast second shot I believe you would be able to get back on your target faster with a pump.

 

[oletymer]

I have watched guys sighting in slug guns and the most accurate was the Savage 220 in bolt action and the Ithaca 37 deer slayer in pump action. The groups were far better than the other slug pumps.

 

[19-3Ben]

The one and only time (so far) that i shot my Mossberg 500 (with 24" smooth bore bbl and rifle sights) with slugs, I got 2" groups at 50 yards with 'plain jane' Remington express sluggers from Wal-mart (hack, spit).

I'm sure that with practice, I could do even better. I'm not really all that good of a shot. Only fair to middlin'.
Moral of the story- pumps are gonna be plenty accurate. I've never ever heard anyone suggest that a bolt shotgun is more accurate than a pump.

 

[Izzy77]

It's a "for the money" question.

If you have plenty buy the best, if not enjoy the rest.

 

[jlv08]

I just recently purchased a bolt action Marlin and am considering working up a smooth bore slug rig with this gun. It is drilled and tapped for a Lyman sight and it has an overbuilt action.

I doubt that one would ever muck up the head space,with all due respect to the poster who stated that possibility, with the bolt action gun due to the lower pressures in shotshells and slugs.

I have two pumps and an auto that sling slugs pretty good as well but I think it would be fun to have a dedicated bolt slug gun in my quiver. The rifled guns would be a good choice as well but then you are relegated to expensive sabots.

But, to each his own and I'll throw my hat in with ya on your idea. I don't think you would be under gunned at all with a bolt gun. Some guys shoot single shots and still take game.

All guns shoot different and will shoot some slugs better than others ,so trigger time at the range is in order for what ever platform you use.

 

[lloveless]

I have an old 20 ga bolt action that I believe is a mossberg make. It shoots great out to 100 yds with open sights. The interesting thing is it has a full choke. It does pretty good on dove also.
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