Bolt or Lever?
- Thread starter medic-rod
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Legionnaire
Contributing Member
"Best" for what?
quartermaster
Member
bolt
gamestalker
member
Lever guns make great brush guns for close quarter hunting situations. But if your thinking you might be taking long range shots at 200 yds and out, the B.A. will be the superior choice. And also consider the magazine. If the lever gun has a tubular mag. and I think most are, you'll be very limited as to the type of bullets that can be used.
I've hunted with lever guns a couple of times and didn't really care much for them.
I've hunted with lever guns a couple of times and didn't really care much for them.
A bolt gun will do anything a lever will do and then some without giving up anything. Bolt rifles are lighter, much more accurate, much more reliable, and good ones can be found for much less money.
Lots of guys think a lever is a lot faster for repeat shots. Truth is a semi or pump is much faster than either. Boltguns and leverguns are in a virtual tie for last place with only single shots being slower.
I had myself timed in getting off 3 shots a while back with different action types. I was able to get off 3 shots with a
Semi auto .4 seconds
Pump .6 seconds
lever 1.4 seconds
bolt 1.8 seconds
I then set up 9" paper plates at 50 yards and repeated the same test with the requirement that all 3 shots had to hit the plate. I did not shoot the pump at the target because I ran out of time.
Semi 2.7 seconds
Bolt 4.06 seconds
With the lever gun I was able to get off 3 aimed shots in 3.9 seconds, but after 3 tries I was never able to get over 2 of the 3 shots on paper at that speed.
Lots of guys think a lever is a lot faster for repeat shots. Truth is a semi or pump is much faster than either. Boltguns and leverguns are in a virtual tie for last place with only single shots being slower.
I had myself timed in getting off 3 shots a while back with different action types. I was able to get off 3 shots with a
Semi auto .4 seconds
Pump .6 seconds
lever 1.4 seconds
bolt 1.8 seconds
I then set up 9" paper plates at 50 yards and repeated the same test with the requirement that all 3 shots had to hit the plate. I did not shoot the pump at the target because I ran out of time.
Semi 2.7 seconds
Bolt 4.06 seconds
With the lever gun I was able to get off 3 aimed shots in 3.9 seconds, but after 3 tries I was never able to get over 2 of the 3 shots on paper at that speed.
Bolt for me; I never shoot more than one round at a deer. If it is something like pigs where I shoot multiple times then maybe a lever gun if I don't have the choice of a semi-auto but for me in that role goes and AR-10.
I do own 3 lever guns but only for fun, I never really took them serious enough to do any real hunting with them.
I do own 3 lever guns but only for fun, I never really took them serious enough to do any real hunting with them.
Coal Dragger
member
Bolt action, by far. Stronger, typically easier to shoot well, typically easier to be made to shoot well, easier to mount optics to. Plus a bolt action in various sizes accommodate a lot more different sizes of cartridges, and handle a wider variety of bullet shapes better than a lever action.
None of this means I don't like lever actions for certain applications though.
None of this means I don't like lever actions for certain applications though.
Sav .250
Member
There is no one size/type "fits all." weapon. Or put more plainly, different strokes for different folks. 
Last edited:
lowerunit411
Member
In my mind they are two different platforms each uniquely suited to different applications.
Snowbandit
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Neither...... make mine a pump.
the question leaves much to be answered and many questions to the mind! You failed to note for what reason each would be used. just look at the Military they have used all types and still use the Auto and Bolt for very good reasons . They Work and work when you need them to!
brnmuenchow
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For a Texas brush popper under 300yds., a lever .30-30 Win. does just fine. Anything beyond that and bigger than a whitetail deer I reach for the bolt-action.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Well, if I could only have one rifle, it would be a bolt action ... either a .308 or a .30-06. In fact (looks in safe), I only see one lever action in there, and it's a second-hand Marlin 1894 in .357 mag, "just for fun." Never hunted with it, and have no plans to.
But all I've told you is my preference, an opinion worth exactly what you paid for it.
But all I've told you is my preference, an opinion worth exactly what you paid for it.
Craigman
Member
I love my lever guns, but for still hunting I prefer a bolt everytime. I do carry a lever gun usually when tracking a shot deer though. All of my bolt gun calibers pack a better punch to put em down quicker. 30-30 and 35rem works great, but they usually run a ways. and they always run down hill it seems. Where i hunt is mostly on moraine ridges in MI from where the glaciers receded thousands of years ago. Big steep hills suck to drag deer up.
I have never hunted centerfire rifle bolt action. I have always used lever, pump or semi. Not real sure why but the bolt just never appealed much to me. I know that they are supposed to be the most accurate of the bunch but with all my large game taken at sub 100yds there is really no need for long range accuracy.
boltgunner93
Member
I'll let my handle speak for itself.
Oh, I like semi-auto and pump guns, I have to say I've never shot a lever, but there's something about the "simplicity" of the bolt gun that to me makes it seem like an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.
Oh, I like semi-auto and pump guns, I have to say I've never shot a lever, but there's something about the "simplicity" of the bolt gun that to me makes it seem like an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.
The lever action is totally an American concept. I just can’t think of any European predecessors. The most common rifles in the US prior to 1900 were single shots and lever actions. It took WW1 and returning Doughboy's for the bolt action to finally catch on.
One of my first rifles was a Marlin in 44 Mag. Still have it, have a 30-30 Marlin. But I have lots of bolt rifles, so I guess, I am in the bolt gunner category.
Still, lever actions are fun and they fit a niche.
One of my first rifles was a Marlin in 44 Mag. Still have it, have a 30-30 Marlin. But I have lots of bolt rifles, so I guess, I am in the bolt gunner category.
Still, lever actions are fun and they fit a niche.
Kaeto
Member
Don't tell my dad his Savage 99c in .308 isn't a long range gun. He's liable to bop you with the butt.
morcey2
Member
I've got all bolt guns, with the exception of a marlin 60. But...
I've got my eye on a savage 99 in 250 and everyone needs a 30-30, so I'm looking for one of those too. A 45-70 is on the list also. And a 44-40. And a 32-20...
One of my favorite rifles I hunted with was a BLR in 243.
But I voted bolt because I'd probably stick with that if I had to make a choice.
Matt
I've got my eye on a savage 99 in 250 and everyone needs a 30-30, so I'm looking for one of those too. A 45-70 is on the list also. And a 44-40. And a 32-20...
One of my favorite rifles I hunted with was a BLR in 243.
But I voted bolt because I'd probably stick with that if I had to make a choice.
Matt
paintballdude902
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i want to build a .45 long colt enfield... if i do that then a bolt will replace every need for a level i have except just liking them
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