Hunting: Do you prefer Bolt Action or Semi Auto?

[OneShot!]

For hunting purpose (any game), do you prefer Bolt Action or Semi Auto?

I am divided on this because I like my HK91 .308, which is semi auto, but also my .243 BRNO Bolt Action.

 

[TCB in TN]

Depends on the type of hunting. Long range deer hunting 200+ yards I would go with the Bolt Gun which does tend to be more accurate, closer ranges and especially in thick brush etc. I would go with the quicker handling and follow up of the semi.

 

[Essex County]

Semi Auto Is a distance second. "cept for vermin and a AR....Essex

 

[OneShot!]

There are some very nice semi auto out there which can be used for hunting big game. Such as Brwoning's 7mm. Rem. Magnum with four shot semi auto. And not to forget .308 HK 91, which, when scoped, will produce better results then any bolt action .308.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

And not to forget .308 HK 91, which, when scoped, will produce better results then any bolt action .308.

 

[JesseL]

If you're only going to need one shot, does it matter?

 

[The Deer Hunter]

"If you're only going to need one shot, does it matter?"

Indeed. Some people talk about a "quick follow up shot", but I couldn't imagine shooting at a running deer four times.

 

[McCall911]

I guess I'm funny that way, but I don't like semi-auto rifles at all, especially for hunting.

 

[mljdeckard]

For most large game, accuracy is much more important to me than a rapid follow-up shot. I had an M-1A for a while, and I found I wasn't shooting it any faster than I would a bolt rifle.

I still want, somewhere down the line, to get an AR-10 and put it through the ringer, but I don't see it replacing reliable bolt rifles.

 

[Ala Dan]

Bolt Gun

 

[220_Swift]

And not to forget .308 HK 91, which, when scoped, will produce better results then any bolt action .308.

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *GASP* HAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHA






For big game, I would opt for a bolt. Varmint hunting, I usually carry a semi-auto.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Lever Action

-They come in anything, From 30-06 down to .22...

 

[win71]

OneShot!
Member

Location: Earth

Are you sure about that?

And not to forget .308 HK 91, which, when scoped, will produce better results then any bolt action .308.

Mine is not scoped so I can only guess how uncomfortably bulky and heavy that would be even on a short hunt. Words fail me for comments on accuracy...........

 

[sojournerhome]

Semi-auto

Have a Remington 7400.
Rather accurate.
For all those piggies running wild around Texas.

 

[TCB in TN]

Do a little hog hunting or bear and you might change your opinion of a quick follow up shot.

Also your semis might be different than the ones I have had,but most have been shorter quicker handling rifles, that are far superior to the average bolt gun in the brush. Although you could get a shorter barrel bolt rifle that would be quicker handling but you would lose some distance accuracy in that case.

 

[praharin]

And not to forget .308 HK 91, which, when scoped, will produce better results then any bolt action .308.

ok, ill be serious... what is that based on? i have seen a bolt gun put 5 rounds inside of 4 inches at 1000 yards. it was an exceptional marksman, and exceptional circumstances, but he did it. can you do that with your 91?

 

[browningguy]

I hunt with both, but really like my semi's, I don't discriminate because of the action type. Sometimes, when I want to look good in the deer camp, I carry these.

Customized Gr. IV BAR in .270:


Gr. III BAR in '06:


I also have an HK SLB 2000 in '06, AR's in 3 calibers, and bolt guns in 275 Rigby, .308, 30'06, .300 Winnie, and .458 Win. All are good enough for hunting, just depends on the game and what I feel like shooting that trip.

Being an old fat guy I find follow up shots are much quicker with a semi. And in 40 years of hunting I have, on occassion, found it necessary to shoot an animal more than once.

 

[Quiet]

And not to forget .308 HK 91, which, when scoped, will produce better results then any bolt action .308.

ummm... no.

 

[Sniper4Life]

Bolt denfinantly, better accuracy...... I dont need follow up shots. If I miss (1 in 100000000000.......... Chance) I dont deserve what I am shooting at.

And not to forget .308 HK 91, which, when scoped, will produce better results then any bolt action .308

Uhhh..... Lets put the exact same scope on that and my savage, we will shoot for "rifles" if you know what I mean? Loser loses his rifle......

 

[ranger335v]

Most of my deer hunting is in the thick woods of N.E. GA. In early season, when ranges are short due to leaves, I prefer my old 336/.35 because it handles like a wing shooting shotgun - fast - to get on fleeting targets. Later, after the leaves are gone and ranges are longer, I have more time for the shot and prefer a bolt rifle, 700 Mtn/30-06 or Vanguard/.243.

Speed of a second shot has never been a problem in either case. 'Course, I'm only 67 so maybe someday I'll need a second shot.

 

[Belgiboy]

I am totally with you, Browningguy. My BAR is dead accurate, and by far the best looking gun in deer camp every year. Mine is a Safari model in 7mm Rem Mag.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

I always find myself going back to my Rem700.

 

[PercyShelley]

I use a BLR so !

The accuracy isn't enough less to make any practical difference; I've shot MOA from a rest, which is definitely enough to hit the vitals of an elk at any reasonable distance.

I feel that the lever action is a good compromise between the bolt gun and the semi-auto in terms of rate of fire, which is fairly relevant for me as elk don't always die on the first shot and they move surprisingly quickly when wounded.

Also, I haven't checked side by side, but I think that the BLR is slimmer than, say, a Savage 110, which makes it a little easier to pack on a saddle.

 

[azhunter12]

If I had the choice between the two I would go with the bolt gun. Not as many things can go wrong with a bolt action because there are less moving parts. Thats my .02¢.

 

[Titan6]

If you're only going to need one shot, does it matter?

For some recoil. For others just in case one dosen't do the job.