Which is superior in accuracy?

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

Single Shot, Semi-Auto, Lever Action, Bolt Action?

Please vote, then tell us why.

ps. All things being equal in quality, properly maintained, etc.

 

[mod60rimfire]

Its pretty much subjective.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Any action that has the locking lugs and bolt locking mechanism on the same axis as bore tends to be the ones that hold the accuracy advantages.

Next important is to have as little as possible attached to the barrel. As the bbl expands due to heat parts attached to it tend to do so at different rates causing POI shifts



FYI my bolt action precision rifle IS a single shot


Tapatalk post via IPhone.

 

[Skyshot]

I have been able to make a cheap bolt gun (under $300.00) shoot under 1/2 moa, I have never been able to duplicate it with a cheap semi-auto,lever or break action single shot. Not saying that there aren't examples out there. It's just that the bolt gun is easier to fine tune than the others.

 

[RickMD]

Unquestionably the bolt action. Did you ever see a bench rest match won by any other kind of action?

 

[gotigers]

judging each gun on its own merits, it would come down to gun quality, bench set up and shooter.

judging each type as a group, i would select bolt action.

 

[hardluk1]

If your looking for an accurate hunter than buy the action type want. All can be good hunters. Single shots can be bolt rifles.

 

[HoldinBanks]

I meant to vote bolt. I've never shot anything but a bolt action tho

 

[Art Eatman]

Few lever actions ever match the others for tight groups. Bolt guns, generally, do the best for group size. While many single-shots do well, it often takes more work because of the two-piece stock design. It generally takes more money to create a very-accurate semi-auto than it does for a bolt-gun.

 

[SeekHer]

Unquestionably the bolt action. Did you ever see a bench rest match won by any other kind of action?

Therein lies the rub--the Op asked about bolt action and single shots...I chose single shots since all my bench guns don't have magazines so the question should have been bolt actions or bolt action single shot target rifles.

You're probably too young to have seen this but back in the 1950s and 60, when I started shooting, lots of the varmint and BR rifles were Winchester High Walls (especially Pope barrelled ones) or Martini Henry et al actions with massive bull barrels and they were in many cases, more accurate then a lot of the bolt actions...Remember these are single shot lever actions--Ok, drop levers but still a lever.

There were Sharps and Ballard and Stevens and Wesson and Parker Hale and Gibbs and Farquharson that dominated the long range shooting from the 1870s to the 1930s--ALL single shot drop actions...The great hunting round, the .300 H&H magnum was the long range target cartridge to beat from 1912 to the 1920s.

These were primarily shot standing or using the Creedmoor prone positions--on your back, rifle rested on your thigh...Also check out the Newton line of cartridges or the Ned Roberts designed .257 or the .280 Ross.

Check out the Miller Rifle--merged with Dakota Arms a few years ago and any one of their rifles will shoot rings around a "standard, stock" bolt action every day of the week and twice of Sundays.

 

[hardluk1]

The browning lever actions are very good shooter also one missed is Remington pumps. free float barrel and can shoot real well.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive had bolt actions, lever actions and single shots that all shot exceptionaly well. Ive had them all that shot well better then moa. Bottom line is if ultimate accuarcy is what your looking for or the best accuracy for the buck spent a bolt gun is hard to beat.

 

[Searcher4851]

Bolt action. Reckon all them benchrest shooters and snipers have a reason for using them.

 

[hardluk1]

No one know what the accuracy is wanted for yet. Hunting?

 

[Kendal Black]

The bolt action: At least, it is the easiest kind to get shooting straight. Its mechanism is simple and locks up rigidly with just about perfect repeatability shot to shot.

But...I'm seeing some amazing things from AR type rifles. So maybe what I should say is that the bolt action is the most accurate type...this week.