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Semi Auto vs Bolt Guns

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longrifle19

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Ive searched for the advantages of bolt vs semi auto
I wanted to get a general opinion on the matter about if a SHTF or EOTWAWKI situation. This would be your main rifle, hunting, combat and defense.
And what caliber, Im stuck on either an ar-10 modded up to be a m110 or a remington 700 SPS tactical 308
 
#4 ·
^^^
What HOG81 said.

The ability to rapidly follow up with one or more shots pretty much trumps any perceived advantage a bolt gun might have. In the 21st century, semiauto rifles and carbines do not give up anything, including accuracy, to a turnbolt repeater. The fastest turnbolt repeater I own is an SMLE No. 4 Mk I*. I can shoot with it pretty fast and pretty accurately. With stripper clips, I can keep up a decent rate of fire. However, it is not nears as fast nor as accurate nor as quick to reload as an AR10, FN SCAR 17, or SIG 542.

Bolt guns are generally cheaper than autoloaders, however, but that is not always the case. But this is not an apples to apples comparison. The real question is: why would you not want to take advantage of current technology?
 
#5 ·
You may only have to fire once...


...but if you need to lay it down, semi-auto is the way.


Bolt actions also have drawbacks in feeding the rifle, (mags) even the really nice ones have box mags around 10 rounds. I like 20/30 round mags because they also serve as sort of a storage device and transport method for the ammo.
 
#6 ·
For hunting, I've always preferred bolts, no real reason, just personal choice, though they do retain more of the pressurizing force of the powder burning than a semi-auto, mainly due to the need for the recoil action to work the action of the semi-auto. Another thing I like about bolt guns, especially for newbs, is the need to cycle the gun and bring it back on target instead of just lobbing round after round by just pulling the trigger.

Self defense, I prefer a semi auto for the exact same reasons I don't like them for hunting.

So, there is a solution to this issue, buy more guns!
 
#7 ·
Many years ago, when I was sniping for the Army in Viet Nam, we were trained and given an XM-21 sniper rifle to use. The XM-21 was a highly accurate version of the M-14 rifle. Our sniper rifles were semi-automatic fire instead of bolt action because it had been discovered that there were incidents where snipers had needed more speed in the action of their rifles to engage targets quicker. Bolt action rifles are great for long distance accuracy on a single target. But if you need accuracy and speed for engaging targets, you need a semi-automatic fire rifle. In a survival mode, you need all the options you can muster. The more options you have, the better your survival chances become. If you are thinking about hunting wild game, survival AND personal defense, go with a semi-automatic rifle. If you just need to plink and hunt game, then go with a bolt action rifle.
 
#8 ·
Herd Sniper said:
Many years ago, when I was sniping for the Army in Viet Nam, we were trained and given an XM-21 sniper rifle to use. The XM-21 was a highly accurate version of the M-14 rifle. Our sniper rifles were semi-automatic fire instead of bolt action because it had been discovered that there were incidents where snipers had needed more speed in the action of their rifles to engage targets quicker. Bolt action rifles are great for long distance accuracy on a single target. But if you need accuracy and speed for engaging targets, you need a semi-automatic fire rifle. In a survival mode, you need all the options you can muster. The more options you have, the better your survival chances become. If you are thinking about hunting wild game, survival AND personal defense, go with a semi-automatic rifle. If you just need to plink and hunt game, then go with a bolt action rifle.
Click to expand...
...thats what I said. :xeye:

:D:
 
#9 ·
The bolt has two advantages.

#1 less to break down and more durable in the long run.
#2 Less likely to encourage the user to make poor first shots or engage targets that are unnecessary to engage.

Now this is not to say that these advantages trump the benefits of a semi-auto, but for many it might be the right choice. Young people just learning to hunt is a good example. A bolt is by far the superior choice for young hunters. This makes them take only well aimed and probable shots.
 
#10 ·
In a nutshell: The sniper knows the bolt action delivers all the power forward into the fired bullet, thus giving the bullet more speed and distance. The semi-auto uses some of the power to drive the bolt rearward so the next round can be chambered, thus taking forward power away from the fired bullet.
 
#11 ·
Ranger 6 said:
In a nutshell: The sniper knows the bolt action delivers all the power forward into the fired bullet, thus giving the bullet more speed and distance. The semi-auto uses some of the power to drive the bolt rearward so the next round can be chambered, thus taking forward power away from the fired bullet.
Click to expand...
Not really, barrel length is more critical to velocity...
 
#13 ·
Ranger 6 said:
I totally agree that barrel length is critical. However, given the same barrel length for the bolt action equal to the semi-auto, the chronograph will show bullet performance from the bolt action to be greater than bullet performance from the semi-auto.
Click to expand...
I was trying to find the difference but had no luck. Lets say for arguements sake you have a bolt action 223 with a 16'' barrel, and you compare the velocity to a semi auto 20" barrel 223 both with 55gr m193, which do you think chrono higher......

Although I see what your saying apple to apple comparrison, DO they even make 16 inch barrel bolt action rifles?
 
#14 ·
HOG81 said:
I was trying to find the difference but had no luck. Lets say for arguements sake you have a bolt action 223 with a 16'' barrel, and you compare the velocity to a semi auto 20" barrel 223 both with 55gr m193, which do you think chrono higher......

Although I see what your saying apple to apple comparrison, DO they even make 16 inch barrel bolt action rifles?
Click to expand...
Here is a report you might like to see discussing the .223 calibre test using a 24 inch barrel and a 18 inch barrel. Go to the Conclusions section at the end of the report: http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/features/136776/Barrel_length.html
 
#16 ·
Ranger 6 said:
Here is a report you might like to see discussing the .223 calibre test using a 24 inch barrel and a 18 inch barrel. Go to the Conclusions section at the end of the report: http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/features/136776/Barrel_length.html
Click to expand...
Thats discussing barrel length, which was my original point:thumb:

The test was only done on a bolt action rifle.

So all things being equal the velocity won't be drastic from semi to bolt-action. Like barrel length, bullet weight etc. does
 
#17 ·
HOG81 said:
Thats discussing barrel length, which was my original point:thumb:

The test was only done on a bolt action rifle.

So all things being equal the velocity won't be drastic from semi to bolt-action. Like barrel length, bullet weight etc. does
Click to expand...
A report on Bolt Action vs. Semi-Automatic .223 rifles, by Donald K. Burleson
http://www.travel-golf.org/ar15_223_bolt_action_vs_semi_automatic_accuracy.htm

and

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=bolt action vs semi auto&fr=mcsaoffblock
 
#18 ·
#19 ·
Ill give him this....
In the .223 rifles, expects says that any differences in ballistics & accuracy would be so small you wouldn't notice. The general consensus is that Bolt action is more accurate than semi-automatic AR’s, but modern day ARs are catching up and the military is starting to switch over to semi-automatic target sniper rifles.
 
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