Semi Auto vs Bolt

B_Mc

Is there truely any difference in accuarcy????

That is what i thought. I am getting tired of argueing with my cousin who thinks that his Browning BAR is the most accurate thing they have ever made.

Mooseyard

Generally the answer is yes. There is a huge difference between a bolt and a SA. Bolt actions have fewer moving parts, the receivers are generally stiffer, and the lock-up of the bolt is usually much better. You'll never see a top competitor in Benchrest using a SA.I hope this makes sense.

I.Shute

Mooseyard said it right.
Semi Auto's are for quick follow-up shots at moving animals in un-open cover at fairly close ranges.
Bolt actions are best for long range heart shots at standing game, long shots at varmints and target shooting.

skyfish

Just to add fuel to the fire, the Brownings are the most accurate semi-auto's I've been around, and my Armalite and M1A are not that bad, but not what a bolt action is. With the few BAR's I've seen I don't think 90% of people could tell a difference unless on a bench rest. Now I do hunt with a bolt action as last weekend both my gun and I were covered with ice and snow.

Pearyw

There is no getting around the fact that the best bolt actions will shoot tighter groups than the best semi-autos.

lts

Sounds like it's time for you to smoke your cousin with a bolt gun!

mutter

Bolts are generally more accurate but top competitors do shoot the SA M1 Garand at camp Perry.

PA Shootist

The advantage of a semi-auto in timed and rapid fire events, for example 10 shots in 60 seconds, including a magazine change or clip reload, are that far more time can be used coming out of recoil, aligning sights, and finessing the trigger, when you don't have to disturb your hold and manipulate a bolt-action. And the Camp Perry-style target shooting is fairly well served by two minutes of angle accuracy in the rifle itself. The larger factor is the shooter, and his part in the shot getting away accurately.

MBK

I have a bunch of rifles, and I test them all on the bench, several time, and then at least yearly.

My 2 most accurate bolts are a 98 Capture Mauser in 30:06 HB, and my Swiss K31's, and yes, the 1903A3 Remington Sporter. Right behind these, and ahead of about 48 other guns are 2 circa 1966/67 Rem 742's,and a Winchester 100 in 308. Those old semi's beat a lot of bolts and levers. I have another 1962 Win 100 but I will never scope it...it is so unused, the internal parts haven't had their blue wear off.

My most accurate 22 is a Mossberg semi from 1957, my first gun...it was burgled, and found in the woods 17 months later, and re-done. It beats a 22mag Marlin 25MN, a 39a, and 2 Model 60's.

charliemeyer007

From my experence with more than 100 rifles; I have had 2 bolt guns that could shoot as well or better than I could hold and 1 that shot factory ammo better than my reloads. I currently own no autoloader rifles and prefer to shoot my wheel guns for pistols.

5mmgunguy

I think everyone has summed it up very well...the bolt action is more accurate, but htere are comditions were a quick second or third shot from SA is more important than better than MOA accuracy.

COLT

...Years ago the answer would be a definate yes, that a bolt action was more accurate; but with todays semi's, there is negligable difference between the two.

...There are numerous examples of semi's that are as or more accurate than a lot of bolt actions.

... A LOT depends on the quality of the rifle, and ALL depends on the shooter...[;)]