Importance of rapid second shot in hunting situations

I started out with a lever action, then went to a pump with scope, then a long stint of bowhunting, all NS thick woods. Now, I'm getting back into gun hunting, but due to health issues I'll be sitting in place, 12 gauge pump with slugs for deer and .223 single shot for coyotes. I'm old enough and being used to bow hunting, I'm OK with these setups, as both have taught me to wait for the "right" shot or take none at all. Trust me, if I could walk the woods, like I used to, the .270 pump would come out of the safe:)
 
Lots of pompous "shouldn't need a second shot" comments as expected. I've never used a semi of any kind for hunting, but if someone wants to, so be it. Undermining the argument for a semi in a hunting scenario only gives the anti crowd firmer footing to argue for banning all semi's outright.
 
I've owned and used all of 'em, and they all have a place in hunting, or manufacturers wouldn't be making them, stores wouldn't be selling them and nobody would be buying. They're all made, sold and shot. Only twice in 60 years have I NEEDED a fast follow-up for big game.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca
 
When/if a second shot is needed (happens to the best of us), the faster the gun cycles means more time to take and place the second shot.
 
I find it pathedic how people are always judged by the gun they carry. Just because someone decides to use a semi for hunting does not automatically mean they don't care about the first shot and just spray and pray. I own both bolts and semi's and they both serve their purpose when used. Having a few deer run by with dogs on them is where a semi can be useful. Not everyone hunts the same and not everyone needs the same tools, thats why different guns are built for different tasks.
 
canthitathing said:
Lots of pompous "shouldn't need a second shot" comments as expected. I've never used a semi of any kind for hunting, but if someone wants to, so be it. Undermining the argument for a semi in a hunting scenario only gives the anti crowd firmer footing to argue for banning all semi's outright.
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While I agree with you in regards to the second shot comments (We know it's CGN and everyone makes that first shot count no matter what the scenario), I disagree that som epeople personally not liking semis causes an argument to ban them.... Watching everything we say just in case the antis may be reading is pandering, and as law abiding gun owners and hunters I don;t think we should be pandering to anyone....
 
It's all application, and hunter preferences. On certain species, a rapid, effortless second shot is a damn fine idea and the whole reason doubles have such a following where they do, but I'm changing continents with that one. On those same continents where a double is often held in high esteem among professionals, you'll find another group of professionals of the opposite opinion and hardware. Of the two PHs I hunted Lion with, one carried an FN Mauser .458, the other a .470 Nitro double, both were equally experienced hunting Lion and things otherwise that often require some quick reactions.

The moral to me? Shoot what you like and what suits your style, there are very few wrong answers, and nothing is best except what works for you. The often touted limitations of most choices are often baseless, such as a bolt action being slow, or the double (or lever or semi for that matter) being inaccurate. I know there are bolt gunners out there who can match or better me with my double rifle for speed. The semis or levers being unreliable, or pushing a shooter to take a poorer shot because of what's on tap? Also hogwash, I hunt wolves every winter with semis and there's no better tool, for me, for that job. I've suffered none of the supposed shortcomings of nearly any gun I try, but rather exploited the advantages.

In my opinion, pick the gun that suits your particular preferences, and don't sweat what the guy next door is using or thinks. In the end they all just spit out a piece of accelerated metal.
 
Fudge Monkey said:
There are variables beyond our control or understanding that despite the perfect text book shot, the animal doesnt go down like we had hoped. I once needed a quick follow up shot that wasn't available because I had a black powder gun.
That's when I decided a BAR was In the cards. I wanted a follow up shot available as quickly as my mind could signal my finger to send one.

It's April. Posts like this are giving me buck fever already!
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I'll quote myself to add another point.
After the initial shot, manually cycling a second round can give away my position. Even when my target goes down, my reaction is to load another quickly just in case. So if its laid down, it might be less apt to get scared and run off if i stay still and let it expire peacefully.
Not arguing the point (with myself :p) simply a matter of preference.
 
I can remember my grandfather laying out 10 shells in the duck blind. Why grandpa? i'd ask as i'd unpack my 2 boxes. "That's the limit" he would say. Jump to present time and the phrase is "one shot one kill" Marksmanship through practice.
 
burnsy56 said:
I can remember my grandfather laying out 10 shells in the duck blind. Why grandpa? i'd ask as i'd unpack my 2 boxes. "That's the limit" he would say. Jump to present time and the phrase is "one shot one kill" Marksmanship through practice.
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Only take the doubles and you only need 5 shells.
 
PatchRat said:
Also, the guy who taught me that refused to hunt with anything other than a Ruger #1 in 7mm rem mag, so really, how fast can you get a follow up shot off with a single shot rifle?
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There have been people pass the shooting portion of the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters Association exam with a Ruger #1 so they can be made to run very quickly.

I'm a firm believer is having a second shot available in short order. Sure, if you made a quality first shot it will be unnecessary but if Murphy intruded at all the ability to follow up will be most welcome. I shot a lot in preparation for my trip to RSA and to Zimbabwe and as a result I run the bolt as a reflex in a hunting situation. Fast follow ups may not be important while shooting whitetails in an open field, but when you're hunting something that might decide to kill you or someone else if you gag the shot, you had better be ready. I know a guy that was killed due to poor shooting on his client's part. I don't ever want to have someone's death on my conscience because I did something wrong.
 
Just before I shoot I remind myself to reload quickly and shoot again. Getting a second one in them can save the day and a lot of hard work sometimes.

Standing there like an idiot admiring your shot while a 1000lb moose runs of into the muskeg is foolish.
 
I always reload as fast as I can, no matter what. You just never know. Whether or not you'll need it can be decided after you get a fresh one in the chamber. I won't ever let the first one go unless I know it's a shot I can make, with hunting being what it is sometimes things happen, you pulled a bit at the shot, clipped a branch, didn't quite lead enough, whatever. Sometimes a 2nd is needed. I subscribe to the "shoot em till they fall down" philosophy, even if I know the first one is a killer I never hesitate to send another one or two at the animal.
 
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I haven't read all of the posts, so this may have been mentioned. I can appreciate a good semi or pump/lever while hunting deer with dogs.
 
Whatever one likes to hunt with is fine by me. If you like the fast follow-up a semi or [put your other action here] provides, I'm all for that.

Personally, I do not put a lot of dependency on follow-up shots, but will quickly chamber a second round just to be sure.

It is not often that I have used the second shot, but it is wise to be ready to do so.

I am a firm believer in making the first shot count, but even the best plans can go south....best to be ready.

Regards, Dave.
 
Make the first shot count. Flick the action, then make the second shot count if you find it necessary to make one, repeat as required. The difference between a novice and a competent rifleman is not just marksmanship and rifle handling, but also what happens once the shot breaks on a live target. The hunter who drops his rifle to waist level, to admire his handiwork, is not acting like a competent rifleman, even if he's a fine shot. What he ought to do is maintain his position, work his action as quickly as he can manage in order to cut the lag time between his last shot and the realization of the necessity of a subsequent shot. This is not spray and pray, rather its the deliberate and expert use of the rifle within it's mechanical limitations and precision. The action type is not important, although we each have our preferences. A falling block single shot rifle can do surprisingly well because once the effects of recoil have been ridden out and the chamber reloaded, then the cheek must still return to the comb, the target still has to be reacquired, the sight picture has to be restored, lead, if necessary, must be determined, and the trigger pressed at the right moment. If practical shooting is the object of the exercise, all action types can be used effectively in the field, given some dedication on the part of the rifleman.
 
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I am thinking that probably 95% of all the animals that my wife and I have put in the freezer over the past fifty years have been with a single shot. It's the 5% that are disconcerting, and IMO need, perhaps, more care and attention than rapidity of fire.

Ted
 
I have to make my 1st shot count. Ive only been hunting for 3 years now. ( Bolt actions ) And with buck fever, tunnel vision and jumping around like a schoolgirl doesn't give me much time to follow up...
 
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