Bolt action or semi???

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GameTaker

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Not sure if this is the right place to post this question, but here goes: I currently own a Savage Mark 1 .22. It is only a single shot, and I use it quite a bit for grouse hunting. I really want to sell this gun and want something with a clip where I can have quick follow up shots if necessary. Example, today I ran into a flock of 4 ruffies and only got 1. So should I go to a bolt action or a semi .22? I've never owned a semi of any sort, so am unsure which route to go. Thanks!
 
It's 50/50 a semi will let u get off more shots quicker but you will end up paying $$$ for somthing that's a tack driver, a bolt gun like a mkII will cost less but a little slower on follow up shots but you get more accuracy out of the box..

Personally I prefer bolt guns over semis since I'm more comfortable making those "long" shots
 
Thanks for the replies. I've been out bird hunting the last 2 days (our season here in Northern Ontario opened September 15), and I find the birds really skittish. I am unable to get close enough for a shot with my 12 gauge. That's why I find a multiple-shot .22 would be better (especially when you run into flocks!) I have heard that semis can be more problematic than bolt actions.
 
In the cold, the semi can lock up, by praying and spraying..you will be paying for excessive ammo...so a mark II lakefield would do the trick or a Mossy tube fed repeater .
 
In pistol and centerfire I love semi's. In .22 rimfire, I love my CZ453. It's very accurate and cleaning is easy, unlike taking apart a Ruger 10/22.
 
Since it's only a .22 lr I would say semi, a lot of semi's are only inaccurate because people fire off rounds to fast instead of taking the time to get off a accurate second or third shot.
 
If you want a semi-auto that is hunting accurate out of the box....get a Marlin 60 or 795.

With a decent Bushnell rimfire scope, 3/4 inch 10-shot groups at 50 meters are doable with Winchester bulk Dynapoints. It is functionally reliable as well.
 
easyrider604 said:
If you want a semi-auto that is hunting accurate out of the box....get a Marlin 60 or 795.

With a decent Bushnell rimfire scope, 3/4 inch 10-shot groups at 50 meters are doable with Winchester bulk Dynapoints. It is functionally reliable as well.
Click to expand...

Most stock Ruger 10/22's will do close to that too, you just need to make sure you're using ammo that the rifle likes.
 
Bolt or semi?

For your intended purposes, it would seem that you would like a rifle that gives fast follow up shots. A .22 semi-automatic would do this nicely, without you having to really take your eyes off the target to operate the action.

My choices in this respect would be the Ruger 10-22, the Remington 597, and the Marlin 60 rifles. I know this is going to cause a bit of flak, but my choice would be the Remington 597. It can be a very accurate rifle, is available for about $175, and is a bit more man sized than a 10-22 Ruger.

The early Remington 597s had their problems with magazines, but this seems to be corrected now. A lot of people run into problems when they strip the 597 and tighten the guide rods too tight, thus putting pressure and a bit of a bow in them, when they reassemble the rifle. Finger tight only, with no pressure works.

One thing is SAFETY. You MUST check and clear the chamber after shooting or putting the rifle away, when you use a semi-automatic firearm. It has happened many times where someone has taken the magazine out of the firearm, but not pulled back the bolt or slide to eject the live round from the chamber.

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First-off, if you're finding too many grouse, please PM me. I'd be more than happy to help, and the ammo is on me. :)

To your question~I only own bolt-actions .22s for 2 reasons.

#1. I've never shot a semi (out of the box) that can compete, accuracy-wise, with an out-of-the box bolt action, period. The only one that I've heard promising things about is the Thompson R-55 but even then, I don't consider that a field/carry rifle. I've also read that it's fussy on which ammo it'll shoot well. Savage and CZs bolts are what I have the most experience with, but I've owned Winchester levers, a Ruger 10/22, etc.

#2. I like to keep my rifles clean so that they'll function well and look good when the rare opportunity to use them comes-up. Bolt actions are WAY faster to clean because you don't have to take the damned things apart to do it. And no screwdriver involved. :)

So, like any gun purchase, I think it's a matter of setting the criteria based on priorities. Fastest follow-up shot, sounds like you need a semi. Quick follow-up shot with superior accuracy, bolt-action repeater. Great accuracy AND the ability to feed it the widest variety of ammo~bolt-action repeater, w. tubular magazine. Most can digest S,L,LR. Assuming the sky is NOT the limit budget-wise, these would be my choices buying new today;

Semi~Marlin 795 Very inexpensive, very light, inexpensive magazines and available in stainless for a few dollars more.

Bolt-action~Savage Mark II, I like the BV with the heavy barrel and laminate stock, but standard-weight barrels would be a better choice for offhand shots.

Bolt-action tube-fed~I'd be looking at a Marlin XT-22. Supposed to be pretty good rifles, and definitely inexpensive.

Good luck, the research is part of the fun!
 
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