Bolt vs Semi for Moose/Deer hunting
- Thread starter duckdog
- Start date
ninepointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
Semi's are somewhat out of fashion amongst gun enthusiasts, but they are well-suited for Ontario deer & moose hunting and remain popular amongst Ontario hunters. The main concern with semis in my opinion is reliability in feeding/functioning and there are many reasons for this, some of which apply to the gun and others that apply to the owner. In my camp there are several Remington 742's & 7600's. Most work great, but a couple never seem to function reliably (this includes a new gun). If I had to pick one type of action, I would get a bolt action.
I have found that the majority of moose hunters (based on my observations) use primarily bolt action rifles. Bolt actions are strong, accurate, and extremely dependable. Plus they can be rather affordable too ($350 for a Stevens, and upward).
I have seen some Remington semi's, but they are few and far between from my experience.
As for deer, well it seems there are alot of levers floating around but these rifles limit your options in caliber selection unless its a BLR. Savage 99's, Sako Finnwolf's (rare), and Winchester 88's give you a little more selection than the 94's and Marlins, but you are still restricted to short actions.
It all depends on personal preference, but a bolt action is a do it all rifle in my opinion.
I have seen some Remington semi's, but they are few and far between from my experience.
As for deer, well it seems there are alot of levers floating around but these rifles limit your options in caliber selection unless its a BLR. Savage 99's, Sako Finnwolf's (rare), and Winchester 88's give you a little more selection than the 94's and Marlins, but you are still restricted to short actions.
It all depends on personal preference, but a bolt action is a do it all rifle in my opinion.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Agree for the most part with "ninepointers" views, especially with reference to the Remington 740's, 742's and 7400's ( and probably the new 750's too),
however, IMHO, it's rarely the gun that's at fault, but moreover, a lack of care and maintenance on the owner's part. Additionally, one rarely sees a 7600 pump that malfunctions or misfeeds.
Whether one picks a bolt, lever, pump or auto-loader is largely a matter of choice ... all will do the job on deer, moose and black bear with a suitable cartridge choice, well-constructed bullets for the purpose at hand... and proper shot placement.
Have owned and taken game with all of the action types mentioned, but over the last couple of years have been using a single shot. One shot well-placed takes precedence over speed of loading and magazine capacity. It's a rare opening day I don't hear 5 fast shots followed by a pause and then a few more ... Bubba's unloaded one clip and part of another at a bouncing white flag ... and missed again !
however, IMHO, it's rarely the gun that's at fault, but moreover, a lack of care and maintenance on the owner's part. Additionally, one rarely sees a 7600 pump that malfunctions or misfeeds.
Whether one picks a bolt, lever, pump or auto-loader is largely a matter of choice ... all will do the job on deer, moose and black bear with a suitable cartridge choice, well-constructed bullets for the purpose at hand... and proper shot placement.
Have owned and taken game with all of the action types mentioned, but over the last couple of years have been using a single shot. One shot well-placed takes precedence over speed of loading and magazine capacity. It's a rare opening day I don't hear 5 fast shots followed by a pause and then a few more ... Bubba's unloaded one clip and part of another at a bouncing white flag ... and missed again !
One factor to consider, depending on the cartridge you're choosing, is that higher energy loads (either handloads or 'High energy' factories) don't do well in semis as a rule.
There's also simplicity. As was mentioned, a semi takes more maintenence and effort to function properly than a bolt. Semi's are also more of a pain to clean, tho not that much more.
Personally - I'd say bolt is the way to go. Having said that - i do hunt with a 7600 pump action (which i consider to be the best of both worlds - speed of a semi with the reliability of a bolt and can shoot HE cartridges). However - in the 5 years or so i've been shooting it, I've never actually really needed that fast second follow up, and when I first got it I found i had a bad habit of 'double tapping' animals when I really didn't need to.
If you're not sure which way to go, i'd suggest going with a bolt. They just work. Or consider a 7600 if you really feel the need for a fast second shot - tho you're limited to 30-06 as the most powerful cartridge for it (which is perfectly fine for moose and deer).
There's also simplicity. As was mentioned, a semi takes more maintenence and effort to function properly than a bolt. Semi's are also more of a pain to clean, tho not that much more.
Personally - I'd say bolt is the way to go. Having said that - i do hunt with a 7600 pump action (which i consider to be the best of both worlds - speed of a semi with the reliability of a bolt and can shoot HE cartridges). However - in the 5 years or so i've been shooting it, I've never actually really needed that fast second follow up, and when I first got it I found i had a bad habit of 'double tapping' animals when I really didn't need to.
If you're not sure which way to go, i'd suggest going with a bolt. They just work. Or consider a 7600 if you really feel the need for a fast second shot - tho you're limited to 30-06 as the most powerful cartridge for it (which is perfectly fine for moose and deer).
i agree with beretta boy on the guns care and cleaning by the owner. i have a rem.700 7mmrem.ultra mag for moose and a rem.7600 .30-06 for both deer and moose.in my part of the country we set hounds for deer. for that i carry a marlin 336 in .30-30. when a deer gets running and bouncing through the bush my gang shoots semi's , levers, and pumps for quicker follow up shots. a bolt can't really follow up as quickly but there are many deer shot with them as well.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
Get what you want. If you choose a semi, don't "want a Remington". Go with a Browning BAR.
I have hunted with both bolt actions and a BAR. I took alot of moose with my BAR, only deer with my bolts (so far).
I have hunted with both bolt actions and a BAR. I took alot of moose with my BAR, only deer with my bolts (so far).
If your going Semi,go BAR.I have owned a few BARS,and found all of them to be 100% reliable,and accurate.I cant say the same for Remingtons.Out of 20 or so Remingtons I have had only two of them that cycled reliably.
I like a semi,or a bolt,but prefer a pump.
Well since you said Northern Ontario, I would assume your party hunting since that's almost the only way to get a tag anymore.
I would leave those Single Shots at home, attempting to dump a Cow, a Calf & maybe a bull too, at one time if your party has enough tags could get interesting
I prefer a bolt for moose but have used semi's in the reliable BARs (man I hate that clip in those things).
In your position I would use whatever gun your most comfortable with & shoot with most confidence
I would leave those Single Shots at home, attempting to dump a Cow, a Calf & maybe a bull too, at one time if your party has enough tags could get interesting
I prefer a bolt for moose but have used semi's in the reliable BARs (man I hate that clip in those things).
In your position I would use whatever gun your most comfortable with & shoot with most confidence
Remmy pump in 30-06 or a Tikka T3 in 30-06. Either one is excellent.
You pick. I've had only one semi-auto hunting rifle, and while it was very accurate, it had issues with feeding factory ammo. Dumped it and got a bolt gun. Issues ceased, meat increased, moose deceased. Nuff said.
You pick. I've had only one semi-auto hunting rifle, and while it was very accurate, it had issues with feeding factory ammo. Dumped it and got a bolt gun. Issues ceased, meat increased, moose deceased. Nuff said.
I am going to be using a Ruger Carbine in .44 mag. this year for our deer hunt. Have put both factory and my reloads in it without a hiccup, probably 150 of each. I have no worries that it will work flawlessly. I am taking a 6.5x55 swede as well for a back up gun, one never knows what can happen to a firearm while hunting, falls etc.
7.62mm
. I am taking a 6.5x55 swede as well for a back up gun, one never knows what can happen to a firearm while hunting, falls etc.7.62mm
I would choose lever, pump or bolt over semi, especially if I were only to take 1 firearm. Although the semi might feel powerful and a quick second chance, they have been known to fail on the first try.
Semi's are prone to jamming and slowing down in the cold (from oil etc...). you have to be very careful to being using a correct oil to not have this effect. I have heard about many people driving north to end up with a firearm that won't shoot in the cold.
with a bolt, lever, pump...you can use your own power to compensate for the extra stiffness in the action from weather.
On a side note, 1 shot should be good enough. If you require a semi to take an animal, you probably shouldn't be hunting. When some people use a semi, they tend to rely less on aiming and more on splatter. This quite often allows the animal to escape and lots of laughter from neighboring hunters.
This information has been researched, not experienced by me. But I have heard these from many different sources. Another thing to take note, a lot of people take a second rifle when they travel to hunt. Nothing worse then going somewhere to have no reason to be there.
A cheap $100 303 enfield can act great as a primary/secondary hunting rifle. I know many people who use these rifles as their primary weapon for moose and deer.
Semi's are prone to jamming and slowing down in the cold (from oil etc...). you have to be very careful to being using a correct oil to not have this effect. I have heard about many people driving north to end up with a firearm that won't shoot in the cold.
with a bolt, lever, pump...you can use your own power to compensate for the extra stiffness in the action from weather.
On a side note, 1 shot should be good enough. If you require a semi to take an animal, you probably shouldn't be hunting. When some people use a semi, they tend to rely less on aiming and more on splatter. This quite often allows the animal to escape and lots of laughter from neighboring hunters.
This information has been researched, not experienced by me. But I have heard these from many different sources. Another thing to take note, a lot of people take a second rifle when they travel to hunt. Nothing worse then going somewhere to have no reason to be there.
A cheap $100 303 enfield can act great as a primary/secondary hunting rifle. I know many people who use these rifles as their primary weapon for moose and deer.
Too funny ggpr
If I had been using a single I would not have gotten these two.I highly doubt I would have even had a chance with a bolt because I am not good enough with a bolt.Both these deer came to me full out with three hounds on their asses.And no it wasn't the dog in the pic chasing them.
Shot with my trusty 760 carbine in 280.
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