Importance of rapid second shot in hunting situations

[buckchaser]

My hunting partner and I were having a "fireside chat" about various hunting topics as we wait for the snow to melt to bring on spring turkey season ..

The topic of the importance of a rapid second shot in big game hunting situations came up. We typically hunt in the dense "big woods" of Ontario where game encounters can be brief and fast.

He's a Browning BLR fan and said he felt the ability to rapidly chamber a second (or even third) shot while hunting deer in the dense "big woods" is key.

I also have a BLR, but have traditionally been a bolt action guy and am likely returning to that - a long story related to some issues with the BLR thus far. I've long felt that the rapid second shot argument was overrated because 1) the first shot is by far the most important and 2) a bolt action can be worked fast enough to provide a reasonably quick second shot (albeit not nearly as quickly as a semi automatic or lever action) I've only required a second shot (other than to finish off a downed animal) on one occasion and often feel the ability to shoot quickly leads hunters to "spray and pray".

Anyone care to comment?

 

[kennymo]

The first shot is, as you state, the most important. I've always used a bolt action for deer except for a brief stint with a 300 win mag BLR that didn't work out. Never felt lacking with the bolt action, even in the bush. A little rapid fire practise and you can still make that follow up damn quick. That said, the guys with levers, pumps and semis usually get their deer too. You're probably best off using the gun you're most comfortable with.
As for 'spray and pray', I've seen bolt guys take wild shots too. This is a hunter problem, not the gun.

 

[PatchRat]

I pretty much agree with Kennymo here. For moose, I was always taught to put the first shot through the front shoulder so it can't go far, and then the second fast follow up shot into the lungs so it can't go anywhere, but the logic seems a little funny to me. 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?

 

[Northman999]

Having a quick second shot available can be nice for those occaisional times when it is needed, but it can also be a liability for a newer hunter who is not fully committed to make the first shot count.

 

[Calum]

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?

This depends on the person holding the rifle and how much practice they have put in.

If they are the average hunter who is only at the range the day before open season and doesn't touch their rifle all year then I'd hazard to guess they would NOT be very proficient at the task at hand. Someone that puts the time in can actually be pretty damn fast with a single shot rifle.

 

[blasted_saber]

I hunt deer and moose in the "dense woods" of central Ontario as well and never felt the need for a anything other then a bolt action rifle. I find most of those who proclaim they need a semi or pump for a "fast follow up" are those who dont spend adequate time on the range in the first place. Ive also not seen any examples of it actually helping these guys. They either kill the deer on the first shot or take a handful of shots and dont hit it at all. For that matter I know several hunters who can cycle and shoot more accurately with a bolt action then the average semi or pump shooter. Key word "accurately".

Dont get my wrong, im not saying dont use those rifles, but I dont find the excuse "fast follow up" a valid one.

Make the first shot count and it doesnt matter the action of the rifle.

 

['Boo]

Knowing a quick second shot is available sometime leads to the shooter rushing the first shot resulting in less than perfect placement.

 

[drift1122]

I always like having the mechanical advantage of a semi with me while I go hunting.

 

[blasted_saber]

I always like having the mechanical advantage of a semi with me while I go hunting.

I like the mechanical simplicity of a bolt action.

 

[Fudge Monkey]

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!

 

[drift1122]

I like the mechanical simplicity of a bolt action.

Can't argue with that.
I have both but I prefer the semi, both actions have their own unique charm

 

[rral22]

Very, very rarely is a second shot effective if it is taken any faster than a decent guy on a bolt action can easily manage. To get off an effective second shot takes way more time than cycling the action on a bolt gun, so any more "action speed" is likely irrelevant in real hunting situations. If you are truly after a fast, effective second shot, a pump is way faster than a lever. Semis, of course, are the fastest, but, for hunting, I think the question of the speed of the action is almost irrelevant.

When I choose an action, I think about accuracy potential, simplicity of take down and cleaning, and the ability to respond to hand loading without issue. That ALL favors bolt actions. Since I don't care about any more speed of operation, that's my choice.

 

[Superbrad]

I'm a bolt junkie.... even my walk and stalk rifle is a bolt (gunsite scout).... I always make sure my first shot counts or I don't take it.... While I am a meat hunter I don't worry as much as some about wasting meat with a second... If the animal is running after first shot I will always try to get a second into it and with bolts guns I find that 1- I am not overly limted and can usually rack another one quick enough for a second and 2- That second it takes me to rack another round actually helps me focus on the shot rather than trying a quick point and shoot with no specific target aim involved....

 

[hawk-i]

IF a second or more follow up shots are NEEDED they are then the MOST important shots of the day! If you feel you're quick enough with a bolt gun, go with that. If you're not then a lever or semi might be what you need.

 

[guntech]

Many bolt action shooters can get 3 accurate shots off as fast as a lever action can... practice cycling with dummy ammo. Familiarity with your rifle makes it easy ...

 

[Dogleg]

I think the speed of the action itself to secondary to the man operating it; and that is a distant second to the mind-set of getting the rifle immediately back ready for action and be instantly willing to clobber your animal again. This isn't about fast shooting to make up for misses, not all hits are as effective as we'd like them to be.

If you hunt long enough something is going to get back up; and those are out-numbered by the ones that don't go down the way they were supposed to. Then my favorites, the game animals that you don't even expect to go straight down. All are best served by ripping that bolt back like you're going to need it, and not having to have conference to decide whether you'll use it.

 

[Calum]

Many bolt action shooters can get 3 accurate shots off as fast as a lever action can... practice cycling with dummy ammo. Familiarity with your rifle makes it easy ...

Exactly.

The sad part is many won't practice so they might as well have a musket.

 

[MIRAMICHIER]

If you on your second shot that means you missed the first shot which you are not suppose to.I seen one time a numbered list of excuses for missing.

 

[brybenn]

To me the second fast follow up shot comes more on waterfowl and upland game when the lead is misjudged the second barrel usually gets them. I grew up with pump guns and can rack and follow thru smoothly

However last Sept I had a black bear actually rush me in thick cover. I gave it the right barrel of my sxs at 12' and thankfully dropped it and never used the Second shot. I was sure glad it was there ready for immediate use. I'm good with a bolt and lever but there was no way I could have chambered another round fast enough.
For deer a well placed shot thru the lungs and or shoulders will bring them down. Often that Second shot if it finds its mark is usually up the ass which ruins a lot of meat

I wait for the right shot and try to make my best on the first

 

[kennymo]

I pretty much agree with Kennymo here. For moose, I was always taught to put the first shot through the front shoulder so it can't go far, and then the second fast follow up shot into the lungs so it can't go anywhere, but the logic seems a little funny to me. 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?

In my formative years of hunting (meaning before I could afford to buy my own guns) I used to hunt ducks and geese with a single shot 16 gauge. Keep two spare shells tucked between your fingers and it's pretty surprising how fast you can toss another one down the pipe!