Lever vs bolt for fast follow up shots

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Right now, do you want to be holding a lever action or the guides bolt action which is chambered in a stopping cartridge! Possibly a 416 or 458 of some kind.
 
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MTM said:
I hunt with an 870 but my defender is what I carry for hikes. Can't imagine haveing any kind of problem with one. I can unload all 8 in very short order, plus the heat shield, side saddle and pistol grip are great for putting the fear of god into uninvited two legged visiters while camping. For straight bear defence, a short barrelled .458.
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I agree with your post the most. A bolt action may be slower then a lever but it is stronger and more reliable, especially in adverse weather conditions. And it can handle the bigger cartridges with more knockdown power. With enough knockdown power that greatly lessen the need to even need a fast follow up shot, unless you miss the animal completely.
 
I think it's what you use best..Levers are fast, but bolts can be fast, too.

I dont' liek levers much, I find them annoying to use for the most part. although I do like the Mdl 71 and the 1895...;)
 
My 14inch 870P is my go-to gun for animal defence. I had a guidegun and sold it quickly. I grew up shooting bolt guns and they are what I am most proficient with (between bolts and lever) so Id have to choose a CRF bolt action with a 20 inch bbl .
 
Gibbs505 said:
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Right now, do you want to be holding a lever action or the guides bolt action which is chambered in a stopping cartridge! Possibly a 416 or 458 of some kind.
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I'd definitely reconsider my defense gun around them! Actually I'd make sure I had a guide there to deal with him for me. ;)

Of course the point of the thread was which action is the fastest, and for me the pump/lever types are faster. Given identical cartridges in both rifles, I'd choose the pump or lever for in close fast action. Certainly a personal preference thing.

If using a bolt action my comfort zone would change, and I'd be making the decision to shoot a bit farther out.
 
"Does he really need the scope?"

lol!

One of my clients had a 303 he used for putting down problem bears. He mentioned having to put down 3 one season, and during the conversation I ended up asking him how he liked the sights on his rifle.

"Sights? I don't use sights. I just walk up and poke him in the nose with the barrel, and pull the trigger."
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Guides choose bolt guns because they are sucked in by bolt gun hype.

That said, I think heavy recoil levels the field considerably, for ALL action types.
It comes down to the shooter, and how familiar he or she is with the firearm in question. Practice is key.

Yes, I'd take the lever gun.
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Guides choose bolt guns for a reason. Bolts have few moving parts and are easy to clean in the field when you fall in a mud hole. They are simply the most accurate and reliable repeating action requiring the least maintenance when in a field camp situation for months on end. I own levers and love them but when I am working in the bush for months I take a bolt gun.

As to the fastest IMO nothing beats a pump shotgun for pure speed (that isn't an autoloader). Effectiveness is a complete other animal best left to the other 2000 debates already held on this subject this year.
 
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