what's the appeal of bolt action shotguns?
- Thread starter Skeebap
- Start date
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Probably was more simple for them to build. Maybe lighter.
I still like to get one with the poly choke.
I still like to get one with the poly choke.
stripperclipper
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Middle East Alberta
The only reason I own bolt action shotguns is because they were so cheap I had to buy them.
Not great doubles guns though...
Not great doubles guns though...
I owned a bolt 410 for awhile. Great for grouse.
They dont seem like they wud be practical for much else except as slug guns.
But i really like them.
Mostly cuz i just love running bolts.
I mime running a bolt all the time. My son (7) does it too. He makes sound effects and everything.
My wife even says I sometimes run a bolt in my sleep.
They dont seem like they wud be practical for much else except as slug guns.
But i really like them.
Mostly cuz i just love running bolts.
I mime running a bolt all the time. My son (7) does it too. He makes sound effects and everything.
My wife even says I sometimes run a bolt in my sleep.
I've owned a couple of bolt action shotguns
One was a converted 98 action, called "Geha" It was accurate enough but very slow to operate. I ended up using it exclusively for shooting slugs.
The other was a JC Higgins, which I drilled and tapped for a scope mount. It was used exclusively as a slug gun and would shoot slightly under 4 inches at 100yds.
I never did warm up to either of these shotguns, but that was just me. Both of them did everything they were supposed to do well.
One was a converted 98 action, called "Geha" It was accurate enough but very slow to operate. I ended up using it exclusively for shooting slugs.
The other was a JC Higgins, which I drilled and tapped for a scope mount. It was used exclusively as a slug gun and would shoot slightly under 4 inches at 100yds.
I never did warm up to either of these shotguns, but that was just me. Both of them did everything they were supposed to do well.
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I read that the design was intended to appeal to men who had served in the world wars and were were used to bolt action rifles. And because they were inexpensive. Whoever it was writing that also said the design is basically useless.
I'm a little late to the party, the other guys have summed it up pretty well. There's no real benefit vs a pump, o/u or semi besides "i like them" and they are and were super cheap. The old clunky heavy savage/stevens are particularly annoying to carry with their chunky 2x4 stock.
There's a tube fed bolt action that was made by J.C. Higgins also sold under the sears brand that was MUCH nicer than the others at the time and had a cool action but they weren't very common and you don't see them very often.
I fall in to the "I like them for some reason" group and wish there there was a more modern bolt action available that was light to carry, 20-24"ish barrel and removable chokes. It would make a nice slug gun and i like a shorter barrel for rabbit hunting through thicker alders.
There's a tube fed bolt action that was made by J.C. Higgins also sold under the sears brand that was MUCH nicer than the others at the time and had a cool action but they weren't very common and you don't see them very often.
I fall in to the "I like them for some reason" group and wish there there was a more modern bolt action available that was light to carry, 20-24"ish barrel and removable chokes. It would make a nice slug gun and i like a shorter barrel for rabbit hunting through thicker alders.
The mossberg bolt actions with detachable mag are clunky to use due to stiff mag insertion. The 20 / 410 versions are scaled down and quite light and handy otherwise. I like the external choke versions on those.
The older jc higgins with the long tube mag however is much nicer in most ways and more fun. I've only seen the 12 gauge versions in Canada however. 2-3/4 shells only. They load much like a pump action tube feed. Note that in the final years these came with a shorter tube mag...not my favorite version.
The older jc higgins with the long tube mag however is much nicer in most ways and more fun. I've only seen the 12 gauge versions in Canada however. 2-3/4 shells only. They load much like a pump action tube feed. Note that in the final years these came with a shorter tube mag...not my favorite version.
I’ve owned 3-4 over many years. There is no advantage! They are slow, some are bulky and fit is very hit and miss. They are cheep and that is why most sell. A truck gun or barn gun but not a good hunting gun. This is only my experience and worth what you paid for it 
The first shotgun I owned was a converted Mauser 98 action "Geha" 16 gauge that I bought for $10 at a time when I was earning $1.90 an hour pumping gas. That was a while ago! I sold it somewhere along the way and a few years ago I bought a good Geha 16 gauge for $150 (inflation, inflation) which I use occasionally on wet days for wandering along trails looking for damp spruce grouse.
