Why bolts and scopes.

[westcoaster]

I don't understand the fixation today with bolts and scopes.

Well, I do. I own many. I think it's only because I didn't know any better. Today at the range, a gentleman there allowed me to shoot his lever action rifle with a williams peep sight (marlin 336).

The rifle is only $460 and $85 for the sight. that's a pretty cheap package.

let me tell you something, though. The gun handles 20x better than any bolt action and the aperture sight shoots so well and naturally. There's really nothing to be knocked loose and no large awkward scope to throw off the balance or lose zero or lenses to have to keep clean.

I never considered an option like this because I always thought lever guns 'weren't accurate' and that a scope was needed for accurate shooting.

Now, I admit that I'm not so accurate with buckhorn sights but an aperture is such a pleasure to shoot. I put a 5 shot group at the centre and one shot at the top left target at 100 yards and couldn't believe how reasonable the accuracy was. Definitely suitable for hunting.

I thought that old 30-30 would be utterly unsuitable for 200 yards but when I fired it at that range, it only had a drop of 8". At that range, you simply put the bead over the desired point of impact instead of below it and you will hit dead on.

Why have I been using giant, heavy bolt guns with unweildly scopes? Why are they necessary in average hunting situations? In fact, I'm beginning to think they are actually undesirable.

I'm about to sell some bolt guns for some good lever-lovin'!

If you are taking a liking to levers then good for you. To the gist of what others have mentioned - shoot what you like but shoot it well.

I do have a lever, mainly because it was my father's. For me, the levers I have handled are too small and the barrels too short so they don't point right - for me.

I do shoot iron sights accurately but at short or long range they are not faster or more accurate then an appropriately sized good quality scope. And at last light especially, a good quality scope is significantly superior to iron sights.

I do agree with you however that the last few years there has been a trend to heavier barrels and larger scopes. These have a place but I think it is punching paper at a range rather than carrying all day. As the practicality of heavy, clumsy rifles is proven out they will return to the bench where they belong.

 

[Calum]

Ah c'mon Calum, where's your sense of adventure Gutting a bull moose alone in the dark in bear central makes for some exciting stuff. I'd like to always shoot 'em at first light, but you take 'em when you can and most start moving just at the edge of last legal light.

Lol, especially if the bears have figured out that gunshot sound = possible gut pile snack. I have come across a few bears over the years that have this Pavlovian training.

 

[c-fbmi]

Lol, especially if the bears have figured out that gunshot sound = possible gut pile snack. I have come across a few bears over the years that have this Pavlovian training.

Cool.......bonus then you get to skin a bear in the dark after you're done the moose.

 

[adriel]

I really like a lever for stomping through the woods, but you really can't beat the accuracy and simplicity of a bolt/scope combo for 150+ yards. On target faster, more accurate, and you don't need your binoculars to see type/size of the deer. Especially in dusk when the scope does a better job of gathering light than your eye can.