Im buying a 22. rimfire and im wondering which one i should buy semi-auto or bolt action?
What are the pros and conns of both?
Thanks James
What are the pros and conns of both?
Thanks James
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Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
- Thread starter Bob_Lee_Swagger
- Start date
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
Fer whut?
Without a lot of fiddling or money, even a $200 Savage MKII has a much better trigger than any factory semiauto .22.
A 10/22 can be built to shoot really well, all it takes is $100 worth of barrel tuning or $200-300 in new barrel, and a trigger job or a$300 KID trigger.
Stocks and optics are excluded because either type action can be made to shoot in the stock stock.
If you're playing some game with time limits, you might want the 10/22, but the ultimate in trigger and whole rifle accuracy comes in bolt action form. The KID trigger is awful good, but because a bolt gun doesn't have the rattling and vibration of the auto, the trigger cam be more precise.
Factory barrels from Savage, CZ, and Marlin are usually better than Ruger barrels, except the 10/22-T hammer forged barrel.
No other .22 auto is suitable. The modularity of the 10/22 makes it adaptable to any usage.
The semiauto exception is the .22 AR15. With the right barrel (Compass Lake, Ballistic Advantage, or Accuracy Speaks) match accuracy is possible, but you're talking $1000-3000 for a complete rifle with optic and lower.
It's pretty easy to dump $1K into a 10/22, too.
Out of the box, a Savage MKII with AccuTrigger drives tacks, As really good triggers go, the .22 AccuTrigger isnt that great, but for a $200 rifle, it's unbelievable. Add a 20-25 minute rail, optic, and bipod, float the barrel, and you have an effective, accurate budget gun.
Fer whut?
Without a lot of fiddling or money, even a $200 Savage MKII has a much better trigger than any factory semiauto .22.
A 10/22 can be built to shoot really well, all it takes is $100 worth of barrel tuning or $200-300 in new barrel, and a trigger job or a$300 KID trigger.
Stocks and optics are excluded because either type action can be made to shoot in the stock stock.
If you're playing some game with time limits, you might want the 10/22, but the ultimate in trigger and whole rifle accuracy comes in bolt action form. The KID trigger is awful good, but because a bolt gun doesn't have the rattling and vibration of the auto, the trigger cam be more precise.
Factory barrels from Savage, CZ, and Marlin are usually better than Ruger barrels, except the 10/22-T hammer forged barrel.
No other .22 auto is suitable. The modularity of the 10/22 makes it adaptable to any usage.
The semiauto exception is the .22 AR15. With the right barrel (Compass Lake, Ballistic Advantage, or Accuracy Speaks) match accuracy is possible, but you're talking $1000-3000 for a complete rifle with optic and lower.
It's pretty easy to dump $1K into a 10/22, too.
Out of the box, a Savage MKII with AccuTrigger drives tacks, As really good triggers go, the .22 AccuTrigger isnt that great, but for a $200 rifle, it's unbelievable. Add a 20-25 minute rail, optic, and bipod, float the barrel, and you have an effective, accurate budget gun.
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
Sorry i forgot to mention i want it for hunting small game such as rabbits,pigieons,pheasants.Sorry i forgot to mention i was up late when i posted.
Sorry i forgot to mention i want it for hunting small game such as rabbits,pigieons,pheasants.Sorry i forgot to mention i was up late when i posted.
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
I'd get a 22 LR semi-auto for that game (assuming your going to eat it). If not a 17 HMR in bolt.
If you're not interested in modding your gun out (fancy stocks and such), I'd get a Marlin 60 rather than a 10/22. Accurate as all get out (mine shoot better than EVERY 10/22 I've come against), and much lighter than your average 10/22. It also holds 15+1 as opposed to the 10/22's 10+1.
I'd get a 22 LR semi-auto for that game (assuming your going to eat it). If not a 17 HMR in bolt.
If you're not interested in modding your gun out (fancy stocks and such), I'd get a Marlin 60 rather than a 10/22. Accurate as all get out (mine shoot better than EVERY 10/22 I've come against), and much lighter than your average 10/22. It also holds 15+1 as opposed to the 10/22's 10+1.
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
semi is the way to go ,the 10/22 is great if you want to sup it up I've got 750 in mine and love it, but factory it has a bad trigger and stock. There are better guns out of the box, but the ruger has endless aftermarket parts,barrels,and add ons
semi is the way to go ,the 10/22 is great if you want to sup it up I've got 750 in mine and love it, but factory it has a bad trigger and stock. There are better guns out of the box, but the ruger has endless aftermarket parts,barrels,and add ons
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bob_Lee_Swagger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry i forgot to mention i want it for hunting small game such as rabbits,pigieons,pheasants.Sorry i forgot to mention i was up late when i posted. </div></div>
I'm leaning towards a bolt action myself for hunting purposes, but either will do. I see your location is England. Are you allowed to own a semi-auto over there?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bob_Lee_Swagger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry i forgot to mention i want it for hunting small game such as rabbits,pigieons,pheasants.Sorry i forgot to mention i was up late when i posted. </div></div>
I'm leaning towards a bolt action myself for hunting purposes, but either will do. I see your location is England. Are you allowed to own a semi-auto over there?
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
Here in PA, state law prohibits the use of semi-automatics for hunting applications so I've never really run anything but bolt guns.
The Marlin Model 60 is a great performer though, and the factory trigger could be much worse...I suppose.
Marlin's bolt gun, the 980 and 925 seem to have a very well-built actions, but not as accurate as the late-model Savages I've shot. Part of that is probably because of the fact every one I came across have had a horrible trigger.
I've had good experiences with Savage Mark I's, and all models of Savage Mark II that I've used. The action feels cheap and likes to be very clean if it's going to eject empties properly, but they are more accurate, more often than any other rifle I've used.
The two Ruger 77/22's that I've used have been extremely nimble in the hand, much better looking, more user friendly, more enjoyable to shoot, than any of the others mentioned, and have functioned flawlessly for hundreds of rounds but don't seem to be quite as accurate as the Savage Mark II's I've used. And you pay 2-3x the price as the others mentioned. That being said, they are arguably 2-3x better built than the others mentioned. Flush magazine is also a very attractive feature.
If you're ok with an unglamorous rifle that will really get the job done inexpensively and effectively, I'd recommend something from Savage.
Check out TOP PREDATORS recent project here: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1594326#Post1594326
Depending on what style of hunting you do, you may be much happier with a semi-auto. Advantages are obvious:
1.) Fast, "automatic" follow up shot(s).
a.)No need to take crosshair off target to reload...wait for him to twitch and shoot 'em again if need be!
b.)Engage multiple targets before secondary targets have time to react to initial shot.
c.) Make quick adjustments for a second shot attempt without taking eye off target (Mil-dots serve this purpose admirably from what I understand.)
d.)Effective engagement of erratic running targets is far more feasible using a semi-auto.
e.) Sometimes a man just "needs" to dump a clip into a target as fast as he can pull the trigger. Bolt gun just can't cut the mustard when it comes to this manifestation of the Fun Factor.
2.) More customizable:
Definitely in the case of the Ruger 10/22, semi's just tend to offer a lot more cool options, configurations, etc.
Bolt gun advantages:
1.) Better trigger is more likely or at least more easily attained.
2.) Generally achieve better accuracy "out-of-box" than most semi-autos.
3.) Less "picky" about fodder:
a.) Although this is sometimes not a problem, some semi-autos fail to cycle sub-sonic or even standard velocity ammo reliably. If you are like me and shoot a lot of different ammo types out of the same rifle for different applications (i.e.: CB caps for in-town pest control and trapping, bulk pack high velocity for plinking/practice, and standard velocity for hunting and target.), you are going to find that a bolt rifle will shoot it all without any problems at all. I've even got the goofy CB caps to cycle through the magazine of my Savage Mark II-F!
Forgive me for the lengthy post. Hope it at least gives you something to think about.
-HathcockProtege.
Here in PA, state law prohibits the use of semi-automatics for hunting applications so I've never really run anything but bolt guns.
The Marlin Model 60 is a great performer though, and the factory trigger could be much worse...I suppose.
Marlin's bolt gun, the 980 and 925 seem to have a very well-built actions, but not as accurate as the late-model Savages I've shot. Part of that is probably because of the fact every one I came across have had a horrible trigger.
I've had good experiences with Savage Mark I's, and all models of Savage Mark II that I've used. The action feels cheap and likes to be very clean if it's going to eject empties properly, but they are more accurate, more often than any other rifle I've used.
The two Ruger 77/22's that I've used have been extremely nimble in the hand, much better looking, more user friendly, more enjoyable to shoot, than any of the others mentioned, and have functioned flawlessly for hundreds of rounds but don't seem to be quite as accurate as the Savage Mark II's I've used. And you pay 2-3x the price as the others mentioned. That being said, they are arguably 2-3x better built than the others mentioned. Flush magazine is also a very attractive feature.
If you're ok with an unglamorous rifle that will really get the job done inexpensively and effectively, I'd recommend something from Savage.
Check out TOP PREDATORS recent project here: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1594326#Post1594326
Depending on what style of hunting you do, you may be much happier with a semi-auto. Advantages are obvious:
1.) Fast, "automatic" follow up shot(s).
a.)No need to take crosshair off target to reload...wait for him to twitch and shoot 'em again if need be!
b.)Engage multiple targets before secondary targets have time to react to initial shot.
c.) Make quick adjustments for a second shot attempt without taking eye off target (Mil-dots serve this purpose admirably from what I understand.)
d.)Effective engagement of erratic running targets is far more feasible using a semi-auto.
e.) Sometimes a man just "needs" to dump a clip into a target as fast as he can pull the trigger. Bolt gun just can't cut the mustard when it comes to this manifestation of the Fun Factor.
2.) More customizable:
Definitely in the case of the Ruger 10/22, semi's just tend to offer a lot more cool options, configurations, etc.
Bolt gun advantages:
1.) Better trigger is more likely or at least more easily attained.
2.) Generally achieve better accuracy "out-of-box" than most semi-autos.
3.) Less "picky" about fodder:
a.) Although this is sometimes not a problem, some semi-autos fail to cycle sub-sonic or even standard velocity ammo reliably. If you are like me and shoot a lot of different ammo types out of the same rifle for different applications (i.e.: CB caps for in-town pest control and trapping, bulk pack high velocity for plinking/practice, and standard velocity for hunting and target.), you are going to find that a bolt rifle will shoot it all without any problems at all. I've even got the goofy CB caps to cycle through the magazine of my Savage Mark II-F!
Forgive me for the lengthy post. Hope it at least gives you something to think about.
-HathcockProtege.
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
I would get a good bolt gun. I think they are better and more accurate. JMO
I would get a good bolt gun. I think they are better and more accurate. JMO
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sidewinder</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I would get a good bolt gun. I think they are better and more accurate. JMO </div></div>
What exactly makes it "better?"
Better for what exactly?
I would think bolt v SA a mission-defined criteria as to which is better.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sidewinder</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I would get a good bolt gun. I think they are better and more accurate. JMO </div></div>
What exactly makes it "better?"
Better for what exactly?
I would think bolt v SA a mission-defined criteria as to which is better.
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
If you are using it as trainer, the bolt is the way to go. If you are just plinking there are some good semi autos out there. The 10-22's are easy to customize. Lots of aftermarket stuff out there.
I have all bolt guns, Savage, CZ, and PAI-Sako Quad trainer. I prefer the bolt guns.
If you are using it as trainer, the bolt is the way to go. If you are just plinking there are some good semi autos out there. The 10-22's are easy to customize. Lots of aftermarket stuff out there.
I have all bolt guns, Savage, CZ, and PAI-Sako Quad trainer. I prefer the bolt guns.
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
You will waste less ammo with a bolt gun. My tendency with a semi-auto is to keep blasting and I end up putting less emphasis/effort into each shot. With the time it takes to cycle a bolt, you make each shot count..
You will waste less ammo with a bolt gun. My tendency with a semi-auto is to keep blasting and I end up putting less emphasis/effort into each shot. With the time it takes to cycle a bolt, you make each shot count..
Re: Whats better bolt action or semi-auto?
being a uniter not a divider may i suggest a winchester pump
and or get semi now and bolt later too settle the debate once and for all
being a uniter not a divider may i suggest a winchester pump
and or get semi now and bolt later too settle the debate once and for all
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