bolt vs. pump action

I have a Win model 95 in 30-06 that's a lever action but you're not likely to find one of for the price of a bolt or auto. My 7400 has done me well for 20 years. I have over a 1000 rds through her and she shoots as good as the day I bought her.
 
Accuracy

If you are looking for accuracy, this should help you...

Accuracy if effected by the amount of moving parts, and in a pump action there is a lot. In a bolt action, there are some but not many. In a break action, there are very few moving parts, therefore it is the most accurate. A bolt action is the SECOND most accurate, and a break action is the FIRST. Levers, pumps, automatics, etc. all fall under those two. If you are looking for accuracy, a bolt action is your best bet between the two. Plus they are more common, and generally cheaper than the pumps.

Choose wisely, and shoot safe!!
 
The majority of pump rifle sales have been in Pennsylvania because they don't (or didn't) allow semi-autos for hunting. If it wasn't for PA, we probably wouldn't have the option because there wouldn't be enough sold.
Click to expand...

Yep, I do believe it's us that's keeping them alive. Most of my relatives hunt with them. I'm a bolt guy myself, but can assure you that you will see plenty of pump action rifles while hunting in this state. They are called 'Pennsylvania machine guns' and 'Amish automatics' by some. By the way, we still can't use semi-autos or hunt on Sunday either.
 
Generalities

First off, there are several generalities stated here that I do not agree with.

One of them is which action type is the most accurate. Each rifle and ammo combination is an individual, and sometimes, will perform beyond, or below the accepted "general" run. That being said, here's the way I see it...

Bolt action rifles, as a group, are the most accurate. This is because of the smaller number of moving parts, the simple trigger system, and the overall rigidity of the rifle.

Single shots are often quite accurate, but as a group, have a lower accuracy potential because of the two piece stocks, and some other factors. Again,individual rifles can be quite accurate, but as a group, not as accurate as bolt guns. Note that benchrest shooters, where accuracy is the prime consideration use bolt guns. Usually single shot bolt gun.

The bolt gun has the ability to chamber anything, and everything. Pumps, levers, and semis are much more resticted, with only a few models being able to take rounds like the .30-06. Bolt guns also have the advantage of very powerful primary extraction. If you are going to go the the max with your loadings, the bolt gun is the way to go.

I won't question how fast anyone is with their preferred action type, but my experience is that generally, for speed of aimed shots, it is semi auto, pump, lever, and then bolt action. For 5 shots, with someone experienced with each type, its only about 2 seconds or so difference between fastest and slowest. The primary reason being that for lever and bolt, one has to remove one hand from the shooting grip to work the action. With a pump, one does not.

The two main types of pump found today are the Remington (still made) and the Savage (long out of production). There are also old Remingtons and some other pump rifles on the used market, but if you are considering new, Remington is the choice.

Some pumps will shoot quite well. Most will shoot well enough. A few won't. This is an individual thing, just like any other rifle type. In general, pumps do fine for big game hunting, but are not usually good enough for varmint hunting.

An exception to this is the .22 cal, where the pump often does just as well as anything, and is faster than everything save the semi auto.
 
In the Remington brand, one may be just as accurate as the other. A 700 can be rebarreled easly. Not so with a Rem 7600 pump.
 
In there day the rem and browning pumps were great rifles and cost was almost as much as a decent bolt rifle. Today there cost more than a better bolt rifle, bolts are easier to strip down for cleaning, triggers are better and more bolt rifles tend to be more accurate. Also with practice a bolt rifle is quick to bolt in rounds and fire. besides to day 300 bucks can by a solid bolt rifle. that will only buy a beat pump rifle. You can also buy a 6lb bolt rifle not happen with a pump.
 
Remington slide action rifles are immensely popular with Pennsylvania woodsmen. Most popular chambering on the used rack is 30-06.

This local shop has two for sale: MUSSERS Outdoors 717 738 4800

Jack
 
Mauser8mm said:
If you are looking for accuracy, this should help you...

Accuracy if effected by the amount of moving parts, and in a pump action there is a lot. In a bolt action, there are some but not many. In a break action, there are very few moving parts, therefore it is the most accurate. A bolt action is the SECOND most accurate, and a break action is the FIRST.
Click to expand...

Following this line of logic, it's obvious that the first most accurate rifle is a traditional style muzzleloader where the only moving parts are the hammer and sear.

Wait! It just occured to me that a muzzleloading cannon has zero moving parts.
 
Last edited:
Get the one you like the best:D. Have known people that like the bolts better but, have also known a few that prefered the pumps. As far as acccuracy goes, a few of them "good ole boys" in western PA can do some truly amazing shooting with a pump 30-06::cool:. Go to the LGS and set one of each on the counter. Handle both, shoulder both, and work the actions, get the one you like the best. :)
 
Pumps are not for people that have difficulty , walking and chewing gum at the same time ! For me , they are the perfect deer rifle .
 
The Bolt action lets You pull the bolt out and look down the barrel. I like that. The Pump would be nice for a quick follow up shot. Both action types are good its up to whatever You like best
 
One old sap, had nothing to do with not being able to walk and chew gum. A pump is no faster than a good bolt action and not half as accurate. To be fast with a bolt, you definitely have to be able to walk and chew gum.:) I cant remember the last time I needed to be fast hunting because I never need a follow up shot.:D If I am hunting hogs, thats what Armalite designed the AR for.;)
 
I bought a takedown BLR for Alaska in 450 Marlin, and it is also made for other hot calibers in a lever gun that locks up like bolt gun and shoots very well.
 
You Said What ?

reynolds357 A pump isn't any faster than a bolt :rolleyes:? Evidently you have never witnessed someone shoot one , that knew what they were doing :D. Your skill with a bolt gun must be legendary in your parts ! As far as accuracy goes , my pumps will hold their own against any off the shelf bolt action . I very seldom need a followup either but I like having one ready to go , without moving my hands on the rifle . A bolt is just not practicle , for my style of hunting , and the terrain and weather that I hunt in . I have a bunch of bolt guns and they are fine where speed isn't a requirement , or the target (game/varmint) is way out yonder , they're perfect ! Happy hunting my friend , keep your powder dry ! :)
 
Someone above observed that it was more expensive to put a good trigger on a pump than a bolt.

http://www.barnesgunparts.com/remington-7400-7600-760-740-.html

My 7600P has one of these installed and the trigger measures 3 lbs on an RCBS spring scale. It gives a nice crisp break with no creep. In fact, the 7600P has a better trigger than my pre-64 Winchester model 70 featherweight. If I were going to shoot the as yet unfired model 70, I could get a nice Timney installed for around a hundred bucks.

7600P007.jpg


Some observe that bolt actions are more accurate than pumps. In absolute terms, that's true, however at practical hunting ranges, a deer or pig cannot tell the difference.

After shooting Remington Pumps shotguns and rifles for over 50 years, I am perfectly happy with one. I do have some very well made bolt actions rifles that would be more suitable for varmints at 400 yards, but I don't have to pick one over the other. At 25-100 yards, the range at which I see and kill deer on my property, a pump in .308 is more than adequate. For extreme conditions in swamps and bayous, I favor my Handi-rifle in 30-30.

I have a nephew who bought a Savage Axis in .30-06. After listening to him brag for months about how great and accurate his rifle was, I challenged him to a shoot-off. At a hundred yards, he was shooting 3-4 inch groups, my 7600P, wearing the same size scope as his Axis was giving 2-3 inch groups. I would observe, however, that my Remington Pump cost twice as much as his Savage Axis. There is no doubt in my mind that he will trade his axis in on a Remington pump when he gets the financial means to do so.
 
Last edited:
Old Sap, you must have never seen anyone proficient with a bolt. A bolt used to be an infantry rifle and there have been some very fast people with bolt rifles through the years. My favorite off the shelf bolt action will consistently shoot under 6" at 1K yards.
 
As long as our services used bolt action rifles they were used in a single shot mode with the magazine cutoff system. The cut off could only be disengaged by the order of a commanding officer when mass fire was in order. This changed with the advent of WWII when the cutoff system was ignored and troops were allowed to reload at will.

when self loaders came along (garands and carbines) fire discipline was still rigorous and embraced slow deliberate aimed fire.

If you like bolt actions, goodonya. However, an experienced shooter and hunter is not handicapped by the use of a single shot, lever, or pump rifle. If you have a wonder rifle that shoots 6 inches at 1K, goodonya again. However, the vast majority of game in this country is harvested under a hundred yard, making the use of super accurate rifles kind of a moot point.
 
Jay, If you follow my posts through this entire thread, you will discover I am not a proponent of rapid fire for hunting. That would be someone else.:rolleyes: 6" at 1000 bolt rifles are most definitely not "wonder rifles." They are quite common actually. A pump that is 6" at 1000 would definitely be a "wonder rifle."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top