Magazine capacity of bolt action

To jmhyer, lots of bolt guns don't have detachable magazines.
To Sanch, I've noticed a good percentage of people shoot bolt guns like they're shooting a single shot which is probably not a bad thing because they concentrate on making that first shot count pretty hard, depends on what you grew up shooting and where.
Regardless of how good the shot looks I automatically chamber another round and try and get back on the animal, seen to many get better and after the intial shot especially elk, they're automatic two shots unless they're laying down dead. Deer don't normally require a second shot but I like being ready anyway.
If your only capable of hitting game on the first shot you could use a lesson from the europeans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g4dKVOo68M
 
Depends on the type of hunting, hogs and coyotes definitely. Large game... I expect to get 1 shot so magazine capacity does not matter.
 
Years ago my wife and I were deer hunting, it was the last day and I'd been holding out for a good buck, we seen a nice whitetail chasing a doe in the creekbottom a half mile away and when they went into a thick stand of trees we closed the distance to the bottom. It was the first year Nosler came out with the 7mm 140 accubond and I had a full magazine of 7-08 cartridges loaded with them. One bleat on my fawn in distress call and the doe charged out of the willows with the buck right behind, they both stopped instantly at 130yds when seeing me and I shot. It felt good but the buck ran hard to my left and made a big U coming right back at us headed for the 8' high cattails, when he cleared the trees 40yds away I started shooting, the last shot was in front of me 20 feet as he passed. My wife was yelling at me to stop shooting because unlike me she was seeing the hits. He fell dead about 20yards away, I hit 3 out of the 4 shots, I had somehow missed the front shoulders and the accubonds hadn't done much damage at 7-08 velocities. After that I only use them in magnum cartridges but I was glad I had a bolt gun with a full magazine that day. The first shot was a hit but the bullet acted like a fmj with a dime size exit wound. I went back to 140 ballistic tips immediately.
 
I use an O/U and only get 2 shots but with any pump or auto it's very easy to keep jamming shells into the magazine with your weak hand. Not quite like a bolt gun.
 
I’ve only ever killed deer with a single shot rifle, break action (southpaw). All I ever needed was one shot. So for me, mag capacity isn’t really an issue personally. I bought an AR in 350 but didn’t get a deer this year. My next rifle is going to be a Ruger No 1, i shot one and loved it


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For deer the most I've ever needed was two shots, but I carry an AR15 in 6.8spc with a full 15 round mag because I've had a wolf pack come much too close for comfort.
 
I carry one 3 round mag in the gun and one in my pocket. If I need more than six rounds in a day of deer hunting I need to pack up the rifle and go home. Something is wrong with the rifle or me.
 
For some rifles you may be able to find after market mags with more capacity. I see more of these available for Remington 700s and Savages than for other rifles, and 308, 30-06, 223 and 300 Win Mag seem to be more common too.

My Savage 12 VLP in 308 is 4+1, but I was able to find 10 round mags. Useful for shooting bullseye, but illegal for hunting in my state.
 
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Pistoler0 said:
I was able to find 10 round mags. Useful for shooting bullseye, but illegal for hunting in my state
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You need to go back and read the hunting regulations, 10 round magazine are legal for hunting in Colorado.

Colorado 2020 Big Game Hunting Brochure pg 14 said:
1. CENTERFIRE RIFLES

a. Must be a minimum of .24 caliber (6 mm).

b. Must have a minimum 16-inch barrel and be at least 26 inches long.

c. If semiautomatic, a maximum of six rounds are allowed in the magazine and
chamber combined.

d. Must use expanding bullets that weigh a minimum of 70 grains for deer, pronghorn and bear, 85 grains for elk and moose, and have an impact energy (at 100 yards) of 1,000 ft.-pounds as rated by manufacturer.

e. It is illegal to hunt game birds, small-game mammals or furbearers with
a centerfire rifle larger than .23 caliber during regular rifle deer and elk
seasons west of I-25, without an unfilled deer or elk license for the season.
A small-game, furbearer or unfilled big-game license is required.

NOTE: SMART RIFLES are prohibited, including any firearm equipped with a target tracking system, electronically controlled, assisted or computer-linked
trigger or a ballistics computer. Any firearm equipped with a scope containing a computer processor is considered to be a smart rifle.

NOTE: FULLY AUTOMATIC RIFLES are prohibited.
Click to expand...
 
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taylorce1 said:
You need to go back and read the hunting regulations, 10 round magazine are legal for hunting in Colorado.

c. If semiautomatic, a maximum of six rounds are allowed in the magazine and
chamber combined.
Click to expand...
Ah, the round limit in CO is for semi-autos not for bolt action.
Thank you for bringing that up to my attention.
 
This is the first year that I've ever shot multiple deer in one sitting... and I was really glad to have multiple rounds in the mag.

For me, I prefer at least 3.
 
I've got a 243 and a 308 700 in Magpul Hunter stocks. 5&10 rounds clips. They started making a long action last year. The Hunter has a full aluminum bedding rail. Both mine shoot .3" with hunting reloads.
 
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