single shot break open versus a bolt action

N

Newton24b

Moderator
heres the question, is a standard off the wall single shot break open, NOT anything by thompson center, going to have the same accuracy quality as the standard off the shelf entry level bolt action from remington or savage or even mossberg?
 
I would have to say no simply because there would seem to be more moving parts and a less rigid design. However, this may not really be something you would be able to observe in real or practical terms.

FWIW I have seen both designs shoot plenty well...
 
I have some history with NEF/H&R Handi rifles and I can tell you that they won't shoot with a bolt action.

However, many of them, with tweaking, are capable of very fine hunting accuracy. My .308 and .30-30 both shoot into two inches regularly and my .223 flirts with one-inch groups when I do my part behind the trigger. My .45-70 shoots regularly into three inches at 100 yards and it's the only one with iron sights.

However, some of the guys who post at Graybeard's Outdoors Forum have figgered out how to tweak the Handi-Rifle and they get very good results from those tricks. Go over there and look around.

H&R Handi rifles are very capable hunting rifles. My .45-70 will be going hunting with me several times this year.
 
most break open guns are built to be hunting rifles rather than target rifles...you can expect 1-3 inch groups at 100 yards...some are exemplary and are able to get sub MOA groups but most are 2 MOA or greater.

bolt actions are the same but generally have a lot more tack drivers than not.
 
Also, even if you could get a break-open to shoot as well as a bolt gun on the bench: let's see (in a hunting situation) even a good shooter get back on target after reloading that rifle as fast and accurately as he could with a bolt-action.
 
As a general rule of thumb, No. However, the most accurate weapon I ever fired was a H&R Ultra 25-06. The "Ultra" line are their top of line weapons. For the price, hard to beat. My two cents worth:)
 
Most break opens I've seen shoot, no matter the brand, don't hold a candle to bolt actions.

I've seen a few people humbled by bolts versus their "newest whiz bang gun they got shoved down their throats with advertising break open" gun.

One guy wouldn't even fire a single shot from his T/C because he new he couldn't hit the clays we were busting on the hill.

I felt bad for him.
 
nope wont hang with the bolt But just fine to hunt with.Some of the no#1's Rugers are very nice A touch of class if you will.;)
 
I'm confused by your problems with your Handi-Rifles. My H&R .308 is the most accurate centerfire in the house and that includes everything from 25-20 to 300 Wby. It's also the cheapest centerfire rifle I own. I took it out of the box new so it has never been touched. Tried a few different loads in it and found Remington 180 gr Core-Lokt's to be nail drivers, not varmint gun accuracy but just over 2" at 300 yards is typical if I behave and do my job. Cleaning the bore till it shows clean patches and keeping the working parts oiled is the only maintenance I do on it. Even shooting Milsurp 147 gr that I use in my .308 M1 Garand stays under 2" at 100 yards, cheap plinking for a 30 caliber and good enough for practice. That and my 10 gauge are the only H&R Handi-Rifles I have experience with so what seems to be the problem the rest of you are having with yours? Why wouldn't they be as accurate as mine is? Is it the lock up, are yours loose? If they are couldn't they be adjusted or repaired to lock up tighter or was I just lucky?
 
From the perspective of accuracy, the answer to the question can be answered with this question: What is the ratio of bolt action to break-open rifles used in bench rest competition?
 
Old Grump, I do think you just got lucky. Bolt actions are not only stronger, they are stiffer, as in they flex less than break open actions. Because of this flexing, as well as critical placement of the hinge pin, they don't headspace as accurately as bolt guns do, so they are just not as accurate, on average.

Any single weapon of either type action could be more accurate, but compare 10 of each, and the bolt will win for sure.
 
Sorry gentlemen I disagree. I had a New England firearms break open in .270. A very accurate rifle for hunting. And if had my rounds handy, I could reload very near to the same speed as a bolt gun. Wish I still had it. Very short and easy to get on target.
 
Old Grump said:
That and my 10 gauge are the only H&R Handi-Rifles I have experience with so what seems to be the problem the rest of you are having with yours? Why wouldn't they be as accurate as mine is?
Click to expand...

I never said that it was a problem, old friend, just that my Handis didn't give the same level of accuracy that my bolt guns give me. Still, they're wonderful hunting rifles, certainly capable of any reasonable field shot I'm liable to take. I've got four of the darned things and like them all for what they are; simple, durable hunting rifles.

Some of the problems that people have with them are fairly simple. You've got to keep the lock shelf dry, and a lot of them seem to tighten up groups after you put an O-ring on the forearm stud. Of my four, the .30-30 seems to turn in the best day-in-day-out accuracy, but I did quite a bit of load development with it. My .308 turns in acceptable hunting accuracy, but I did absolutely no load development with it. I simply sighted it with our standard load and a son borrowed it and took it home with him.

There was some concern when HR1871 was bought by Marlin and then again when the whole concern was bought by Remington.

They're good little rifles, but I get better accuracy from my bolt rifles.
 
I am confused......

not varmint gun accuracy but just over 2" at 300 yards is typical if I behave
Click to expand...
2" at 300 yards is minute of prairie dog.

And if a handi-rifle truly is the most accurate gun you have ..... consistently, over time ....... that speaks poorly of the other guns you have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top