Why do all the guides carry bolt action rifles?

H

HALLAUSTIN

New member
On every dangerous game hunting program on TV I always see the guides carrying a bolt action. Is it a regulation for guides? I can understand not having a scope, but I would prefer a double rifle or something, maybe some wierd custom .416rigby pump action... Any thoughts?
 
Because the action is simple, holds more then two shots and less prone to jams or problems which could be disastrous in an emergency situation.
 
I have a good friend that is a Master Guide and bush pilot in Soldotna, Alaska. He has always used a Marlin Lever Action 45-70 as his gun, and he keeps it in a leather scabbard attached to the right wing of his plane. Our last trip together was in 2007...

In 2005, I asked him why he chose that particular gun, and why he didn't have a scope on it. His answer was probably related as much to the environment that he guides in as anything else. He said he can swing it fast, rechamber a round quickly, and it will knock down anything. A scope would hinder his ability to see at close range, which is where the biggest risk occurs. He told me that my job was to make a clean kill, and his was to make sure we didn't get killed.

He's never been on TV though! :rolleyes:
 
I've seen lots of guides carrying doubles in African safari shows. But they are guys who have done what they do for decades and are well off financially. A bolt action is FAR more affordable. I think Searcy starts in the 30's for a field grade double? That's $30,000.00. As opposed to ~$4000 for a custom shop bolt gun from many makers. And Searcy is by no means on the high end of what a double can run.
 
Those who can afford a quality double prefer them, but 5 figure price tags limit their use. A bolt rifle is the next best thing and much cheaper. A good one is darn near bulletproof and will work right every time no matter how much abuse you throw at it.

Lots of guys think a pump or lever might be a better choice but they are far too unreliable when someones life is in the line. A man who knows how to work a bolt rifle will equal a man with a levergun in AIMED rapid fire, especially with guns with the recoil to stop dangerous game.
 
Most of the Guides carry a Controlled Feed Bolt action Rifle, because they are utterly reliable. You cannot afford to have a failure in a dangerous situation.
 
Yes..I have noticed guides in Africa carrying bolt actions.... But for big bears in Alaska and Canada I have noticed a lot of big bore lever actions.....
 
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Ill agree with a couple of the others. First and foremost id bet its a matter of cost. For a grand you can get a decent bolt gun and double rifles start at about 20 times that much. Secondly reliability, although a good double rifle is surely reliable it lacks extraction power compared to a bolt. A bolt will be a bit slower for a second round but is usually much more accurate and will jerk even a mildly over pressure round out of the chamber. Mostly money though. theres not to many guides that are wealthy enough to buy double rifles. there working men like you and me.
 
Perhaps the Hi-Point Carbines scare the clients, because they look so much like the Tactical Assault Weapons that real Internet combat troops and Mall Security Tactical Teams use. So the Guides carry Bolt actions not so much out of tradition and or function, but to make the "Sports" feel better, safer, more at ease, etc.....:D
 
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Ditto on Alaskan fishing guides with shotguns.
I've seen pictures of fishing guides with various shotguns on their shoulders.
Let's face it, 12 gauge shotgun loaded with slugs would be effective on bears.
 
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