22 bolt or semi?

[DarkAxel]

This isn't a .22LR but this video is a very good example of responsible hunting with a semi-auto while taking advantage of its fast fire capability. This is what I've been talking about and you just can't do it with a bolt action. Kills start aroun 2:32...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJHjrLUU ... re=related

Its taken with a 6.8 @ about 30 yards with a digital night vision scope. I love the record capability of that thing!

Nice vid, but I wouldn't call that hunting. That's more pest elimination. That automatic feeder is a sure way to get arrested or cited for poaching while hunting some types of game. Though I do see your point.

A well trained rifleman could duplicate those results with a bolt-action repeater, but it would take a lot of practice. More practice than most are willing to put in (and the really dedicated guys are the "mad minute" types who like to play with Enfields). The semi-auto used in the vid does allow for faster shots on multiple targets for most shooters. I grant you that.

[Domino]

Nice vid, but I wouldn't call that hunting. That's more pest elimination. That automatic feeder is a sure way to get arrested or cited for poaching while hunting some types of game. Though I do see your point.

A well trained rifleman could duplicate those resultswith a bolt-action repeater, but it would take a lot of practice. More practice than most are willing to put in (and the really dedicated guys are the "mad minute" types who like to play with Enfields). The semi-auto used in the vid does allow for faster shots on multiple targets for most shooters. I grant you that.

Its really both hunting and pest elimination. It may not be the type of hunting you are accustomed to but it remains one of the fastest growing types of hunting due to the destructive nature of the animals and the ease of finding the game. Companies like Jager Pro actuall are contracted to remove hogs from a location then they will charge a fee to guide hunters on "hunting trips". What other type of business can you charge a customer for a service then actually get PAID by the person providing the service?

http://www.jagerpro.com/

As far duplicating those results with a bolt action, its possible but there is a distinct disadvantage with the bolt action no matter how fast the shooter gets shooting a bolt action. Operating the bolt forces the shooter to remove their cheek weld and loose the target in their scope mandating reaquisition of the target. Its not as much a serious issue with iron sights or low powered optices but with anything over 4X it can really slow down a shooter. With a semi-auto, the shooter can just stay focused on the target.

[KnightoftheRoc]

Nice vid, but I wouldn't call that hunting. That's more pest elimination. That automatic feeder is a sure way to get arrested or cited for poaching while hunting some types of game. Though I do see your point.

A well trained rifleman could duplicate those resultswith a bolt-action repeater, but it would take a lot of practice. More practice than most are willing to put in (and the really dedicated guys are the "mad minute" types who like to play with Enfields). The semi-auto used in the vid does allow for faster shots on multiple targets for most shooters. I grant you that.

Its really both hunting and pest elimination. It may not be the type of hunting you are accustomed to but it remains one of the fastest growing types of hunting due to the destructive nature of the animals and the ease of finding the game. Companies like Jager Pro actuall are contracted to remove hogs from a location then they will charge a fee to guide hunters on "hunting trips". What other type of business can you charge a customer for a service then actually get PAID by the person providing the service?

http://www.jagerpro.com/

As far duplicating those results with a bolt action, its possible but there is a distinct disadvantage with the bolt action no matter how fast the shooter gets shooting a bolt action. Operating the bolt forces the shooter to remove their cheek weld and loose the target in their scope mandating reaquisition of the target. Its not as much a serious issue with iron sights or low powered optices but with anything over 4X it can really slow down a shooter. With a semi-auto, the shooter can just stay focused on the target.

Not always, it depends on the rifle being used. I couldn't do that with my .22 without losing an eye, but I've seen bot actions that did NOT slide the bolt out the back like that. It all comes down to knowing your weapon, and practicing enough to become more than just proficient with it.

[DarkAxel]

It may not be the type of hunting you are accustomed to but it remains one of the fastest growing types of hunting due to the destructive nature of the animals and the ease of finding the game

So how edible are those potential bacon bellies? Wild hogs aren't really much of a problem here, but if'n I can eat 'em, I might shoot a few. Livestock is fucking expensive right now!

As far duplicating those results with a bolt action, its possible but there is a distinct disadvantage with the bolt action no matter how fast the shooter gets shooting a bolt action. Operating the bolt forces the shooter to remove their cheek weld and loose the target in their scope mandating reaquisition of the target. Its not as much a serious issue with iron sights or low powered optices but with anything over 4X it can really slow down a shooter. With a semi-auto, the shooter can just stay focused on the target.

I do most of my hunting with iron sights, so I'll take your word for that. My last hunting rifle was a sporterized SMLE, and I could work the bolt and fire that rifle rapidly without breaking my cheek-weld, though I couldn't do it with a coworker's Savage .22 without turning every day into Look-Like-A-Pirate day.

[Jsimmonsgr]

One question I have is ( assuming you live where it is legal) are you thinking about using the gun as a suppressor host? If you are then how quiet do you need it?

A bolt gun is dead nuts reliable and a good host for a suppressor due to the fact that there are no escaping gases from the ejection port, But they are slow and have a long reload time.

A semi is faster shooting and quick to reload but it necessitates a subsonic round to quiet the shot, noise from the action cycling and escaping gases from the ejection port will be very noticeable.

If you are not gonna suppress it, then it comes down to accuracy and range. A bolt gun is the more accurate platform and allows for longer shots, a semi is better for speed but suffers at longer range.

[Unobtainium]

I have both bolt and semi .22's, my Krico bolt action is a thing of beauty, with a silky smooth action that lets me work the action without losing cheek weld plenty fast enough for most running shots I'd try to make (the only downside is its preference for expensive ammo).

My other bolty is a norinco clone of an anschutz and with suppressor and sub-sonics is so quiet that if I miss, most of the time small game sits still long enough for another shot while they're trying to figure out what just went thump next to them. The major plus for me with both bolt guns is that cleaning is simply a quick wipe over with an oily rag every thousand rounds or so.

My norinco semi (norinco rifles are ridiculously cheap down here in case it you were wondering) is dead nuts accurate (only fractionally less so than my bolt guns) and cycles both hv and sub-sonic ammo without issue, but is a royal PITA to strip and clean and needs to be torn down every 500 rounds or so. Shooting this suppressed isn't as quiet as the bolt gun either.

If like me, .22 shooting/hunting is a cleaning free experience, then bolt is the way to go. If you don't mind the extra work of maintaining a semi, then go with whatever floats your boat.

[RedneckReverend]

Why not one of each?
Why would you only want 1 .22 when they are so inexpensive?

[dragon rouge]

Ruger has come out with a take down 10/22. That is definitly on my get list. I have tryed the AR7 in 3 different flavors ,they all sucked. I have a 10/22 that has had well in excess of 5000 rounds through it. I can count its malfunctions on my hands with fingers left over and they were all ammunition related.I also have a Ruger 77/22 bolt action.After close to 3000 rounds it has had somewhere between 5 and 9 malfunctions again bad ammo. In short If you buy a quality firearm ,quality mags, and quality ammunition you shouldnt have to worry about failure. If dirt dog dead simple is what you are looking for , give a savage/stevens crackshot a look. It is a falling block single shot that dates back to the turn of the century . The basic design goes back to 1870 or so.

[Lodewijk]

Operating the bolt forces the shooter to remove their cheek weld and loose the target in their scope mandating reaquisition of the target.

Dude.

Bullshit.

(I realize it's an old post).

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Operating the bolt forces the shooter to remove their cheek weld and loose the target in their scope mandating reaquisition of the target.

Dude.

Bullshit.

(I realize it's an old post).

Depends on the rifle. This is usually true, but not so much on .22LR rifles.

[Lodewijk]

.22 just isn't big enough to require that long of a bolt, generally. On a long-action cartridge I could see it; it really shouldn't be an issue with .22 LR unless your bolt is hell for long.

I mean my CZ's bolt travels what, like an inch and a half?

[alptraum]

I mean my CZ's bolt travels what, like an inch and a half?

Was bored, had time, had ruler, had CZ 452 so...just measured it* for you. Rear of bolt moves about 1 and 7/16" or 3.7cm from fully close to fully open. Didn't have the most accurate measuring device handy, but that's pretty close. Either way, a bit under an inch and a half

* = It being a .22 CZ 452 Special Military Training rifle. Should be the same for any 452 though.