bolt action? lever action? semi auto? pump?.... POLL QUESTION

[hunting over women]

I am curious as to why people pick certain guns over the other. Some people dont like semi autos and some do and some dont. Some like lever action and some dont and so on and so on...... I have always been a fan of lever action rifles. I never have jamming problems and there quick to load and unload. For target practice i like semi auto anything except .22 cause they jam so freaking much. Bolt action take longer to load and and unload and dont hold as many rounds. As for shotguns i love single shots and pumps. Semi autos i never really had good control when shooting and would pull the trigger to fast so a pump forces me to take my time. Im curious as to why some of you like the mechanical features over other mechanical features when it comes to guns you buy.

[Delta Hunter]

Except for my .22 autoloader, all my other rifles are bolt actions. The number one reason I prefer bolt actions is simply because they are more accurate than any other action type. Also, they are simple in construction making them very reliable and easy to clean and maintain.

I'm pretty particular about the shots I take at big game. I just won't take an iffy shot or a shot at running game. Because of this I have not needed a second shot on any big game animal for several years. Quick follow-up shots aren't a concern, therefore. So, the bolt action suits my needs perfectly.

With that said, however, I would like to own a lever action some day.

[Dan Jackson]

I like bolt action rifles, simply 'cause I grew up with them.

[ncboman]

My favorite action is the lever action. Most handle very well....my best deer gun however is a pump because it was such a good deal and in 06.

Shotguns...I like my old double barrel best for wingshooting although in some instances the 1100 gets the nod.

smile.gif

[Shadow]

First let me state that there is no action that I dislike.

For a big game rifle I prefer bolt actions. They are stonger, more rugged, more acurate, and ,with practice, offer quick follow ups. The bolt guns have a classic line to them, much like the single shots. They force you to slow down, and place your shot. 99% of the time you only get one shot anyway. Once you become comfortable with a bolt, you can make follow up shots pretty quickly. I have taken three hogs out of a wad on more than one occassion with a bolt gun.

For plinking, I prefer a .22 semi auto. It is just plain fun to rattle off a bunch of rounds.

Pistols is a toss up. I prefer semi auto for personal protection. They are light, and offer a lot of fire power. In the woods I prefer a single action revolver like the Blackhawk and Single Six.

For shot gunning I like pumps and semi auto. I prefer the semi auto, but probably shoot better with the pump because it slows me down just a hair. As far as looks go, you can't beat a side by side

[Headhunter]

Bolt Guns for rifles, Semi Auto for shotguns.

Headhunter

[Dick Fuehrer]

All of my rifles are bolts. I partially disagree with the comment that bolts are slow to unload. That depends on the gun. I have an old Rem 721 that requires each round to be fully chambered to unload it. On the other hand, I have two Rugers with trap door magazines that only require me to push a button and all the rounds drop out in my hand. That's as fast as it gets.
Each of my centerfire rifles will hold 5 rounds. If I can't hit it in 5 shots, I'm going home so I don't need one that holds a doz or so.
I'm quite happy with my bolts and don't see any need to switch.

Dick

[BigBadBooDooDady]

"For plinking, I prefer a .22 semi auto. It is just plain fun to rattle off a bunch of rounds." - Amen to that brother!

Deer-Bolt Action (M 700) All of the reasons listed above. Or my pump shotgun (just because I have to)
Birds-Semi, 1187, I like the repeat shot capability (faster then I can pump) and I like the looks of it. For waterfowl and whenever I dont want to tear up the 1187, I go for my 870 Express Super Mag.

[Gaito]

Rifles = Bolts.....Shotguns = Pump......but thats just what i've grown up with

[Harv]

I have been shooting Browning lever action for a number of yrs now. I have the .243, 30-06 and 22 n it. They are all nice shooting and quick. My favorite is definitly the .243. I dont regret having the lever action, the only thing is that they are a little heavier than bolts. As far as accuracy the action in a Browning lever is so similar to the bolt that there is not much difference. They also have magazines = bonus.

[RuralKentuckian]

in rimfire>semiauto(Ruger 10-22 and Winchester 74)
in centerfire> bolt-mauser98 style
in shotgun>winchester pump(20ga 1300, and model 12 featherweight 12ga)
just my picks, but use what you are comfortable with or what you can afford! just get out when you can!

[crayz1]

i work in a gun shop and have been in and around guns for 4 years now and pound for pound here are my picks for the money

mossberg mod835 all around good gun and chambers 3and1/2 in
savage 111 package rifle 3*9*40 scope with the clip option great gun
ruger 10/22 best functioning 22 on the market today for the money
ruger red label for a medium size shotgun like it because it comes in stainless synthetic option
and my last and most controversial pick my varmint gun d.p.m.s. ar-15 24" superbull with a free float barrel and a j.p trigger group in it 3/4 inch group at 300yds straight from the box

[bigc45]

"and my last and most controversial pick my varmint gun d.p.m.s. ar-15 24" superbull with a free float barrel and a j.p trigger group in it 3/4 inch group at 300yds straight from the box"
EXCUSE ME. I hope this is a typo. These posts are informative, and interessting. It's really great to get other opinions on types of firearms used and why the are chosen. Helps the NOVICE make up his mind. But when the BS starts, I will call you on it. Thanks, BC

[hatracked]

That would be a super fine shooting gun Big c now wouldnt it. :eek: Them Afgannies would have to throw in the towell facing that one! :D

I love a lever action gun but more for the looks and the short length than the function of the action.

My mainstay big game rifle is a synthetic stocked winchester model 70 bolt action.I too have no problem getting a super quick follow up shot.The accurracy never leaves me wanting although Ive left my rifle wanting a time or two. I would like to have a hinge plate magazine .

I am a pump shotgun person. When I shoot clays with my buddies it never fails one of them will have a new semi they say i just have to try. I find my self jerking that thing all over trying to work the pump that isnt there and missing the second clay everytime.The pump is familiar, super durable and easily cleaned in the field if needed. Ill stick with them for any shotgun application.

Pistols ?? Had semis, singles, doubles, single shots, and they all were ok, I am just not a pistol person, and for me their sole purpose is very much like my hunting knife its a tool to me not a hunting weapon. My 45 I currently carry has a sole purpose and thats personal protection during close encounters with pissed hogs, so the heavy hitting and quick follow up are preferred to the better accurracy of my gp 100 ruger.

rimfires, 10 22 for backyard plinking and browing abolt for hunting.

[crayz1]

call D.P.M.S. in Becker MN and ask them to explain that gun you will find that it serves it's purpose well for varmints
thank you

don't knock it till you shoot it!!!

[Shadow]

3/4 inch group at 300 yards? I am not going to say someone isn't capable of that type of accuracy, but I would say it is incredibly rare. First off, the human factor is multiplied 3 times at that distance as opposed to 100 yards, and wind can push the little 55 grain .22 bullet around quite a bit, especially at 300 yards. I would have to see that to believe it.

[bigc45]

There is nothing contraversial about a AR15 sporter or Varmitter or whatever. DPMS, COLT, OLYMPIC,BUSHMASTER,ROCK RIVER and now Baer and Wilson all make fine AR15 Rifles. They come in .223, .243, 9mm, 40 S&W, .45acp, 7.62X39mm ect..... They are very accurate and some extremely so. But I'm sorry, Not 3/4" at 300yds. Big C

[brentnadeau]

I love guns (except pistols...not a judgement on those who do), and I would have to say that there is no action I dislike, except maybe the semi-auto single-shot...you know, the ones that cycle a pile of shells great on clays, but choke when the cronkers are headed for your decoys...
I have a Marlin 30-30 I love for bush shooting. I like the look of it, it has never failed, and it is dead accurate open-sighted for close range. I have always gone with the assumption that the gas bleed leads to a higher drop rate in ballistics in semi-auto rifles (feel free to call me on this, I have never even fired one).
For my longer range stuff, I rely on my A-bolt...it is rock solid, carries the bullets well, and is easy to maintain (just do it religiously, or it will resemble an anchor in no time).

[1tlynn]

Leo, Harv Im with you guys. I grew up on 30-30 Win. A little week so I went to the 307 model 94 when it came out. Neither seemed to group good (Big C explain the NOT 3/4 inch)
I now have the BLR in 70-08, just right. It really impresed me with accuracy, and the locking receiver, and the hammer I believe is safer as far as unintentional discharge.

[copperhead600]

My favorites include,My bolt action Rem.270 mountian rifle.
My Marlin .30-30,lever action.
Ithaca 12 gua pump
Rem 870, 12 gua pump
New england arms single shot 12 gua

"Would LOVE to play with a model 82A1 bolt action Barrett .50bmg" :D

[unkleboombaa]

i'm a bolt man because of the accuracy. i have bolt action rifles and a bolt shotgun. (next is the bolt pistol) my bolt shotgun with a 3" coppersolid has a 2" group at 150yds and last year i took a nice 10pt at 135. one shot went 30yds and dropped. bolts keep me from going through too many rounds in a short period of time .but the other actions i have are fun too. lever 35 is fun to shoot and light to carry when hunting brush, pump and autos for birds are fun. autos, i seem to be too fast for my own good. pumps slow me down just right. my single shot gun is a good traing tool for youths and at the range. my side-by-side is a canon and cerring it afield is a chore. each one has a reason and a purpose but a trusty bolt any day