Bolt or Semi Auto for deer

[yukonjasper]

I was told recently that I should consider trading my Remington 7400 in for a Bolt action rifle. I was sighting in for Deer hunting and was getting an OK grouping 2 in spread, certainly fine for deer hunting and was told by a buddy of mine that I should look to make the switch. I understand the logic, but I don't seem to have any trouble hitting and dropping deer with my 30-06 Semi Auto at 100-150 yards, but evidently I would be happier with a tighter group out of a bolt gun. Honestly I have been interested in looking for a bolt gun, but not enough to really go after one.

What are you all using these days and do you see a reason to move from OK accurate Semi to Good accurate Bolt?

Please vote and tell me what you shoot, in what caliber and why you chose that combination.

[Ghost]

6.5 Grendel, AR. Because accuracy and distance.

[hammAR]

1874 Sharps single-shot falling block rifle in .45-110..............
saves gutting and skinning the furry little bastards.......

[brad3579]

I bought a Remington 742 30.06 back about 1980 and used it until about seven years ago when I decided that one shot usually takes them down anyway so why drag the extra weight thru the woods. I kept it just because and replaced it with a Browning A bolt stainless stalker in .300 WSW, much lighter and shoots great.

[OldmanFCSA]

6.5 Grendel, AR. Because accuracy and distance.

50BMG Bolt Gun Armalite. Because accuracy and DISTANCE.

And a little more effective than this:

1874 Sharps single-shot falling block rifle in .45-110..............
saves gutting and skinning the furry little bastards.......

But Sharps would be easier to carry.

[Ghost]

6.5 Grendel, AR. Because accuracy and distance.

50BMG Bolt Gun Armalite. Because accuracy and DISTANCE.

Got me on that one

[gun_fan111v2]

Using a Savage bolt action here. One good argument I heard was for pump action rifles - they are easier to cycle during the deep freeze

[CROSBYK2]

Using a Savage bolt action here. One good argument I heard was for pump action rifles - they are easier to cycle during the deep freeze

If your shooting an auto, there is no cycle except to release the trigger. When you are shooting a deer in the chest, there is no issue with having a 2" group. I hunted with a Remington 742 with a Redfield widefield scope for many years and finally quit gun hunting for archery because with that gun, if I saw a deer, it was dead.

[Sigfan220]

Use what you are most comfortable with and can hit deer sized vitals with at a reasonable range. If you like the gun I'd keep using it. Going from 2" to 1" isn't going to bag any more deer. I have taken 4 out of the last 6 deer with 223 in an AR15, the other two were in Ohio with a 357. I shoot AR15's a LOT so it makes sense for me to use one.

I would however suggest a caliber better suited to deer sized game. I would imagine you are loosing some meet with that '06. Again personal preference, if it works keep using it. I just prefer to gut a deer with its insides in one piece not a soup of liquid goo. Deer are like rabbits, they want to die.

[rtk]

760 Gamemaster 30-06 circa early 60's. it's been in the family and old habits die hard.

[crbutler]

For large game, double rifle. .470 NE.

Most other big game, a bolt gun.

For deer, lately an AR pistol. Before that a semi auto shotgun. Deer don't need much killing, unless you pooch the shot...

[Stugotz]

I've taken deer with all of 'em, but if pressed on the matter, I prefer using a rifle...

[OldmanFCSA]

I've taken more whitetail deer with my pump action Ithaca Model 37 with a 20" Improved Cylinder bore barrel with rifle sights installed by factory than all my hunting rifles combined. It is my "go to gun". Ammo is 12gauge, 2.75" length loaded with Federal 1.25 ounce Forester type slugs. Accuracy is perfect for my hunting distances.

[ex-LT]

I've run the gamut. My first rifle was a Winchester Model 100 (semi-auto) in .308. Jammed literally every time I shot it. I traded that for a Winchester Model 88 (lever action) in .308. More accurate than the 100, and never had a problem with it, but it kicked like a Missouri mule (of course, that hard plastic butt plate didn't help matters any). After a few years, I bought a Remington 7400 in .30-06. OK rifle, and I was about like you 2" groups at 100 yds. About ten years ago, on a whim, I picked up a 7600 in 7mm-08, which quickly became my favorite deer rifle. Plenty of power to knock down any whitetail you'd run across, less recoil than the 7400 or the 88, and more accurate than any of the deer rifles I had owned up to that point. Unfortunately, wrist injuries made it impractical and hard to work the action, so I bought a Tikka T3 (again in 7-08). It's lighter than any of my previous deer rifles, and with the recoil pad, kicks less than any of them, too. I like it so much, I've sold both my Remingtons, and only bring my Model 88 with as a back-up gun. Added bonus of the Tikka, I can shoot 1" groups at 100 yds all day long.

[farmerj]

Beginning to like my daughter's .410 with a rifled barrel more and more. Accurate and all for what we do which is extremely short range and no trees.

Hunting from a blind on a trail. Never seen anything past 25 yards.

And no real recoil.

Otherwise, dad's trusty old 870 with a smooth bore and irons. Does a nice back up as the house gun loaded with 00- 9 pellet loads.