To Bolt or Not to Bolt?

[MarlaSinger]

Red Ryder.

View attachment 1084790

I had to buy one for my dad cause he accidentally shot his cat instead of a skunk and my mom took them all away! Lol

 

[MarlaSinger]

For hunting I prefer a bolt action rifle , if I am to use a modern rifle....

That said , my modern hunting rifle is a Winchester Model 94 in .30-30 from 1958...a really fun lever action rifle.
It suits my needs for where and how I hunt if I choose to hunt in modern season.

A rifle in .270 Winchester will make for a dandy hunting rifle....you could hunt just about anything you care to hunt in North America with it.

And with all that said...
The rifle I shoot , use and hunt with the most is none of the above....
Its my .54 Hawken rifle ...this rifle has won many a shooting match , and kept me fed with :
Grouse...
Antelope..
Deer...
Elk...
Black Bear...

Pick what you like...what feels good to you....and practice...both on and off the rifle bench....
Andy

Thank you! Very helpful! Whats a .54? Ive never seen that caliber

 

[MarlaSinger]

As far as hunting goes, bolt guns are much simpler to maintain and clean. Semi autos generate a little less recoil. Semis are a little more sensitive to very cold weather. Bolts require you to manipulate the action after every shot. Either makes a fine hunting gun. Semis used to be heavier, but that has changed, though you pay a hefty premium. Semis are typically much more expensive.

The weather is also important for me to consider its always raining and cold here. We definitely dont get snow like Montana! But if I only hunt in summer! Id never hunt! Lol

 

[User 1234]

Thank you! Very helpful! Whats a .54? Ive never seen that caliber

A muzzleloader.

 

[Nosferatu]

Thank you! Very helpful! Whats a .54? Ive never seen that caliber

Don't ask! For the love of all that is sane in this world, PLEASE don't ask!!

 

[MarlaSinger]

A muzzleloader.

That interests me! But definitely something for when i have a bit more money

 

[Member 53328]

In all honesty just get a bolt action .300 WM.

 

[Wavehog]

You have to get comfortable with what you are shooting. Everyone is different and has different needs, body's, minds and most of the important eyes. What is best for you is what is what you can shoot and get comfortable with. My advice like all others is salted with bias… enjoy the search. It's the best part. And why we have collections.

 

[No_Regerts]

Besides what everyone else has said, if you're looking at long action cartridges like the 270, you'll be limited in semi-auto options and they are all heavy. Bolt actions can be made quite light.

One thing about the 270 Winchester, standard twist rates are on the slow side. Because of this, most bullet development is focused on hunting stuff that is great terminally, but bleeds energy quickly if used beyond 400 yards. There may be more match bullets on the horizon with the newer "6.8mm" (commie for .277) cartridges like the 6.8 Western with the 8 twist. But, the majority of 270 Winchester barrels will be 10 twist.

Which brings me to this: faster factory twists can be found in 6.5mm, 7mm, and .308 caliber cartridges. The .308 bores can be iffy if you're not careful. Some are twisted 11 or 12. Most are 10 twists, but that's not terrible for the bigger bore size.

 

[MarlaSinger]

I was considering 6.5 crm since its being adopted by the military, I figured itll be a common round.

 

[Nosferatu]

I was considering 6.5 crm since its being adopted by the military, I figured itll be a common round.

What military?

 

[MarlaSinger]

What military?

By the us military snipers. I read an article. Ill try and locate it if you like.

 

[User 1234]

Did you decide what use your rifle will serve? Until that question is decided it is difficult to provide tailored advice.

 

[titsonritz]

What military?

US
https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editorial/hornady-awarded-65-creedmoor-military-contract/375847
https://www.armytimes.com/off-duty/...-to-get-these-knights-uppers-in-65-creedmoor/
https://soldiersystems.net/2018/03/23/ussocom-adopts-6-5-cm/

 

[User 1234]

By the us military snipers. I read an article. Ill try and locate it if you like.

Limited use by military sniper teams, especially if purchased only in testing and research quantities, will have no effect on your ability to find ammo
in that chambering easily or cheaply.

 

[Wavehog]

Besides what everyone else has said, if you're looking at long action cartridges like the 270, you'll be limited in semi-auto options and they are all heavy. Bolt actions can be made quite light.

One thing about the 270 Winchester, standard twist rates are on the slow side. Because of this, most bullet development is focused on hunting stuff that is great terminally, but bleeds energy quickly if used beyond 400 yards. There may be more match bullets on the horizon with the newer "6.8mm" (commie for .277) cartridges like the 6.8 Western with the 8 twist. But, the majority of 270 Winchester barrels will be 10 twist.

Which brings me to this: faster factory twists can be found in 6.5mm, 7mm, and .308 caliber cartridges. The .308 bores can be iffy if you're not careful. Some are twisted 11 or 12. Most are 10 twists, but that's not terrible for the bigger bore size.

 

[No_Regerts]

I was considering 6.5 crm since its being adopted by the military, I figured itll be a common round.

You have to ask yourself if the greater terminal performance (and flatter trajectory) of the 270 within 500 yards is worth more than the eventual catch-up of high BC 6.5 bullets beyond that range. For me, I limit myself to about 400 yards on game based on my ability to consistently hit a pie plate sized vital area from field positions. So, what happens beyond that makes no difference in a hunting rifle. I choose whatever's flatter and hits harder at 400.

Besides, the LR game is better suited by a rifle set up for that. Most hunting rifles are built to be carried a lot and shot less. That would be my second rifle.

 

[Wavehog]

This is some good information that could aid you and save a bit of time. I would take note, personally.

 

[MarlaSinger]

You have to ask yourself if the greater terminal performance (and flatter trajectory) of the 270 within 500 yards is worth more than the eventual catch-up of high BC 6.5 bullets beyond that range. For me, I limit myself to about 400 yards on game based on my ability to consistently hit a pie plate sized vital area from field positions. So, what happens beyond that makes no difference in a hunting rifle. I choose whatever's flatter and hits harder at 400.

Besides, the LR game is better suited by a rifle set up for that. Most hunting rifles are built to be carried a lot and shot less. That would be my second rifle.

Makes sense!

 

[MarlaSinger]

This is some good information that could aid you and save a bit of time. I would take note, personally.

I agree and i am! I was reading about twist rate. Its fascinating.