Big Game Rifle - Double, Single or Bolt Action?

[Pedro]

Interesting.

I'm sure I've read tests that say with a double rifle you can consistently shoot quicker than with a bolt action over a period. But really there are so many variables. A slick action to your bolt action will make a lot of difference and with a double you need to practice a lot and be spot on with your drill and have ammunition easily accessible. How many times do you stand in a field with a shotgun and swear to yourself because pheasants are flying overhead and you are faffing about reloading?

As for the single, maybe it's me, but with some dangerous game bearing down on me, that'd be the time you'd fumble, drop the next round, not pull the bolt back far enough, knock the safety on accidentally or something equally stupid. No, in order of preference (given that admittedly I have never hunted dangerous game) I'd go for the double which gives me two shots without doing anything, the bolt action which might give time for more than two and the single shot last of all in that order.

 

[308rws]

You also need to factor what you plan to do in the case of a misfire.

 

[VSS]

You also need to factor what you plan to do in the case of a misfire.

Count slowly up to 60.........

 

[scrumbag]

Yeah, missfire drill? Crank the bolt and shoot again!

 

[mchughcb]

Interesting.
I'm sure I've read tests that say with a double rifle you can consistently shoot quicker than with a bolt action over a period. But really there are so many variables.

You don't have to read anything, you can watch on YouTube for free!

 

[mchughcb]

As for the single, maybe it's me, but with some dangerous game bearing down on me, that'd be the time you'd fumble, drop the next round, not pull the bolt back far enough, knock the safety on accidentally or something equally stupid. No, in order of preference (given that admittedly I have never hunted dangerous game) I'd go for the double which gives me two shots without doing anything, the bolt action which might give time for more than two and the single shot last of all in that order.

Single shot for hunting is fine. If the animal is charging then while you are reloading the PH should be stepping in with his "stopper". However I wouldn't place my life on a guy I never met before in my life. So I'd at least go with a double or bolt. But nevertheless its always fun to play out this hypothetical situations in practice. Interestingly most of the competitors can shoot 6 aimed shots in 25 seconds with a single.

 

[MAH]

Neil Diamond at 28sec?

I think your right, and given all the waving around with the muzzle, it makes you wounder where it went.
M.

 

[Kalahari]

Interesting.

I'm sure I've read tests that say with a double rifle you can consistently shoot quicker than with a bolt action over a period. But really there are so many variables. A slick action to your bolt action will make a lot of difference and with a double you need to practice a lot and be spot on with your drill and have ammunition easily accessible. How many times do you stand in a field with a shotgun and swear to yourself because pheasants are flying overhead and you are faffing about reloading?

As for the single, maybe it's me, but with some dangerous game bearing down on me, that'd be the time you'd fumble, drop the next round, not pull the bolt back far enough, knock the safety on accidentally or something equally stupid. No, in order of preference (given that admittedly I have never hunted dangerous game) I'd go for the double which gives me two shots without doing anything, the bolt action which might give time for more than two and the single shot last of all in that order.

Well, I knew Harry Selby many moons ago and he used a bolt 416 as his stopper. I also had but have lost a picture someone took of him in a tight situation, riding the recoil of the second shot while the first casing was still going upward. Now I know he was exceptionally good but there were others in the profession who could do the same. It was practice and knowing your kit very well. I think some of us ordinary mortals can't do stuff like that. An interesting course of fire would be two rounds into a closing target, fastest wins providing both shots are in the kill zone. The eight shot one really only aplies to the game cullers. I also accept that person wouldn't be me. Interesting thread though.

David.

 

[bowji john]

The double shot into a closing target is one of the exercises we do on the DG weekends

As is a misfire drill

As is a blind fold reload

As is multiple shots under pressure of time at targets at different distances

Just about all FGASA guides use a bolt action - their only shooting role is to protect clients from a charge

I know no FGASA guides that could afford a double rifle

Bolt is never going to be as fast as a double for 2 shots

You just practice and practice to become as proficient as you can with the kit you have

 

[mchughcb]

When we get the new moving target range happening I'll try and post some pictures of the action.

 

[8x57]

The video says "the double wins on accuracy and speed".
Which target was the double shooting on because the left hand target scored 44 and the right hand target scored 60?

Interesting to note that the bolt action mounted a red dot sight and that the double mounted a scope. When you consider that video and the first one where the shooter with the double used open sights and scored the highest it's easy to come to the conclusion that a telescopic sight offers no advantage at short range.

 

[mchughcb]

The double was on the left and it was a higher score on countback. You need to stop looking on your mobile phone. Its pretty clear what the scores are on a computer on high res.

The first video showed a low recoiling 9.3x74R. I can tell you the second 9.3x74R is loaded with compressed loads for the highest velocity possible. You could also argue if the first double had a half decent red dot they might have shot higher at 50m.

 

[8x57]

The double was on the left and it was a higher score on countback. You need to stop looking on your mobile phone. Its pretty clear what the scores are on a computer on high res.

The first video showed a low recoiling 9.3x74R. I can tell you the second 9.3x74R is loaded with compressed loads for the highest velocity possible. You could also argue if the first double had a half decent red dot they might have shot higher at 50m.

I made a mistake with both my arithmetic and my vision. Note to self put your specs on when looking at videos.

 

[mchughcb]

Especially when competing nothing worse than checking my target and finding 2 extra holes of different calibres on it.

 

[howa243]

We put them head to head.

Beretta O/U 9.3x74R, Ruger No1 375 H&H and Sako Model 75 338 Win Mag

Lets be honest, the bloke on the right is a bit scary.

 

[mchughcb]

You should see him after he's butchered a pig and covered in blood and has his big hunting knife out.

 

[macfarlane]

You also need to factor what you plan to do in the case of a misfire.

Run quicker than the pH.

 

[John Gryphon]

Very thoughtful. Pro hunters playing.