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Discussion: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
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SasquatchJim |
Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 9:21 AM EDT
While most people agree that a semi-auto rifle is the best option, let's say for a minute that you can only choose between bolt and lever. Which one would you pick? Personally, I'd take a lever,because they're easier to fire standing up (since you don't have to move your steadying hand to rack the bolt) and they can hold more ammo. Sure, they may be slightly less accurate, but I think the pros outweigh the cons.
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Akerris |
1. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 9:29 AM EDT
"While most people agree that a semi-auto rifle is the best option, let's say for a minute that you can only choose between bolt and lever. Which one would you pick? Personally, I'd take a lever,because they're easier to fire standing up (since you don't have to move your steadying hand to rack the bolt) and they can hold more ammo. Sure, they may be slightly less accurate, but I think the pros outweigh the cons."Ah but bolt actions are easier to fire in an entrenched position. However cycling and re-aiming is difficult. Reloading is better for bolt actions in my opinion. 5 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
Zaitch |
2. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 10:11 AM EDT
Lever-actions tend to be in pistol calibers, can be easier to share ammo with a sidearm. Bolt-actions are generally more accurate and to farther distances though.I'd pick a lever-action myself, for the smoother operation. Something just feels good about tucking it into your shoulder & cycling the action. Bolt-action aren't as satisfying. Plus I don't feel much need for the bolt-action's farther range capability 7 out of 8 found this valuable. Do you? |
kyallroad |
3. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 10:41 AM EDT
I like lever action myself, shots are quick, accuracy is fine for almost any situation, reloading can be done quickly and easily. .30-.30 is a great, reliable, common round. For general everyday use it might well be my choice.
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DisasterGuru |
4. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 11:57 AM EDT
I'm gonna have to say bolt, levers cant take the preassure of my handloads and I can cycle a bolt just as fast if not faster than a lever gun.Another thing to consider are Pump Action rifles. There are several made in anything from .22 LR to .30-06 and most have dual or quad lug rotary bolts so the gun can take any round you can find be it a handload wildcat or a factory subsonic 5 out of 7 found this valuable. Do you? |
ironhand |
5. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 12:03 PM EDT
Lever guns have an advantage in close quarters and moving around due to size and weight. They are also easier to reload on the run than a bolt action.In a fixed location, a military bolt action rifle, especially the "old" WWI & WWII service rifles have more power and can be reloaded quickly using stripper clips. Civilian bolt actions don't have the speed as the old war horses, so they are very slow to reload. 6 out of 10 found this valuable. Do you? |
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DisasterGuru |
6. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 1:23 PM EDT
"Lever guns have an advantage in close quarters and moving around due to size and weight. They are also easier to reload on the run than a bolt action.I havnt had a problem speed loading my Savage 110, it's got a rather quick bolt 3 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Akerris |
7. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 2:00 PM EDT
"Lever guns have an advantage in close quarters and moving around due to size and weight. They are also easier to reload on the run than a bolt action.Lever actions were often used from horseback, therefore they might be better in a moving vehicle. Just a thought. 5 out of 7 found this valuable. Do you? |
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ironhand |
8. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 3:15 PM EDT
"Lever actions were often used from horseback, therefore they might be better in a moving vehicle. Just a thought."I haven't tried it in a car, but I have shot a lever action from a moving wagon : ) I would say that yes, the lever gun would be easier to shoot like that as it is easier to manipulate and reload in close quarters due to it's shorter length and side loading gate. 2 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
LWJ2009 |
9. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 5:33 PM EDT
"I'm gonna have to say bolt, levers cant take the preassure of my handloads and I can cycle a bolt just as fast if not faster than a lever gun.The Remington 7600 in 30-06 is a great pump rifle. That can hang with the bolt actions. I personally have a Remington 572 Fieldmaster that my Grandfather gave me, and with a tube that can handle 15 .22 long rifle rounds that is pretty damn decent, and can compete with the lever and bolt action rimfire rifles. 3 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you? |
Freelancer47 |
10. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 6:44 PM EDT
I'm a fan of Bolt actions. IF I had to pick only one of those two I'd go for the Bolt Action.
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SasquatchJim |
11. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 8:08 PM EDT
"I havnt had a problem speed loading my Savage 110, it's got a rather quick bolt"I do have to admit, Savage Model 110s are really good guns (it used to be my primary hunting rifle.) Anyway, the thing I seem to be getting about bolt actions is that they're easier to fire from a rest. Which I do admit is true. However, I think that you're probably going to be spending more time after Z-Day standing up or walking than firing from a table. 2 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
USNtwidget |
12. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 11:20 PM EDT
ill just stick with my ww2 Kar98 , plus i got plently of stripper clips ready to go, and i got the bayonet for it
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kyallroad |
13. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 23 2009, 11:45 PM EDT
"I'm gonna have to say bolt, levers cant take the preassure of my handloads and I can cycle a bolt just as fast if not faster than a lever gun.What caliber are you loading these rounds in that are too hot for the lever action to handle? There are a lot of modern firearms out there that can handle anything you care to stuff in them. I can't see how a pump action would serve as an advantage. I looked at the Remington 7600 just now online, I'm skeptical of tube magazines and pointy tipped bullets, seems like a bad idea to me. I'm not sure you know what the words "handload wildcat" or "factory subsonic" really mean here. I once again turn your attention to wikipedia as the information there is very good. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcat_cartridge while a factory subsonic round I suppose would be good if you were using a noise suppressor (silencer) and wanted to avoid the tell tail crack of the bullet breaking the sound barrier. Not usually a concern for factory ammo designers. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
Birdman44 |
14. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 24 2009, 12:10 AM EDT
I'de take a bolt gun. I'm more familiar with them then a lever action right now.
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Littlejon126 |
15. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 24 2009, 12:44 AM EDT
I can't decide between the two, because the role that I see for each is very different, and bolt actions can be a pretty diverse topic. Are we referring to surplus guns? Civilian hunting rifles? .50 BMG Windrunner or Black Arrow? Military sniper rifles? Do Swiss K31's count as bolt action rifles?Likewise, is the 30-30 a deer gun? Does it have irons or a 3-9x scope? I'm starting to see a lot of deer guns 'round these parts with red dot and holo sights.... is it set up like that? What caliber is it? 45-70 is pretty rough and tumble, and probably excessive for uncle Zack and his buddies. It's impossible to decide, at least for me. When I think of a lever gun, it has iron sights and used for hunting deer at ranges under 100 yards in thick foliage. When I picture a bolt gun, it's either a milsurp rifle or a hunting rifle with a scope on it. Very different missions. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
Carnack |
16. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 24 2009, 1:09 AM EDT
Given the choice I say lever would be what I would go for.
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SasquatchJim |
17. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 24 2009, 8:46 AM EDT
"When I said up the thread, I meant it to be simply discussing which action would be better, not the accessories for the gun. However, let's say, for the sake of discussion, they have the same sights. Do you find this valuable? |
necroslaughter |
18. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 24 2009, 4:39 PM EDT
"When I said up the thread, I meant it to be simply discussing which action would be better, not the accessories for the gun. However, let's say, for the sake of discussion, they have the same sights."I would find an American Indian and trade them my lever action and fire water for the AR-15s they have been smuggling. I knew one who did that. I guess you can't have ARs on reservations if you have a felony Or I would take the lever action cal not as important as placement and speed when being overrun with Zs 0 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
deathseekrakodo |
19. RE: Bolt action vs. Lever action.
Aug 25 2009, 1:51 PM EDT
"lol 45-70 is a pain in the arse, My dad's favorite rifle is his winchester 30-30 lever with irons, it groups really well at 100 (i get about 1 1/2 but I've seen my dad post a 1/2in. with it). I love the lever action from horseback its exceedingly hilarious. Any way long story short I would chose lever over bolt for its faster fire rate and larger ammo capacity 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
