roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 0
Jack O'Connor not only fixed the .270Win in the American psyche as a premiere cartridge, but he was instrumental in causing the bolt action rifle to be accepted as "the rifle action" to use if you are a serious hunter. The bolt rifle has become the benchmark of American hunting accuracy and is sold in much higher numbers than other types of actions combined. A tremendous amount of discussion is spent on the need for cartridges capapble of ultra high velocity, while at the same time admitting that the vast majority of game, whitetail size and larger, is killed within 200 yards. Given that, shouldn't slide action and lever action pieces with carbine length barrels be more popular? Or, is the bolt rifle's inherent superior accuracy simply too much to overcome, when most of us do want to appear, at least, as serious hunters.
I do not know how many states do not allow the use of semi-auto rifles for hunting, but Pa. is one of them. That fact may account in part, for the semi-auto rifle not gaining wide acceptance. However, a number of modern slide action and lever action rifles are available, complete with bolts that rotate upon going into battery. Granted, we will not expect to see pumps and semis in long range competition, but I am surprised that more hunters do not pick them up, given the advantage of very quick follow-up shots, combined with their short hendy length. In the field, I have run into elk and deer hunters toting pumps, like the Rem 760 or 7600, but invariably they are using those pieces due to a generational tradition. "Grand dad carried a 30-06 pump and we lost track of how many bulls he anchored with that thing. So it is good enough for me!" Maybe, like the .257Roberts, pumps and semis chambering hi-powered cartridges will be "discovered" and become all the rage.
I do not know how many states do not allow the use of semi-auto rifles for hunting, but Pa. is one of them. That fact may account in part, for the semi-auto rifle not gaining wide acceptance. However, a number of modern slide action and lever action rifles are available, complete with bolts that rotate upon going into battery. Granted, we will not expect to see pumps and semis in long range competition, but I am surprised that more hunters do not pick them up, given the advantage of very quick follow-up shots, combined with their short hendy length. In the field, I have run into elk and deer hunters toting pumps, like the Rem 760 or 7600, but invariably they are using those pieces due to a generational tradition. "Grand dad carried a 30-06 pump and we lost track of how many bulls he anchored with that thing. So it is good enough for me!" Maybe, like the .257Roberts, pumps and semis chambering hi-powered cartridges will be "discovered" and become all the rage.