Oh no, again? Are you sure you aren't one of them other guys? You know what I mean.

On the face of it, I'd say a double is faster than the bolt when shooting big calibers. Anybody can say they are fast with their 30 mags, but can that manual of arms be translated to using a magnum length bolt gun? And without taking the rifle off your shoulder while doing it? I'd have to see this superman in action.

475-----I take no position on this but it is an article printed in African Hunter magazine. I love my bolt-actions but I do lust after a double....it's just to darn bad there aren't more elephants, buff, etc in Southern California.

Hi 475Guy,
A long throw bolt action big bore can be shot with changing aim points at a rate of about one shot every 2 seconds. This is a big bore rifle that generates 90 ft lbs of recoil with open sights. Go to my site and look under the videos section "Aimed Rapid Fire" and have a look.
Take care,
Dave

The shooter in the above mentioned video is an excellent marksman.

However, his operation of the bolt action is different than that taught by Gunsite and perhaps others who are achieving aimed fire as fast with the bolt rifle as with a double or semi-automatic rifle.

With .308 rifles, some are making doubles on clay targets, starting with the rifle butt at the waist as both targets are thrown. This is hard to believe, but it is true and is a result of improved technique in operation of the bolt rifle.

I do not pretend to be the expert, but have trained in the technique and seen it done by others.

It is undoubtedly easier to make fast aimed shots with the double, since no bolt manipulation technique is necessary, but equal speed can be achieved with a bolt rifle with the right training.

A good article, and I think very fairly presented.

I still believe I'll stick with my bolt-guns!

AD

As much as I'd like a double it's a decision between hunting buffalo or owning a double to hunt buffalo, can't afford both.

While I don't agree with all the conclusions of the author or the Rtickle, I think he does present the case pretty well and the merits of each can be examined on the baise of the writing.

Allen,

"...I still believe I'll stick with my bolt-guns!..."

So would I my friend, so would I.

I have never been in a situation where I felt my bolt action rifle is at a disadvantage.

On the other hand, I have been on many occasions wher I WOULD have been at a disadvantage if all I had was an open sighted double.

At the end of the day, one should use whatever he is comfortable with.

That article epitimized the standard discussion of doubles versus bolts. Each have their merits. Take your pick.

I would rather have a double, but only if I had a couple of gunbearers do the reloading of a couple duplicate, identical doubles.

Saeed, I'm convinced that a familiar, precise, scope-sighted bolt rifle can more readily keep you out of trouble in the first place, and is more practical under a wider variety of dangerous game situations.

AD

Inside 10 the doubles win,

Outside 10 the bolts begin..

Atkinsonism


I really could care less as long as I have a good rifle of decent caliber and a place to hunt.....I use both and love them both, so who cares about all this gobblegoop, who invented this race anyway....

470, after I posted the above, I then remembered your video. You are fast with yours, I admit to being slightly biased.

DB, if there were critters to shoot in So.Cal., I'd be down there in a heartbeat.

Very well, and fairly written! Good advice here! I happen to love both types, and am proficient with both. I will have to go along with Ray's statement, but I wouldn't limit the range quite that short. I would put the range at 30 yds,instead of 10, but you get the idea!



I think if both rifles cost the same, you would see a lot more doubles in the hands of PHs for sure. However, I believe for the guy who does most of his hunting in North America, or for plains game in Africa, a well made, and fitted, scoped bolt rifle, makes far more sense, especially when one considers the cost differential, and ammo availability!

C'mon Mac, if I did that then it wouldn't rhime!!

But in real life I will go along with your thinking...In fact I would pick my double to 75 and maybe even a 100 yards with irons..and feel ultra confident...

I wonder how often, at 10 yards and closing, both guns would afford the hunter but a single shot because the hunter was afraid to break his double for reloading, with a buff enroute. Similarly, should your buff comes from < 60 yards, I wonder if the boltman might be prone to fire three times, rather than two. With a double, the tendency to wait for two shots up close is strong and may lead to trouble more often than the taking that immediate shot with the bolt gun, whereas the buffalo may not get nearly so close before it's over. Somewhat difficult to detail but I think you get the drift. I'll take a scoped .50 caliber to protect my ass in that situation, thank you.