Why do hunters prefer bolt action rifles to semi auto rifles?
Bolt guns are more accurate for several reasons. They can be floated and bedded and can be bought with heavy barrels (bull barrel). The cartridge seats up the same every time. They are not necessarily cheaper than semis. SKS can be cheap. Old semi auto 30-06’s turn up around here all the time and few want them. I have not researched it but I believe bolt guns can be found in a far wider range of cartridges, many of which are fast and flat shooting. Others are big and heavy for mucho knock down power. Still others are economical to shoot and those like the .222 Remington cause very little barrel damage over the life time of the gun. The triple deuce was the standard for bench shooting for years until the 6mm PPC took over. Cartridges like the 22-250 and 220 swift were hotter but they caused barrel damage over time. Some of us like to play with different cartridges and loads. I have seen a 22-250 loaded so hot that it literally left a tiny vapor trial down a cold, damp creek bottom one m
