Bolt and semi-auto action rifles have been around for a long time.
They’re not only seen in competitions and hunting parks but also in modern warfare.
This article will give you detailed information about these two systems.
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Bolt Action vs Semi-Auto
There's no such thing as a perfect system. Bolt and semi-auto action rifles have their pros and cons. While a semi-auto can be overkill in some situations, a bolt action just won't cut it in others. In the table below, you can compare their strengths and weaknesses.
Bolt Action | Semi-Auto |
|---|---|
Pros | Pros |
Highly reliable | Lower recoil |
High precision | High fire rate |
Works with almost every kind of ammunition | Can store more ammo |
Cons | Cons |
Low fire rate | Less precise in longer distances |
Stronger recoil | More expensive than most bolt actions |
Unfit for shooting from moving platforms | Malfunctions like double-feed and clogs |
Best For | Best For |
Bolt-action rifles can shoot with pinpoint precision at very long distances. However, they aren’t as effective in combat situations due to their low fire rate. | They’re commonly used in combat situations and allow the shooter to keep an eye on the target. Perfect for situations where greater firepower is more important than precision. |
Relevant Characteristics Between Bolt Action and Semi-Auto
There's a rifle for every purpose, and you should know yours before opening your wallet. It's crucial to understand rifles’ particularities and capabilities. Compare the main features of each kind and choose the best for you.
Bolt Action | Characteristics | Semi-Auto |
|---|---|---|
 | Cell |  |
Tight tolerances | Build Tolerances | Loose tolerances |
Very accurate at great lengths | Accuracy | Accurate at medium length |
Heavier,1-stage recoil | Recoil | Light, 3-stages recoil |
Low rate | Rate of Fire | High rate |
Slow | Speed | Fast |
Very reliable | Reliability | Can malfunction more often |
Very reliable | Feed Reliability | Can clog, double-feed, and other malfunctions |
Similarities and Differences
Can't decide yet? No worries. It's a century-old debate, and you aren’t expected to pick a side so fast. In this section, you'll read about the similarities and differences between semi-autos from bolt action rifles.
Bolt Action and Semi-Auto Differences
One of the most remarkable differences would be age. Semi-automatic rifles are the relatively recent development of a system that's been around since at least the 18th century. The loading/discharging process of a bolt-action rifle is carried out manually, while semi-automatic rifles operate almost automatically. Here are some of the main differences:
Cycles
Semi-automatic rifles use part of the gas emitted in a shot to "cycle the action," which automatically puts it back in a firing position. This system increases firepower significantly, which is extremely useful in urban combat situations.
Bolt actions can't shoot as fast as semi-autos because of their manual cycling systems. Manually cycling the bolt can take more time. However, it usually amounts to a more precise shot due to fewer components moving around inside the gun when you pull the trigger.
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Recoil
Semi-autos and bolt actions also manage recoil differently. With bolt action rifles, the recoil happens in one stage only, from the muzzle to the rear, pushing the stock straight into the shooter's shoulder pocket. Semi-autos break recoiling into three stages:
- When the bullet flies off the barrel
- When the bolt moves again
- When the bolt picks up the next bullet
For this reason, some shooters may feel the semi-auto has less recoil. Others will prefer bolt actions because the recoil only goes in one direction.
Pricing
Semi-automatic rifles are usually more expensive. They require more sophisticated technology and are some of the most modern rifles out there. Bolt actions, on the other hand, are significantly cheaper and can be found on old guns.
Although both systems are used in combat situations, semi-autos seem better suited for modern warfare, where firepower outweighs pinpoint precision. If you don't need to shoot for your life, bolt action should suffice your needs and fit your budget more easily.
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Bolt Action and Semi-Auto Similarities
Long-range Precision
Both systems hold about the same precision until 600 yards. After this length, it's more difficult for a semi-auto rifle to shoot with pinpoint precision. This slightly lower precision is compensated with greater firepower and the ability to keep an eye on the target. So, both rifles can take down a target at great length, albeit one is more likely to hit the bull's eye than the other.
Triggers
Both the bolt action and semi-auto have a single-action trigger. With a single action trigger, one pull equals one shot.
After a revolver fires a single-action shot, the hammer must be pulled back into place manually. In semi-automatic rifles, the hammer is pulled back by gas management and mechanics.
Civilian Weapons
Neither rifle qualifies as an assault weapon, so they’re available for civilian purchase. The main difference between those rifles and assault weapons is the trigger action. Assault rifles, such as the M-16, can fire a stream of bullets with a single pull. In bolt actions and semi-autos, the trigger must be pulled each time to fire a shot.
History
Created centuries apart, these gun systems became the weapons-of-choice during wars. The Prussian Army adopted bolt-action rifles in 1841. In the 19th century, different versions were used from the German Revolutions to the American Civil War and were still standard infantry weapons during the two World Wars.
Semi-automatic rifles were first used in combat during the Mexican Revolution and were widespread on the battlefield during World War I.
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Advantages of Bolt Action
The first bolt-action rifle ever produced is now almost two centuries old. It was created by Johann von Dreyse in 1824, following a trend of breech-loading rifles that could be traced back to the 18th century. This rifle was adopted by the Prussian Army 17 years later and has never left the battlefield since. In this section, we'll outline some of this system's main advantages.
Accuracy and Dependability
Loading and discarding processes are manual in bolt-action rifles. It means fewer components are moving due to gas production inside the rifle. For this reason, it makes a much more stable and precise rifle.
This system's simplicity and sturdiness amount to greater dependability. Unlike semi-automatic rifles, there isn't much to go wrong here, and that's why they are a common choice for soldiers and competitors worldwide.
Versatility
Bolt actions work well in basically any caliber and can even be found in shotguns. Bolt actions are also easily adaptable odd/rare calibers. They work with almost all kinds of ammunition, from light to heavy, slow to fast, and even with custom brass ammo.
This type of action also can house every level of scope, regardless of how traditional or cutting-edge. This system also has better recoil management and gas release. Recoils occur in one single stage, rearward, against the shooter's shoulder.
It explains why so many competitive shooters feel more comfortable with it.
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Recoil Control and Tactics
This kind of rifle offers some key tactical advantages, like a lower profile (compared with semi-auto rifles) and a more discreet shell discharging mechanism. Tactical gears like suppressor, standard, and thermal scopes also fit easily in these rifles.
Bolt-action systems have been tried and tested in the field many times over. They’re simple, efficient, precise, and reliable. They’re popular among competitive shooters and snipers.
Their elegant simplicity works well with virtually every kind of ammunition and caliber, even custom ones. The rifles' tactical advantages are also not to be overlooked, as they can make the difference between life and death in extreme situations.
While some shooters consider them less modern than semi-auto rifles, bolt-action rifles are timeless.
Advantages of Semi-Auto
The first semi-automatic rifles were designed in the early 1900s. In the First World War, every nation involved was already using some sort of semi-automatic system. Semi-automatic rifles can shoot much faster than bolt-action ones due to their cycling system.
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They can also carry more ammunition and lessen the feeling of the recoil. For those reasons, among others, they’re the standard choice for intense combat situations and some kinds of competition. Here are some other advantages of this system:
Firepower
This feature can't be overlooked. It shoots very quickly and can also house more ammunition —up to 30, while bolt actions carry only 10, at best. If you’re shooting at multiple targets, either in battle or in a competition, you can benefit from a faster trigger and up to three more chances to hit the target.
If you're atop of a vehicle or on a helicopter, you'll probably want to avoid the hassle of cycling your rifle manually.
Recoil Control
Semi-autos can handle recoil very well. Its impact is significantly less felt due to a system that breaks it up into three parts: the shot itself, the bolt pushing back into the buffer, and finally, the bolt's repositioning for the next shot. Because recoils require less strength to be absorbed, long shooting sessions become less tiresome.
Scoping
Unlike bolt-action sniper rifles, semi-automatic ones allow the shooter to keep an eye on the target between one shot and another. It is a meaningful advantage for long-range shooting, regardless of the situation. If you need another shot to take down the target, it's readily available.
Semi-automatic rifles seem to be tailor-made for modern warfare. Their firepower and smoother recoil absorption are perfect for shooting from atop different kinds of vehicles. They’re a popular choice for competitions involving multiple targets. Because there are no manual action shots, you can focus on your target all the time.
Snipers who choose this kind of rifle can use tactical techniques that would be impossible with bolt actions, like bracketing and traversing. The semi-auto’s capacity of storing much more ammunition, allied with much lighter recoil, makes it a great companion for long shooting sessions.
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Bottom Line
Both rifles have pros and cons that can make a vital difference in various situations. Bolt-action rifles can shoot very precisely at extreme lengths. Semi-autos compensate for their slightly lower precision with greater firepower and less recoil. While the first won't be fit for shooting from a fast-moving platform, the second won't be precise if targets are too far.
If you need a rifle for hunting or a hobby, a semi-auto is probably overkill. They’re way more expensive and can make you visit a gunsmith more often than you'd like. On the other hand, a bolt-action rifle may leave a disadvantage in a combat situation against semi-automatic rifles.
People Also Ask
In this section, you'll learn more about the particularities of each system and when they can best serve you. Beware of your local legislation, so you won't end up spending money on a gun you aren't legally able to use.
Can a Bolt Action Be Converted to a Semi-Auto?
You can turn a bolt-action rifle into a semi-automatic, or even an automatic one. Many of them are considered illegal, as it would turn them into "assault weapons." Anyway, it can be costly to do so, as it requires highly specialized gunsmithing.
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Are Bolt-Action Rifles Obsolete?
Not at all. While semi-auto rifles are gaining ground on the battlefield, bolt-action rifles have some advantages that can't be matched. Bolt action is still the most reliable of the systems, as semi-automatic and automatic rifles can clog and have other malfunctions. Additionally, bolt-action rifles can handle a much wider variety of bullets.
Do Snipers Use Bolt Action or Semi-Auto?
It's mostly a matter of personal taste and purpose. Both actions are commonly used by snipers, although in different situations. With semi-autos, you don't have the distraction of recycling the bolt yourself. With bolt action, you can achieve pinpoint precision at longer distances. If you need to shoot from a moving platform, semi-autos are the best choice.
