Bolt action or semi-auto for deer

[Alan]

I'm old school, use a bolt action. My buddy uses an AR-10. We argue about it every season. He says quick follow-up shots matter. I say one good shot is all you need. What do you guys actually hunt with?

 

[Shots_fired]

I’m bolt‑action too, one calm, well‑placed shot beats spraying follow‑ups and arguing about it later.

 

[flash60601]

For many years a Remington 760 (carbine length, Pump action) in 308WIN was my all time favorite, after i gave my Winchester 94 (30-30) to my grandson. Both were just about perfection in the kind of brush and scrub I hunted in. I seldom needed that "follow-up" shot, because my Dad taught me to make the first shot count, and if there was any doubt, don't even take that "first shot" because a better one would soon present itself.

 

[RogerPa]

My safe is full of bolt actions, and that’s what I hunt with. I guess I just prefer the precision they offer over most of the fast repeaters. Over the years I have taken a few deer with a pump gun, and even 1 with a lever gun, but in the last 30 years it has been exclusively bolt guns. I suppose if PA ever allowed A/R’s for big game hunting, it’d be a heck of an excuse to add one to the inventory!