Thread: Why semiautos

So a question, what would be your reasons for using a semiautomatic for hunting or pest control over a bolt action.
The only ones I can think of are for pest control as in a target rich environment you can transition quickly between targets, you can rapidly follow up on misses especially as often your shooting position is less than ideal.
Can anyone add anything else to the mix feel free to think centrefire as well as rimfire.

The old E(MSSA) was for sporting and competition only purpose. There is nothing about hunting.

Some people find it enjoyable. Maybe it was your favourite rifle.

Like you said,quick follow up shots.

Different strokes for different folks

Semi is much easier to use when left handed (except hot brass down your shirt) or you limit (ok there are a few available now) yourself to left hand bolts only

I think you pretty much covered it.
Also probably with some of the more available clip mag models, the mag capacity was a bit more although now anything more than 10 shots is now evil, that is out of the picture. 20 shot stirlings and the big banana mags for the 10/22's spring to mind
I found when spotlighting possums, if you needed a second shot for any reason, missed, branches in the way, or hard to pick up in the scope, etc, a semi was better than a bolt.

-Usually ambidextrous in the case of Ar type platforms
-Ergonomically better for various firing positions
-Faster follow up shots and target transition's
-Reduced recoil
-Higher capacity magazines
-Faster reloads
-Usually chambered in common and economically priced calibres
-Bloody fun and effective to use

agree with the above plus
Sounds way cooler
great fun when shooting gongs as you can shoot fast then here rapped hits.

Out spotlighting a week or so ago, if I'd had a semi rather than my bolt 22, the tally would have been 20-30% higher.

well over 10k bunnies shot so fat and 99% were with a semi 22 or semi 12.
best guns for the job, the amount of times i shoot a bunny and one i didnt see at first moves next to it is very common.
also since my right shoulder is pretty stuffed i really liked my centerfire semi's

I preferred them because:

*Quick second shot

*Easier to use when prone

*With a bolt action, I find that working the bolt breaks my cheek weld to the rifle

My friend who had a 30/06 semi wouldn't touch an 06 bolt because the semi soaked up the recoil.

A bolt 06 would have killed his shoulder. (He rolled a quad 20 years ago and has ongoing injury problems, head, neck and shoulders)

Originally Posted by eamars

The old E(MSSA) was for sporting and competition only purpose. There is nothing about hunting.

Bullshit!

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Says who? Some of them never saw "sporting" use or a competition.

Exactly the case with my old one, Goats saw a lot of rounds their way though

Originally Posted by eamars

The old E(MSSA) was for sporting and competition only purpose. There is nothing about hunting.

Disagree. I carried my AR15 into the bush often enough looking for deer.

Originally Posted by eamars

The old E(MSSA) was for sporting and competition only purpose. There is nothing about hunting.

Well I used mine for hunting - or did I misread your comment?