Legislation
Shooting
Semi- or bolt-action for rabbit shooting?
Would you like to appear on our site? We offer sponsored articles and advertising to put you in front of our readers. Find out more
I want a semi-automatic .22LR for rabbit shooting, but a few people have told me that they aren’t as good as a bolt-action. Can that be true?
DOM HOLTAM replies: I have always used bolt-actions for hunting. Not only do they have the edge in terms of accuracy (in my experience) but the likelihood of a jam is greatly reduced. Having a malfunction when out night shooting is not ideal.
Semi-auto rifles are great fun for plinking and there are some models out there – Ruger’s 10-22 or Remington’s 597 – that have impressive accuracy. In terms of the fastest possible follow-up shot, you can’t beat them. However, a ‘tack-driving’ bolt gun with a smooth action would, on balance, be my choice.
Related articles
Driven
Vegan to hunter
Emily Damment tells the extraordinary story of one man’s transformation from full veganism to harvesting his own wild meat, with plenty of lessons to learn along the way.
By Time Well Spent
Wildfowling
Generation game
James Green recounts an unforgettable week of wildfowling on Scotland’s Tay estuary, where three families shared the joys, challenges and triumphs of outdoor adventures