Bolt-Action Basics

[Robespierre]

I'm new here, so forgive any errors or gaps in my knowledge.

Anyway, I have been teaching myself about firearms for a few months now and I have a very good grasp of the mechanics of autoloading rifles, pistols, etc. I understand why autoloading rifles vary so greatly in accuracy, but the bolt gun confuses me. Why makes them different other than manufacturing techniques, materials, etc. Why are some actions inherently more accurate than others?

 

[hamstur]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ARPIV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm new here, so forgive any errors or gaps in my knowledge.

Anyway, I have been teaching myself about firearms for a few months now and I have a very good grasp of the mechanics of autoloading rifles, pistols, etc. I understand why autoloading rifles vary so greatly in accuracy, but the bolt gun confuses me. Why makes them different other than <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">manufacturing techniques, materials,</span></span> etc. Why are some actions inherently more accurate than others? </div></div>

You already answered yourself. Higher quality materials & manufacturing techniques (equipment, process, standards & tolerances).

 

[Robespierre]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

But what about locking lugs, barrel designs, etc.

 

[tigerfan_9]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

semi autos generally need to be built to much loser tolerances to cycle properly and not jam as that is what they were designed for. rapid rounds on target and reliability doing so. bolt actions were designed tighter and have less moving parts and less likely to jam so can have tighter tolerances lending to more precision.

 

[Robespierre]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

I get that, and in hindsight I phrased my question badly so I'll try again. What makes the Remington model 700 action so great while some other actions were not? What makes one action superior by design?

 

[Rifle Barrel Blanks]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

More accurately produced. quality controlled very well on the high end actions.

 

[hamstur]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

I wouldn't go so far as to say the Remington 700 is a 'great' action. Lest my memory is fading, it was designed in the 1960s as a mass-producable rifle at a very cheap price that every average Joe could afford. It's sold so well over the years that it's become sort of a standardized design with lots of aftermarket support with gunsmiths who know the design inside-out.

Check out this article on truing/blueprinting a rifle action. I think it will answer all your questions: http://www.vandykerifles.com/blueprint.htm

As mentioned above, it's all about manufacturing & machining the action to great consistency & tolerances -- then assembling it with a quality barrel, stock and bedding job to complete the rifle.

 

[Robespierre]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

Thanks for the information!

 

[roggom]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hamstur</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wouldn't go so far as to say the Remington 700 is a 'great' action. </div></div>

Blasphemy!

 

[Downzero]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

I don't care what the apologists say, I still love my Winchester action.

 

[Remoah]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

A gas-operated firearm works the same (principally) as a bolt-action firearm. Ie: a bolt is used to both insert, lock, fire and extract. To do this, the bolt twists, allowing the locking lugs to engage.
In a bolt rifle, this process is performed manually, whilst in a gas operated firearm, the gases are diverted to operate the action.

Basically, using the explosive force of the round to cycle the action is more complicated than a bolt action firearm, and introduces a number of variables to the process not present in a manually operated firearm.
Therefore, it is usually considered easier to make a bolt action firearm accurate, than it is to make a gas-operated firearm equally as accurate.

What makes a bolt action accurate is the same as what makes a semi-auto accurate. The tolerances in the machining/threading, the quality of the steel, the accuracy of the machining, ensuring all the parts that are to be connected match up exactly. The difference, as i have said, is that the Semi requires far more parts to be made perfectly to be this accurate.

 

[tigerfan_9]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Remoah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A gas-operated firearm works the same (principally) as a bolt-action firearm. Ie: a bolt is used to both insert, lock, fire and extract. To do this, the bolt twists, allowing the locking lugs to engage.
In a bolt rifle, this process is performed manually, whilst in a gas operated firearm, the gases are diverted to operate the action.

Basically, using the explosive force of the round to cycle the action is more complicated than a bolt action firearm, and introduces a number of variables to the process not present in a manually operated firearm.
Therefore, it is usually considered easier to make a bolt action firearm accurate, than it is to make a gas-operated firearm equally as accurate.

What makes a bolt action accurate is the same as what makes a semi-auto accurate. The tolerances in the machining/threading, the quality of the steel, the accuracy of the machining, ensuring all the parts that are to be connected match up exactly. The difference, as i have said, is that the Semi requires far more parts to be made perfectly to be this accurate. </div></div>

this...

 

[bignada]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

You want to know what makes bolt action rifle mechanisms "accurate" firearms?

So does everyone else. Unless you shoot from a mechanical rest or use a benchrest railgun, your abilities are always the larger factor in the equation.

Might search for Benchrest Primer published by Precision Shooting, read their magazine, and check out Benchrestcentral.com and shootersforum.com. More apt discussion on your topic in those places.

Most here have no clue about what factors truly result in precision shooting. Tactical rifles and shooting are a different discipline. Actually, the contemporary AR-10 and AR-15 precision rifle is more inherently capable of delivering precision fire than comparable bolt rifles. Dinosaurs here want to pretend otherwise.

 

[shooter.dm]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

Well I will say my DPMS LR .204 shoots .2 to .3 all day long with factory barrel . I did put a 1 pound trigger on it and a prs stock. The start model cost me 900 after trigger stock paint scope bipodi got about 2200 in it. Now I also have a Howa 1500 with a factory barrel bnc stock tuned trigger to pound and half millett trs scope it shoots .25 to .60 all day long and I don't have bit about 1100 in it. I agree that you can get great accurate shooting out of a auto loader but its going to cost a great deal more in my experience.

 

[exhogflyer]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

Oh boy......

 

[Robespierre]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

Well thanks for the information. It helps a lot.

 

[bottom_gun]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

Pick up a copy of Rifle Accuracy Facts by Vaughn. It should answer any questions you have about what affects accuracy and what is just myth.

 

[ut755ln]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Robspierre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm new here, so forgive any errors or gaps in my knowledge.

Anyway, I have been teaching myself about firearms for a few months now and I have a very good grasp of the mechanics of autoloading rifles, pistols, etc. I understand why autoloading rifles vary so greatly in accuracy, but the bolt gun confuses me. Why makes them different other than manufacturing techniques, materials, etc. Why are some actions inherently more accurate than others? </div></div>I am not trying to derail this but I think that there is more accuracy found in the quality of the ammunition, how it is seated and the quality of the barrel. I would rate actions behind all of these.

 

[shooter.dm]

Re: Bolt-Action Basics

I do believe I half to agree with ut755ln about ammo and barrel no matter how well built your action is how smooth your trigger is,how good the stock fit is if it does not have a good barrel and ammo to match it is not going to be accurate.