Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy - The Firearms Forum

tleach · 10-18-2007, 05:08 PM

Generally speaking, is the accuracy of a lever action rifle (Henry, Browning, Marlin, Winchester) inferior to that of a bolt action rifle (CZ, Savage, Remington, Ruger, etc.)?

I'm a southpaw and own a Winchester 9422M and love it. Getting a 9422 seems to be out of the question. A Marlin 39A or Browning BL22 seem to be likely candidates, however, I wonder if I shouldn't get a bolt (maybe a Savage) for target shooting.

Thanks in advance for all of your advice!

CampingJosh · 10-18-2007, 06:16 PM

I've always found bolt actions to be more accurate, but I don't do any competitive shooting, and I don't have any hard facts to back that opinion up.

Oneida Steve · 10-19-2007, 08:24 AM

The Olympic rules allow any style of rifle to be used in competition. Our Olympics shooters use nothing but bolt action .22s.

That should tell you something about bolt action accuracy.

If you use a lever gun (the BL22 is my favorite) you won't notice much difference except while target shooting. For serious target work you'll need a bolt gun.

Tom · 10-19-2007, 12:36 PM

Bolt guns should have an advantage. In sporting guns, that advantage is smaller than you might think. The one piece stock is an advantage for most bolt guns, but good lever guns like the 39A are pretty good, and autos like tricked out 10/22 will rival the best of anything.

Using bolt guns for target shooting is nice when time isn’t a factor, but in games where time is more important, autos are making inroads. Smallbore silhouette comes to mind.

I just got my old 39A rebarreled. I still need to get to the range to do some hardcore testing to compare it to my CZ 452 and tricked out 10/22. I suspect it isn’t as accurate as the 452 or 10/22, but I don’t expect it to be too far behind.

HeadHunterII · 10-19-2007, 02:37 PM

I have shot so many .22's and unless you are using it for hunting you won't be able to tell the difference between a Marlin 39A, Marlin 981 or a Ruger 10/22. These things are so accurate these days and the manufactuing of the ammo is so precise (even on bulk pack rimfire) that you would have a hard time telling if one was better than the other. Now, bullseye competition would be different. You would be able to tell, but hunting or just plinking around... no.

Pistolenschutze · 10-19-2007, 11:56 PM

Purely from the perspective of potential accuracy, I would have to opt for the bolt action, tleach. That said, for general plinking or small game hunting with a .22, the lever action is one heck of a lot of fun and plency accurate for that kind of shooting.

By the way, welcome to TFF!!

LDBennett · 10-22-2007, 08:09 AM

While the Browning BL-22 is a beautiful gun (I had one) be forewarned it is a bit short in the stock for a grown man. I added a stock spacer about one inches thick and it was still too short in the pull for me. I'm tall at 6 ft 2 in and that may be the difference as the buyer, a shorter friend, did not complain.

Bolts are more accurate. You've got to have at least one bolt rimfire! Its a must. CZ's are the most for the least money. They can shoot extremely well, with a little work. The newest 453 even has a set trigger with a trigger pull around one pound in the set mode. That helps you personal accuracy immensely.

LDBennett

Pistolenschutze · 10-22-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

Bolts are more accurate. You've got to have at least one bolt rimfire! Its a must. CZ's are the most for the least money. They can shoot extremely well, with a little work. The newest 453 even has a set trigger with a trigger pull around one pound in the set mode. That helps you personal accuracy immensely.

LDBennett

I'm giving one of those some serious thought, LDB. I kind of favor the 452 Varmit (with the bull barrel) or the 452FS with the full Mannlicher style stock.

tleach · 10-22-2007, 08:14 PM

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions. I was at the gun store yesterday and have narrowed down my choice to either a CZ 452 with a LH bolt or a Henry with bull barrel. I REALLY, really want 'em both

, but that's not doable right now.

When I make the decision I'll let everyone know.

Thanks!

Terry,
Albuquerque

BIGBOOMER · 10-23-2007, 01:41 AM

I have a CZ 452 and can attest to its accuracy. Its a lot of bang for the buck!

Best regards, BIGBOOMER

tleach · 10-25-2007, 04:18 PM

I did it, almost. I ordered a CZ452 with a LH bolt.

Not too many left hand guns in stock.

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice.

Terry

358 winchester · 10-27-2007, 06:41 AM

Terry you will love the CZ452 I have one that I shoot clays with on the back berm @140 yards then I shoot the smaller chunks that are left one day I will put a good scope on it ( iron sights now) so I can do it wit skill and not luck

10-18-2007, 05:08 PM	#1
tleach Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6	Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy Generally speaking, is the accuracy of a lever action rifle (Henry, Browning, Marlin, Winchester) inferior to that of a bolt action rifle (CZ, Savage, Remington, Ruger, etc.)? I'm a southpaw and own a Winchester 9422M and love it. Getting a 9422 seems to be out of the question. A Marlin 39A or Browning BL22 seem to be likely candidates, however, I wonder if I shouldn't get a bolt (maybe a Savage) for target shooting. Thanks in advance for all of your advice! --> Last edited by tleach; 10-19-2007 at 08:01 AM..

10-18-2007, 06:16 PM	#2
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,788	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy I've always found bolt actions to be more accurate, but I don't do any competitive shooting, and I don't have any hard facts to back that opinion up.

10-19-2007, 08:24 AM	#3
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy The Olympic rules allow any style of rifle to be used in competition. Our Olympics shooters use nothing but bolt action .22s. That should tell you something about bolt action accuracy. If you use a lever gun (the BL22 is my favorite) you won't notice much difference except while target shooting. For serious target work you'll need a bolt gun.

10-19-2007, 12:36 PM	#4
Tom V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 197	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy Bolt guns should have an advantage. In sporting guns, that advantage is smaller than you might think. The one piece stock is an advantage for most bolt guns, but good lever guns like the 39A are pretty good, and autos like tricked out 10/22 will rival the best of anything. Using bolt guns for target shooting is nice when time isn’t a factor, but in games where time is more important, autos are making inroads. Smallbore silhouette comes to mind. I just got my old 39A rebarreled. I still need to get to the range to do some hardcore testing to compare it to my CZ 452 and tricked out 10/22. I suspect it isn’t as accurate as the 452 or 10/22, but I don’t expect it to be too far behind.

10-19-2007, 02:37 PM	#5
HeadHunterII Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Marrero, LA Posts: 41	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy I have shot so many .22's and unless you are using it for hunting you won't be able to tell the difference between a Marlin 39A, Marlin 981 or a Ruger 10/22. These things are so accurate these days and the manufactuing of the ammo is so precise (even on bulk pack rimfire) that you would have a hard time telling if one was better than the other. Now, bullseye competition would be different. You would be able to tell, but hunting or just plinking around... no. __________________ "We didn't fight our way all the way to the top of the food chain to become vegetarians."-- Unknown

10-19-2007, 11:56 PM	#6
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy Purely from the perspective of potential accuracy, I would have to opt for the bolt action, tleach. That said, for general plinking or small game hunting with a .22, the lever action is one heck of a lot of fun and plency accurate for that kind of shooting. By the way, welcome to TFF!! __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

10-22-2007, 08:09 AM	#7
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,719	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy While the Browning BL-22 is a beautiful gun (I had one) be forewarned it is a bit short in the stock for a grown man. I added a stock spacer about one inches thick and it was still too short in the pull for me. I'm tall at 6 ft 2 in and that may be the difference as the buyer, a shorter friend, did not complain. Bolts are more accurate. You've got to have at least one bolt rimfire! Its a must. CZ's are the most for the least money. They can shoot extremely well, with a little work. The newest 453 even has a set trigger with a trigger pull around one pound in the set mode. That helps you personal accuracy immensely. LDBennett

10-22-2007, 08:14 PM	#9
tleach Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy Thanks for all your advice and suggestions. I was at the gun store yesterday and have narrowed down my choice to either a CZ 452 with a LH bolt or a Henry with bull barrel. I REALLY, really want 'em both , but that's not doable right now. When I make the decision I'll let everyone know. Thanks! Terry, Albuquerque

10-23-2007, 01:41 AM	#10
BIGBOOMER V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Great Northwest Posts: 265	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy I have a CZ 452 and can attest to its accuracy. Its a lot of bang for the buck! Best regards, BIGBOOMER __________________ Use Enough Gun. Do all your hunting BEFORE you shoot!

10-25-2007, 04:18 PM	#11
tleach Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy I did it, almost. I ordered a CZ452 with a LH bolt. Not too many left hand guns in stock. Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. Terry

10-27-2007, 06:41 AM	#12
358 winchester TFF Admin Staff Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pensacola Fl. area Posts: 7,335	Re: Bolt Action Vs. Lever Action Accuracy Terry you will love the CZ452 I have one that I shoot clays with on the back berm @140 yards then I shoot the smaller chunks that are left one day I will put a good scope on it ( iron sights now) so I can do it wit skill and not luck __________________ Administrator & Owner RangeDay.com Proud, White, Heterosexual, Gun Owning, Southern American, Christian. Any question about where I stand?