bolt vs pump for all-around elk/deer

[Mike Bravo]

I am considering a 30-06 in a bolt or pump action for hunting elk and deer.  Terrain will vary from brush to wide open range in the Northwest and Rocky Mountain states.  Any suggestions for that all-around rifle?

Thanks for your time!

[bobcat]

Bolt action. More accurate, in general, and you should only need one shot. The bolt actions are also easier to disassemble, clean, and maintain. They are also almost as fast to shoot as a pump. I've got a second shot off with my bolt action so fast a couple of times that people nearby thought I was shooting a semi-auto.

[shoot-em-dead]

I prefer a bolt

[bear hunter]

I love my Remington 760 carbines in .30-06 and .300 savage. I have taken bobcat,deer,coyotes,bear and elk with it out to 200 yards with iron sights it shoots great. I love how accurate it is and how fast you can got off a secand shot if necessary.  Plus as you pump the action the barrel stays down so makes for a easy secand shot.

[lokidog]

I have a 760 Rem also.  The only negative is that of you are shooting off a rest, you have to pick it up to cycle the next round.  They are good guns though.

[Miles]

Stand hunting and wide open places, go with a bolt.

Still-hunting, stalking, brushy areas, go with the pump.

[RadSav]

Bolt action. More accurate, in general, and you should only need one shot. The bolt actions are also easier to disassemble, clean, and maintain. They are also almost as fast to shoot as a pump. I've got a second shot off with my bolt action so fast a couple of times that people nearby thought I was shooting a semi-auto.

Bobcat - your in my head man!  Exactly what I was going to say. 

Only thing I might add is that I find the short throw bolt guns a little better at fast cycling among those with limited experience - A-Bolt/X-bolt, Sako/Tikka being my favorites.  Especially in cold weather wearing gloves.

[rasbo]

bolt more reliable.If a pump was the shat,the gun shelves would be full of them,instead of bolts...Now I wouldnt trade my 870 pump for anything in the shotgun dept

[grundy53]

Bolt action.

[CP]

I’ve sold all my bolt action rifles.  When I hunt with a rifle now I use:
Deer, elk, bear – pump – 7600 Remington .35 Whelen (go to rifle – as accurate as any bolt action in the same caliber)
Deer – lever – 30-30 or .35 Remington
Varmints – auto - .22 or .223

I have no need for a bolt anything.

[bobcat]

Bolt action. More accurate, in general, and you should only need one shot. The bolt actions are also easier to disassemble, clean, and maintain. They are also almost as fast to shoot as a pump. I've got a second shot off with my bolt action so fast a couple of times that people nearby thought I was shooting a semi-auto.

Bobcat - your in my head man!  Exactly what I was going to say. 

Only thing I might add is that I find the short throw bolt guns a little better at fast cycling among those with limited experience - A-Bolt/X-bolt, Sako/Tikka being my favorites.  Especially in cold weather wearing gloves.

I hunt with an A bolt!

[bobcat]

I have considered switching to a Remington pump a few times now.   I hunt a lot of brushy treed areas, and am mostly on the move.  There are times where a quick follow up shot is warranted, and it's easier (for me anyway) to keep the target in the sites while working the action on a pump versus a bolt.   Usually I just pull the Browning BLR out and save some cash that way. 

If I were going to hunt with something other than a bolt action, it would be a lever action.

They sure are handy for carrying around in the brush all day, unlike a pump.

[Bob33]

Bolt.  What is a "second shot"?

[ghosthunter]

I love my Remington 760 carbines in .30-06 and .300 savage. I have taken bobcat,deer,coyotes,bear and elk with it out to 200 yards with iron sights it shoots great. I love how accurate it is and how fast you can got off a secand shot if necessary.  Plus as you pump the action the barrel stays down so makes for a easy secand shot.

 

[Huntbear]

I have shot 760 pumps, bolts, and levers..

I have a BLR that will hold its own for accuracy against any off the shelf bolt gun, is lighter and faster handling. 

That said, I also have 4 bolt guns, that just seem to go out the door more often.

That said, if not shooting a bolt action, my PRE 81 BLR is the only other action I would want.  Strong, Accurate and LIGHT..