you're gonna see a couple people make a big long list of how semi auto is better than bolt. BOLT is what you want. bolt is better. i think petzal has an article that says this also. saying how to choose a bolt over a semi because it's more accurate and faster than a semi and you should only need one shot to kill a deer. a bolt over lever action for the same reason, a bolt is more accurate and faster than a lever. why didn't he pick the single shot? because there are times when a hunter needs more than one shot. hunters do miss. anyway, bolt is my choice.

I'm with Clay on the autoloader vs. bolt rifle for some of the same reasons. The military uses autoloaders almost exclusively, even for sniper rifles, so the accuracy issue is more the nut behind the receiver than anything else. Gas guns are less forgiving for pressure and burn rate of powder/primer combo. I handload a lot, so the autoloader for hunting is not for me. My AR is obviously an autoloader. I have a Remington 742 that belonged to my father in law that shoots extremely well with most factory ammo.

In my opinion the bolt action is safer for beginners and allows quiet loading of a round into the chamber. Many guides will not allow the hunter to load their rifle until time to shoot.

It is all about your experience and training. If you had to ask the question, I'd say that tells me that a bolt gun or single shot is better for you.

no question semi automatic

I think both have their place. I use an auto most of the time, because I hunt very thick and has very steep ravines, in which one in particular is not so much fun if they run down. I personnally can get back on target faster if it is not a bang flop and I will do whatever I can to keep it out of that ravine. No matter if the first shot was perfect and might only take a couple more steps. If it falls on the side of the ravine it will slide to the bottom, probably breaking all the antlers off. First shot is key and rarely have to shoot again, but I can pick a spot to shoot through if I do not have to work an action. I have no problem hitting bullseyes with a bench rest at 300 yards. Unless it is windy than bolt or semi has problems. I shoot a Browning BAR 30.06.

The nice thing about a bolt rifle is that it is very reliable. You may only get off one shot or maybe three or four but each one you chamber you can count on. I prefer these for dangerous animals and for shots that seldom occur like a once in a life time big bull elk.

The nice thing about automatics is a fast follow up shot. I like these in the woods with running deer. They reload faster and the lower recoil ones allow you to stay on target while you do it.

Accuracy comparisons are bogus. I hand load for each and can shoot the eye out of a squirrel at 100 yards with either. If you get a junk automatic you will get junk shooting... if you get a junk bolt action, you will get junk shooting.

I suggest you get the one you like and if you plan to do some rare big game hunting or dangerous game hunting, I would suggest a bolt action.

mattreney:
He was just a spike buck so he was pretty dumb...I still don't know why he didn't run though.

Semi-autos are somewhat more unsafe and usually but not always less accurate than bolt guns. Boltguns tend to have better triggers. Resale on a bolt gun is better also. There are good reasons why boltguns are by far the most populer. If someone gave me a semi-auto I would not hunt with it unless there was no choice.

Yes, Clay the M1A and the FN Fal are notable exceptions mentioned. would you shoot a Rem or Browning auto at 1000 yds? maybe you would, but then you aren't like everyone. And this is about hunting not target rifles.

PS
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I prefer a bolt for better accuracy as a general rule and I don't like looking all over creation for my empty brass. Too, and this is just me, I don't like the action cycling in my face like that.

The people that choose autoloaders and pumps are generally northwoods still hunters or trackers that take relatively close, split second shots, often at running deer, and they need fast follow ups more than most. The guns they choose are more than accurate enough for this kind of work. The latest generation of autos, including the Browning, are on par in accuracy with your average bolt gun. An auto will serve you quite well if you don't plan on taking long range shots. The guys that buy them never do because they never need to. They are way too good for that.

A lot of people need to ask themselves, how much accuracy do you really need? If your rifle can't shoot sub MOA, it's usually not that big of a deal. Can you hit a quarter every time at 100 yards offhand? Doubt it. There isn't really any practical advantage to a bolt gun outside of handloads.

Having said all that, I don't hunt with autos. Levers, pumps, bolts, and single shots - my favorite.

Bolt, it will force you to take your time shooting making you a better shot. All a semi auto will do to most people is turn them into lead slinging fools.

Clay Cooper is absolute right about handloading a autoloader. I has seen more than 30-no scratch that number-I'd say 40 Rem. 742 and 7400 that have had the bolt rotate into the side rails of the receiver and all from handloads and when I got the whole story it's almost always very slow burning powder that is the culprit. With factory or with handloads that were assembled by a knowledgeable loader I've never seen a problem.I have an old Rem. 740 that will consistently shoot 3 shots into 1 1/4" at 100 Yards with a load that it likes. I think that when you have a autoloader in your hands you have the tendency to shoot more and more quickly; can't prove it just what I think. With powerful rifles I always reach for a bolt gun.

but bolts in my opinion if you need more than one shot than so be it im not the greatest shot either but ive seen guys with semi autos just go crazy ot realy realizing it but they dont take the time to aim the just empty their gun into the direction of the deer

It totally depends on what particular gun it is you are talking about. I hear of more people using bolt-guns, but there is nothing wrong with a semi-auto. (Hey I use a lever-gun and it has never failed me.

I personally like a bolt for the following reasons:

-Easier to clean. Less places for dirt to hide.
-Simpler tech. Less moving pieces to break down. Murphy's law.
-No "spray and pray". Bolts make me think and concentrate better. I know there's no instant second shot.

BOLT ACTION ONLY!! It doenst matter what brand of semi auto it is, they all have a chance to jam up due to fouling in the action. I hunted with a semi for a while and even kept it as clean as i could. However one extremely cold morning I seen a buck and shot behind some thick brush. It just so happened that I had hit him but not in the spot I wanted to because of the thick brush he was in. About two seconds later he walked forward into a wide open area and CLICK!!! my gun was jammed....last time i EVER hunt with a semi auto....EVER...ps the ending to that story is horrible...not enough blood to track him down and there was no snow on the ground. After two days of searching we found nothing..hopefully hes still out there somewhere

Bolt

Ive been reading the questions and post on here and had to answer on this one. I agree that the gun used should be the type that you are comfortable with. As for accuracy, I have semi's, lever, bolt, single shot and black powder (flint lock and in-line)and they are all as accurate as the other! I do not hand load but know those that do. I do not run in the woods with my semi and shoot like a crazy man.. If you are a hand loader and are pushing the limits on the specs, then use a bolt action and pray (but what does that say about wisdom..) I grew up in the north, was stationed out west but now live in the south... Down here they like to say "Hey Ya'll Watch This" before they shoot a hand load out of spec LOL