Bolt vs Semi for Coyote/Thermal

[wildwilderness]

What type of action do you prefer for a general all purpose day and night (with a thermal) predator (mainly coyote) hunting setup?

 

[waspocrew]

I'm sure you'll hear both sides - in general, I prefer a bolt gun for both daytime hunting and thermal at night.

An AR is definitely nice for quick(er) follow up shots, but I feel I'm better with a bolt gun (probably from doing 98% of my shooting with one). I have an AR in 6 ARC I've been using for thermal lately and it's been a lot of fun.

 

[weekender7]

Depends on if you are a one shot one kill guy or a mag dumper. Some folks call in two, kill one, then dump 20 rounds at the other as it high tails it outta there. They like AR's. If you like to wait till they stop then kill them, a bolt is fine.

 

[coyotekilla]

I like my bolts, feed easier, more caliber choices, I run a can so the ar15's ammo gets really dirty, bolts stay clean.

I picked other cause my new coyote rig is a beretta brx1 straight pull in 243

 

[justin davis]

Bolt

 

[TxLite]

Generally speaking I prefer bolts for most situations. But thermal coyote hunting goes to the AR. I prefer having quick follow ups in the event that I run into a sounder of hogs

 

[Lucks]

I run bolt gun on my daytime rigs
and run AR on my thermal (night) rig for coyotes.

 

[Nine Banger]

I think its mission specific.

I'm running suppressed PCC right now for armadillo, coon, opossum. I've hit 3 incidental canines. Close quarters night hikes.

I'll put it on a bolt gun that has 10 round 223 mag when I sit over a field observing/calling from structure or a side by side.

In my AO I don't want to run and gun with a 223 given our topography and structure placement and the noise from report.

 

[huntsman22]

bolt works for me....

 

[dirtytough]

I like bolt actions if hunting with others. It’s quieter to load on stand. I don’t like walking in the dark with loaded rifles and multiple people. If hunting solo I will load the rifle at the truck so it’s a non issue.

If you have lots of multiples and can shoot running coyotes an AR is better.

 

[Split toe]

I use both

 

[Tbone26]

I use both as well but prefer AR for night time and bolt for daytime. You will definitely use more ammo with the AR but I can’t say it is more effective

 

[kkp005]

I’ve got 2 thermal setups . One 7.62 x 39 AR and a bolt action 6cm… I shoot the bolt gun better and constantly grab it first

 

[turbo406]

Running a 243 bolt gun at night, have been thinking about switching to a 22 arc ar platform soon. Switched my day platform to a 6 arc ar due to follow up shots costing a few coyotes derby hunting that would have put us in the money.

 

[Hunter Luke]

Always used nothing but a bolt gun, until I tried a semi. Will never go back.

 

[Mattman215]

Bolt is fun for some reason, but semi is by far quicker for follow up shots.

 

[nubraskan]

I've almost exclusively used semi-auto for coyotes, it definitely helps for quick follow ups or getting that other yote. With that being said, generally that other one is running FAST after the first one goes down. I've hit them on the run before, and other times it's just a hail mary mag dump. I might have only a few extra yotes that I can conclusively say the semi-auto was key in getting the kill.