Bolt vs Semi for Coyote/Thermal

Which Rifle Action type do you prefer:

  • Bolt Action

    Votes: 17 47.2%
  • Semi Auto (AR)

    Votes: 18 50.0%
  • other?

    Votes: 1 2.8%

  • Total voters
    36

waspocrew

WKR
Joined
Apr 2, 2022
Messages
797
Location
MT
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.
 
Joined
Aug 23, 2024
Messages
66
Location
N.w. Pennsylvania
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
 

TxLite

WKR
Joined
Sep 6, 2018
Messages
1,955
Location
Texas
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
 

Nine Banger

WKR
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Sep 28, 2023
Messages
615
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.
 
Joined
Nov 8, 2016
Messages
1,779
Location
Kiowa/Deer Trail, CO
bolt works for me....
63910232-3584-4d58-b0bb-4b60bc32c75a.jpeg
 
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
2,330
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.
 

Tbone26

FNG
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
66
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 😂
 

turbo406

FNG
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
97
Location
406
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.
 

nubraskan

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 9, 2023
Messages
152
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.
 
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