Auto-loaders Less Accurate -- Why???
I always hear that an auto-loading rifle (ex: Rem 7400, Browning BAR) is less accurate than a bolt action rifle. If this is true, why is it true and what accounts for the accuracy difference? Thanks.
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Just go buy yourself an M21(supper elite version of the M1a) and prove everyone wrong! Now if we're talking about a gun like the MAC that fires from an open bolt possition, there are parts moving when you pull the trigger which degrades accuracy because (for the lack of better terms) the internal mechanism is moving upto the very second it is fired. I don't know that anyone could convince me that an auto loader that fires from a closed bolt(garand m1a ar15 and so on) is less accurate than a bolt gun. 0 -
Quality of the rifle is the most important thing, like Meanie says. The Browning is usually accurate, and most of us know how the Garand is. It takes more money to buy a good semi auto that is accurate than a bolt action rifle. There is a lot more machine work, number of parts and design work in the semi auto. If you compare a $500 dollar semi auto to a $500 dollar bolt action rifle, of course the bolt action rifle is going to be better. 0 -
A semi-automatic isn't necessarily less accurate than it's manually operated counterparts. It just depends on the design of the action and the quality of the firearm. 
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Most of the "old wisdom" about semi-auto accuracy came before the modern semi auto's were even made. The first military semi auto in America was the M1 Garand, it did not have the tack driving accuracy of the long established 1903, or so it was thought. This remained true until after WW2 and armorers started to fiddle with the Garand and got it to shoot as well or better than many 1903's in the matches. It is proof that necessity is the mother of invention. Then came the M-16, that took a few years for armorers to figure out the little pop gun. Now the match grade M-16 is a awesome super accurate tack driver, afraid of no bolt gun.
Modern semiauto rifles, with good factory or quality handloads are every bit as accurate as a bolt gun. My Browning BAR was very accurate, it went bang everytime and game fell over into the freezer. But it is always good for and arguement around the campfire. [:)]0 -
I don't see very many benchrest rifle shooters using semi-autos in unlimited class benchrest competitions (in fact, there aren't any).
Fact is, at the extreme ends of ultimate accuracy, a bolt-action will always be capable of better accuracy than a semi-auto. But for most folks, the difference in potential accuracy is something they will never care about.
Unless you get off shooting groups that are 0.200" center to center at 100 yards and get pissed when your groups open up a couple thousandths of an inch, or you like the idea of shooting tight groups several hundred yards away, it probably won't matter much.0 -
My take on it is that most semi autos have been some form of military issue or knock offs of. As such they were designed to take all the punishment that the average grunt could dish out, not compete at a palma match. Those semis that are given the design and quality of care and parts to compete at those levels do so just fine. The old adage about average milspec semis not measuring up is when you compare them to the average hunting rifles. 0 -
It is generally said that the receivers of semi-autos are not as rigid as those of bolt guns, which accounts for a lesser level of accuracy. As mpolons says it does not matter in a hunting rifle unless you are at the far reaches of distance. M-16's have been used at 1000 yrd targets, though not in competition as far as I know. 0 -
Semiautomatic rifles, especially military ones have looser chambers than precision match bolt actions and single shots to allow reliable feeding under field conditions.
Military bolt action chambers are also not the tightest for the same reason.
Snug chambers and headspace are necessary for the best accuracy.
These conditions would jam up automatic weapons.0 -
I remember reading the same nonsense in hunting/shooting magazines as a kid too. But other than a couple of technical exceptions say regarding faster locktimes, the differences are neglible. My two favorite experiments were shooting a 7400 and marlin 336 with match grade hollow point bullets. They will turn in sub .500 moa groups if YOU can shoot that well. Way more accurate than you need to kill a nice mule deer buck.
....I never met a gun I didn't like!0
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