Why are bolt action rifles more accurate than semi automatic rifles?

Question

I hear it all the time that they are more accurate, but I still don't know why exactly.

Answer 1

The chamber on a bolt action is usually more precisely machined, because the round is manually guided into it; the bolt simply finishes the job of seating it. In a semi-automatic, the chamber has to be a little looser to ensure that the round will always go in with a minimum of force; the return action is much weaker than is possible with a bolt action. Even a slight irregularity in centering the round adds wobble to the flight which can affect accuracy at range.

There's also something to be said for the fact that bolt action rifles have to be re-targeted after each shot, while people using a semi-automatic tend to 'point and shoot' without correcting their sight lines. So it may have as much to do with how it's used as the weapon itself.

Answer 2

The moving bolt is the issue. Movement of any kind translates to innacuracy in the shot. In an automatic or semi-auto, the bolt is thrown open when the round goes off, and this translates to movement in the rifle that throws the shot a little off.

A bolt action rifle only moves the firing pin, and that before the round goes off. Thus nothing to trow off the shot.

Answer 3

Its all about the "recoil" a recoil is the effect a bullet shaking the gun after it is shot. Bolt action are self reloading so therefore there is no "recoil" Check out Call of Duty. videogames..the have excellent real life gun sounds and recoil effects from the WW2 area when there were semi autos and bolt rifle guns

Answer 4

I, personally, don't think they are. Accuracy depends on the shooter, not the rifle.