Thread: Second quick shot if required.

I'm sure most of us always try and ensure that the first shot counts, but sometimes something does go wrong.

In a situation where you end up wounding a animal, would you need a double rifle to get a quick second shot in or is there merit in considering something like a Browning Maral over a normal bolt action in thicker bush?

Well there were once these amazing things called centrefire semiautomatics.....

Have tried to ingrain a habit of working the bolt and getting a new round in automatically, i suspect the brain / muscle memory / waiting till you need another shot would tzke longer than the difference on bolt lift angles

Always chamber another round always, it should be second nature I don't even need to think about it.
You'd be supprised how quick you can cycle a bolt

Originally Posted by dannyb

Always chamber another round always, it should be second nature I don't even need to think about it.
You'd be supprised how quick you can cycle a bolt

I agree - reload as quick as you can.

Sako lever action, effin bloody quick!

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

I agree - reload as quick as you can.

Sako lever action, effin bloody quick!

As above. Winchester 88 in the safe is as good as Sako lever I used to have,sold in a moment of stupidity.

you dont NEED one...but a Bakail .45/70 or .30/06 SxS would just about have to be a bush hunters ultimate weapon...
I use bolt actions but did really enjoy my time usin a BLR...browning lever rifle...now that is a very good choice for bush hunting and follow up shot is VERY quick.
a good man on a bolt is pretty darn quick...

The quicker your follow up shot the more likely you will miss. Plenty of time with a bolt action I reckon.

Originally Posted by Tahr

The quicker your follow up shot the more likely you will miss. Plenty of time with a bolt action I reckon.

In the open areas where you hunt (by the look of your photos) that may be true. But in the thick stuff the animal is usually gone in a flash so if you wait you will mostly miss. Your ability to put in a quick second shot depends on a lot of things, but having it there available is very very useful.

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

In the open areas where you hunt (by the look of your photos) that may be true. But in the thick stuff the animal is usually gone in a flash so if you wait you will mostly miss. Your ability to put in a quick second shot depends on a lot of things, but having it there available is very very useful.

Don't judge a book by its pics

What I was meaning but didn't say was take a breath and keep your head. Stay calm.
Ive seen plenty of inexperienced people load immediately and blaze away aimlessly, or rush after deer without any regard for safety.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Don't judge a book by its pics

What I was meaning but didn't say was take a breath and keep your head. Stay calm.
Ive seen plenty of inexperienced people load immediately and blaze away aimlessly, or rush after deer without any regard for safety.

Fare enough statement...I have also worked with a coupla chaps that were at the top of their game when it came to quick reloading.
These guys were very fast working a bolt and two empty cases in the air at one time was the norm.
There was a film clip taken at one particular time...seeing was believing.
When the big bomb ups were the norm the only time you took the rifle away from the shoulder was to either reload or change a mag.
It took a lot of practice to keep lead in the air and to hit your target ,,there were misses naturally.
Follow up shots naturally took place.........the term slaughter on tenth avenue was often used afterward.
Experienced guys were damn good at blazing away just like the inexperienced mentioned above,the end result however was a lot different eh.

Have a fair bit of experience with bolt rifles, but unfortunately only in the African bush. Opted solution was to go big and my go to rifle for the bush was a CZ 550 in 375 H&H shooting 300gr Nosler accubond for larger game and a trusty 308 180gr for smaller game and bushpigs. The only experience thus from my side is what I can read and watch on the net and importantly learn from you guys.

The fastest rifle I ever had the pleasure of shooting (excluding auto’s )was a Merkel Helix in 9.3x62. This also got me interested in the Blaser, until I had one in my hands and trying the speed load nicked my nose with the bold. Operator?... perhaps but the one thing that I learned was that a internal straight bolt is a preferred option, personally. Love the Merkel, but they are pricey and thus the interest in the Maral. Seems like they are also relatively accurate for longer shots.

Suppose a 308 would be enough gun for thick bush? See some guys also recommend lever actions, any recommendations?

Double, well that is also a option and dream, but also relatively expensive one?

Cheers

Originally Posted by 300LRH

Have a fair bit of experience with bolt rifles, but unfortunately only in the African bush. Opted solution was to go big and my go to rifle for the bush was a CZ 550 in 375 H&H shooting 300gr Nosler accubond for larger game and a trusty 308 180gr for smaller game and bushpigs. The only experience thus from my side is what I can read and watch on the net and importantly learn from you guys.

The fastest rifle I ever had the pleasure of shooting (excluding auto’s )was a Merkel Helix in 9.3x62. This also got me interested in the Blaser, until I had one in my hands and trying the speed load nicked my nose with the bold. Operator?... perhaps but the one thing that I learned was that a internal straight bolt is a preferred option, personally. Love the Merkel, but they are pricey and thus the interest in the Maral. Seems like they are also relatively accurate for longer shots.

Suppose a 308 would be enough gun for thick bush? See some guys also recommend lever actions, any recommendations?

Double, well that is also a option and dream, but also relatively expensive one?

Cheers

I have run a blaser for over 25 yrs in both LA and SA configurations. Never hit my nose.
Dont think I am particularly fast with it but when I was meat hunting for a dollar I often cleaned up 2 and sometimes 3 animals before they knew what was going on.
Way faster than any crank bolt, for me at least.


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Originally Posted by Tahr

Don't judge a book by its pics

What I was meaning but didn't say was take a breath and keep your head. Stay calm.
Ive seen plenty of inexperienced people load immediately and blaze away aimlessly, or rush after deer without any regard for safety.

Ah yes "Blazing Away" is never a good idea.

From experience the Browning Maral is excellent for this, very fast for follow up shots or subsequent animals, they point and swing like a shotgun.

It's not a must have though, you can cycle a bolt quickly too and they're much cheaper.

I always reload asap,have managed a second previously animal unseen spooked by the shot or dopey yearling wondering what just happened to mum,especially since fitting a suppressor.