7.62x39: Advantage of bolt-action over semiauto?
Posted: March 15th, 2018, 1:27 pm
I'm looking at a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39. Couldn't tell you why, don't think you could talk me out of it. However, if you still feel the need to talk me down from this ledge, then maybe you can help me whittle down my expectations.
See, I've never really fully understood the advantage of a bolt action over semiautomatic operation. I've heard that it's something to do with getting more 'oomph' out of the cartridge, because there's not bleeding out the back when the chamber cycles, that it's all driven forwards. It makes sense, but there's something about it that sounds like amateur physicists talking out of their collective ass. I would have thought that the less gas following the bullet out the muzzle, the less chance there is to cause the bullet to tumble when one little piff (that's a technical term, look it up!) of the gas comes out unevenly.
On the other hand, since a cycling chamber is not part of the firing action, that's less parts moving around while you're trying to keep your sights on point.
Personally, I'd have thought all these forces were too small to affect anything too much, but there was this guy I knew that wished he was in Vietnam, used to tell me stories about how all it took was one blade of grass to throw his shot off course. I wouldn't have believed him, if not for the tone of authority in his voice.
See, I've never really fully understood the advantage of a bolt action over semiautomatic operation. I've heard that it's something to do with getting more 'oomph' out of the cartridge, because there's not bleeding out the back when the chamber cycles, that it's all driven forwards. It makes sense, but there's something about it that sounds like amateur physicists talking out of their collective ass. I would have thought that the less gas following the bullet out the muzzle, the less chance there is to cause the bullet to tumble when one little piff (that's a technical term, look it up!) of the gas comes out unevenly.
On the other hand, since a cycling chamber is not part of the firing action, that's less parts moving around while you're trying to keep your sights on point.
Personally, I'd have thought all these forces were too small to affect anything too much, but there was this guy I knew that wished he was in Vietnam, used to tell me stories about how all it took was one blade of grass to throw his shot off course. I wouldn't have believed him, if not for the tone of authority in his voice.