Bolt action shotguns, why?

[Grey Bearded One]

I'm not a shotgunner. I don't hunt and I don't shoot trap or skeet but I do have a Remington 870. That's about it for me and shotguns.

I've always wondered why bolt action shotguns exist. Is there an advantage over break open, pump or semi-auto?

[Zeeba]

I used to own a Marlin bolt-action 20 gauge with a 3-round box magazine. With some practice, you could operate that bolt just as quickly as a pump, although your sight picture was thrown off. You made sure your first shot was a good one.
It was the cat's ass with slugs though.

[Gunsnwater]

They were always called goose guns. Geese are afraid of pumps I guess.

[ckellyme3]

Thats a good question. I always assumed they made them for guys who love bolt action rifles. There is somewhat of a demand for them as they aren't too uncommon. With slugs they pretty much are rifles. I can see where that would work for guys who hunt in places with shotgun only rules.

[raxar]

I'm not a shotgunner. I don't hunt and I don't shoot trap or skeet but I do have a Remington 870. That's about it for me and shotguns.

I've always wondered why bolt action shotguns exist. Is there an advantage over break open, pump or semi-auto?

In the post WW2 days they were very popular because they were cheaper than a pump or semi, but gave you more shots than a single. These days savage still makes them as turkey and slug guns, because like with rifles bolt actions tend to be more accurate than pumps

[Rblakely]

I have an old Stevens 124 Bolt 12 Gauge.

It's a novelty for me as it's pretty much the dumbest action ever. It looks like a semi-auto but it's a bolt. You have to pull the bolt handle out then you can cycle the action.

[raxar]

I have an old Stevens 124 Bolt 12 Gauge.

It's a novelty for me as it's pretty much the dumbest action ever. It looks like a semi-auto but it's a bolt. You have to pull the bolt handle out then you can cycle the action.

Similar to that is my mossberg 200k



looks like a bolt action but it's a pump.

[Orlov556]

Used to see them come in at the shop i frequent.. Most of the folks with the modern (Savage?) ones were NJ transplants that used them for hunting..think only shotgun is allowed in NJ...

[MOUNTAINORACLE]

I've got two bolt action shotguns that were set up to be slug guns. From about 20 yards on out to 100 yards they shoot slug with almost rifle like accuracy.

[plinKing]

And then there's the Browning Recoilless



People call it ugly but I think the innovativeness of the design more than outweighs the hideousness... OH! And it kicks like a Daisy Red Ryder