How do you choose your hunting rifle?

The bolt-action rifle

The special feature of bolt-action rifles is the breech on the barrel, which allows the fired case to be extracted when the breech is opened and the next case to be reloaded when the breech is closed. Some bolt-action rifles can hold up to 10 rounds of ammunition. These rifles are solid, accurate, simple to use and easy to assemble and adjust. They are also very safe. All these features make them a favourite with hunters, and they can be used for a wide range of hunting activities.

There are also hunting rifles with linear bolt action: operation is simplified because reloading is much quicker.

The semi-automatic rifle

“Semi-automatic rifles can fire up to three rounds consecutively, using a magazine that, according to French legislation, must remain fixed to the rifle. The semi-automatic hunting rifle is suited for hunters who are stationed, such as in driven hunts.

Conversely, due to its lack of safety features, it should not be used for stalking or tracking game, especially in beats.

The combination weapon

It is possible to have a gun that combines the advantages of both a smoothbore and a rifled barrel: these are called combination guns. There are 3 types. Mixed weapons, which have a smooth barrel and a rifled barrel, drillings, with 2 smooth barrels and a rifled barrel and express-drilings with 2 rifled barrels and a smooth barrel.

There are also pump-action rifles and lever-action rifles. These rifles are less commonly used. Pump rifles are mainly used for sport shooting. Lever-action rifles, commonly associated with western weapons, are occasionally used for hunting and have a special reset mechanism (the lever is located behind the trigger guard).

Big Game Hunting: Practices

When it comes to choosing a rifle, it’s important to establish in advance what kind of hunting you’re likely to do. The choice of rifle depends on a number of criteria, such as weight: stalking, for example, will require a light rifle, while for post hunters, a slightly heavier weapon will not be a constraint.

A beat

Beats are a very common form of hunting in France. The game is pushed by trackers who force it to cross the line formed by posted hunters, who can then shoot the game as soon as they jump the shooting line. Dogs can also be used in beats.

Silent drive :

Silent drive is a variant of battue hunting: it allows for more reasoned management of large game. The game is pushed towards the hunter’s line of fire without noise or dogs.

Spot and stalk hunting

Spot and stalk hunting is most often practised by a solitary hunter; it is an individual hunt. The hunter stalks the game in such a way as to be invisible to the animal, so as not to be spotted by it.

Stand hunting :

Perched on a stand, without making a move or a sound, the hunter waits patiently for the game. Stalking is done at sunrise or sunset, depending on the animal’s cycle. This type of hunting is ideal for nature lovers.

The different materials used in stocks

Wood, synthetic and carbon are the materials most commonly found on guns. Wood is particularly popular with hunters for its aesthetic and traditional appeal. Moreover, a rifle with a wood covering is rather heavy, which gives it the advantage of limited recoil and excellent balance. Synthetic is less attractive than wood, but lighter. It is the material of choice for hunters who are not afraid of scratching their weapon while hunting. Synthetic rifles cost less. As for carbon, this is a material that is still new to firearms. It stands the test of time very well and is extremely light. It does, however, come at a high price.

Accessories

To enhance your shooting experience, you can opt for accessories such as muzzle brakes, sound moderators or shooting optics such as rifle scopes or red dots. These accessories, which complement your rifle, often become indispensable for the shooters who use them.