boltactions

Bolt-action firearms are repeating rifles or carbines in which a manually operated bolt cycles cartridges between shots. The bolt is rotated to unlock locking lugs in the receiver, then drawn rearward to extract a spent cartridge and eject it. Pushing the bolt forward chambers a fresh cartridge from a magazine, and rotating the bolt to lock secures the round. Most bolt-actions feed from a magazine, which may be a fixed internal box or a detachable box magazine; some variants chamber single rounds loaded directly into the chamber. The action is valued for mechanical simplicity, robust locking geometry, and potential for high accuracy.

Historically, bolt-action designs emerged in the 19th century and became standard for many militaries through the early 20th century. The Mauser 98 and its descendants influenced many later rifles; the British Lee-Enfield and other army rifles used bolt actions. In modern use, bolt-actions remain popular for hunting, target shooting, and precision rifles due to reliability, precision, and the ability to handle powerful cartridges. They typically have a slower rate of fire than semi-automatic rifles but can offer exceptional accuracy and consistency.

Variants and features vary by model. Actions are categorized as short-action or long-action depending on cartridge length, and feeding can be controlled-feed or push-feed. Common examples include Mauser-pattern rifles, Remington 700, Winchester Model 70, Ruger, Savage, and Tikka/Sako rifles. Accessories often include scope mounts, adjustable triggers, and heavy, well-chambered barrels designed for accuracy and repeatability.