This thread gives me the impression the semi-autos are underrated.
Unless I'm fighting on a really open map, I usually use a semi if one is available. The accuracy difference between bolt-actions and semi-autos is negligible at the ranges a rifleman typically fights at, the only significant difference between bolts and semis is controllability. With a semi-auto at medium to long range, fairly slow and disciplined firing is key. Once you can get that down, you can achieve a level of accuracy very close to that of a bolt-action rifle, but the higher rate of fire and double capacity is there for you when you need it.
I love bolt-actions too, but the fact is that semis are just more effective overall due to their versatility. Often, I even prefer them even over SMGs as close quarters weapons, because very few maps are all indoors/close quarters, and when you're armed with an SMG you're basically incapable of fighting effectively at medium range. A semi-auto gives you that reach, but still allows you to be effective in close quarters. It might seem that a 10 round capacity can't compare to any SMG, but I've had many 'up close and personal' moments where I've dropped three or four targets in a matter of seconds with one shot each with a semi-auto rifle, and I'm not so sure I would have survived any of those times if I'd been using an SMG, because they're just too wild and imprecise.
I do have a preference for bolt-action sniper rifles, however.