auto or bolt?

[dohnuts58]

looking at 2 new guns

would you get ar-10 7.62, or savage patrol barrel 308?

i like both platforms, both have huge potential, but i am unable to decide.

if i got the savage i could put the difference in $ into goodies to go with it. but i really like the ar, so here i sit at an impass.


<span style="font-weight: bold">PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!</span>

 

[match308]

Re: auto or bolt?

Buy both.

 

[PLeighton]

Re: auto or bolt?

Need more info...

What do you plan on doing with it?
(Competition, hunt, plink, SHTF, duty?)

A bolt gun is inherently more accurate, but the AR is adequate if only MOA accuracy is needed.
The trade off for rate of fire and weight reduction is worthwhile in some cases.
The AR platform is also much less forgiving when it comes to technique / form.

Do you ever plan on running a sound suppressor?
If so, then a bolt gun will eliminate the "gas face".
(Regardless of DI or piston.)

Rifles are like underwear.
Boxers or briefs?
It depends on what fits your package best.

 

[Anvil]

Re: auto or bolt?

If you are planning on reloading I would go with the Bolt gun. It can get tricky trying to find your spent brass when it's being ejected 10 ft out. Also something to take a look at is the general use of the weapon. Are you going to be humping it around or shooting mainly at stationary positions. Just a couple of things to take a look at. I use my rifles for varmint hunting, and comps. I've had one nice Gas gun in the past that was a tack driver but I hated tracking down the brass when I was done firing it. Most of the time I would lose a few casings. If I was out hunting with it I would usually never find the casing after I fired. Now you can get attachments for the AR platform that will collect your brass as you fire. I personally don't like crap hanging off of my weapon, but that option is always there. I eventually sold the AR because of it. When it comes to handiness I will admit the gas gun was handier but it really doesn't bother me that much to hump my 15 pound rifle around. i would say that is probably not the norm for most folks but for me old habits are hard to get away from.

 

[dohnuts58]

Re: auto or bolt?

i plan to hunt, punch paper, and ding steel plates

i hope to do some comp too, but only if i am confident in the gun. in addition, i already have a savage in 30.06 that i have shot out to 600 and will be laying down deer this fall

if i had the money for both i would buy both, and wouldnt be asking the question would i now match308

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: auto or bolt?

my vote is for the bolt gun as u can afford more stuff!

 

[ponchair]

Re: auto or bolt?

I went from a bolt gun Remington 700, .243 AI Chassis to a custom .308 AR-10. I wanted something that I could shoot multiple engagements quicker. As I have found out, the gas gun is 1/4 MOA less accurate than my bolt gun. I will take that and the quicker follow up shot. I only have complaints about losing my brass, and the pressure I get from using a suppressor. I am hoping to fix that problem with a Tubb buffer spring and CWS. I will say shooting longer ranges with a 2 stage trigger was different than the normal single stage bolt gun trigger. Took some getting used to, but over time, like anything, you adapt. I say grab an AR-10, if you can afford it, go GAP, or build your own like I did and consider Noveske. They make some awesome barrels. PM me if you have anymore questions.

 

[gugubica]

Re: auto or bolt?

If you have to ask...the answer is bolt gun.

Gasser can be very accurate, but in order to drive them well, you need to have your fundamentals down. Start with a bolt.

 

[dohnuts58]

Re: auto or bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ninja Pirtle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Took some getting used to, but over time, like anything, you adapt.</div></div>

i dont really need to adapt to shooting an ar, as i have been shooting m16/m4 for the last 7 years now.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: auto or bolt?

I have multiples of bolts and gas guns and when given a choice I normally take the bolt guns - much easier to clean and a lot easier on the brass. I would opt for a bolt and then buy ammo to practice. You can always get an AR later.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: auto or bolt?

I have two precision bolt guns and a precision AR10.

I would suggest that if you are asking, get the bolt gun. Just because you have been shooting the M16 doesn't mean you will be able to push a AR10 to it's potential. AR10's and AR15's are totally different animals.

 

[john2000]

Re: auto or bolt?

Sell the 30-06 and buy a .308 bolt
Buy the 7.62/.308 AR10
Get both at the same time so you dont waste all your money buying stuff for the one you bought first preventing the purchase of the second, get this as you go,lots can be made yourself cheap and even better but it takes time.
Same caliber,same dies,same bullets(?), same brass (of course after a while you will work up "good" loads for each separate gun)

John - out

 

[gugubica]

Re: auto or bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dohnuts58</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ninja Pirtle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Took some getting used to, but over time, like anything, you adapt.</div></div>

i dont really need to adapt to shooting an ar, as i have been shooting m16/m4 for the last 7 years now. </div></div>

No offence, but that will make it even worse.

If you want a precision rifle to be precise, start with a bolt gun, even better, a .22

 

[Chiller]

Re: auto or bolt?

Bolt

It allows you to concentrate on the fundamentals more.

 

[scotharr]

Re: auto or bolt?

AR0-10s are NOT like the AR-15s you've been shooting: much more finicky and trouble prone. The ultimate testament to this fact was what a top shooter was using at my last match. he was shooting an AR-10 in 6.5CM...with a slight twist. His barrel had no gas port/system. So, he turned it into a bolt gun...lol. Go with a bolt gun in 308 if you don't already have one.

 

[waynea96]

Re: auto or bolt?

I had a DPMS LR-308 that I mounted a suppressor on, and it was over-gassing, hard operation and all sorts of good things. Accuracy was never as good as I wanted. I sold it off and bought a bolt action and haven't looked back. As posted above though, it also falls back on your uses/intention with the rifle.

 

[Furtaker_.223]

Re: auto or bolt?

Bolt, then if you still want the AR, save up for it. You will shoot less rounds, save the barrel with a bolt. I have several of both, and when I go to the range I take the bolt's. Dont get me wrong the ar is fun, but if accuracy is what you are after, then get the bolt. What cal. are you looking at getting?

 

[SuckitTrebek]

Re: auto or bolt?

Have a suppressor on my DPMS ap4. shoot it out to 550 regularly. No problems and more than accurate enough.

 

[CK_32]

Re: auto or bolt?

If past 500 yards go bolt. In you don't really want to shoot past 600 with it go AR.

As simple as that.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: auto or bolt?

It is fun to rock steel with an AR10 though.

Whenever I take mine out I always end up doing at least one rapid fire drill.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: auto or bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CK_32</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If past 500 yards go bolt. In you don't really want to shoot past 600 with it go AR.

As simple as that. </div></div>

Yeah, ummmmmm whatever........little too much of a generalization there pappy.

If you shoot an AR well, there's no reason to stay inside 600 with an AR platform, especially with the cartridge selections available off the shelf these days.
I run a 6.5 Creedmore POF lately, and I don't feel hindered at all.

 

[dohnuts58]

Re: auto or bolt?

why do you stay inside 6 with 7.62, or even 6.5? 5.56 ar is good out to 800

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: auto or bolt?

My AR10 with the Noveske 21" 7.62 barrel will launch M118LR faster than my 26" Remington 700. The only reason I don't grab the AR10 more often is I just don't shoot it as well. Also the mount does not have any built in incline so I bottom out at 800 yards.

If I had a 20MOA mount on it I could reach out past 1000 yards with no problem. Again, I just don't shoot it as well as the 700 or AI, so when I get further out I prefer the bolt guns.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: auto or bolt?

Perhaps you misread my post-I said there NO REASON to stay inside 600......
I've shot me little AR (556) out to seven competitively and further for fun, and the only time so far I've shot my 6.5 Creedmoor at 1K I landed a first round hit. I shot in the Utah match 09/11 with it having only pulled the trigger with that rifle and round maybe fifty times and did respectably.

John-I jsut got a Badger 22moa base for mine, I was using the reticle for anything past about 850.

 

[fargo007]

Re: auto or bolt?

We recommend bolt action rifles to people starting out.

It is true that semis can be as accurate for a few shots but I have not seen one that truly keeps pace with a same-caliber bolt gun at long range.

The temptation to keep shooting quickly with a semi is very hard for a beginner to overcome. Having that follow-up shot right there (baking in the hot chamber) without moving anything at all is just too tempting.

Adding that you've been driving an M16 for a while, the familiarity of feel with a semi may be enough to lead you astray.

For these reasons I say bolt gun, but I'd actually recommend you buy the scope first so you get what you want and don't settle on some POS.

--Fargo007

 

[Remoah]

Re: auto or bolt?

Get the savage Precision Carbine.
The AR10 may be cool but as has been said, you'll burn through ammo faster than a 14yo through his porn stash.

In fact. chuck the magazine in your range bag and single load rounds until you get the hang of shooting. Thats what i plan to do. Means you're less reliant on your next shot and you'll soon want to make each round count.

Good luck mate, and enjoy the fact that you get to ask this question. some of us arent fortunate enough to have that luxury

 

[dohnuts58]

Re: auto or bolt?

thank you to all that have posted advise on this so far. it makes sense, and will all be weighed heavily over the next couple days. i plan to mull it all over and then make the final decision by saturday or sunday. again thank you, and if anyone else has further advise please leave it

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: auto or bolt?

Good advice for sure, but I was just assuming that a military cop from the Quantico neck of the woods may have some discipline.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: auto or bolt?

look down. no, look down past her at my sig line. why not both eventually?

i love you shay laren!

 

[dohnuts58]

Re: auto or bolt?

eventually, yeah, hopefully, and i am looking at gettin a shotty too for duck and geese here coming up soon

 

[clay_breaker]

Re: auto or bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: furtaker_.223</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bolt, then if you still want the AR, save up for it. You will shoot less rounds, save the barrel with a bolt. I have several of both, and when I go to the range I take the bolt's. Dont get me wrong the ar is fun, but if accuracy is what you are after, then get the bolt. What cal. are you looking at getting? </div></div>

X2. Have both and find myself shooting the bolts for accuracy and fun more often.

 

[Blue-Printed]

Re: auto or bolt?

Go with the bolt gun theres nothing like a good bolt gun

 

[maxpower220]

Re: auto or bolt?

For your situation, go with a bolt. At the range, I find accuracy to be more satisfying than round count.

 

[PaulW]

Re: auto or bolt?

Bolt and learn the fundementals,
.