Black collar arms straight pull bolt gun?

[Mike Casselton]

I shoot at a lot of running hogs with a thermal. An AR is the default answer but just as much damage can be done with a larger caliber in a bolt action and 10 round mags. A faster bolt throw that doesn’t upset sight picture as much would be a distinct advantage.

Serious question, not stirring the pot.
Why does the bolt rifle need to be a larger caliber than the AR?

Cycle and recovery time would be quicker (for bolt users) with the same cartridges shot in the average AR-15.

Probably not so much with AR-10 sized cartridges unless the bolt rifle has a brake or supressor.

 

[generalzip]

I shoot at a lot of running hogs with a thermal. An AR is the default answer but just as much damage can be done with a larger caliber in a bolt action and 10 round mags. A faster bolt throw that doesn’t upset sight picture as much would be a distinct advantage.

I’ve found the 6.8apc to be a great hog round in the 15 platform. The 6.5 is best in the AR10 for hogs due to the balance of recoil but still having enough penetration with the heavier bullets.

Going heavier in caliber than 308 I think would be a disadvantage for a couple reasons. The obvious being the move to a bolt gun and the less so obvious is the recoil becomes detrimental to reacquire sight picture. Especially with thermal optics commonly used with small FOVs

 

[generalzip]

The bolt guns place is accuracy and repeatability over an auto loader of the same caliber. Shooting at moving targets from unsupported positions a lighter, faster shooting auto loader will always win. I hunt and target shoot with both bolt guns and semi autos. Each has their place. But for the purpose of shooting running animals I don’t know how you could even compare a bolt gun (even straight pull) to an AR. Unless of course you have no experience doing it.

It isn’t 1980 where we are stuck with only 5.56 ARs and shitty MIL-SPEC triggers. They have come a long way. This is coming from a guy who prefers shooting bolt guns over AR’s.

 

[Crews]

Serious question, not stirring the pot.
Why does the bolt rifle need to be a larger caliber than the AR?

Cycle and recovery time would be quicker (for bolt users) with the same cartridges shot in the average AR-15.

Probably not so much with AR-10 sized cartridges unless the bolt rifle has a brake or supressor.

I will start out by saying I’m just not going to tote an AR-10 around all night and scan with it. You could easily just chalk that up to personal preference.

With that out of the way, my hit % actually goes up because I am more intentional in maintaining sight picture and choosing good shots as opposed to just spraying bullets. Once again, you could easily chalk this up to personal preference.

I’ve used every AR caliber known the man… 556, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8SPC, 300 HAM’R. There is really zero net difference in lethality if your sample size is large.

Stepping up to a short action has made a noticeable difference in lethality. I shoot light for caliber projectiles to get the speed up and help with unknown distances <300 yards.

 

[Crews]

I’ve found the 6.8apc to be a great hog round in the 15 platform.

It’s a good one. Hope you have a stockpile. I just can’t sustain it with the volume I shoot, and right now 308 ammo is literally everywhere.

 

[generalzip]

It’s a good one. Hope you have a stockpile. I just can’t sustain it with the volume I shoot, and right now 308 ammo is literally everywhere.

Got 3 more cases of XM68 still from when palmetto state has some sales. Should last me the next few years for hunting purposes.

Curious what you meant about toting an AR10 around? How is it really any different than a bolt gun? With the carbon barrels out nowadays you can get them within a lb of a lightweight bolt gun but not sure if you were referring to the weight or something else. Personally I hunt with a desert tech MDRx in 6.5. While on paper people may think it’s heavy the rear balance on it is amazing and I can hold it one handed for extended periods. Something I can’t do even with the lightest bolt guns. It’s also super handy getting in and out of vehicles, blinds, etc with the short bull pup design.