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Bolt or ar platform
- Thread starter elkaz7
- Start date
My personal opinion is that ARs can be extremely accurate and even a typical rack grade AR is usually far more accurate than it gets credit for. However, if you are looking for sub 3/8 MOA accuracy you can get there for less money in an easier to shoot platform via a bolt action rifle.
Im not sure why you are considering a bolt action or AR but think about how accurate you'd like to shoot and at what pace. What type projectiles do you plan to use and how well will they feed through an AR barrel extension? What length would you seat the bullet at and how well does that fit in an AR mag? How hard do you want to push them and will the brass develop pressure signs before you get there? Do you plan to neck size only and will it reliably chamber in an AR?
In the end if you need the speed and modularity of an AR or just plain prefer it then go with the AR but realize you may be limited in some ways that you would not be limited in with a bolt action.
Im not sure why you are considering a bolt action or AR but think about how accurate you'd like to shoot and at what pace. What type projectiles do you plan to use and how well will they feed through an AR barrel extension? What length would you seat the bullet at and how well does that fit in an AR mag? How hard do you want to push them and will the brass develop pressure signs before you get there? Do you plan to neck size only and will it reliably chamber in an AR?
In the end if you need the speed and modularity of an AR or just plain prefer it then go with the AR but realize you may be limited in some ways that you would not be limited in with a bolt action.
This is a question that might never occur to me, because I don't think of them as an either/or choice. Id do both, and configure each for different applications because they are going to have different attributes which make each better for a different application.
Accuracy is important, but maybe more important in the bolt gun, where a followup may not be as easy to deliver in a timely manner. The semi can be very accurate, as accurate; but may not need to be considering the ready onhand followup capacity.
Consider also that additional uppers can provide separate, different capabilities for the AR. They may range from lightweight run-n-gun, to LR precision capabilities. My AR is a Stag Model 6 Super Varminter 24" bull barrel rifle and has a Harris Style Bipod attached. I also have a lightweight run-n-gun Upper, and a 16" bull barrelled Upper with a Harris Style bipod. That covers a lot of applications.
The Lower has a B.A.D. Lever added, and the A2 Stock has been replaced with a Luth AR MBA-1. One of the magazines has a Satern single feed follower installed for F T/R.
I have several Bolt rifles, but I seem to be standardizing on a the Savage, with the 11VT platform from Dick's Sporting Goods becoming a standard pattern rifle. I own a pair, a .223 and a .308, and intend to obtain a second .308 for reconfiguration with a barrel replacement using a Lothar-Walther 28" .260 drop-in barrel.
Optics follow application. The Stag 6 has a Weaver V-24, the 11VT's each have a Mueller 8-32x44 Target Scope. The 16" Bull has a Bushnell AR Drop Zone 3-12x40, and the 16" run-n-gun has a Vortex SPARC.
Greg
Accuracy is important, but maybe more important in the bolt gun, where a followup may not be as easy to deliver in a timely manner. The semi can be very accurate, as accurate; but may not need to be considering the ready onhand followup capacity.
Consider also that additional uppers can provide separate, different capabilities for the AR. They may range from lightweight run-n-gun, to LR precision capabilities. My AR is a Stag Model 6 Super Varminter 24" bull barrel rifle and has a Harris Style Bipod attached. I also have a lightweight run-n-gun Upper, and a 16" bull barrelled Upper with a Harris Style bipod. That covers a lot of applications.
The Lower has a B.A.D. Lever added, and the A2 Stock has been replaced with a Luth AR MBA-1. One of the magazines has a Satern single feed follower installed for F T/R.
I have several Bolt rifles, but I seem to be standardizing on a the Savage, with the 11VT platform from Dick's Sporting Goods becoming a standard pattern rifle. I own a pair, a .223 and a .308, and intend to obtain a second .308 for reconfiguration with a barrel replacement using a Lothar-Walther 28" .260 drop-in barrel.
Optics follow application. The Stag 6 has a Weaver V-24, the 11VT's each have a Mueller 8-32x44 Target Scope. The 16" Bull has a Bushnell AR Drop Zone 3-12x40, and the 16" run-n-gun has a Vortex SPARC.
Greg
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Most can't shoot a gas gun like they can a bolt gun. Less moving parts is inherently more accurate in theory.
What are your goals for the rifle? If simply precision, go bolt. If there are any other factors or goals, then you get to play the compromise game.
What are your goals for the rifle? If simply precision, go bolt. If there are any other factors or goals, then you get to play the compromise game.
