Coming from an ar15 to first bolt action

[comeback]

Hello i have been lurking here for a while and reading up for a long time. I have been shooting for a while now, primarily ar15's and have a few from SBR's to "combat" rifles and my long range rig (20" Krieger bull barrel 1/9 in .223 wylde, 3lb tuned single stage trigger, and i handload for this rifle). My best groups on my AR are around 1 moa at 400 yards. Recently i have been wanting to go out further with more confidence. I am reaching the limit of the 223 and would like to go up to a 308

The main reason i have never owned a bolt gun is because when i grew up i was never introduced to firearms, then i joined the army when i was 18, i left after 7 years (3 years ago). so my only rifle i was comfortable with was the AR platform.

I have never really had a good bolt action rifle. Since this is going to be my first true bolt i figured to keep it simple. I am looking at a Remington 700 SPS tactical with a nightforce rail. I have a question, I have multiple larue scope mounts laying around and i love them for the AR platform, will these be ok to use? The reason i ask this is that i have never seen them mentioned on here as a good scope mount. I plan on shooting this about 100-150 rounds a week. If any of you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[KPK]

Re: Coming from an ar15 to first bolt action

I am an AR guy myself, although I've been around bolts longer for hunting mainly, this website is great and pefect for learning a lottttt about bolts.

I think you have a perfect choice to get started although I would look at the SPS AAC-SD model at buds for $595 shipped. It is 20" and comes threaded. Sometime you may look at replacing that stock with a harder one, but it's a sweet rifle. I've got a regular sps and they are great for the money!

I don't see why you couldn't use the mounts if they aren't to high and/or forward to far. I wondered that as well when I started looking here.

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Re: Coming from an ar15 to first bolt action

I am in a very similar situation to you and I just picked up a the rifle he's talking about the sps aac tactical with the threaded bull barrel. I'm waiting on a scope and base right now but as far as the rifle is concerned it's a well built good looking rifle. I think you'd be very happy with it and I strongly suggest looking into that before anything else. Just my very n00b .02

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Coming from an ar15 to first bolt action

Sounds to me like you have better taste than warrants settling on an SPS. Not knockin' it... I just liken it to buying one of those AR "plinkers" that were out some years ago. You might get tired of it quickly and it's not as easy to replace parts on a bolt gun. I'd look around some more and try to find something in the $1500-$2000 range (not including optics). FWIW...

 

[KPK]

Re: Coming from an ar15 to first bolt action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshot onekill</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds to me like you have better taste than warrants settling on an SPS. Not knockin' it... I just liken it to buying one of those AR "plinkers" that were out some years ago. You might get tired of it quickly and it's not as easy to replace parts on a bolt gun. I'd look around some more and try to find something in the $1500-$2000 range (not including optics). FWIW... </div></div>

I agree with you on that. Just thought we were talking entry, but then again...I don't really have an entry rifle. I'm building a custom.

 

[buggsb]

Re: Coming from an ar15 to first bolt action

The SPS is a good basic bolt gun, but the stock really sucks. If you have plans to immediately replace the stock then it is an excellent platform to base your first bolt gun on.

If on the other hand you want a good basic package that won't need an upgrade, look at the 700 LTR, 700P or 5R MilSpec. Each of these had a much better HS precision stock with a ful length aluminum bedding block.

As for the LaRue mounts, the reason you don't see them here is because the optics on precision bolt guns tend to be thought of as a more permanent device, rather than being swapped around like optics, magnifiers or BUIS's on AR's

LaRue makes great products and I have a lot of their mounts, but if you are building a precision bolt gun then you might as well start out with the correct parts. Buy a good set of Seekins or Badger or Nightforce rings. You can use the NF mount (you'll probably want the 20MOA cant if you ar talking longer distances) or get one from Seekins or Badger as well It doesn't hurt to save shipping and get the mount and rings from the same source).

Good Luck!

 

[comeback]

Re: Coming from an ar15 to first bolt action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buggsb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If on the other hand you want a good basic package that won't need an upgrade, look at the 700 LTR, 700P or 5R MilSpec. Each of these had a much better HS precision stock with a ful length aluminum bedding block.



Good Luck! </div></div>

Thanks alot, i checked out the 5r milspec and it looks like i am going to get that one.

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Coming from an ar15 to first bolt action

5R would be a better place to start. I had one. Loved the accuracy. Hated the trigger and the "stainless" look. Painted it with Alumahyde-II and put a 40x trigger in it... Marvelous!