Keep the bolt, or go to a semi?

[derek1387]

Have a decent little bolt gun that I just picked up:
Remington 700 SPS Tactical 20"
Mcrees G5 Folding Chassis in FDE
Added the Mcrees Picatinny Rail up front
Mcrees Stock Pack
2x 10rd Mcrees (AICS Style) Magazines
Atlas Bipod
Timney 517 Trigger
Warne 20MOA Base and Rings

Have a guy wanting to trade me this:Mega Maten Custom Build - AR15.COM

We would both keep our optics, and i would have to throw in the bipod.

I dont know anything about AR10's. I have a few AR15's, and just got the bolt gun to start some precision shooting. Can I do the same with a Semi gas gun? The parts that are on it seem to be high quality...but I just dont know enough about it.


Thanks guys-looking to make a decision here in the next day or so.

 

[Graham]

Semis suck ass in comps.

 

[derek1387]

Well, i dont plan on shooting any competitions. I dont really have anything around me to do that.

I do have a few places I can stretch out, but not much very near me. Mainly looking for: Worthwhile trade/versatility.

 

[LawnMM]

Here's the answer to your question, it depends on what you want. Semis can be every bit as accurate as bolt guns if built with quality components, But:

1-Semis are more difficult to drive, you really have to be on top of your fundamentals and in any kind of competition environment, they are less forgiving if your position is compromised or you are stressed, etc.

2-There are more moving parts critical to the function of the rifle in a semi auto, if you skimp on parts, and sometimes even when you don't (ask me how I know) that system can hang up on you

There are some advantages to the semi auto platform, but there are also disadvantages. I'd say its a wash. If you are willing to carry some spare parts and are mindful of your fundamentals you can do just fine with a semi, even in a competition environment. If you want to win or place very high, bolt gun is probably the better option. Not because the semi can't hang, but because placing well is all about minimizing your potential issues and maximizing your margin for error. Look at it like this, do you need a muzzle brake on your rifle? No. Are they helpful when shooting from awkward and compromised positions, Yes! So you see most guys running either a brake or a suppressor but few that make the top 30 (if any) are running a plane jane crowned muzzle.

That make sense? I don't think you see a lot of semis in the top 30 at competitions because those guys are maximizing their margin for error. Can they shoot a semi well, I'm sure they can, would they rather have the more forgiving platform when on the clock, under pressure, and shooting from an awkward position? I suspect so. I know you aren't competing or at least aren't planning on it yet but it helps illustrate the differences in the platforms. Both are accurate, one is a little less forgiving of a shooter slacking off on the fundamentals.

I'd say value wise, its a pretty even trade. What I like about semi auto platforms is I can do all the work myself. I don't need a lathe or a smith to change out parts, everything is modular. I say again, it depends what you want. If you want a semi, trade it. If you don't, keep the Remington.

 

[tipper]

Keep your bi-pod & trade him you both seam unhappy with what you have.

 

[derek1387]

Keep your bi-pod & trade him you both seam unhappy with what you have.

I don't see where you get that. Love the bolt gun. But am always up for a good trade.

 

[DT1]

If you "love" the bolt gun and have just recently acquired it, keep it and shoot the shit out of it. Your posts imply that you are relatively new to longer range shooting. Bolt rifles are a bit easier to drive vs gas guns and are better suited to learning, practicing and mastering the fundamentals of long range shooting.

 

[tylerw02]

Keep the bolt. You'll be going uphill learning on a semi.



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[ZombieMonkey]

Keep the bolt, master it, then add an AR-10 later on.

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[derek1387]

Thanks guys! I think I am going to keep the bolt. The AR10 sounds like a lot of fun, but, keeping ammo costs down would be nice, and I can always build an AR10.

Thanks again

 

[Ledzep]

Bolt. Semis are a pain to tune out, make accurate, keep consistent, and thrash brass

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

Semis suck ass in comps.

What he said.

Keep the bolt. You'll be going uphill learning on a semi.

Yep, agree.

Keep the bolt, master it, then add an AR-10 later on.

Right on.

I have never found a gas gun that will outshoot my GAP bolt action. In fact, you have to spend like 4 times as much to get the same amount of accuracy when comparing a semi auto to a bolt.

 

[Winny94]

That Maten is a much "nicer" gun than your 700, and I'd have a hard time passing up that trade (if you put a dollar value on then, the Maten comes out a little ahead, but they are similar).

People on here saying gas guns are harder to tune, hard to keep consistent, hard to shoot accurately must not have ever owned a nice gas gun. Not saying bolt guns aren't inherently more accurate on the whole, but the disparity is much smaller than many in here would have you believe. Especially for new shooters.

Another thing to consider is support. Mega will cover anything...remington? Who knows nowadays.

 

[opeagle]

Keep shooting what you have. Find a Semi later.

 

[Punisher29073]

Other than the more moving parts to malfunction at the worst times, and the extra weight, why do y'all say that semis suck in competitions? I don't have any harder time shooting my semi than a bolt in practice, but haven't shot a comp with it yet.

I am not being contrary, just curious. I do see that the vast majority of shooters are shooting bolt guns and understand there must be a reason. I am setting up my LR260 for comps and am wondering what the pitfalls are going to be.

Ryan

 

[Smcarroll]

Keep the bolt gun.

 

[Shoots 700's]

Keep the bolt gun, save your pennies and by a gas gin later on dome the road, they are both a lot of fun. I have both tunes and would never be without either

 

[bm11]

I enjoy precision AR's. But if you want to shoot small groups or hit small targets, the bolt is the better system. If I was timed and needed to shoot a 1 MOA target or a sub MOA group, I'd bet I could do it faster with my bolt gun. Semi's are just so unforgiving of EVERYTHING, that I think a bolt gun can be run faster. At least with me shooting, or anyone I shoot with. Now for a multi purpose rifle that can do it all, I think a semi is a great choice. Which is why I plan on moving a CQBSS H27D onto my ECC.

 

[Cobracutter]

That Maten is a much "nicer" gun than your 700, and I'd have a hard time passing up that trade (if you put a dollar value on then, the Maten comes out a little ahead, but they are similar).

People on here saying gas guns are harder to tune, hard to keep consistent, hard to shoot accurately must not have ever owned a nice gas gun. Not saying bolt guns aren't inherently more accurate on the whole, but the disparity is much smaller than many in here would have you believe. Especially for new shooters.

Another thing to consider is support. Mega will cover anything...remington? Who knows nowadays.

Actually those of us that do own very nice gas/semi guns, along with everything else will be the first to tell you how much harder it is to shoot a semi well. What kinda shit are you pulling out your ass?

Mega makes parts... some jackass with unknown skill and experience threw that gun together. Only a fucking moron would buy a homebuilt/used gun without tearing the whole thing down and checking EVERYTHING, which is essentially a rebuild. Mega is not going to support shit unless its traced to a bad barrel, bad upper or lower.

The 700 is a piece of shit IMO, but atleast you know the person putting it together has SOME level of training.

 

[tylerw02]

I own one very nice factory semi and it shoots damn good but I can shoot my bolt faster more accurately. It's much more forgiving. But I guess according to Winny an OBR with a LW barrel isn't a nice gun.




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[cal50]

After owning nice examples of bolt guns and auto-loaders for pure accuracy I prefer the bolt rifle.
No magazine constraints for seating length , bolt camming power if you are running neck sized brass, any trigger you desire and easier to fire accurately ( IMHO).
Get a good bottom metal on your bolt rifle, some mags and slay the dogs.....


I found a few boxes of 52 Sierra BTHP bullets from my old varmint rifle and literally dumped a load together and test fired this afternoon.
Not bad for a stock barrel Remmy 700 that is set up correctly.

 

[BCP]

That's a fair trade neither rifle is something super-special. Buying someone else' homebuild can be a touchy subject too. You're in a free state you could just get a DPMS G2 or an ARmalite AR10 to plink around with if you want to familiarize yourself with the AR10 platform.

On a side note if you really start shooting long range you'll probably want to budget for re-barreling your SPS. The remington barrels I've owned were all accurate but really slow and that will hurt you once you get out there. My 20" needed 2000MR loads to get over 2600fps with a 175. Otherwise it was 2500 which is a bit slow near sea level.

 

[6xcKY]

Keep the bolt, put on a Krieger, Bartlein, etc., custom barrel, whatever caliber is most sufficient for you. I started with a SPS also, but the only thing left original is the bolt and action now. You will miss your bolt gun if you go gas, I promise you. I recently acquired a DPMS LR308 I plan on building, but it will never take the place, or be able to do, what my bolt 6XC can.

 

[HOGTOOTH5R]

I Say TRADE It. Bolt Guns are More accurate but Modern R700 has more than it's share of Accuracy Problems and Quality Control Issues. Just because Quality Bolt Guns are more accurate Does Not Mean "ALL" Bolt Guns are more accurate. Especially the SPS Tac being the lower end of the R700 Line. It's still hits and misses. I believe the MATEN Semi is Worth More than your R700 SPS in this instant is it's a Good Trade.

You can always Sell it later and probably make money off of it and invest in a Better Bolt Gun Like the TIKKA CTRs on Euro Optics which is a Much Better Rifle than what you currently have.

Or even a 5R Mil Spec Factory Threaded 20" Barrel will also be a Better Opition and investment than the SPS Tactical.

Just my 2 cent after wasting a lot of time and money settling for less while always wanting more.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Have both bolt and AR rifles chambered in 223. I don't see any reason to part with any of either. I stopped parting with rifles some years back when I realized I'd probably end up eventually kicking my own butt over and over.

The AR's can have function issues, but that's probably a matter of counting on mechanicals to do the cycling work; there's no brain involved. These issues are resolvable.

I hope you have shot your bolter enough to see if it's a keeper. If not, who knows what you are about to part ways with?

I think the best thing to do here is to do nothing. If a precision semi is your interest, start with the Stag Model 6 (5.56). When you're ready to move up to a larger chambering, try for something configured like it.

Greg