Are semi-auto rifles really more expensive?

[Randoman5]

I've seen a number of Semi-auto vs Bolt Action threads on this site and most people aren't interested in discussing it, but I'm shopping around for my first non-rimfire rifle and I keep coming back to the question.

First off, my purpose for the rifle. I like to plink and shoot targets. I just get a rush out of reaching out and touching something as far away as possible. I'm really into shooting pop cans and I've gone as far as 215 yards with my 10/22. Pop cans aren't very big. To be sure of a hit you need a great deal of accuracy. I have no desire to shoot anything living.

What I'm looking at right now is something like the Remington 700 AAC-SD or possibly a Remington 700 5R Milspec.

I've been on here reading everything I find and I'm absolutely in love with the GAP-10. It sort of puzzled me that it was so much cheaper than their bolt action custom rifles but it's still well beyond what I'm willing to spend on a rifle at this point.

So I started wondering whether or not I might be able to find an AR-10 style rifle in the same range as the 700s.

At first glance they seem quite a bit more expensive, but we're really comparing apples to oranges. If you bought the AAC-SD for instance, It goes for 630 at my local gun store. Everything I've seen suggests you need to replace the stock to get the best accuracy out of the rifle. If you want a detachable box magazine like an AR-10 would come with, the stock and DBM look like they're going to come to around another 600. That brings us to 1200 for the rifle and the stock with one magazine. Additional magazines are 60-100 dollars. Say on the low end I want two magazines so I'm up to 1260 dollars. Now I need to get a scope base that is integral to the upper receiver on the AR-10. This is another 40 dollars. So really the base price for my AAC-SD set up with the same minimum features the AR-10 comes with is 1300, not 630.

The rifle I compare it to is one which seems, based on reviews I've read, to be just as accurate, the DPMS Tac 20. The Tac 20 comes with all the features I've mentioned and has an MSRP of 1300 dollars as well.

Is there something I'm missing here? What would be the functional differences between the two hypothetical rifles I've mentioned?

 

[Downzero]

Re: Are semi-auto rifles really more expensive?

Sounds like you need yourself a good AR........15.

 

[Randoman5]

Re: Are semi-auto rifles really more expensive?

I've thought about that, but I'm really looking to get into a full powered rifle cartridge to really stretch things out as far as possible.

Obviously an AR-15 would be even cheaper but I'm pretty committed to the .308.

 

[verdugo60]

Re: Are semi-auto rifles really more expensive?

The functional differences are: semi-auto vs bolt action!

It really is apples and oranges. If you have any tactical mindset, each has some advantages and disadvantages. Your comment about not wanting to shoot anything living needs clarified.

Semi-auto allows you to have quicker follow up shots which could be advantageous in tactical scenarios, but in target shooting is just fun. I have shot a semi custom DPMS at 1000 yards and it is very cool having three projectiles in the air before the first one hits the steel and then hearing the next two smack it in order. You can't get that with a bolt gun.

On the other hand, a bolt gun for a long time has been considered more inherently accurate. Sure a GAP-10 will outshoot many low end FACTORY guns, and has become a viable alternative in some cases for precision use. Again though, with a doctored bolt gun(like you talk about), you get a better chance for accuracy compared to the same priced AR-10. Of course, in the semi-auto target thread there are some pretty economical AR-10 DPMS's shooting very very well. So that's not even so cut and dry anymore.

The other thing a bolt action has is reliability. You didn't say if you hand load, or want to shoot suppressed or what but a bolt gun is simpler for these two things, as well as just downright reliable. Cold, hot, dirty, it's pretty hard to get the thing stuck and not functioning. Yes other parts break, but the actual bolt movement is just plain more reliable when it comes to manually working it vs. automatic.

The ultimate solution (and what will probably happen if you stick with this habit) is getting both. Yes that is a cliche answer, but really how can you ultimately know what you like more and what better fits your needs unless you have and use both?

Now which is first I can understand being an in-depth decision. Hopefully this has given you some more to think about.

 

[Randoman5]

Re: Are semi-auto rifles really more expensive?

There are a number of other factors besides price that I think about.

There's something to be said for the tactile feel of working the bolt. It is more reliable. It seems slightly more accurate at the nth degree. Although it seems like the quality of Remington products varies greatly and if you choose anyone else you lose a lot of ability to customize.

The big appeal of the semi-auto guns for me is mechanical. I love the design feel and look of the rifles. I like to take them apart and put them back together. They're much less expensive to buy parts and accessories for. It's easier to switch back and forth between optics and iron sights. The thing you mentioned about firing more than one shot before the first hits is definitely cool. It's obviously advantageous to be able to shoot more than once without changing your position. Also based on what I've seen between the two guns I'm considering there doesn't seem to be much if any difference in accuracy. The AAC-SDs i've seen tested seem to be pretty inconsistant. Some people get way under half MOA some seem to be right at or under MOA. It seems like the DPMS you're getting a lot more for your money.

What I mean by not shooting living things I mean I don't hunt. I have a .45 for self defense and I can't imagine a scenario where I'd have a legitimate need to defend myself beyond its range.

I do plan to reload. I know semi-auto guns are harder on brass and that they allow less options for bullet seating.

Anything else you're really giving up?

 

[verdugo60]

Re: Are semi-auto rifles really more expensive?

Sounds like you have your answer. A semi-auto would probably be a good place for you to start. Don't be afraid to look at a .260 vs 308. Especially if you're hand loading, it's not much more expensive to shoot, but you will have better ballistic performance in the same mag and platform, with less recoil for those fast follow up shots.

Keep in mind that for reloading, a semi can have worse repercussions with a high pressure load. That locked up vault of a bolt action is a nice bit of extra security. If you are an experienced hand-loader you know to work up your loads though and to do so in hot temperatures. It will beat up your brass more, one solution is to get an adjustable gas block(which really helps if you end up using a suppressor.)

Buy the gun you love and will play with and enjoy more. That may change as your experience and needs for long range precision do, and that's part of the fun! I will always have a couple bolt guns around for my needs but the same goes for semi-autos. A high end semi like a GAP or OBR is a very cool tool, and so is a high end bolt gun. Right now I am building my first custom bolt gun, but see a custom AR-10 style rifle in my future soon after this one is finished.