Cant decide which way to go, bolt or semi-auto?

[punkwood2k]

So, for the new year, I am trying to decide what my next project needs to be. I'm trying to decide if I want to go with a dedicated bolt-action sniper rifle, or A semi-auto AR platform? Ive been shooting my starter rifle, a Savage Axis .308 for a couple years now, and about stretched it out as far as I can, so I'd like to step it up a little bit.. I'm working with a $2k starter budget, and whether that goes to a $1k rifle and build up, or just buy one off the shelf already built for $2k. I have an AR-10 hookup for $1k, just to make the decision that much harder for me.. lol

Also, would like to step up from a .308, but not so far as .338LM and others that are super nice, but also super expensive.. 6.5CM? .300WM? .300WSM? Rifle and purpose would be for 1000yd non-competitive shooting..

(sorry if this has been asked 1000 times, but I suck at finding what I want on the search function)

 

[SD26]

I have a semi auto in 6.5 Creedmoor. It's excellent. 1000yrds is easily accomplished, even for me as a returning shooter with no previous long range shooting.

For $2k, are you including an optic?

I did a semi auto as it was a platform that I was familiar with. It was comfortable to return to in coming back to shooting. From there, I think a bolt action rifle might make more sense. I don't regret going semi auto, but I would now like a bolt action rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. (I have other semi's in 308 and 30-06.)

 

[kansas]

Yeah if you are doing rifle, scope, base and rings for 2k then that's pushing it. The 6.5 calibers guns are great in both bolt and ARs but the bolt guns will be a little more accurate at 1000 yards. In my opinion you would be best served spending $1500 range for a used Razor or NF NXS.

 

[axeltow]

Here is a good place to start if you are going the bolt route
nwaw-1
then you could buy a stock for it and have a damn near custom rifle.
another option is to stay savage and get a LRP in 6.5 creedmoor.
or you could buy a dpms in creedmoor.

 

[punkwood2k]

The $2k figure is probably without optics.. I have "useable" optics right now, not the best, but works for me, and will upgrade that first when more money finds a way into my pocket..

I assume that a Semi-Auto loses some velocity because of the gases used to cycle the bolt.. but HOW MUCH of a difference does it make? And how much accuracy is lost on a semi-auto when compared to a bolt?

 

[SD26]

I assume that a Sei-Auto loses some velocity because of the gases used to cycle the bolt.. but HOW MUCH of a difference does it make? And how much accuracy is lost on a semi-auto when compared to a bolt?

There are a couple of threads going on. One in the semi auto section, the other in the bolt action section. In both, people are posting pictures of groups. Good groups in semi. I think the best bolt action groups are better than the best groups in semi auto.

My LR6.5 is pretty darn heavy. A magazine fed, bolt action in 6.5 Creedmoor would drop a good deal of weight. I really depends upon what you actually want to accomplish. The big AR does allow a lot of "Barbie" items to be added and removed, different uppers...Again, back to what do you want to do?

 

[CK_32]

Bolt about $4500 finished, Gas about $6900 finished for the top dogs.


I am in the process of building a Gas gun right now. Super stoked it does have a extra level of cool. but in all I still prefer my 700 I put together. but again the gas gun will turn some heads. But expect to buy and pay for every one of those turns.

 

[FALex]

you could get into a DPMS SASS or LRT in a .243/.260, etc... for just under 2K (even cheaper without the "SASS" label on it, but that JP trigger is sweet). I have seen them shoot very well for gas guns.

Not to create a pissing contest, but that 6900.00 quote above was relatively steep. I bought a JP LRP-07 (.260), Badger 20MOA cantilever mount and a Bushnell XRS for a total of 5300.00.

 

[Smcarroll]

It took me 5 tries before I got my semi auto priorities figured out. I have a repr and a m1a for distance gas guns, they work great but need more maintenance and skill. IMO if I was you I would go get a r700(police,5r) in 308 and shoot it like crazy. Gonna get way more practice with a 308 gun over a 300 Wm. Wear out that 308 before you get a 300wm. I see loads of guys with magnum bolt guns they never shoot due to expense and available ranges.

As for the 6900$$ figure on a first rate gas gun that's right where my repr, nightforce and mounts fell in. It shoots circles around my previous ar's and is totally reliable.

 

[tickled pink]

This is my 6mm Norma BR. that I had built for $1443.00 plus the 20 MOA Picatinny rail plus Rings and a Vortex PST 6-24x50mm FFP MOA scope with a custom turret. It was built by Kevin Rayhill of Stockade Gun Stocks. I asked him to build a "shooter" and he did. It shoots less than 1/2" 5 shot groups at 200 yds. and I have shot quite a few under 2 inches at 400 yds. The second time I ever shot at 1,000 yds. without watching the wind I shot 3 five shot groups that would have hit the boiler room of an antelope. My best 5 shot group at 100 yds. was .084", my best at 200 yds. was .375" and the best at 1,000 yds. was 3.25". I had it built for hunting antelopes in Wyoming. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a "shooter".

If you want a .223 which is extremely accurate you can get a Bushmaster DCM for under $1300.00 and it shoot under 1/2" ten shot groups at 100 yds.
Mine did when I was into High Power. http://www.bushmaster.com/electronic-documents/2005CatalogV2/DCM Rifles & Competition Parts.pdf

Here are a few pictures:

 

[CK_32]

you could get into a DPMS SASS or LRT in a .243/.260, etc... for just under 2K (even cheaper without the "SASS" label on it, but that JP trigger is sweet). I have seen them shoot very well for gas guns.

Not to create a pissing contest, but that 6900.00 quote above was relatively steep. I bought a JP LRP-07 (.260), Badger 20MOA cantilever mount and a Bushnell XRS for a total of 5300.00.

I quoted a gun that will out shoot a GAP Gladious or be on par. That will cost you some $$, That was also with estimated glass. But yea there are cheaper options. Im doing a LR308 home build but gas will always run your more than a bolty.


Im only in it about $1250, still have another $1,300 before I'm set where I want to be. But its not GAP thats for sure.

 

[azimutha]

First, I'd see if you can arrange some time shooting at long range. Find someone with a capable rifle and optics who is willing to let you try it out enough to see if it's worth it to you. I had a sweet, sweet rig built off a Surgeon action and a KMW stock. I enjoyed shooting long range, but got tired of driving 50 or 105 miles to get to a 1000-yard range. It was also not enjoyable for hunting. I sold it off, bought a light Tikka, replaced the stock with a Manners EH and now run an SS 3-15 instead of a Premier for a quarter of what I had in the custom. I never worry about dropping it or scratching it. It was great hunting this fall (even if there are almost no deer in MT, I got an elk on the move and a whitetail buck). Took the rest of the money and bought a new Grizzly table saw and a new Yeti mountain bike (http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...-mountain-bikers-out-there-5.html#post2590857).

This weekend, I'll finish a 6.8x43 build on a Seekins upper/lower/rail/gas block/rings. It'll never be used for shooting past 400 yards but I sure plan on shooting it a lot...more than my .308 AR. To me it's more fun to go out in the middle of nowhere, set up some targets and try to hit them on the run at various unknown distances. It's a cool challenge to hit something at 200ish when your heartbeat's 80% of max!

 

[Regalkismet]

As far as accuracy in a semi auto it doesn't get any more accurate then JP & GAP.... They are consistently the top two for accuracy, rifle in and rifle out.

 

[mpncc]

I just finished a creedmoor build on an lr308 platform. I ordered a custom 1/2" guaranteed barrel that wasn't anymore than krieger or jp and you can make all the decisions on what you get. The build started as a dpms sass rifle and has been converted to creedmoor. Which is a great round and 1000y with it is considerably easy once you get your dope. Way less recoil than 300wm and almost the same range. A bolt gun would be more accurate but less versatile and fun
I want to do a 6.5x284 bolt gun build next which is an even more potent round