Gun familiarity question

[Jethro21]

Hey guys, I have a question for you.

I am a police officer and carry an ar15 on duty which I shoot quite a bit. I have recently got into more "serious" precision shooting and purchased a Savage 110 in 308 in a Mcmillan stock. I have been having some issues getting used to shooting the bolt gun (hand placement, cheek weld etc.) which I think may be related to shooting my ar as much as I do. Today it took me about 10 rounds to get my form and everything right after about 5 minutes of dry fire.

My question is, do you think that it is a better policy to try to stay consistant with weapon systems for familiarity purposes? Would you advise to go with an ar10 to keep the consistancy and familiarity?

Thanks,
Jethro

 

[PanaDP]

Re: Gun familiarity question

Keep up with both. Pretty quickly you'll regard them as different things and you'll fall into the appropriate muscle memory routine with each one.

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: Gun familiarity question

If you can't get over the feel of the bolt rifle, look into the XLR chassis for your Savage. The ergonomics are very similar to the AR rifles.

 

[CommAV8OR]

Re: Gun familiarity question

For what it's worth...all of the most basic principles of marksmanship apply to any weapon system a shooter is using.
Be it a hand gun (semi or revolver), shotgun, rifle of any make and model...breathing, trigger control, etc. all falling into harmony will lead to good shooting.
Consider this...an ar15 is an assault rifle that has no trigger work, is made for outdoor engagement or indoor room clearing and is not designed to create a bug hole group. Certain muscle memory items that you developed from shooting "non-precision" firearms may be sloppy and translating to a chain of events that messes with the groups your savage prints.
I would recommend, instead of buying an ar10, spend more time behind your savage and be conscious of everything your body and rifle are doing before, during and after the shot. Have a spotter or shooting buddy do the same for you and document your findings. You may be surprised what your body is doing without you noticing. Another fun exercise is to have a buddy load the mag on your rifle with snap caps and live rounds so you never know when it's going to go CLICK or BANG. Again, you may be surprised where you find yourself when it goes CLICK instead of BANG.
Hope that helps.

 

[a_bishop]

Re: Gun familiarity question

As previously stated u might look into a xlr or a mcree chassis setup. I have a lot of Leo friends and they all like the pistol grip style chassis. Plus the McMillan u have will fetch a good bit of cash as they are extremely hard to find

 

[Beef82]

Re: Gun familiarity question

You severly limit yourself only shooting one platform. I grew up shooting lever and bolt guns, switched to an AR, now shoot both, reguarly and numerous shot guns, as well as older military semis occasionally. The differences aren't that severe. Its never taken very long to adjust to new action type. I feel quite confident I can operate just about any firearm I were to come across because of this. Whether firing or simply clearing. I laughed my ass off when a local trooper couldn't clear my P99.

Without going to a chassis you can probably get your cheekweld similar with different rings or a cheekriser. LOP can be changed by hacking the stock or making some spacers.

Also I find trying to shoot my mil-spec triggered AR for accuracy before my bolt gun really helps with trigger pull. Like going from a jeep to a caddy, you appreciate it more.

 

[josie6637]

Re: Gun familiarity question

Lots of guys do the same thing you do, and do both very well. Id hold off on buying all the bells and whistles for a short time and spend your resources on practice ammo. Guys love to blame equipment when its the human factor that fails. Work on technique and you will soon see where your equipment could use an upgrade.
Fundamentals and familiarity

 

[Neil Allen]

Re: Gun familiarity question

Shoot the Savage as is. In your world you have to be adaptable.
I shoot IHMSA match's all year, standing, creedmore revolver, bolt, singleshot, semi-auto handguns. Same diff though, all have their own style, muscle memories, triggers are all different in felt pull and let off, recoil management.

Rounds down range is the only answer.....
Make every round count.

N

 

[Charlie Papa]

Re: Gun familiarity question

One more vote for sticking with what you have. It takes 3000 repetitions to develop muscle memory. Get behind your Savage every day/night and dry fire. Before long, you'll pick up either weapon and feel comfortable with it.