Kind of a hard decision.

[Clamber]

Hey guys, some of you may know that Im looking to get a rifle. I'm 19, and saving for college, so I dont have a lot of money to spend on the gun.

Ive wanted a bolt-action .308 for a long time, and Ive also wanted a SPR AR15 like a Mk12 Mod 0 for a while as well.

For the last month Ive been reading and learning about bolt guns like the 700 and I was set on getting one around xmas time.

Well today, I was looking around at some AR stuff on Arfcom, and I came to the realization that I could do a very basic Mk12 build for around the same cost as the 700 build I was planning.

So now I'm in kinda of a predicament.I have more than a month to decide though, but Im just weighing the pros/cons of each right now, and thought Id get your guys' input.

Im not new to shooting, but Im new to wanting to perfect my skills at shooting. I had an AR15 earlier this year, and loved it, but Ill be honest. I would just go out into the desert and shoot. I mean I would aim and be safe about it, but I didnt really have a goal when it came to shooting.

So now, whatever rifle I get, I want to learn proper shooting techniques and take my time and be precise about it. Ill get more out of it that way.

So here's what Im thinking in regards to the 2 different rifle choices:


R700 - I like the thought of having a precision bolt gun. I like being able to shoot long distances and be precise. Also Im really looking forward to learning everything about precision shooting. Also, .308 is more expensive, but I wont shoot as much as I would .223.

Mk12 - Im thinking it would kinda be the best of both worlds. I'd have a semi-auto gun, but could also do longish-range shots and be precise. It wouldn't have the feel of the bolt gun obviously though.

So Im having a hard time deciding.

Anyone care to shed some opinions and thoughts on the matter?

Thanks.

 

[persistant7500]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

at the risk of offending you, I would be sure to invest in a good quality 22 rimfire rifle and glass. Then shoot the hell out of it, with match grade ammo and practice shooting to 250 will get you a long way to being a decent precision shooter way cheaper than centerfire. During that time save up to buy both a gas and bolt rifle and you will be way ahead of the learning curve.

 

[Clamber]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

Not offended at all, dont worry.

Ive thought about that, and I had a pretty nice 10/22 for a while but it just wasnt what I was looking for. I have a friend with a really nice one that I can borrow whenever I want too.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Clamber</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'm 19, and saving for college, so I dont have a lot of money to spend on the gun.

Anyone care to shed some opinions and thoughts on the matter?

Thanks. </div></div>

yeah, save your money for college.

You'll end up there, no time, other interests, and study instead!

Buy a 22 to shoot while you are there, you can do a lot with a 22.

Then when you get out of college and get hired on somewhere you can afford to buy all the guns you want.

I'm speaking from experience.

 

[Don Black]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

My advise:
If you can, hook up with some competive high power shooters doing "across the course" type matches. You'll learn more from them in a season than any other shooting disipline in a lifetime.
The mouse gun (AR15) would be a good choice to start with, from the standpoint of cost of operation (ammo) and recoil.
Most of these guys are salt of the earth and will be more than willing to help you along the way. You couldn't ask for a better group of people to hitch up with.

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

When you go to college, will it be away from home?

How much more do you have to save?

It wasn't your AR15's fault you just aimed and shot with no planning or goal. So, making it a bolt action won't help with that. In my experience, I tend to take my time with a bolt action and get shots off quickly with the AR. I'm not sure if a lot of people are like that but I was and probably still am (haven't shot a bolt gun steadily in a while). Something to consider with buying ammo/components I think.

AR's can be harder to consistently drive correctly. I know my groups open up considerably with an AR, so I'm sure that translates downrange.

What <span style="font-style: italic">are</span> your goals? Figure out what you want to do and what you realistically have access to and then consider cost since you are saving for a more important reason. Once you consider cost in relation to desire, consider cost to sustain it (feed it ammo). Pretty soon, you will figure out your goals, what is best for you, and if you can afford to feed it. Once you figure that out, you only have to research your decision and compare others' experiences to weigh your final choices.

Good luck.

 

[Clamber]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

I think Ill get the 700. I think it will be more rewarding and fun for me.

The money I'll have for the rifle is part of my inheritance from when my dad died back in May. It will be about $2000 so Im probably going to get a decent rifle setup, the basic accessories, and $250 worth of some decent ammo.

Then after a few months Im going to get some reloading equipment after I read up on how to do it properly.

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

Dude.....remember that guns are just a tool....and its always the loose nut behind the trigger....

don't be fucking stupid.....invest in yourself , get an education and if you must get a decent .22 and hone the basics.


next would be to scam you way into a good rifle class....

 

[Graham]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

A bolt gun will be more versatile: for one thing, it will give you more leeway for learning marksmanship and for shooting different loads. A .308 bolt gun will do eveything well, from target shooting, to hunting, to comps in California, so a bolt gun might be a better start than a semi - especially in a large caliber like .308.

 

[Clamber]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

I'll be going to college no matter what.

Ill probably just do a very basic rifle build at first, and get only the things that I need to be able to shoot it, and then 1000x .308.

Then over time start getting all the fancy accessories.

 

[pale horse]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

I know in Fairbanks they had 22 and other rifle teams as well as shooting classes. Check out your school and try out for a shooting team if you can make time away from the books. cheap way to shoot for free and other things for free also. It is a hard choice I never had to choose I was luck and pipelined & oil fielded as a lad but never got smart and went to school cant you tell by my writing? Its funny tho as my life has been blessed with many fine fire arms . I think now days it pays to go to school.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

Once you have the gun, whichever one, you have to feed it. However much you feed it, you're likely to run out of ammo sooner with the AR. Is this what you want?

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

I had an AR in college way before having an AR was cool. I shot the hell out of that rifle. I did burn up lots of ammo though but back then it was pretty cheap. In time both of the rifles you spoke of will be in your gun safe anyways so what you buy know is a pure preference call.

 

[KUSA]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

I think every decent man should own at least one AR so I would get that first. Bolt guns are better for precision work but if all hell broke loose I'm grabbing my AR.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

I think that semi should be a Garand, but then again, I'm old...

 

[Clamber]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

A part of me also wants an M1A, but I couldnt get a scope right away. But I could get 1000x Prvi ammo. And then save up for a scope.

Im so indecisive.

 

[crazy bay]

Re: Kind of a hard decision.

Dude, save your money for now. Im going to USU, and school costs a lot more the more time you put into it. Consider your potential firearms as a means of capital; sacrifice now so you can be happier later. Basically, 1) save your money, 2)finish school, 3) get a good job, 4)don't get married, 5) get a dog, 6) THEN get your rifle.

Look bro, Im so busy with school, I hardly have time to make it out to the range. Once your graduated and have more time and money, your going to want something more new anyways. In 4 years, there will be something new out that you'll end up buying, so you might as well wait until you can afford the time to go shoot it.