Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

[Hawk45]

Wasn't sure where to post this, so hope this is alright here.. but I hope it won't be bolt-biased just b/c it's in here.

I'm in a quandry as to either upgrade my bolt action .308 to an AIAE or make my first jump into the 308 AR platform with an LMT MWS? I'm slimming down by collection to go for quality over quantity with reliability being the most important thing. If it doesn't fire or function then it won't really matter how accurate it is. If it is a quality product it should be plenty accurate.. MOA is fine with me if it works everytime I need it. Another reason is I want to build quality systems I can practice and get intimately familiar with now, and not have to re-familurize myself with 6-7 different guns when I can really hone in on 2-3 systems.

Off to the range, finally a nice day to shoot. Think my rifles are even depressed from shooting in the rain/snow so much this year.

Thanks for your input,
Hawk

 

[Tbag]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

Hawk, so what do you have for a bolt presently and does it run for you? Do you feel you will gain so much more by going with the AIAE than your current rifle?

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

My current go to .308 is a built off a Stevens 200 action. It works for going from home to the range and printing group but it's not something I would trust in a class under heavy use. It also has a blind magazine and is about due for a new barrel. So when I was thinking of dumping another $800 (new barrel and bottom metal) into what I have or upgrade to a better system I did my research and decided to go with a proven factory system that will last me for years. When I built my Stevens 200 it was what I could afford, now I'm in a more lucrative position and can now make an investment in quality gear.

 

[TallShot]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

I personally would go 308 AR.

Don't get me wrong, I love bolts as well, but from what you stated in your post, I think you would be well served with a quality semi.

 

[Mike_Indy]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

I have both the bolt and the semi. I enjoy them both. Neither neither had issues. In my mind, if you have the funds, go ahead and get a quality semi. I have found mine to be equally accurate in the shorter ranges of 100-500. I have not yet had opportunity to take the semi past 700.

 

[lennyo3034]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

Beware the man with one gun.

Go with the bolt.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

I was an AR guy for a long time, but recently came over to bolt guns. I've found that I can shoot a bolt gun better than a semi, although the differences may not make any practical difference.

For me, the bolt gun is more comfortable to shoot and easier to load for, since I don't have to worry about accommodating the gas system. On the flip side, the AR does offer a higher rate of fire, if that matters to you.

When it comes down to cost, dollar for dollar, you can get more bolt gun than you can semi-auto. I have around $1200 in my bolt gun and I know that I'd have to spend two to three times as much to get a semi that only shoots almost as well.

 

[aggiesig]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

What distances are your shooting ranges? What are you looking to spend on a rifle/optics/ system in total? Do you reload? How many rounds do you shoot/ year? What are the hunting laws in your area regarding magazine capacity and semi's? The answers to these questions might provide us insight to give you better answers...

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: aggiesig</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What distances are your shooting ranges? What are you looking to spend on a rifle/optics/ system in total? Do you reload? How many rounds do you shoot/ year? What are the hunting laws in your area regarding magazine capacity and semi's? The answers to these questions might provide us insight to give you better answers... </div></div>

600yds is max at my local range.. but friends have longer ranges, but requires a lengthy drive. I do reload. Just in .308.. I would say around 2000 per year. I don't hunt with guns and no magazine restrictions. Price for a system.. Gun in the 3k range. I'll be selling a few other guns depending on what I get and have quality optics from those I can use on this.

 

[aggiesig]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

with those requirements I think a semi auto would be a good route to go if you are so inclined. I don't know the laws if your area but you could probably get a pretty sweet AR-10 and a supressor for 3k. whatever you decide take pics!

 

[maggitas]

Re: Upgrade bolt or get my first AR 308?

Hawk,

I have and enjoy both. I have 2 KAC 308's and a TBA M40 clone. The TBA is a one hole gun at 100 yards with Federal Gold Medal 168's. The KAC will shoot a dime sized target at 100 yards with Hornady 168 match. What I am getting at is do you want to shoot for groups, a paper puncher, or do you want to bang steel at 600 yards. It all depends on your application and what your expectations are out of the gun.

YMMV,

Johnny