Spoken like a true bench rest shooter. Taking everything impractical and measure it through a very narrowly construed set of variables and then make a blanket statement. My statement was more general in nature based on general marksmanship conditions in real world practical rifle competitions, not bolting everything down with impractical gear.
So what you are saying is that ALL of the competitors across American competing in the growing sport of Tactical Rifle (also known as Precision Rifle Series) are wrong and have the wrong equipment? I mean, with the advantages of the semi-automatic rifle in reloading when compared to the bolt action, why wouldn't everyone shoot a semi-automatic?
To be clear, the real reason is that bolt action rifles, by their very nature, are more accurate. You have to spend a LOT more money getting an accurate semiautomatic to perform on par with an average or moderate bolt action rifle. You are dealing with a lot more variables and problems with a semiautomatic and all of the steps to increase accuracy are simply to overcome those problems. Take some similarly priced rifles, the bolt action is more accurate, period.
Actually, you can. Because competition brings out the best shooters and the best equipment. That is a very easy conclusion to make. Remember, these are general statements. You can always say "this special rifle x" outshoots or outperforms "this rifle y". But in general, you would be hard pressed to ask top competitors to use equipment that they feel are not adequate.
Who knows, maybe over time the semi-automatics can overcome their issues with accuracy. I will go with what my own experience tells me and also look to the top professionals and what they are using. Those are always good guides to successful shooting accuracy.
Hope to see you all at the next Sniper's Hide Cup with a semi-automatic and see how you do. You guys can all prove it yourself. I look forward to it.
If you can get more "real world" than these two competitions, then please let me know:
International Sniper Competition – Ft Benning, GA
2012 International Sniper Competition US Army Special Operations Command Sniper Competition – Ft Bragg, NC
USASOC Sniper Competition | ShadowSpear Special Operations If you also check the lineup of rifles used in those 2 competitions, the number of shooters using of a semi-auto platform and winning or placing in the top has gone up every year.
I can appreciate the PRS series, what it is, who shoots in it, and the equipment used. That being the case, don't confuse it for anything more than what it is, which is a game played on weekends with a given set of rules (no disrespect implied). IMHO, those rules don't necessarily agree with the "real world of sniping" and don't necessarily present a level playing field for the use of both platforms.
I have watched many of the "Best Snipers/Shooters" at those two competitions making consistent hits with both platforms, because their rifles perform very well, and they have the best shooting skill sets that anyone can have.
Per above, there are Pros & Cons to both platforms. The key is to understand them all, exploit the Pros, and learn how to work around the Cons. Also per above, there are plenty of people who understand that, and as a result are successful with whatever platform they are using for their given application.
IMHO, if you are the new kid on the block of Precision Long Range Shooting, do yourself a favor and start with a bolt gun, and then once you have a solid basis of shooting fundamentals established, take look at a semi-auto platform if it makes sense for your given shooting application.
Once again, no disrespect intended for any of the PRS shooters. Also apologies for the sidetrack, but contrary to some beliefs, there is life beyond the PRS.
