Bolt action .308 v. AR 10

[cbmax]

Hi all,

I have a custom built .308 built on an AICS chassis and I recently finished modifying my Armalite AR 10T to include an AR Gold trigger.

I understand the inherent accuracy in the bolt action, but both of these rifles are shooters!

So my question to you all is which of these rifles to you shoot with more ease and accuracy? (bolt v. Semi auto)

For me the semi auto takes way more concentration to ring out it's best accuracy. One slight error and I tend to shoot high. The bolt action is far more forgiving in my hands.

Tell me about your experiences!

CB

 

[TIMC]

I have 3 bolt rifles in .308 and 2 AR-10 style rifles. All shoot with very good accuracy but I do find the bolt guns to be a little more accurate. They all have their place and I do hunt with all of them. My favorites are the AR-10's.

 

[Jasper1573]

The bolt action is far more forgiving in my hands.

I believe you have answered your own question...I prefer the bolt action as well. I have a friend with a DPMS LR-308 that is just as accurate as a bolt gun. However, I am more comfortable with a bolt action myself.

 

[cbmax]

Hi,


I plan on spending some time behind the semi auto. I don't think it will ever be as accurate as the bolt gun, but for me it requires way more concentration to shoot well! That's what makes it a challenge!

CB

 

[jim243]

I think both can be just as accurate. I know I am calmer behind a bolt action, it just seems that there is less things that I need to worry about.

Jim

 

[fragout]

For shooting from a prepared position in the prone, with plenty of time to use the LRF (and turn an unknown distance into known distance) my bolt action 308 rifle typically outshoots my M14S, and M1A-A1..... as far as tiny little groups go....and with me doin the trigger pullin.

It's the other way around when it comes to offhand shooting positions, multiple targets, moving targets, unknown distances without time to lase it with the LRF, and different distances, etc ........(hunting in specific)

I'm much more comfortable with the M14 types in the field, as I can focus on the fundementals, target aquisition, etc.... much easier, and in less time, vs the bolt guns.

I attribute this to the semiautomatic action, and the rifle type itself in relation to how it feels in hand whilst shooting.

 

[theblakester]

To those that are recoil sensitive, a semi auto might be preferred.

 

[snakeman]

I like to follow the K.I.S.S. principle. I choose bolt action for this reason. Like you said bolt actions are more forgiving.

 

[itsa pain]

after sending my R25 (308) back to Remington 3 times it finally does not jam and I shot two in one hole and the other 3/8 of an inch away with 178 amax. my bolt might shoot a little better but that is splitting hairs

 

[adelbridge]

bolt gun triggers are usually much more refined. Most ARs are 4lbs and up and majority are 7 lbs and up. It is hard to work all the creep out of a 4lb AR trigger unless you drop in a $200 trigger kit and even still you are not perfect. You arent going to get the greatest cheek weld with most AR stocks and couple that factor with a high scope mount and you have to be on your best form. Then you have to add in the harmonics of the semi auto action. Once you are past all that a semi auto will never lock up as tight as a bolt gun, there is some minor slop needed to cam open the bolt in the gas system. That said I have been chasing ghosts trying to perfect my R25 and I have it under an inch but just barely after untold $$$$$

 

[itsa pain]

bolt gun triggers are usually much more refined. Most ARs are 4lbs and up and majority are 7 lbs and up. It is hard to work all the creep out of a 4lb AR trigger unless you drop in a $200 trigger kit and even still you are not perfect. You arent going to get the greatest cheek weld with most AR stocks and couple that factor with a high scope mount and you have to be on your best form. Then you have to add in the harmonics of the semi auto action. Once you are past all that a semi auto will never lock up as tight as a bolt gun, there is some minor slop needed to cam open the bolt in the gas system. That said I have been chasing ghosts trying to perfect my R25 and I have it under an inch but just barely after untold $$$$$

adel that is not a bad group but I do not get all the money you spent unless it was repairs? the 308 is so easy to load for Rel 15 or 2520 is great and the R25's with the fast twist like heavier bullets. the 178 a max with Rel 15 is perfect for them and that powder leaves no copper in the barrel

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

If I'm in some kind of formal competition or need to show off benchrest shooting accuracy, I'd take the bolt. For EVERYTHING else I'd prefer the semi-auto. That includes hunting, casual target shooting, practice, real-life applications, etc.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Modern bolt actions have very short lock time. Most semiauto rifles, especially on the AR platform, have rather slow lock time. This could make a big difference if you aren't following through on the shot, or if you have a flinch. There are some aftermarket AR triggers with somewhat shorter lock time, but I'm not aware of any that will bring it down into the range of the better bolt action designs.

Separate from that, I find that with a semiauto I'm often already thinking about the next shot, while the bolt action makes it easier for me to focus only on the current shot.

 

[bikemutt]

Seems with rem 700 308 its match grade ammo or fergetabout it. With the SCAR it eats most anything and is still respectably accurate.

 

[stubbicatt]

I cannot compare to the AR 10, as I do not own one. I can compare to my PTR91, and I will say that I prefer the bolt rifle as it is easier for me to shoot well.

Aside from what I consider practical accuracy, the bolt action is much easier to clean afterwards. Also, there is a certain feel of quality to a European bolt actioned rifle that does not transfer over to an AR10. It just feels good to cycle the bolt with my hand, and regulating the distance of ejection by the velocity of the bolt. It may sound silly, but upon feeding, the act of closing of the bolt on a live cartridge sort of shifts my mind to a more alert, ready, state... ready to fire.

Too, I tend to shoot fewer rounds through the bolt action, which in this day of ammunition shortage, is its own reward.

 

[Archaic Weapon]

I want to say auto, but I'm for the bolt all the way. I would relate it to the revolver vs semi in that in having less large stuff moving on it's own, the platform has a little more room to be made user friendly.

 

[cbmax]

Hi,

Thanks for all of the feed back. Like someone said earlier, I think it comes down to trigger quality. Again I understand that bolt action rifles will be inherently more accurate due to tighter lock up. However, my bolt gun is much easier for me to shoot accurately. The AR Gold trigger in my AR 10 is pretty light and creep free, but the Rifle Basix trigger in my bolt gun is something else all together.

Thanks again.

 

[Roadkill]

My 1950 FN Mauser in 30-06 is an excellent rifle. But its long and heavy. I got a DPMS LR308 carbine, added a Springfield 1st Gen Sniper scope and haven't hunted with the Mauser since. Its much easier to carry, can quickly remove the scope for stalk hunting, handier in a tree stand, and the .308 has the range and power. And it is accurate. I did have to replace the trigger though.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

There was an article in Guns and Ammo not too long ago that addressed this very question. After shooting both with various types of ammo, they discovered that overall, the bolt shot tighter groups...but only by something like .10 inches. Even with the bolt "winning" overall, there were still loads in the AR that out-shot the bolt...BUT AGAIN, it was only by a very small margin.

Personally, I like what another poster said about the K.I.S.S. method. I prefer the Bolt.

 

[yzguy87]

I had a Savage 10 fcp-k and it shot 1 hole at 100 yards consistently. I also had a Rock River Preditor 308 with a Smith Enterprises muzzle brake and it shot just as good if not slightly better than the Savage. Not saying the Savage was bad but the RRA was bad bass

If I had my choice between the two I'd chooses the RRA. Too bad it got stolen

 

[Geno]

I had a custom-built DPMS .308 with the 3 Lbs steel upper. They cut the chamber extremely tight, so tight in fact that they said I would have to let the action drop at least 250 to 500 times simply to assure that everything set in to a point that it would feed fully reliable. It was definitely a shooter, but I am decidedly a bolt-junky. The only two autoloaders I own are an M1A Loaded and an M1A SOCOM. Neither even begins to touch bolt-aciton accuracy.

Geno

 

[MCMXI]

For me the semi auto takes way more concentration to ring out it's best accuracy.

I would agree with this based the bolt action and semi-auto rifles that I own and have shot.

Modern bolt actions have very short lock time. Most semiauto rifles, especially on the AR platform, have rather slow lock time. This could make a big difference if you aren't following through on the shot

Interesting point.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I've been a life-long bolt gun enthusiest but have been setting up an AR and a M&P 10 for hunting. In Southern AZ, the coyotes shoot first.

Mike