Heavy caliber target/hunting rifle suggestions?

[Collector0311]

I'm seeing so much as of late, showcasing the comparable accuracy of heavy caliber bolt guns to AR's. I know at a certain distance the similarities stop, but where? I am looking to fill two spots in my safe with one long rifle, the spot for a deer (and larger) rifle, and the spot for a distance target gun. My budget would be around $1500 for the platform minus furniture.
I am open to caliber discussions, as I will begin reloading soon as well and would like to know the more "budget friendly" calibers to start on.

I'm also heavily into keeping my costs down in the long run and am very partial to using weapons that I can swap out parts between (springs, bolts, mags, etc) which is why I own a second upper in 300BLK. So are there any parts that can be interchanged between the AR308's/5.56's? Or do they stand apart completely?

Do you gentlemen who run AR's in multiple calibers find yourself enjoying the same platform for different tasks? Do you who run AR's and bolt guns find it easier or more difficult running two platforms regularly?

Thanks for any insight gents! This is why I come to THR!

 

[mdauben]

My budget would be around $1500 for the platform minus furniture.

I'm not quite clear if you are looking for a bolt-action or AR-style platform? In either case you will need to make some compromises to find one gun for both roles. For hunting most people will want a relativly light, quick handing rifle (unless you do all your hunting from blinds over open fields), while for long range target shooting you want a much heavier gun with a long and/or heavy barrel.

Assuming you want a bolt-action, you might look at the Reimington 700 SPS Long Range. Its available in a number of suitable calibers. Its a bit heavy for a dedicated huntinf rifle, and a bit light for a dedicated target rifle, but all in all not a bad compromise. They seem to run around $750-800 which would allow you to buy some pretty good glass for it and still remain within budget.

 

[Collector0311]

I apologize, let me clarify. I am open to either idea. I am already an AR owner and was wondering what other AR owners were drawn to. I'm sure it varies, as does everything.
So aside from platform familiarity, and follow up shots, what would I benefit from choosing a precision AR over a bolt gun? (i.e. parts swap, etc)

 

[Jim Watson]

"Platform familiarity" is fine.
I am not clear on "parts swap". If you mean spares in case of breakage, sure. If you mean caliber conversions, Murphy's law applies and you will at any time find the caliber installed that you did NOT want to shoot today.

I have a much breathed upon AR that is one of my most accurate rifles.
It has the aggravating habit of throwing my match prepped brass in the weeds as a bolt action does not. Also, since I have bolt actions, the shift in stock configuration makes a good deal of difference. But if that is all you have, no problem.

I would not want to hump that rifle in the hunting woods, it is long and heavy. I guess it could have a hunting upper, but see the point above about convertables. I'd rather just have two rifles (And do.)

 

[savanahsdad]

have you looked at the WSSM for your AR ? I have a 25wssm K-8 target mag,and love it , you could get an upper and some nice glass for under $1500,

 

[mnhntr]

You cannot switch AR10 and AR15 uppers and lowers. The best calibers for long range (over 800yds) are in the AR10 platform (.243, 6.5CM, .260, .308). The best choice if you want to shoot long range (over 800yds) is either platform (bolt or AR) as it boils down to the shooter. If I had to choose a gun for long range hunting and shooting targets it would be a bolt gun in .260. If I wanted to absolutely stay in the AR15 platform it would be an upper in .243wssm or 6.5wssm. If you wanted to absolutely stay in the AR10 platform it would be chambered in .243 or 6.5CM as the mags are too short for the .260 to be loaded with the longer bullets. It all depends on what you are hunting. If you are hunting bears, elk or moose, and want a long range shooter I would buy a bolt gun in .338 edge or .338 RUM or .338 Norma Mag.

 

[Collector0311]

Thanks guys, I fully understand that ar-15/10 MAIN parts are not interchangeable. I'm wondering more about small pieces, springs, pins, etc. wear and tear. Are they all scaled up or do some remain constant?
Some of the calibers mentioned are ones I have zero experience with, and I don't reload (yet). Are they easy to find in the meantime?

 

[mnhntr]

Can you be more specific on your use? What range do you want to take it out to? What is the biggest game you plan to hunt? How long before you wil be ready to reload?

 

[Abel]

AR's will be banned in another 5 years. Get a bolt action 30-06.

 

[gotigers]

AR's will be banned in another 5 years. Get a bolt action 30-06.

Do you have a crystal ball? Won't happen as long as we have the house.

Back on topic: Look at a Savage Hog Hunter in .308, 6.8SPCII AR or a 6.5 Grendal AR.

 

[Abel]

Which house would that be? The White House?

 

[savanahsdad]

Thanks guys, I fully understand that ar-15/10 MAIN parts are not interchangeable. I'm wondering more about small pieces, springs, pins, etc. wear and tear. Are they all scaled up or do some remain constant?
Some of the calibers mentioned are ones I have zero experience with, and I don't reload (yet). Are they easy to find in the meantime?

you can get 223wssm, 243wssm, and 25wssm off the shelf , and you can order 30ossm, the last box of 25wssm I bought was $30.00 so you realy want to get into reloading if you go with one of them , the nice thing is with an AR15 in 25wssm or even a 243wssm is that you can deer hunt with them , and still have a 5.56 uper to blast away at the range with,

 

[Robert]

If you want a true heavy caliber hunting rifle I'd look a bolt action like a Winchester M70 in 30-06 or heavier. I love my Safari Express in 375H&H. Even at 10 lbs it did not slow me down on my Elk hunt last fall. There is nothing wrong withvan AR10, I really want one, but nothing that they are chambered in is what I would call heavy. Think of it like this, I shoot a 270gr bullet with pretty much the same flight path as a 180 gn 30-06.

 

[savanahsdad]

another thought , if you don't mind a single shot , get a T/C and then you can go from a 22-250, to a 338mag or just about anything else you can think of just buy changing out the barrel

 

[pwillie]

If you can find one,look into a Winchester Model 70 Laredo.

 

[45crittergitter]

Define "heavy caliber." That usually means bigger and more powerful than .375 H&H Magnum, and are usually not the best choice for longer ranges or game that weighs much less than a ton.

 

[rayatphonix]

I've got both bolt-action and semi-auto's in many calibers. If I wanted to stay in the AR15 platform, I'd probably look at the Grendel. It's more common than the WSSM's and I doubt it gives up much ballistically. Loaded with good 120 grain hunting bullets it's a good deer rifle.

I've also got a 260 bolt action. I typically use it to hunt with as it's lighter. All the 6.5's are good rounds for target and hunting.

 

[savanahsdad]

I've got both bolt-action and semi-auto's in many calibers. If I wanted to stay in the AR15 platform, I'd probably look at the Grendel. It's more common than the WSSM's and I doubt it gives up much ballistically. Loaded with good 120 grain hunting bullets it's a good deer rifle.

I've also got a 260 bolt action. I typically use it to hunt with as it's lighter. All the 6.5's are good rounds for target and hunting.

6.5 Grendel = 120gr bullet 2000 fps to 2400fps

25WSSM = 120 gr bullet 2600 fps to 3000 fps

plus there is more load data for the 25WSSM
data from www.loaddta.com

 

[mnhntr]

Now look at the BC of the quarter bore compared to the 6.5mm bullets and the down range ballistics. Muzzle velocity means very little.

6.5 Grendel = 120gr bullet 2000 fps to 2400fps

25WSSM = 120 gr bullet 2600 fps to 3000 fps

plus there is more load data for the 25WSSM
data from www.loaddta.com

 

[savanahsdad]

^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^

I did , and I ran it through my Seirra Bullets Infinty (suite 16) and the 25wssm comes out on top , pluss I can get brass off the shelf at Cabelas

 

[allaroundhunter]

Collector.

I think you are trying to justify using an AR for a purpose that it is not the best option.

What you should use to fill the role that you are looking at is a bolt gun. Long range shooting matches are dominated by bolt rifles. Long range hunters are using bolt guns (minus prairie dog hunters, but they aren't using the "heavy calibers" that the OP is referring to). The only problem is that most precision target work is done with a heavy barreled rifle. If you are walking to a deer stand, or on a hunt with a good bit of trekking, that heavy barrel is going to wear on you...

A bolt gun in .308 or .30-06 would be my recommendation.