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Posted: 10/2/2014 11:15:12 AM EDT
Not sure where to post this: if I want a gun for 100-300 yd target shooting, what's my best choice - a bolt gun in .223 or take one of my ARs and put a free float handguard and scope on it? Want to stick to .223 cal as I have lots and don't think I necessarily need a different one for this use. Thanks for the input.
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If you already have an AR or two, why not a 5.56 bolt gun? I am looking hard at the ruger American Ranch that just came out. I would rather have the mossber MVP I think but the Ranch looks to be cheaper, and I prefer the ruger American action.
Nothing wrong with diversity in a collection. |
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Its a matter of taste and storage. 223 bolt actions are relatively cheap. Just watch the rifling. I have an older 223 bolt action with 1:12 so I am limited to light bullets.
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You can build a new dedicated target upper for the price of a bolt gun.
You can have a crazy light trigger in a bolt gun, and if you reload, a bolt gun will not fling your brass. Personally, I would get the bolt gun with a pretty stock and a nice scope. |
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If I go the Ar route, what's a good scope that won't break the bank?
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I do. It's a Ruger M77 in .30-06. Just thinking what to do for a lighter, cheaper caliber. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Since you dont have a bolt gun the answer is easy. I do. It's a Ruger M77 in .30-06. Just thinking what to do for a lighter, cheaper caliber. Maybe a Savage Varmit model? I've got a CZ 527 & Rem PSS in 223, nice shooters but not the cheapest. |
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AR with non-chrome lined heavy barrel, free float and crisp 2 stage trigger will hang with bolt action guns all day long.
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I have both. Both are accurate.
My bolt gun is more accurate. (And before you listen to anyone that says differently, go look to see if they have proven it here: One MOA All Day Long Challenge |
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Sold my 223 bolt guns after I got into ARs. Just never wanted to use them anymore and the AR is just as accurate for those distances.
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Not a bolt, but another inexpensive .223 option is a TC Contender carbine.
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Remmy 700 Sps tactical or Sps varmint in 223.
Jewel trigger and hs precision stock. Vortex scope. |
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Thanks for all the advice guys. Re scopes, what's the usual magnification choice for this? As you can tell, I dont know much about this stuff.
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I'm looking hard at Ruger's new American Ranch or whatever they call it. I have a "spare" 5.56 can that needs a host, and bolt guns are nice and quiet suppressed.
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I have both. Both are accurate. My bolt gun is more accurate. (And before you listen to anyone that says differently, go look to see if they have proven it here: One MOA All Day Long Challenge View Quote Sage advice. Maybe someday I can post in that thread. |
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a .223 will barely go 300 yards, certainly not with any accuracy.
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I have a Remington 700VS in 223 and its been a favorite of mine since I brought it home, nothing against ARs as I have BRD like most of us do....but a 223 bolt gun is almost a must in my book.
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My .223 AR is just a plain 'ol Bushmaster 20" nothing special.
It shoots fine but is nowhere as accurate as my Winchester Model 70 Coyote medium heavy barrel .223. I suppose I could have accurized my AR, but since I like different rifles, I bought the Winchester and I prefer it for long range shooting. Three shots at 100 yds followed by three more at 100 yds: |
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Quoted: Thanks for all the advice guys. Re scopes, what's the usual magnification choice for this? As you can tell, I dont know much about this stuff. View Quote It would be tough for me to hit a target at 100yds without 4x magnification. Go to a gun shop and look at scopes. Point it out the window at targets 100+yds away, and see what you think. |
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on the serious side, how "accurate" do you want? my M16a2 would put every round in 12" at 500 with iron sights, prone position unsupported. Good shooters can do much better than me.
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It would be tough for me to hit a target at 100yds without 4x magnification. Go to a gun shop and look at scopes. Point it out the window at targets 100+yds away, and see what you think. If you want a basic scope, you can catch these Nikons on sale for about $100. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-P-223-3-9x40-Mate-BDC/dp/B006YVT0R8 View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Thanks for all the advice guys. Re scopes, what's the usual magnification choice for this? As you can tell, I dont know much about this stuff. It would be tough for me to hit a target at 100yds without 4x magnification. Go to a gun shop and look at scopes. Point it out the window at targets 100+yds away, and see what you think. If you want a basic scope, you can catch these Nikons on sale for about $100. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-P-223-3-9x40-Mate-BDC/dp/B006YVT0R8 I have one of these on a 16" AR. It is a very good scope for the money. |
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Bolt guns are generally easier to shoot due to decreased lock time, and tend to be more accurate than ARs due to design.
There are very accurate examples of each, but it is cheaper to get into an accurate bolt gun than an AR, generally speaking.
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I like both, but unless I'm really trying for tiny groups at those ranges, an AR is plenty easy to use. That said, I usually have more fun shooting my bolt guns, to be honest.
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The Ruger Americans have a 1 in 8" twist in .223 & would compliment your existing ARs. Economical rifle with a good twist is dang tempting. Quite a few configurations too.
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There are some things that can be done with a .223 bolt gun that an AR can't approach.
Long, hot 80+ grain loads are fairly impressive. |
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I'd say AR just for the fun factor. I haven't touched any of my bolt guns in a long time.
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The primary reasons to buy a bolt are price, weight, and classy wood stocks. Maybe feeding if you hand load exotic stuff.
If you're breaking $700 or 8lbs, go AR. It's a boring choice, but it makes life easier. |
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a .223 will barely go 300 yards, certainly not with any accuracy. View Quote Yeah, sure. That's why the military qualifies at 500 yds Going to a bolt gives you the chance to go ultralight or load heavier bullets. I have a Remington mdl 7 that is lighter than some of my .22's. I have a 4x Redfield on it, perfect for jackrabbits. |
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A non chromed heavy barrel ar with a 1-9 twist will shoot 55 gr bullets dam near as good as a good bolt gun, if you have 3 coyotes standing on a hill 250 yds away, an ar would be hard to beat.
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