Are semiautomatic rifles competitive in IBS Tactical Class?

[Mulligan]

Question

At the Western Colorado range just south of Grand Junction, we picked up tactical and factory as soon as those disciplines came available. There has not been much participation in factory……but Tactical is growing at a healthy pace.

One observation, at the first few matches we hosted, about 1/3 to 1/2 of the participants in the Tactical Class were using semiautomatic rifles, now it is 100% bolt guns. Do semiautomatic rifles need their own class? Can a semiautomatic be competitive when shooting against a purpose built bag gun using a high end front rest? Are there bag-riders built for semiautomatic rifles? We just do not see those folks at the matches anymore and I am curious.

Thanks
CW

 

[ebb]

I would like to think they can, but its just not reality. I've seen a 243 ar10 they would shoot with the bolt rifles but, the owner said it had to be single loaded, it would not shoot from the magazine that well. I have no idea why that would make a difference.

 

[jelenko]

I would like to think they can, but its just not reality. I've seen a 243 ar10 they would shoot with the bolt rifles but, the owner said it had to be single loaded, it would not shoot from the magazine that well. I have no idea why that would make a difference.

Often, single load mean using a longer bullet that is seated a certain distance from the lands. This type of load often is more accurate that bullets loaded to fit in the mag.

There's at least one shooter on this forum that shot at least one group from an AR, IIRC, in the 3's.

 

[Badhabit]

We have 1 AR-15 chambered in 6 arc that is competitive at our local 600 yard matches. It does have a 3 inch bag rider and rides the bags very good. He runs it through the magazine and has won some matches. I wish more people would bring them out and give it a try.

 

[Mulligan]

We have 1 AR-15 chambered in 6 arc that is competitive at our local 600 yard matches. It does have a 3 inch bag rider and rides the bags very good. He runs it through the magazine and has won some matches. I wish more people would bring them out and give it a try.

That is good info, thanks

CW

 

[ebb]

He told me that releasing the bolt from your hand with the first shot was way different from the rifle doing it with subsequent shots.

 

[Sandstorm]

I Have found some heavy barrel ARs to be very accurate however they are difficult to shoot consistently with the abusive gas system. Not the recoil but the cyclic action disrupts the process enough to make it a struggle for me to be consistently accurate. ( And the triggers leave a lot to be desired after shooting a Jewel )

 

[Fuj]

I Have found some heavy barrel ARs to be very accurate however they are difficult to shoot consistently with the abusive gas system. Not the recoil but the cyclic action disrupts the process enough to make it a struggle for me to be consistently accurate. ( And the triggers leave a lot to be desired after shooting a Jewel )

Shooting single feed solves all that. Your now dependent on just
the bolt release. Triggers can be an item. I've shot the 3 lb varmint
triggers for so long now that it's second nature and not an issue.
If the rules allow, add as much weight to the rifle as you can. Heavy
triggers and light rifles don't work.

 

[Fuj]

Are there bag-riders built for semiautomatic rifles?

Thanks
CW

Bag rider parts and stocks are available. UrbanRifleman lists one for
a rear AR stock that is decent over most. Best stock for riding a rear
bag in my opinion is made by Magpul. It's pricey though.

 

[Owens85]

I Have found some heavy barrel ARs to be very accurate however they are difficult to shoot consistently with the abusive gas system. Not the recoil but the cyclic action disrupts the process enough to make it a struggle for me to be consistently accurate. ( And the triggers leave a lot to be desired after shooting a Jewel )

The trigger tech diamond is a really nice ar trigger but still not a jewel but I'd say the best for precision with a AR platform. They break like glass.

 

[Mulligan]

Do semi's need their own class or can they hang with the bolt guns at 600 yards?
CW

 

[Badhabit]

Maybe if they had there own class it would motivate more people to show up with them.

 

[joelpend]

It is very rare for a semi auto to shoot in the ballpark with a good bolt rifle. Just too much going against it. In my experience I have had better luck with AR-15 platforms vs AR-10 when it comes to good accuracy. The heavy bolts required for the AR-10 just are not condusive to great accuracy IMO. Totally agree that dropping the bolt to chamber a round will not be the same as feeding from the magazine. Also it is real easy for bullets to get damaged during feeding. A seperate class is a good idea if you want to get the gas gun shooters to compete.

 

[ebb]

Ive got an AR10 that the absolute best trigger pull of any AR ever, as good ass some of my Jewell triggers. but every now and then it will double and I don't like that.