Consistency in Learning

[GeeJ]

I didn't find any posts in my forum search that directly addressed my question, but if I've missed it then my apologies.

Long story short.....I'm new to the precision rifle with the ultimate goal (years away) of 1000 yard competitive rifle. Currently, I have a DPMS LR-308 (24" free-floating bull barrel with no upgrades at the moment) to get me through the beginner/intermediate stages of learning but I realize that in the end a bolt action is where it's at.

Since consistency is EVERYTHING in ALL things precision, I've started wondering if should switch to a bolt while I easily can. I know precision reloading for an semi-auto is not 'exactly' the same as a bolt. Of course this is just one example. I'm thinking that with a bolt being the likely destination, perhaps I should be starting my learning process with a bolt so as to maintain the virtue of consistency in every facet of precision shooting.

In an overall general sense, is my imagination getting away from me or is this worth further consideration in y'alls opinion? Thank you for your time and input. Cheers!

 

[the punisher]

I was thinking like you and found out it was easier with a bolt gun. A AR has to many "moving parts" were as a bolt gun its all straight back and a AR has moving back, then grabbing another round then back in battery....it can be done but it is harder than a bolt for sure!

 

[jr600yd]

yup, your on the right track. Bolt action is the way to go. Might as well get one now 'cause going to get one later anyway.

 

[Hombre0321]

If your interest really lays with 1,000 yard shooting you would be much better off with a bolt gun, Way Better.

Take the rifle ( AR ) that you have now, be objective and see if it will fit the bill and the goals you are striving for. The barrel at only 24" is going to make bullet selection for you, as it is just too short for the lighter .308 bullets and keeping them super sonic at a thousand. You need a much longer barrel to do that. The fact that it is magazine feed also works against your goals, as this magazine is going to dictate seating depth to some degree, this puts you into a box in the reloading room.

GeeJ, Its as simple as picking the right tool for the job. The AR in .308 platform is an excellent rifle at some jobs. Mostly the ones it was designed to do. It is not a good choice for precision 1,000 yd shooting.

Take a look at the classified ads here on Accurate Shooter. There new ads posted every day, some have really good prices for really good equipment, and there those that have high prices sometimes also for good equipment, sometimes not.

But you get to pick, be smart about a deal ask lots of questions and get you a good dedicated Long Range rifle rig. Then you are prepared from the beginning to go to work with that smoke pole.

Roland

 

[GeeJ]

It is not a good choice for precision 1,000 yd shooting.

I actually had not intended to buy this rifle but while at a gun show, one of the dealers was selling it for only $800. I figured it was a good opportunity to resell it at the actual market value and apply that money towards the bolt action and optics that I was originally wanting. I've been reading such good things about this DPMS that I had mostly decided to keep it...... that is until I started to understand the importance of consistency in EVERY facet of precision shooting. Thankfully, before having put more than 50 rounds through it, I'm still in a good position to sell it and reapply that money towards a bolt action and glass.

I had originally been looking at a Savage 308 or (now that I am comfortable with the basics of reloading) perhaps a 300 Win Mag. I don't yet know exactly which Savage model but I'll have some time to consider it while I look around for buyers. I just want something that will work well during my beginner/intermediate level of learning. Then, once I get proficient and get closer to 1K yards, I will consider dropping big money on the higher end rifles. Optics, however, are the one area where I will not limit myself with a budget. Seems to me they would be more critical than the rifle itself at these kinds of ranges. But this is a whole different topic for a whole for another time.

Getting back on topic. I now feel like I have a good reason to sell it. I appreciate everybody's input. Seriously. I am always willing to take advice and personally feel that a person should never stop learning throughout the course of their life. If y'all have have anymore thoughts, keep them coming. I'm all ears....or rather....eyes....

(Two side questions: Do I have to complete the verification tests 'every' time I want to reply? Also, does this forum support the Tapatalk App?)

 

[Erik Cortina]

I don't have to do verification when I reply, I don't know about the app.

Don't get a 300 WM, get a 308 or a 6BR. Either one of those will take you out to 1,000 yards and has a long enough barrel life to get you through the starting phase of precision reloading. A 6BR would be my first choice.

 

[284driver]

NNegative on tapatalk.

 

[Scott Harris]

I agree with Erik, get a bolt action in 308win or 6BR. Not sure if you want to shoot sling or F-class, but the cartridges are good choices either way. I think of shooting as a tripod that rests on the "legs" of ammunition, rifle, and shooter. The fastest way to develop your shooting skills is to have a top-notch rifle with top-notch ammo. This way, you will get accurate feedback on your shooting. It's tough to improve when you don't know whether you, your rifle, or your ammo is to blame for missed shots. 308WIN and 6BR are regarded as uber-accurate and easy-to-tune cartridges: no fuss, just performance. So....bolt action in 6BR or 308WIN is the approved solution.

 

[jonbearman]

I have an armalite ar10 a2 which is their entry model with the armalite name.I shoot 100 200 and farther and was pleasantly surprised how good it shoots out past a 100 yds. I would practice alittle and see what it can do first and then start your quest for a 6br as I agree with erik. I started with .308 and now the 6br has entered my veins like a virus.Cant get enough of this cartridge. I have started by buying a sleeved remmy action and the gun shoots great,however I wished I had waited to buy an aftermarket reciever like a stolle panda or a bat action. If you go to benchrest central they have quite often great prices on used bench guns with top notch components. Do your home work and get to know the new prices of all the components so you dont overpay for a used gun.I made a cheat sheet of average new components and then went looking.I hope this helps.