AR-10 or Bolt?

[Rock4]

I’m looking to buy a new rifle and need some advice. Give me your argument as well as what you would buy. Include pricing, reasoning, attachments, etc, any relevant details.

 

[wind gypsy]

Especially since you posted this in the long range hunting forum, it is a very easy choice for me - Bolt.

1. Easier to shoot accurately
   1. Better triggers
   2. Faster lock time
   3. more consistent velocities
2. Not restricted to super short mag length so you can load high BC bullets seated where they belong
3. Using with a suppressor, you don't have an action still making noise and isn't finicky about gassing
4. Can use higher pressure ammo
5. Your perfectly prepped premium brass doesn't get trashed
6. Don't have that weird action working feeling in the recoil (might be a personal thing?)
7. Weight if you're into light rifles
8. Hand carrying is more comfortable

AR-10 Positives

1. Faster follow up shots

 

[manitou1]

What he said. ^^^
AR 10s = Heavy and awkward to carry. Noisy action.

 

[MaraviaDave]

In addition to what’s been said already....AR-10’s are hard to get running reliably. No love here!!

 

[shax2lex]

I have shot an AR-10 in competition and hunted with it (deer/pigs/coyotes). I've also done both with a bolt rifle. I agree with what's above.

Since this is a hunting website, I'll expand on the hunting aspects. For deer hunting and coyotes...go bolt. For serious pig hunting...AR-10.

 

[260madman]

I’m looking to buy a new rifle and need some advice. Give me your argument as well as what you would buy. Include pricing, reasoning, attachments, etc, any relevant details.

We need more details from you. You plan on carrying this gun 10 miles a day or 100 yards to your blind/stand. Type of game, distances.

 

[FLAK]

Bolt gun any day.
I find AR platforms clunky/awkward as all get out.
Yes, I own a few. But I will never buy another.

 

[Brendan]

Only hunting I'd pick an AR for would probably be hogs or predators where I expected multiple shots.

 

[Presto]

They both have their pros/cons. Ar10’s are great for pigs, coyote, range shooting etc. but on long hikes/hunts they are bulky and heavy.

 

[thewileyone]

What Wind Gypsy said....
I have shot and owned AR-10's... sold them
Bolt rifles fit me better, lighter, way better triggers, not as bulky, usually more accurate, quieter when get scraped by trees and brush while hiking, reload for it and use better bullets (and if you do reload, you don't have to take brass all of the way back to spec), less likely to jam, easier to clean.....
thank you for reminding me why I sold mine.

BUT... ar-10's are fun to shoot at the range or if you have a lot of targets they are faster for followup shots.

 

[justinspicher]

I am the opposite. I hate bolt guns, grew up using an AR platform so I find it comfortable and easy to use. I have done alot of activities with one and have carried one for miles. I prefer to hunt with them, whatever the game species. I had a bolt gun or two and just couldn’t ever shoot them as well.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Let's address the elephant in the room. If you take a 1000 yard shot at a living creature, you have a long way to walk before you can start your trailing. Just finding the spot where the animal was can be very difficult at that range. If you missed or wounded the game, how are you gonna feel? I understand long range target shooting and the sheer joy of putting three rounds in the center of a target you can barely see with the naked eye but when I hunt I wanna know i put the critter down hard and continue shooting until that is done. Much harder to get a follow up shot off on a long range target. I get much more satisfaction working my way close to the game I am hunting. It's an incredible feeling to sneak up on an animal and get so close you can smell em. Guys that shoot game from very long distances ethically have developed a skill set that took them a very long time to attain. It's not for everyone.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

As has been mentioned more info from OP is needed…what type of hunting? What species are you hunting? Those are my big two questions.

there are plenty of mods you can do to an AR platform to make it very accurate. Aftermarket triggers, free float hand guards, better grips, better butt stock…all those can add up to make a very accurate weapon at range.

however, for big game species, i prefer bolt action shooting. For pigs i prefer my AR-15, never shot an AR-10. Pretty simple to me to tailor the weapon to what you are trying to do with it and then make that weapon as deadly as possible to keep the shots where they need to be for a clean kill.

 

[MidGAHunter]

In addition to what’s been said already....AR-10’s are hard to get running reliably. No love here!!

Nah man, my Larue AR10 (PredatOBR 7.62) will eat anything you feed it, can on or not. Shoots pretty accurate too (10 shot groups easily under 1.5 inches consistently). Although for long range and/or weight considerations I'd go bolt gun. Not all AR 10s are finicky though. Mine isnt...

 

[gelton]

Because this is in the long range forum, and only because this is in the long range forum - bolt gun.

 

[MaraviaDave]

Nah man, my Larue AR10 (PredatOBR 7.62) will eat anything you feed it, can on or not. Shoots pretty accurate too (10 shot groups easily under 1.5 inches consistently). Although for long range and/or weight considerations I'd go bolt gun. Not all AR 10s are finicky though. Mine isnt...

Congratulations. It’s nice to hear that you found an AR-10 that works. However, I’m not really sure why you mention that ‘for long range …..considerations I’d go bolt gun’ when posting about a gas gun in the long range hunting forum.

 

[WhiskeyTango]

Bolt gun all day for long range hunting. If you're shooting pigs or coyotes there's nothing wrong with a gas gun for follow up shots. But any big game I'd go bolt gun. Especially if its "long range".

 

[MidGAHunter]

Congratulations. It’s nice to hear that you found an AR-10 that works. However, I’m not really sure why you mention that ‘for long range …..considerations I’d go bolt gun’ when posting about a gas gun in the long range hunting forum.

I was simply responding to your claim that AR 10s are hard to get running reliably. Then, and if you re-read my post you will see, I said that for long range I'd go bolt gun.

 

[meta_gabbro]

Like everyone else is saying, bolt. 1st shot consistency matters more than the ability to make quick follow up shots, which is something you'll get with bolt guns (consistent chamber means consistent velocities, and longer barrels mean higher velocities and more forgiving trajectories). In my experience AR10's get fiddly once you start messing around with longer bullets and you have to start tuning your gas system to get them to work reliably (which is why Federal's MSR Fusion is only offered in 150gr in .308, when they load 165 and 180gr in their standard lineup). Plus, a slim bolt gun is just way easier to hike with; less bits sticking out, easier to sling or strap to a pack, fewer moving parts making noise with every step.

If you're dead-set on a semi-auto, I've heard that the Browning BAR and Beneli R1 are less finnicky with ammo selection. Still comes with the longer barrel and the more pack-friendly form factor of a bolt action, but you still get the semi-auto action. Personally I'd still take a bolt gun over either of those but it's a compromise pick.

 

[DangerRanger]

For LRH I use a bolt gun.

But on the range and for fun, a truly accurate gas gun is a party. Toss in eastern shorter range hunting and then I’ll give it a 50/50