223 Bolt Gun or AR.......

[greyling22]

I have both. I keep selling the AR and rebuilding it another way, then trying again. I just can't love it either. Shoots great, more accurate than my bolt gun, but I think it looks like sin, it makes a ton of racket (both at the muzzle and the stock), and I burn through more ammo. It's too good a gun for me to get rid of completely, but I don't love it. Maybe When I get around to suppressing it it will be a different ball game.

 

[arizona98tj]

Is there something wrong with me??? Am I supposed to love the AR, but just don't realize it yet?

Anyone else this way, prefer a 223 bolt over the semi auto platform?

Nothing wrong with you. There are more options in the AR platform besides the venerable .223. Perhaps a more interesting cartridge would improve your take on it. That being said, I own bolt and semi-auto (ARs and others) rifles. I enjoy all of them.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Please show me where WBY changed the VS2 to 1 in 9. I'd love to get one of the SS synths for $700.... To my mind that could be turned into one heck of a varminter!

Greg

 

[Cee Zee]

Savage has been making 1:9 and even 1:7 twist barrels on their .223 bolt guns for several years. I shoot 75 gr. bullets through my 1:9 Savage with no problems at all.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Thanks Cee Zee!
Greg

 

[RussellC]

I remember many years ago shooting my first 10/22, which I still own. A truly fun gun to shoot. Nothing really gave me that feeling over the years, until I built my first AR. Recaptured to feeling perfectly! Just enjoy them all!


Russellc

 

[js8588]

I've got my 2014 Weatherby catalog in front of me and I can confirm that their VS2s have a 1:9 twist. Giving one to the lady friend this year for Christmas.

 

[skywalkrNCSU]

I like bolt guns just fine but I don't see the benefit in a caliber like .223 since my SPR build will be just as accurate if not more accurate than most any bolt gun that isn't a custom build....definitely more accurate than I will ever be

 

[tubeshooter]

I have the opposite thought from the previous poster. I think .223 is actually a great round in a bolt gun.

I'll grant that I don't have a lot of experience with the caliber, but as someone who kind of wanted something to bridge the gap between .22lr and .30-30 power-wise, the bolt .223 has been great. I consider mine my varmint and cheap-to-feed centerfire target gun.

It's not my most favorite caliber in the whole wide world, but as ubiquitous and relatively inexpensive as it is I just felt it was a good idea to have something that will eat .223 at my disposal. Half a case goes a long way in a bolt gun. Recoil being almost non-existant is also nice.


I understand that if you have an AR or other .223 semi then the need for something in the above stated role would be greatly reduced. Just want to point out that not everybody is into the AR thing. Ironically, if anything my .223 bolt has warmed me up considerably to the idea of getting an AR one day.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

I've got one of each, bolt & gas, and both of 'em left handed. The A/R is a Stag & has a fast-twist barrel, the CZ is a 527 American lefty. Of the two, it's the CZ all the way.

900F

 

[Chuck R.]

I also have both; a Colt LE6920 and a REM 700 XCR "Compact" Tactical.

I probably shoot the XCR 4 times as much as the Colt. The 700 has a 1-9 barrel and stabilizes the HORN 75s out to 500 easily. It also does very well with the 69SMKs. My standard varmint load is the Nosler 55grn BTs, but I just got in a box of the 60BTs to try.

I suppose it depends on your intended use as to which you'd get more use out of. For me the 700 does varmint control (muskrats & beavers) on my 9 acre pond, I also have targets out to 500 meters and just enjoy shooting the bolt gun more. Also, as a reloader I just have an aversion to my brass being ejected into "nowhere".

Chuck

 

[Malamute]

I've had several Colt AR's over time, I sold the last one several years ago when money was tight. I can't really say I miss it. AR's for me have been plinkers rather than anything truly useful. I'd like a bolt 223 for exactly that, plinking. Maybe cast for it and use it for small game also.

AR's,... Meh.

Bolt gun,... Interesting.

 

[skywalkrNCSU]

What value does a bolt gun in .223 have over an AR? The only thing I can think of is you can have longer OAL. AR's are dirt cheap these days and with a decent barrel can be extremely accurate. If you are just using the gun to plink, to hunt varmints, or for precision shooting I don't see how you can do one with a bolt gun any better than with an AR and with the AR you have more versatility. I am genuinely curious if there is something I am missing. I mean if you just prefer bolt guns then by all means there is no reason you shouldn't get one, if it is up in the air though I would always give the win to the more versatile tool.

 

[Malamute]

Personally, after owning and using them over several years, I find AR's to be bulky and clunky to carry around compared to a nice sleek sporter bolt action. I also prefer the looks of a good bolt gun as well. Simpler, less parts, no magazines to mess with, better looking, nicer handling and carrying, better looking. I also just like nice bolt guns, especially with decent wood.

Personal preference for the most part. I hardly ever get in gunfights in any event, so the sleeker, nicer handling, better looking gun gets the nod from me.

Did I mention I really like the looks of a good sporter bolt gun?

 

[skywalkrNCSU]

If I wasn't mistaken, I would say you like the looks of a good sporter bolt gun

 

[Armor Snail]

I have both. A DPMS and a Savage.

I also have others on my list.

CZ 527 carbine or FS (marked .223 but built to CIP specs and confirmed by CZ to be safe with 5.56)

Mossberg MVP (looks like a fun gun, especially suppressed)

Sig 556 Swat Classic (Not an AR but takes the mags plus it's piston fun but different. From what I've seen very enjoyable)

FN-15 Rifle 20". (Needs nothing but a sling IMO)


I enjoy both platforms very much.
[emoji222]

 

[Reloadron]

What value does a bolt gun in .223 have over an AR? The only thing I can think of is you can have longer OAL. AR's are dirt cheap these days and with a decent barrel can be extremely accurate. If you are just using the gun to plink, to hunt varmints, or for precision shooting I don't see how you can do one with a bolt gun any better than with an AR and with the AR you have more versatility. I am genuinely curious if there is something I am missing. I mean if you just prefer bolt guns then by all means there is no reason you shouldn't get one, if it is up in the air though I would always give the win to the more versatile tool.

All it really is and all that really matters is personal taste. Everyone I know who shoots has their own personal taste in what a fine rifle is or at least should be. I have seen AR rifles that if my dogs face was as ugly as those rifles I would shave his butt and walk him backwards. Not saying anything is wrong with their rifles, just not my taste in an AR. The same can be said for bolt guns I have seen. I own both, matter of fact a few ARs and a bolt gun and I enjoy shooting any of them on any given day.

In my opinion the choice between a bolt gun and or an AR is purely a matter of personal choice and preference. I figure you buy a rifle for an intended application and you buy what suits you and your taste. It doesn't get any simpler.

Ron

 

[benzy2]

I suppose my views are a bit jaded in that I don't have an easily accessible range that goes beyond 200 yards. At those distances, I find paper punching boring. I'd rather shoot at multiple reactive targets than slow methodical paper punching. Honestly, I'd rather shoot steel at any distance than paper. The AR wins out for me. If I had the ability to shoot longer distances, a well made bolt rifle would be ideal. I also find most bolt rifles to be a compromise from my desires where the AR can be tailored directly to my wants without bumping the price much.

I'd certainly grab a medium weight (8-9lbs) varmint profile bolt rifle or a light weight (under 6lbs) sporter profile rifle if they could be had readily with a 1:9" or faster twist. I haven't seen many that fit those choices unless they come with an absolute junk stock that would need replaced (and would be heavier). Still looking for the ideal bolt rifle while I have built a couple ideal AR's.

 

[HoosierQ]

Man you get to like what you like. A friend of mine doesn't like the AR because he doesn't like the "boing, boing, boing" thing in his right ear.

Nice thing about .223: It is great in both semi and bolt platforms. I always wanted a lever action .223 but those are not real practical...don't see Hornady coming out with "Leverevolution" ammo in .223!!! The Browning BLR is close of course...as would be a Savage 99.

 

[Cee Zee]

I'd certainly grab a medium weight (8-9lbs) varmint profile bolt rifle or a light weight (under 6lbs) sporter profile rifle if they could be had readily with a 1:9" or faster twist. I haven't seen many that fit those choices unless they come with an absolute junk stock that would need replaced (and would be heavier)

My Savage came with an H-S Precision stock which is far from a "junk stock". It does add some weight and it comes in heavier than your desired weight but most true varmint rifles do. There's something to be said for hitting tiny targets at 300 yards or more. I very much enjoy shooting longer distances and hitting what I shoot at. Most of my shooting is just plinking actually but I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot at a coyote at 400 yards with my Savage LRPV in .223. I am confident I could put a bullet in it's chest from that distance as long as the wind wasn't terrible.

 

[ROW]

Here is one issue, with the AR you will shoot a lot more ammo. With the bolt you will save a lot of ammo.

I have a Winchester model 70 and really like it, may get an someday AR just to have it looks cool.

 

[PabloJ]

Well, that preference does wonders for ammo conservation. I hate bolt guns but don't mind well made modern lever gun like Savage 1899. Come to think of it 5,6x52mmR isn't much different from 5,56x45. Sort of rimmed version Daddy!