5.56 bolt action rifle with 18", 20" or 22" bbl?

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DustyGmt

DustyGmt

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Do you guys know of any manufacturer that makes a 5.56 bolt action, ideally I would like a 20" bbl and it would also be ideal if it would take AR pattern magazines. I was looking at an Anerican Ranch earlier today and while it is basically what I'm looking for it seems to only have a 16" bbl.

My thinking is I'd like to have a 5.56/.223 bolt action rifle that my daughter could use to learn to hunt with and that we could use as a range gun to practice precision and get her comfortable with a bolt action platform but while the American Ranch is almost ideal, I'm thinking that my 16" bbl AR would do the job and I could eliminate the added expense of buying a brand new gun. I kind of just wanted a bolt gun that could handle M193 pressure because that's most of what I have on hand, although not what I would use for setting her up for a hunt, I also wanted a longer bbl for better velocity/range, etc...

Just kicking around the idea, been browsing a lil here and ther but so far no dice. So just to sum up. Looking for a 5.56/.223 bolt action w/ 20" bbl and AR pattern mags would be a big plus in terms of having commonality and being versatile with stuff I already have. I was thinking of just getting a 20"AR upper but now doesnt seem like the best time to buy and I'd prefer a bolt. Any thoughts? Appreciate it. -Dusty
 
I had the Ruger Ranch and the Ruger Predator in 223 at the same time. Both take AR magazines. I decided I didn't need both and sold the 16" Ranch rifle. While 22" is a little longer than necessary IMO it is closer to ideal than 16". If I want something shorter I have AR's with 16" and 18" barrels.
 
DustyGmt said:
Do you guys know of any manufacturer that makes a 5.56 bolt action, ideally I would like a 20" bbl and it would also be ideal if it would take AR pattern magazines. I was looking at an Anerican Ranch earlier today and while it is basically what I'm looking for it seems to only have a 16" bbl.

My thinking is I'd like to have a 5.56/.223 bolt action rifle that my daughter could use to learn to hunt with and that we could use as a range gun to practice precision and get her comfortable with a bolt action platform but while the American Ranch is almost ideal, I'm thinking that my 16" bbl AR would do the job and I could eliminate the added expense of buying a brand new gun. I kind of just wanted a bolt gun that could handle M193 pressure because that's most of what I have on hand, although not what I would use for setting her up for a hunt, I also wanted a longer bbl for better velocity/range, etc...

Just kicking around the idea, been browsing a lil here and ther but so far no dice. So just to sum up. Looking for a 5.56/.223 bolt action w/ 20" bbl and AR pattern mags would be a big plus in terms of having commonality and being versatile with stuff I already have. I was thinking of just getting a 20"AR upper but now doesnt seem like the best time to buy and I'd prefer a bolt. Any thoughts? Appreciate it. -Dusty
Click to expand...
So rugage that puppy!
 
jmr40 said:
I had the Ruger Ranch and the Ruger Predator in 223 at the same time. Both take AR magazines. I decided I didn't need both and sold the 16" Ranch rifle. While 22" is a little longer than necessary IMO it is closer to ideal than 16". If I want something shorter I have AR's with 16" and 18" barrels.
Click to expand...
Ahhh, the Predator. That's what I'm looking for. Thank you. I'm gonna have to let my LGS know to ring me up if they get one in stock. They had a Ranch and I almost went for it but I thought 16" isnt enough for what I want in terms of range and velocity. 22" is just fine with me. Perfect in fact.

Plus I have an American in 7-08 and a few nitpicks aside I like it. In terms of accuracy I've not been impressed, I've run 140's and 150's through it and couldnt do better than 3moa most times. I was half thinking it was user error, scope, etc but then I ran some 120gr NBT through it and shot a beautiful sub moa cloverleaf. I guess 120's are the ticket for that gun. But anyway. Yeah I'm probably gonna go for a 5.56 predator as soon as I can.
 
That 7-08 you already have will do what you are asking of a new rifle, stick with 120's for her, they are already accurate and will kill deer just fine. You can load 'em light for starters, and go up to hunting loads when she's ready.

But don't confuse this as an attempt to dissuade you from getting a Ruger Predator. :)
 
entropy said:
That 7-08 you already have will do what you are asking of a new rifle, stick with 120's for her, they are already accurate and will kill deer just fine. You can load 'em light for starters, and go up to hunting loads when she's ready.

But don't confuse this as an attempt to dissuade you from getting a Ruger Predator. :)
Click to expand...
Yes sir. I agree. I was thinking since I have alot of 5.56 and with the ammo situation the way it is I wont be chugging away with my AR's the way I was. The predator is imo more of a slower rate of fire, precision instrument my daughter and I both could benefit from and improve our skills since I have an abundance of ammo for it. I don't have an abundance of 7-08 and have been struggling to find any. I know it wont go on forever but at least this way we both have our own rifles as well.... that's sort of my rationale.
 
That and I mostly shoot semi auto rifles and handguns, I wouldnt go so far as to say it gets dull but I definitely want to do other kinds of shooting, including BP. I was shooting my 7-08 the other day and struggling with it a lil. It made me want to know my way around a scoped bolt action a lil better and get a better feel for shooting at extended ranges. Slower, more deliberate and precise and also a lil easier to conserve ammo when you're focused on precision and accuracy as opposed to higher volume, fast firing defensive drills, etc. Or something to that effect.
 
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