From Older Times

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Steve S.

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Took my Winchester M70 (.308), Kimber 84M (.308) and WC Recon (6.8 SPC) to the range yesterday; beautiful morning, range to myself, all rifles shot very well, a good morning. However, it dawned on me ever more that I enjoyed shooting the two sleek bolt actions much more than my “clanky” AR. There was an elegance and precision to the bolt rifles, there was a clumsy and mechanical feel to the AR. Again, all were equally accurate and dependable but my perception was on opposite ends of the spectrum between the two designs. For me, shooting the bolts was “fun” and shooting the AR was a mechanical process to check zero. I wonder if this preference is my age or my tastes - maybe both.
 
I bought an AR for coyote hunting as I decided it would be my ideal rifle for that pass time and it has proven to be. It's like a bunch of legos. You can build it into about anything you wish it to be and it isn't difficult. It's quite accurate and dependable and does everything as well as I expected. Can a firearm have "soul"? If they can the AR lacks one. It's just a piece of machinery that doesn't have looks on it side, it's clangy and bangy in operation but gets the job done and well done at that. If I decided to sell one of my 223's it would be the one to go. I'll keep my bolt action and my favorite, a 23" bull barreled Contender. I much prefer the precision and looks of single shot, lever, and bolt guns.
 
I really enjoy running my AR (by running, i mean actually running and speed shooting) but is not the gun i would choose to just sit and shoot one round at a time.

To me thats like being stuck in traffic while driving a race car.
If i am going to be stuck in traffic, let ne be driving a comfy classic car that i enjoy just being in.

Thats why levers and bolts still hold their appeal for me.

Although, if i could only have one...





It would be the Garand! :D
 
With further reflection, my bolts, levers and singles just slow things down a bit - the machined/ metallic feel of manually working/ feeding the action is a pleasure in and of itself. With the AR, I somehow feel rushed, a pressure to shoot faster because the next round is instantly available. I know it is just in my mind but, that preceived pressure to shoot faster is always there. Even thinking about my 1911’s vs. my revolvers, the revolvers seem more relaxing to shoot. It seems (to me) that the semi-autos just rush things.
 
One of my favorite rifles is the original assault rifle, 14 + 1 rounds, a made in 1889 Winchester '73. AR doesn't hold a candle to it it terms of ability to keep my interest, fun to shoot, etc. And last time I looked, there was no lovely aged work worn wood on an AR.
 
Maybe why I still love my AR (Colt SP1 Sporter), was because it was my first centerfire rifle. I had been wanting one for the longest time (even bought everything for it like mags, ammo, even a bayonet!), as I still wasn't 18 yet and couldn't get one for myself. Nothing against bolt actions, lever actions, or single shot rifles; just for me the AR was my first real rifle and I still love to take it to the range every chance I get.
 
For just shooting, I also prefer my Bolt Actions. I have never been very attracted to Lever Action though. Yes, I like shooting my AR, but as others have said, for just shooting, it isn't a favorite.
 
it really depends on the game you are playing. For long distance, slow, precision shooting off the bench or prone, bolt guns are more fun. For multiple targets at various ranges, tactical shooting from a number of positions, the AR can't be beat. I play all the games. I have cowboy guns, I have bolt guns, I have ARs set up for tactical and distance, I have a guide gun in 45/70 for brush hunting, I have a Ruger #1 in 7x57 for reaching out to mountain goats.

There's a platform for every game. The fun part is changing it up when it suits you.
 
Steve S. said:
There was an elegance and precision to the bolt rifles,
Click to expand...
I think you hit the nail on the head with that statement Steve. I have a real nice Kimber bolt (can't remember the model number right off) 22 LR that I just love shooting. It's accurate, or precise, or whatever you want to call it, but no more so than my tricked out Ruger 10-22. My 10-22 is not "clanky" (as you said about your AR) by any means, but there's just something about my Kimber 22 bolt that makes it my favorite gun to shoot. "Elegance and precision" - well put!:)
Oh, BTW I love shooting my Montana Rifle Company custom 308 Norma Magnum too. But c'mon, it is a 308 Norma Magnum. As much as I love it, I'll readily admit shooting it as often as I shoot my Kimber 22 bolt would leave me with the shakes, a sore shoulder, and an empty wallet.:eek:
 
A Sharp's or Springfield Trapdoor gives you a big boom, a gentle nudge on your shoulder, waiting until the smoke clears to see if you hit anything, stuffing another big round in the chamber, and snuggling back onto that wooden stock to see the sights is a a nice pace for a relaxing morning of shooting.
 
My rifle is not old, but still in a very classic design. I love shooting my HK MP5 22. rifle. It fills me with such great joy, and I have always wanted one. Well, one in 9mm, but 22. is much cheaper and more forgiving going though hundreds of rounds. But I would rather have it then the AR I had.
 
When I was a pup in and then just out of the army, I was all about ARs, AKs, semi-auto pistols.
How times have changed. Over the years, I've developed a passion for all of the levers, bolts, and six guns I ignored in my 'wasted' youth. The mechanics, aesthetics, the simplicity.
Going to the ranges near me, I'm starting to get the impression that I'm just about the only shooter that doesn't even own an AR platform anymore.
 
Love my ARs, love my bolts, levers, revolvers, semi autos, front stuffers, love them all. The one that sees the most use? A vintage Springfield .22 bolt action.
 
I've trended away from my bolts recently towards my AR and, more often, my M1A.

That thing is just so nice to shoot.

I was planning on hunting again this fall with my .300 BLK AR, so it's been getting a lot of trigger time this spring.
 
For me shooting is about relaxation unless I shoot my hanguns. Because of this, slower is better. You may be in a similar boat.
 
I also have no AR type rifle. I have bolts, levers, and break-open center fire rifles. I have a .22 autoloader.

50 rounds with a bolt-gun or break-action is a day for me.

50 rounds with an autoloading rifle is a warm up.
 
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