AFAIK, paying $500+ for a rifle that won't group half as well as my bolt actions isn't what I'd call a bargain. And before I get flamed, I know full well that many of you have great shooting AR's and love them. But I'm about tired of shaking my head at all the guys I see (and it's a lot these days) at our local range who run out and buy a "cheap" (to them I guess) AR and are tickled at their 4" groups at 100 yards. Guess I don't see the point, but my priority for a rifle has always been accuracy. I have shotguns for less precise work.
Not everyone is shooting to get tight groups.
Some people just want a reliable rifle.
Others want something that's fun to shoot.
Still others want something to learn the basics on.
And others want a good foundation to start with and to upgrade as their budget allows.
Some don't want a shotgun.
I'm sure I could go on and on and on.
I'd also bet that that many of those 4" groups are by people that don't have much training and who simply went out and bought a cheap AR.
In my own case, I don't care who you are, what you do, and what you have. All I care is that you're safe, and that you don't harm others. As long as you don't bother anyone else, then I say enjoy your 4" groups, or your bolt or whatever.
That said, the gun I'm building now, will have a muzzle brake and I expect it to be louder than my current one. While I don't plan on bothering some, I'm sure it'll piss some folks off. I'll try to get to the range when it's not too busy, and I always try to be as far from folks as I can. So, I guess that's an exception as those I piss off will have to deal with it if they're there when I"m shooting it.