AR-15 style vs Bolt action

eccad252

eccad252

New member
Hey everyone. Im new to the site and have become quite addicted. There is some great info here! I am interested in getting into the predator/varmint hunting. I am suprised to see that there is a good number of you that use AR-15 style rifles. I didn't expect to see that. What are your opinions when comparing AR-15's to bolt action rifles. When specifically refering to coyote hunting, do you feel one is more accurate than the other? Is there an advantage to having a fast repeating rifle for coyotes? I am planning to buy a .223 in either one of the Rockriver Arms varmint rifles or a Remington 700 SPS varmint. Any comments are appreciated.

Nick in San Diego
 
Hey Nick, welcome to PM. I think your hunting area will determine which rifle you buy. I 95% of the time hunt wide open spaces with a partner where we call and use spot-and-stalk techniques. We glass areas where we can see for 2 miles, but we also hunt sagebrush and coulees, washes, etc. I use a bolt .243 and my partner shoots an AR-15. We think we have everthing covered from long range bipod shots to runners coming to the call. We also carry shotguns for those "e-caller eaters" when they land at your feet. Your perfect gun will be determined by the distances you hunt, cover, topography, etc. as I am not too familiar with hunting coyotes in San Diego. With the bolt, I typically take most of the longer shots and the standing broadside presentations, my partner shoots most of the runners or closer ones with the AR. That's just our set up, but hope you settle on one soon and get after 'em.
 
I use both, there are times i'll find a pack of yotes when i have a bolt gun, and wish i had brought an ar, and times i have one of the ar's and need a long range bolt gun.

A long barrel ar is out for me as i do a lot of walking/hiking and they simply get to heavy at the end of the day. blue
 
Key considerations for me boil down to two factors: Action type and barrel twist rate.

If I need/want a quick follow-up shot, the AR is unmatched. My AR is very, very accurate, but I have a little bit more confidence in the pinpoint accuracy of my Rem 700 VSSF out to about 300 or so with minimal wind.

If I want to throw light bullets, my bolt has a 1-12" twist.

If I want to throw heavier bullets, perhaps farther, my AR has a 1-9" twist.

Your Mileage May Vary...
 
Was out shooting rock chucks this weekend side by side with a buddy that still shoots a Ruger KM77VT MKII in .223. We spotted a chuck at 330 yds lasered. I missed the first with my AR 204, chuck started scurrying up the rock slide and he took shot #2. I missed #3, got him moving on #4, before my buddy had time to jack his second in and get back on target. I think he'll be begging the wife to get him a new AR this week. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Time on target rules! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I have hunted with bolt guns for years until a couple of months ago when I bought an AR. I can't believe how nice it was to shot a semi-auto for a coyote gun. If you miss the first shot or have more then one coyote it is a lot easier to get on target after the first shot. I do still like bolt guns but have found my AR to just as accurate as one.
 
I am an old fashioned sort. I use a Ruger #1 22-250 or one of two 223's in bolt action. Works for me. Yeah, sometimes I don't get a chance for a second or third shot.
 
I have hunted all over the country from the sanddunes of So Cal to piney woods in Mo to salt brush desert in Az and praries of Kansas one thing I have learned is when you don't think you will see a yote is when they pop up at your feet or they are so far out you about need radar to track them Each firearm platform has advantages in Yote hunting. The heavy barreled bolt rifle for the careful yote who stays way out and the AR for the runners you know you hit but seem to duck and dodge even point black shots. It is always best to hunt with a partner because you never have enough eyes and they do tend to put the sneek on you sometimes. BTW welcome to PM
 
Here ya go.

Today, I met up with another PM member in SC that has a good chunk of land. He had sent satelite images of the land and it looked like it was mostly shotgun area with some good open stand areas for predators. I'm from NV, ND and decided to bring a few guns for the campaign without seeing the land. My western rem 22-250 wouldn't work here with a 24" tube and 6-18X. (it has about 70 kills out west). My AR15 has a 4-16x on it for load development and that was no good for the topography present. I ended up carrying my pistol all day in the thick cover. I will have too pick up a 1-4X for my 16" AR to deal with the terrain CRAPP! I think a short barrel AR will work good at these short ranges 70yds and under. I learn somthin every day!

As stated above pick the appropriate weapon for your enviroment! I will still use my bolt out west.
 
I shoot both an AR and bolt rifles. I've found two drawbacks to the AR platform for coyote hunting. Fist is that when a coyote pops up at under 20 yards my AR, sighted one inch high at 100 yards, will shoot under it if I don't remember to account for the high mounted scope. Second is that I find the .223 Remington to be marginal for large eastern coyotes. But that's a caliber issue not a rifle style issue.
Bolt rifles have one issue.. Slower follow up shots.

Coyote 6974
 
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