AR15 vs. Bolt Gun for coyote hunting?

G

GJJ

New member
Which do you like best and why?

I have a 16" carbine with a Leupold 3.5-10x40 in a LaRue mount. I also have a Remington 700 in 30-06 with the identical scope.

To me, the Remington feels faster and is easier to carry. The AR15 is just as accurate. But, it feels a little slower to get a good sight picture. The follow up shots are faster with the AR.

When it comes time to grab a gun and go hunting, it is a tough choice picking between the two.
 
I had an AR and sold it to buy a bolt. Only one thing I liked about the AR better is the pistol grip is nice for shooting with one hand on stand. Other than that I like the bolt better. I am more comfortable with it and it is alot lighter.
 
It is a tough choice and each has it's pros and cons. I like how accurate my AR is, and I like even though it's a 20" it's still a fairly short rifle and swings and points well. I like the quick follow up, and the ability to see my hits. I hate how an AR shoulders on a sling, and they can be a bit heavy.

On the bolt, they're just comfortable. Reliable, and at least my calling rifles are lighter than my AR. So being that it is a tough choice. I choose to have and use both, although I don't think the AR sees as much use as the bolt gun.
 
AR for me. I got rid of a Rem. M7 223 as my predator rifle and replaced it with a 16" LW AR-15 that I built for predator hunting. The AR is lighter, more accurate and handles/carries much better. Of course, this is for my predator hunting and where I hunt. YMMV. MI VHNTR
 
After having several AR's, some of which drove tacks, I decided that I like bolts better. For me I got tired of the uncomfortable carry postitions, hanging up on every conceivable strap, pocket or peice of clothing, too heavy, too hard to get a proper sight picture with a scope...cool rifle but no thanks! The only thing I miss are the mounting options for lights, but I've already addressed that on my bolt rifles. Can't say what's best for you, but I dang sure know that bolts are best for ME.
 
Get a new 580 series Ruger Mini 14. The new ones are fully capable of AR carbine accuracy and are light and have the same feel as a regular rifle along with the quick follow up shots an AR has. My mini will easily shoot 3/4" 5 shot groups with 55-68 grn hollowpoints. Several of the new models come with 20 round mags which is a plus.
 
How about one of each, depending on your mood? I have a Savage bolt gun that I love, but Obama convinced me to buy an AR, while I still can. Don't have it yet, but I plan on using both once I get it here and outfitted.
 
AR 15 is great for the stands when multiples come in. Far more capable in these situations IMO than a bolt. The pistol grip is more comfortable for me on the AR's.

The bolt is lighter and does teach you to more accurate because you may only get the one shot.

Over all though it is a wash they both have great aspects and I love taking the Savage to stands on occasion, but the AR see's 90% of my stands.
 
Traditionally bolt rifles are being used for hunting for years and the reason for that is accuracy, ease of cleaning and maintenance,mounting scopes,carrying and weight.
Military style rifles are more of a trend and look cool but have very limited use in hunting situations. There were semi automatic rifles before the AR style rifles like Browning BAr and etc.. but they were always in minority compared to bolt actions.
 
AR for me..
I don't think they are as much a "Trend" as to whats coming...
Look at the Remington R15/R25, designed for hunting on the AR platform.
The most accurate* rifles I own are the AR platform ones and that includes competition from a Weatherby 300/7mm mag.

*(As compared to 500 yard and under shots)

Not afraid to get my AR's dirty either, they clean up real easy!
Rick H...
 
For me it's kinda like choosing between Almond Joy or Mounds, they're both candy....sometimes you feel like bolt, sometime you don't. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have to admit most days, I grab the AR carbine. It's weighs less (just over 6#) and is just as accurate as my bolt guns.
 
This thread is the exact dilemma I face right now! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif All I’ve ever used is a shotgun and have finally decided to break down and get a rifle. I have the plans of purchasing an AR on the 7th, but I can’t get past that little voice in my head saying, “look at a bolt gun.” I am going to a gun shop tonight to LOOK at some bolt guns, and I hope that it removes the “bolt gun” from my thoughts. I guess I just want to be a 100% sure on my choice… /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif wish me luck!
 
Quote:
Traditionally bolt rifles are being used for hunting for years and the reason for that is accuracy, ease of cleaning and maintenance,mounting scopes,carrying and weight.
Military style rifles are more of a trend and look cool but have very limited use in hunting situations. There were semi automatic rifles before the AR style rifles like Browning BAr and etc.. but they were always in minority compared to bolt actions.


This statement is so far out of touch with the AR platform it doesn't even come close to being accurate except for part of the first line "Traditionally bolt rifles are being used for hunting for years" The rest is nonsense.

Most "off the rack" AR's are every bit as accurate as most "off the rack" bolt guns and it's been proven here time after time.

"Military style rifles are more of a trend and look cool but have very limited use in hunting situations."

Boy, now there is a statement that is made without knowledge of any kind. There are tons of photos of small and large game hunted and harvested every year with an AR15 or AR10. The AR platform is one of the most well rounded and best suited hunting firearms to ever come available to the industry and consumer. Not many bolt guns can be switched from 22lr to 358 WSSM in a matter of seconds.

Gee and that scope mounting issue is so far off base it's histerical. There are more scope mounting solutions and options for the AR that it's ridiculous. There is only basically one way to mount optics on a bolt gun.

With the AR15 one can swap out optics and calibers, barreled uppers short or long in seconds.

Get it right, if you are going to make statements regarding military style weapons, next thing is you'll be calling an AR15 an assault rifle.
 
Take this Gary!!!! LOL

I will take a bolt gun every time. I shoot the first shot quicker and more accurately every time. The First shot is the most important shot. On "follow up shots for multipal dogs" (like that happens a lot)I am still quicker and more ACCURATE with my bolt guns.
I find the AR platform clumsy, heavy and ugly. and yes I have owned a few.
The AR is an excellant gun and very accurate, but it aint for me!
That said, I sure as heck dont want Gary (Falfire) shooting at me with one!!!!!!
Carl
 
FalFIRE is correct. As stated above they both have pros and cons.I have both bolt rifles and 2 AR 10's. With hand loads the bolt action can be a little bit more accurate at very long range, in hunting conditions you will not see much difference. (ex)You may see that one of your shots could be a 1/16 closer, eithr way it is a hit.As for options, there is no other type rifle that has more stock,optic,iron sight,lights,lasers, cal. or grip configerations than a ar. There is no reason that anyone can not shot this rifle accurately.Yes some are heavy but my rem. sendero is not very light either. Which ever one you feel most comfortable with and can shoot more accuratly is the one you should carry.
 
Quote:
This thread is the exact dilemma I face right now! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif All I’ve ever used is a shotgun and have finally decided to break down and get a rifle. I have the plans of purchasing an AR on the 7th, but I can’t get past that little voice in my head saying, “look at a bolt gun.” I am going to a gun shop tonight to LOOK at some bolt guns, and I hope that it removes the “bolt gun” from my thoughts. I guess I just want to be a 100% sure on my choice… /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif wish me luck!



I hope you can find the AR style you are looking for, there was/is a rush on them right now and has been over the past 3 months.
Rick H...
 
I did the AR thing for a while. I prefer the bolt gun. They are lighter, quieter and just easier to carry for my hunting. An AR cost me a dog when the bolt wasn't all the way home. I have never needed the extra mag capacity either. I carry two rounds in my Swift and have had my share of triples killed with it. More versatile cartridges are in bolt guns too. If I carry an auto it will be a shotgun. Nothing is more irritating than hearing the bolt of an AR slam home. Hello yotes,,,I'm Here !!!!!
 
The AR is not without it's issues but for the guys that use them and love them there is no equal and no way to justify the statement that they don't have a place in the field for hunting. They flat out work if you are willing to put up with some of the shortcomings. IE: Bolt closing noise on release, I know some who follow the bolt closed to be quiet but that will usually cause the bolt to not close fully into battery. Along with brass going everywhere when not using a brass catcher, that can get spendy.

Speaking of issues with guns, I lost a nice bull elk one year when the safety on my Winchester M70 30-06 bolt gun screwed up and wouldn't allow it to fire. That made for a very unhappy hunter that day.

Carl, I know you tried them and I can appreciate your efforts, they are simply not for everyone. I just have a passion for them and have built lots of the AR's I use everyday for hunting. As a matter of fact I just killed a nice dog today with my 6.8SPC right out here in the back pasture. Oh and BTW, I usually miss on my follow up shots, fortunately this one today was running slow and up nice and close, he was only 151 yards out. Seems most of my shots are 400 plus.

This Saturday I go over to hunt a ranch that has a real problem with coyotes and I'll be using my 6x45 with 75gr. Hornadys. That set up has been a coyote killing machine.
 
For some reason I always have been for the most part grabbing my AR in .204 caliber and leaving my bolt guns. Granted it's heavy but only because of my choice of barrels. I picked up a double last week that I doubt that I would have got with a bolt gun. Both have their advantages and disadvantages of weight,balance, magazine type and firepower for lack of better terminology. I guess AR's would get my vote for the majority of outings. But again sometimes I just like the feel of the clean lines of a nicely stocked and 1.5lb single stage trigger bolt gun.
 


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