Bolt or AR

W

wisconsinteacher

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I would like a 204 Ruger. I don't know what to go with. A CZ 527 bolt action or build an AR. I know the AR will cost more than the CZ but I don't know if I want a semi-auto or a bolt.
 
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What is your intended purpose for the weapon. Are you hunting coyote or something like ground hogs?
Reason I ask is I have both a bolt gun and 204 in a AR platform. Depending on what I'm hunting dictates which rifle I use.

Dave
 
When i was 20 I bought a Mini 14 it grouped like a shotgun, Id spend a hr loading up some shells spend a minute shooting and 15 min. looking for the brass. I traded it for a rem classic 264 and swore the only semi autos I would own would be rimfires.Fast forward 25 years after reading all the forums on ARs I bought one accurcy was good under 1" 100yd groups with every thing I shot through it. had some feed problems called the company did what they said and it worked. Then one night 20 below sitting on a hill side about 1 Hr calling here comes a coyote shoot, down he goes get back to the truck take out mag and bolt slams shut, top shell is caved in. sent in and got it repaired fired 20 rounds to make sure it worked and sold it. bought a CZ 550 FS 6.5x55 and a ruger #1 25-06. I guess if it were me I would get a bolt but thats just me. ( I have a 204 CZ kelvar stock and it is the most accurate out of the box rifle I own)
 
The 204R is a really fun cartridge, accurate and flat. I have a couple of CZ's chambered in 204R that are as accurate as any factory rifle that I have shot. I would go with the varmint model in a CZ if your only going to have one 204R.
 
Have you ever shot an AR? Just curious....one advantage an AR has is that its semi auto and great for follow up shots. All my bolt rifles are more accurate than my AR but the AR is fun to shoot. Its a tough call but my nodd goes to the bolt if your just starting out.
 
I have 2 ARs. One is a .223 plinker. (1-2" groups at 100 yards with a 4x scope) The other is a 6.5 Grendel. I do have a Ruger 22-250 bolt that I really enjoy shooting small groups with.
 
My wife shoots a bolt, I shoot both, but primarily an AR.

Personally, for plinking at the range, both are fun. Easier, in my experience, to get a bolt gun to group better, but also REALLY nice not coming off the rifle at all to watch your shots on target and place the next one.

My best advice would be to find a friend with one or the other, go take a few shots at the range, see which you prefer first hand.

It's a lot like picking your favorite ice cream, although you CLEARLY should choose chocolate, everyone has their own tastes.
 
Originally Posted By: wisconsinteacherI would like to shoot small groups at the range and reload for the rilfe.

This really says bolt to me, no need for quick follow up shots at the range when trying for small groups.
 
Originally Posted By: calling4lifeOriginally Posted By: wisconsinteacherI would like to shoot small groups at the range and reload for the rilfe.

This really says bolt to me, no need for quick follow up shots at the range when trying for small groups.


Thats what id say. If you know beyond a doubt it wont be for hunting moving targets (follow up shots if you shoot like me
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). Less headache possibilities with a bolt for sure.

Hunting says AR because honestly 2-3 moa is fine for hunting for the non-perfectionist. But 2-3 moa sucks for tiny groups, so you either spend a bit more for a varmint rig or get an inherently accurate platform. The plain jane 16" AR is not meant to be a tiny group shooter. So i think youd spend less for tiny groups on a bolt.
 
Originally Posted By: wisconsinteacherI would like a 204 Ruger. I don't know what to go with. A CZ 527 bolt action or build an AR. I know the AR will cost more than the CZ but I don't know if I want a semi-auto or a bolt.

You can build a very nice AR pattern rifle for about $600, not sure what a CZ costs, but should be close I imagine....

AR's CAN(not ARE) be fickle, they require more cleaning(BCG), and they require full length sizing.
 
I have both....My .204 AR was custom built about 2005 by a California gunsmith that is not a sponsor on this board...At that time the upper cost approximately $750...It is a 'Slick Side' (no dust cover or forward assist) with an EOP, a Douglass SS XX match grade barrel that is free floated..It is capable of shooting very small groups with my reloads..By the time you add a decent lower with a good trigger, you are looking at another $200-250...It is equipped with a 4-16x Sightron S2 Mil Dot scope...

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My CZ 527 Varmint is equipped with a Leupold 4.5-14 Varmint Hunter reticle and is also capable of very small groups with my reloads...

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By the time you put decent optics on either, your cost will be about the same amount invested...The AR is considerably heavier than the CZ, but as long as properly maintained both shoot and function as they should...400 yard Prairie Dogs can attest to that..

If I were going to keep only one, it would be the CZ, just for ease of using it for a wider variety of activities...If you decide to go the AR route, keep in mind that the most important factors are the quality of the barrel and the trigger group...You can cut corners on most other parts, but those two require some serious spending..
 
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