Bolt vs Single vs AR

huntnut

huntnut

New member
This has probably been done, but I cant find anything on it.

What would be the best all around coyote gun. I'm going to try to keep stuff fair so lets say the all are .223

So lets start with the bolt guns, heavy or sporter barrel? They have multi shots, slower to cycle and get back on target. Pretty heeavy if going with a 26"heavy barrle. Very accurate guns. can be had for good prices

Single shot (NEF or T/C) lighter to carry then bolts, only one shot, can shot more then once but have to take gun out of shooting stance. Accurate but can be picky sometimes if you take barrels off. Barrles change out for other cal. fast, price is little higher then a base bolt gun.

AR-15. again heavy or sporter barrel, barrels can be down to 16" up to 24". Multiple shots with little trouble getting back on target. Guns are accurate maybe not as good as bolts but plenty good for coyotes. Price more then bolt or single shot. Fairly heavy guns. AND THERE JUST PLAN KICK [beeep] LOOKING

So lets hear from you guys pros and cons on these 3 guns, because I'm sure I missed stuff on each one of these.



Should have put this over in firearms instead or here.
 
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Best all around can be any of them depends on the shooter behind the weapon. I like the ar's for followup shoots but it is hard to beat a good custom bolt action with a heavy- barrel or sporter barrel, but I believe in long barrels for better velocity speeds.
 
Shoot the gun the gun that will fire "every" time. Having confidence your gun will work properly or fire when its game time is much more important than what the gun looks like.Even if the rifle is supposed to fire mutiple rounds, it doesnt matter if it won't fire when you need it to.
 
Originally Posted By: Ultimate PredatorShoot the gun the gun that will fire "every" time. Having confidence your gun will work properly or fire when its game time is much more important than what the gun looks like.Even if the rifle is supposed to fire mutiple rounds, it doesnt matter if it won't fire when you need it to.

That's right, I don't care what my guns look like, as long as they shoot the light out of things! If it is really bad try painting it, I have painted several rifles!
 
You say the Ar are fairly heavy guns. That is not a correct statement. It depends on the configuration. You can get the bushmaster patrolman that ways 6.3 lbs without the mag. That is lighter than most bolt guns. Also the AR is just as accurate as any bolt gun. Everygun has its advantages and disadvantages. If you practice with a single shot you can reload it quite quick without taking it from your shoulder.
 
I have always been told the bolt is the strongest action to have, and that is a deciding factor in choosing a rifle. I'm not much for auto loaders, and single shots are just out of the picture. My vote would be for the bolt.
 
yeah bolts definately. ARs are great but if you demand more accuracy at longer distances( and dont wanna spend 3,000) on an AR. get a bolt
 
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Originally Posted By: thefleenyeah bolts definately. ARs are great but if you demand more accuracy at longer distances( and dont wanna spend 3,000) on an AR. get a bolt


Another incorrect statement IMO. There actually was a thread a while back that most everyone agreed it cost as much if not more to get a bolt gun to shoot as accurate as an AR. You can have a Dtech for 1500ish maybe less. A blueprinted, trued, custom bbl'd bolt gun will run you that and some more. I like all sticks that go bang equally, just trying to keep things factual.
 
Originally Posted By: stormkingOriginally Posted By: thefleenyeah bolts definately. ARs are great but if you demand more accuracy at longer distances( and dont wanna spend 3,000) on an AR. get a bolt


Another incorrect statement IMO. There actually was a thread a while back that most everyone agreed it cost as much if not more to get a bolt gun to shoot as accurate as an AR.

Oh yeah!

A few years ago I bought a complete upper for my AR from Model 1. It has the 24" ER Shaw barrel. I mounted it on a Double Star lower, added a Chip McCormick trigger and proceded to outshoot almost all of my bolt action rifles. It most certainly will shoot half inch 5 shot 100 yard groups All Day Long. I have so much confidence in this rifle that should I only be allowed but one gun on a prairie dog hunt that I planned all year long for this would be the one that I would grab without so much as a second thought. If not for the simple fact that I dislike chasing brass (and don't trust or like brass catchers) I could see lightening my safe by a bolt action or two.
 
sounds like you already have your mind made up as to which type you are disposed to
Me I'll take a bolt over anything no need for a second shot when the first one is where it is supposed to be
 
That would be fine and dandy if that first shot will kill all three of the coyotes that just came to the call! But those other 2 will be hauling a@@ and by the time you cycle that bolt and get back on em they are gone.
 
If you take a customized bolt action and a customized AR the AR will do great at dime size groups at 100 yards which is all we need for hunting but the bolt action is capable of that or better. It has to do with the way it locks up the ammo and AR's don't always lock up the same and any bit of off caibration and the pattern gets bigger. But I do love the Ar's for quick follow up shots but the bolt action for accuracy at long distance.
 
Originally Posted By: RRA223That would be fine and dandy if that first shot will kill all three of the coyotes that just came to the call! But those other 2 will be hauling a@@ and by the time you cycle that bolt and get back on em they are gone.

Exactly what I was going to point out. I have taken doubles with my bolt-action Savage, but there's no question that an AR sort of thing would be nicer in that situation.

So, on the whole, I'm gonna go with "whatever you shoot best."
 
All three types will have advantages over the other two in some area, however if you are determining which make of rifle you want to hunt with, pick a dependable gun you can count on when you need it "first". Then choose a gun that is most suitable for your needs. Everyone has opinions on what is the best type of rifle, and those opinions are usually based on what they have had "success" with, myself included. Just remember no matter how fancy or accurate or fast shooting the gun may be, ultimately what matters the most is "your" abilty to kill predators with it. Whatever gun is the most dependable and will give you the most confidence is what you want.
 
I love my AR's. Fast recovery with plenty of rounds for more than one shot if needed. My Colt Match is a tack driver. Up here in the U.P., I use the peep sight. It's more than enough to get the job done.
 
i have all three types and i usally only take 1 firearm to a stand , i used to pack a rifle and shotgun,but would always br fumbling 4 the wrong gun, 4 the past 10 yrs. i've been debating on gettin a savage 24f combo, .223-12gage. i think that would be the ultimate. but at $700 and haven't heard how accurate i guess i'll keep wonderin till money groes on trees!
 
I don't know if I'll ever call a coyote in or not, seems like voodoo magic to me! But for target's of opertunity I really do like my mod 700 ADL. Not a 223 but I could settle for a 223.

My brother has one of those AR type rifles and to me they are ugly. They throw the cases all over the place and his you have to hold your head up the use the scope, don't care for that.

Wouldn't mind trying out a Ruger #1. I think that I am more concerned with the way a rifle looks, feels and shoots, rather than how many shots you can put in the air and how fast. Out deer hunting a couple years ago I did get onto two coyote's and got both with a bolt action rifle. Got them by suprise and when I shot the first, the second hung around just a bit to long. Anyway, if you shoot them all today, what are you gonna shoot tomorrow?
 
Myself I think the biggest advantage to using an AR or any other semi auto for killing multiple coyotes showing up at a calling stand is the fact that between shots a shooter does not need to move very much, if at all. At least nothing like the movement needed to cycle a bolt or jack a forearm back and forth.

Even that is only an advantage IF the coyotes are co-operating enough to stand around after the first shot. That won't and don't happen very often. Once they're off and running a guy with a bolt rifle, who is GOOD with that rifle is not at much of a disadvantage what so ever.
 
Does everyone talk about how their rifle cuts dimes? blahblahblah. Coyotes aren't the size of dimes and 9 times out of 10 (in my experiences) the coyote is within 150yds. If you can't hit a coyote with any type bolt, single shot, ar style then you better go back to the range and practice! I personally know a guy who hunts with a $25 garage sale 22 single shot that probably killed more coyotes than half the people on this site! lol Just trying to keep things real guys! When it comes down to it, dead is dead no matter what you used. I learned that from a buddy on a bear hunt this year. Good post!
 
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