Practical Application of Bolt Guns

[CrystalHunter1989]

I have the itch for a bolt action in .308. But before I bite I wanted to get some opinions on its practical use beyond the scope of hunting. I have no problem buying one just "because." That's how I ended up with most of my collection. But most of my collection hasn't been used for anything productive.

So do any of you guys have a bolt action rifle for "go time" and not just making meat?

[thatGuy]

For me the idea of a long gun is simple. It is a piece of glass that is easy to use and packs a fair piece of recourse incase you don't like what it shows you.

[gapatriot]

People are gonna raise hell over this,but mosin. Get a good mount and good glass and it will do for whatever you need it for. Or an old mauser, or a springfield '03. The money you will save on the rifle you can put into glass. Just my opinion I dont have optics on any of my firearms. But I think for most people just looking for a DM gun those will do fine. I said mosin first because the ammo is the cheapest.

[thatGuy]

People are gonna raise hell over this,but mosin. Get a good mount and good glass and it will do for whatever you need it for. Or an old mauser, or a springfield '03. The money you will save on the rifle you can put into glass. Just my opinion I dont have optics on any of my firearms. But I think for most people just looking for a DM gun those will do fine. I said mosin first because the ammo is the cheapest.

You're correct in your opinion and that is my opinion!  [url=http://yoursmiles.org/p-m

Those old Mosins, Springfields and Mausers are fantastic firearms. If you can get them in good condition there is no problem with putting a x10 scope on them.

You can even find 1903s and large ring Mauser that have been re chambered in 308.

[Kentactic]

If the cheap ammo is sufficient in your DM gun then id say pass on expensive glass too. Good glass allows you to be accurate. Shooting 65 year old surplus ammo dosent require good glass to take advantage of its potential accuracy.

If your going to spend money on glass do yourself a favor and buy a modern rifle. Scopes dont make rifles accurate they just allow your rifles accuracy to be taken advantage of.

[Kentactic]

I challenge some one with a WWII DMR to shoot grape off the slide of their favorite pistol at 100 yards to prove they are as confident with it as they say.

[technique]

I challenge some one with a WWII DMR to shoot grape off the slide of their favorite pistol at 100 yards to prove they are as confident with it as they say.

 [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[special-k]

I challenge some one with a WWII DMR to shoot grape off the slide of their favorite pistol at 100 yards to prove they are as confident with it as they say.

Nah... Now do that with your shotgun and I'll be impressed!  [url=http://yoursmiles.org/p-m

[thatGuy]

Well played Ken, well played.

[gapatriot]

Send me the glass and the money for the round im going to put thru the rifle or some surplus .303. I have an enfield I will do that with.

Edit: and its a carbine

[Kentactic]

Send me the glass and the money for the round im going to put thru the rifle or some surplus .303. I have an enfield I will do that with.

Edit: and its a carbine

If you dont have the rifle setup yet how can you be so sure? Are you currently shooting Sub MOA with irons?

[gapatriot]

I trust a solid rifle! For most people a surplus rifle with good glass will go the job, we arent trying to put a bullet thru the same hole at 100 yards from a bench. Not saying you are man, you know way more about marksmanship than I do. I just talking average person.

[mountainredneck2051]

bolt guns got 1 use 800+ meters

and there really isn't any 60-70 year old mil surp rifles that will out do even the modern hunting rifles....

and ammo is like tires
without the proper one you gonna suck in a race

[gapatriot]

All im saying by decent glass is like a little 10x bushnell ok? so you get a mosin (~$125) 2 spam cans (~$180) and a bushnell scope (~$100). So...... youre looking at ~$405 on a decent bolt gun with 880 rounds, what hunting rifle can do that???

[mountainredneck2051]

everything you mentioned is the cheapest bottom of the barrel shit on the market

when you are talking long range accuracy you got to spend some $$ to get any kind of performance at all

[Kentactic]

Well i guess ill try to be more on topic myself and answer the OP's question as yes i do have a bolt gun for dropping meat i wont eat.

If you want one specifically for engaging BG's from far away, let it rip dude. Its low on the list of needs as a prepper but its pretty high up on the fun factor to keep you interested in prepping. You could push back enemies from a long ways off with little risk to yourself. You can bassically draw a line 1000 yards out without leaving base. No one said you have to shoot the fuckers from that far, but a close miss sends a message. Also if your moving through a sketchy bottle neck it dosent hurt to have a guy watching over the men as they move. Theres bolt guns in the military for a reason. Although you wont be engaging anything that moves with a gun like in a war perhaps you still will be engaging anythin thats shooting at you or yours. Precision capabilities will never be a drag on your survival.

[tominphx]

Precision capabilities will never be a drag on your survival.

I hope everyone keeps in mind that having precision capabilities is more than just having the equipment.

[gapatriot]

MTN, Ken, I see what you guys are saying!!! Im looking at it from a cheap DM gun perspective. Yeah you can have a rem 700 glass bedded free floated and some $1000 glass on it, if thats your thing. For me I dont have any sight distance beyong 200 yards so a surplus rifle and surplus ammo with cheap glass will do for me. If time and money permits I want to put together a dedicated "sniper rifle" (i.e. a rem 700 in .308 glass bedded free float nice glass). But before that comes im going to build a nice DM gun, PSL comes to mind, or an AR-10. Long range is super nice but the whole sniper aspect of WROL is over rated for the most part a bolt gun is going to be a DM or a guy with his hunting rifle running over watch. It's not going to matter is he hits the guy 1" below where he was aiming. I'm not trying to cause a shit show here im just saying with all do respect try to see things from a guy that doesnt shoot a precision gun. The best most guys can hope for is a stock rem 700 and a bushnell shooting over the counter ammo.

[Grudgie]

The best most guys can hope for is a stock rem 700 and a bushnell shooting over the counter ammo.

Yea the Remington 700 is like the American AK. It's cheap, it's everywhere, and it works. If the population revolts or engages in a civil war the weapons you will be seeing are Remington 700s, Remington 870s, Marlin 30-30s, and old Granpa's miscelanious whatever.

But if I was setting out to shoot at targets 100 or more yards away that depended on my life, I'm not sure I would want a surplus bolt action. It certianly wouldn't be my first choice.

[gapatriot]

The best most guys can hope for is a stock rem 700 and a bushnell shooting over the counter ammo.

Yea the Remington 700 is like the American AK. It's cheap, it's everywhere, and it works. If the population revolts or engages in a civil war the weapons you will be seeing are Remington 700s, Remington 870s, Marlin 30-30s, and old Granpa's miscelanious whatever.

But if I was setting out to shoot at targets 100 or more yards away that depended on my life, I'm not sure I would want a surplus bolt action. It certianly wouldn't be my first choice.

But you will sure as shit count on a garand for engagements at 20 yards? Your argument is irelevant good day!

[Grudgie]

And you would rely on a surplus bolt action at 100 yard engagements but you wouldn't rely on a Garand at any engagement?

You all pounded me for simply SUGGESTING the Garand was a valid firearm in SHTF. I have the negative feedback to proove it. I demand fairness dam it!

But in seriousness, I see your point GA Patriot. It really depends on the rifle and shooter. Some Mosins shoot great I've heard. Alot of the Surplus rifles have nasty looking bores and wartime quality control wasn't really a priority.

[CrystalHunter1989]

Precision capabilities will never be a drag on your survival.

I hope everyone keeps in mind that having precision capabilities is more than just having the equipment.

I certainly am, and fully intend to get properly trained.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

[Kentactic]

MTN, Ken, I see what you guys are saying!!! Im looking at it from a cheap DM gun perspective. Yeah you can have a rem 700 glass bedded free floated and some $1000 glass on it, if thats your thing. For me I dont have any sight distance beyong 200 yards so a surplus rifle and surplus ammo with cheap glass will do for me. If time and money permits I want to put together a dedicated "sniper rifle" (i.e. a rem 700 in .308 glass bedded free float nice glass). But before that comes im going to build a nice DM gun, PSL comes to mind, or an AR-10. Long range is super nice but the whole sniper aspect of WROL is over rated for the most part a bolt gun is going to be a DM or a guy with his hunting rifle running over watch. It's not going to matter is he hits the guy 1" below where he was aiming. I'm not trying to cause a shit show here im just saying with all do respect try to see things from a guy that doesnt shoot a precision gun. The best most guys can hope for is a stock rem 700 and a bushnell shooting over the counter ammo.

No i agree with what youve said for the most part. An AR-10 would be the way to go for sure. Essentially th AR-10 or really any AR with good glass on it will out do a surplus bolt gun with glass. Bassically anything a surplus rifle can do there is a better weapon for that job. But, things like local laws, money etc come to mind. So if the AR isnt pheasable then by all means go with the Surplus Rifle for a 200 yard gun. For example if your in CA and a broke ass and your running around with a shotgun like a lamb to the slaughter then buy that surplus rifle to help fend them off.

300 yards or less id like an AR-10, beyond that and i want a modern bolt gun. Partly because i am so confident with it. Its very likely a quality AR-10 could be competetive but time behind the gun would be required before feeling confident in me and my new gear.

[Reaver]

New this indian man. Chief type. About 83 years old.

Only thing he knew was a Springfield 03.

Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a shotgun from inside it. But that man could work that bolt and those irons like no other with that old rifle. 6-800 yard shots at 6' steel saw blades and even deadlier as the range decreased.

[gapatriot]

And you would rely on a surplus bolt action at 100 yard engagements but you wouldn't rely on a Garand at any engagement?

You all pounded me for simply SUGGESTING the Garand was a valid firearm in SHTF. I have the negative feedback to proove it. I demand fairness dam it!

But in seriousness, I see your point GA Patriot. It really depends on the rifle and shooter. Some Mosins shoot great I've heard. Alot of the Surplus rifles have nasty looking bores and wartime quality control wasn't really a priority.

Lol I was just busting your balls man!!