In Saturday’s Nashua shoot, The AR-15 with a Colt chrome lined barrel took the heat of 15 shots and left the barrel cooler than I thought. I was significantly impressed.

There were those at the shoot that, somewhat understandably, looked down on my so called long range rig with 16 inch barrel and others that could not believe it could shoot that well. It was set up with a Sinclair Single Shot Magazine follower seen  below inside the top of this magazine where the cartridge is cradled.

For what my rifle is and does as an AR, it is terrific with Leupold VX-6 3-18 44mm scope the epitome of superior rifle scopes,

the crisp Timney 2 stage drop-in trigger

and superior Nosler Custom Cases that are hand tailored and weighed for match grade shooting.

and superior Competition bullets

 

can hold its own.

Of Larger  Calibers – But all said, the caliber of .223 with a short barrel has definite long range velocity limits that are much more restrictive than say the 6mm or 6.5mm cartridges for long range both in ballistics and in bullet weight,velocity and light recoil. So If I remain shooting in these matches, a faster and heavier bullet such as the 6mm, 6.5mm or .308 are better choices. That is why a Savage model 12 Long Range Precision Rifle is coming to NH Rifleman for testing.

It is 2 pound heavier than most hunting rifles (11 pounds) but can be carried in the field if the need arises perhaps but testing will answer that question. The aforementioned bullet calibers are great hunting rounds and home protection rounds too with a rifle that can be easily handled.

The Superior and versatile AR – But here is where none of the so called High Power Match Rifles can touch the AR-15; In semi-auto the AR-15 can place accurate bullets down range at a target in volume out past 600 yards. The rounds that I loaded were capable of loading into a magazine and fired in semi-auto mode.

From a self defense/home defense perspective the AR models shine like a bright star with an aim point device for short range to 100 yards or a Scope out to more than 600 yards. The scope below has a sun shield added to prevent glare.

So if volume of rounds at the target was part of the competition, the AR will beat the pants off the rest hands down and can be carried easily in the field.  Some Long Range rigs in F Class are so heavy that the cannot be effectively carried in the field or used for any other purpose.

From a Hunting Perspective – I believe, it is the ability of an accurate rifle to be mobile and light enough to carry that places it among real rifles that are versatile and have hunting and home protection use that delight me most. Below is a Ruger® Hawkeye® Predator Rifle in bolt action that I tested recently in Stainless with 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle is just fantastic as a bolt action and geared for all weather long range or short range hunting and target. It comes in other calibers like the 308 Winchester and in a few varmint calibers too.

This past fall I hunted with a Savage 11/111 Long Range Hunter in 7mm Rem Magnum and took a small buck at 300 yards.  See the back article on this hunt!

It was Sub MOA accurate, but I did not need the muzzle brake and the steel took more care to prevent rust that I liked.

The Ruger American I tested in .243 Winchester took my by storm with its sub-moa accuracy and price. See back articles on this rifle. I own one and love it.

 

Another winner the Savage Predator. See back articles too.

From a hunting and long range perspective the traditional bolt action rifle is still superior. easy to carry and can handle any cartridge for serious target or long range hunting. Both Ruger and Savage do a fine job with accurate rifles.

Good Shooting!

© 2016