AR-30 Again

C

Chaz88

New member
I have talked about getting an AR-30 on this site before and my questions centered around .300 or .338

It is still on my list and might be an option again soon. My question is if any of you think there is a better option for a long range rifle in .300 or .338 for the same money, or less money. The range runs around $1500-$1800 for the AR-30.
 
Get a Mosin.
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Well... I would like to have at least one of everything.

But I was think of something a bit more modern and a bit more long range. Think 600 to a 1000 yard target shooting with the hope of moving into entry level competition with the gun.
 
i have shot both a 300 and a 308 in the ar30. i enjoyed the 308 more. less recoil, less powder, cheaper brass, same bullets yes. fwiw, bobn
...:btw mosins make nice tomato stakes,:p lol.
 
i have shot both a 300 and a 308 in the ar30. i enjoyed the 308 more. less recoil, less powder, cheaper brass, same bullets yes. fwiw, bobn
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Thank you. Do you think at longer ranges the .300 mag has any advantage over the .308? Other than recoil, did you find the rifle to be of a quality you would expect for the money.
 
What are you going to be using it for? 12 lbs and 48" is a lot of rifle to be humpin around.
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Long range target shooting.

Might hunt with it, as long as I can drive to my shooting position and use the hood as a rest. :)
 
When I looked at the AR-30 I looked at all 3 offerings. At the time the .308,300wm,and .338 rifles were all the same price. So that filtered cost of the rifle out of it.

All the rounds that the AR-30 is offered in are great rounds and capeable of ranges you are talking about. It is a heavy gun and you do not want to lug it around.

For me it came down to the price of the the rounds. I wanted something to shoot @ 600yd max Possibly 1000yd. All 3 rounds do this but @ +800yd the magnums will do it better. For me this ruled out the .308.

When I priced the ammo (not reloading yet) I found that 300wm and .308 cost about the same price per box but .338 ran in the 4.50$+ per round. If I am going to shoot in the 5$ per round territory I will go with 50bmg. I ended up going with the 300wm.

Recoil is minimal because the gun is so heavy and the brake is very effective. Biggest problem I have found is that the range I shoot at has shed style roofs and the shooting area is kind of bunker like (short walls on either side) almost like shooting indoors. If you are shooting, the sound is no big deal. If you are shooting with friends of other shooters the gun is down right annoying. At this point I will not shoot it if there are others shooting on the same range.
 
If you're planning to stay in the 600-1,000 yard range, the extra cost of .338 ammo over .308 or .300wm doesn't seem wrth it, to me. The others perform well enough out to 1,000 that I don't see the cost/benefit ratio being a good one. Past 1,000, then sure, move up if you can. If you just want one, though, and cost of shooting doesn't matter, then .338 would be fun to own and shoot.

I want one but can't justify it to myself - the longest range anywhere near me maxes at 1,000 yards and my .308 is capable of that for target shooting.
 
From everything I have looked at, for the price, I like the AR-30. The .338 sounds nice but I am leaning to the .300 because it would be cheaper to load for it.

Do any of you think there is a better platform than the AR-30 in the same price range?

jaymce- thanks for the first hand account. It is helpful.
 
The Savage 110BA is in that price range (street, not MSRP), I think, and is offered in .300wm. Just a thought, I haven't handled one.
 
The Savage 110BA is in that price range, I think, and is offered in .300wm. Just a thought, I haven't handled one.
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Thanks. I like the looks of it. Although I am not sure why it needs all that rail space.
I will have to read some reviews on it.
 
I believe in their ads when it came out they were targeting it at police snipers, which is why it has the rails.

Here's another option, have a smith take a stock Remington 700, Howa 1500, Savage, etc. and work it over. Here's one smith who is well regarded over on Sniper Central, I have no personal experience with him other than initial discussions on a build I have in mind at some point.

http://www.excorioprecisionarms.com/

Sample build:
Remington 700 receiver blueprinted,* X-Mark Pro trigger job set to 2.5 pounds, a Shilen barrel bedded in a Manners T2 stock, painted in the color of your choice with Duracoat.

That's in your price range.
 
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