Semiautomatic V. Bolt Action

13438 Views 34 Replies 8 Participants Last post by muzzleblast, Dec 24, 2004

AK

Discussion Starter · Dec 22, 2004

I ran a quick search to make sure this wasn't redundant.

I noticed that the SR-25 seems to be gaining in popularity, but I wondered how accurate it would be in comparison to a "proper" sniper rifle, such as a M-40A3, which is current USMC issue, or the M-24 SWS, current US Army issue.

In my opinion, any semiautomatic rifle designed with a scope mount in mind is really a designated marksman's rifle, since my experiance with semiautomatics is limited to military-grade assault weapons restricted to semiauto, and a half-assed .22LR.

If by "Smoothing" the action on a semiautomatic, the accuracy that is required for a sniper rifle can be achieved to meet or exceed that of a traditional bolt-action rifle, then the Semiautomatic would fall out of the Designated Marksman's Rifle category (Such as the M-16A2/E3, and the SVD Dragunov) and into the realm of the sniper rifle. (Such as the HK PSG-1, Walther WA-2000.)

However, any accurate semiautomatic rifle I have heard of tends to be either too heavy or too delicate for military useage in a sniper role, such as the PSG-1 and the WA-2000. The M-21 and SVD-K rifles are surpassed by their bolt-action equivalents.

Therefore I suppose the question I am trying to ask at 0622 after no sleep for two days is:

- For operations in the realm of Military Sniping, would you prefer to be carrying a Bolt-Action or Semiautomatic rifle, based on your experiances and any knowledge gained?

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Jeff_850

· #6 · Dec 22, 2004

mels right about reliability though there are many semi-autos that are legendary for reliability eg M14/21/25 out there, none are as reliable as a quality bolt gun
and acccuracy- semi-autos are more than capable of good bolt gun accuracy- getting 1/2 moa out of an AR-15 or 10 seems to be pritty common now
they should all be as accurate as the military ammo that they will be using (1 MOA with M118 and a bit better with M118 LR)

stocks- the M25/M1As have McMillian fiberglass stocks available but the AR-15s all just have the basic A2 buttstock
Knights Armament's SR-25 uses the same A2 buttstock that the M-16 uses... i think they make it a little more comforable but not that much better- no selection of buttstocks at all

for urban warfare id take a semi-auto, for outdoors in open environments, id go for a bolt gun for reliabiltiy and also they wont launch brass 10y

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Jeff_850

· #8 · Dec 22, 2004

the spotter generally carries an M-16

DMRs are fine but there not sniper rifles, designated marksmen are by no means snipers
they dont have the same marksmanship training or the same concealment training etc

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Jeff_850

· #11 · Dec 23, 2004

yep 20 rounds and a quicker way to reload is much better
besides you can shoot faster with a semi-auto if you have to- as fast as you can pull the trigger

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Jeff_850

· #15 · Dec 23, 2004

id want to give the sniper the m24 sws and both carry m4 w/ the 203
also sidearm- rather have 1911 over m9 but whatever i could get better than nothin

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Jeff_850

· #18 · Dec 23, 2004

yimmy, i have to disagree
if your the grenadier of today you will have an M-16 with an M203 on it, it will weigh a little more fine but if **** hits the fan and you need a firearm id rather have an M-16 than an M79 and an M9 or M1911 pistol

in addition the grenades anrt always useful there are some jobs a rifle does better at keeping somoene alive... id rahter not have the grenadier be a sitting duck in cqb or any other times you cant use a grenade
40mm buckshot? didnt know they had it but the weapon is only single shot so what happens when theres a 2nd BG???

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Jeff_850

· #20 · Dec 23, 2004

i like that weapon....
all i can say is SWEET!!!!
*drools*

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