mysticplayer:
That post was hilarious, and I hope you're the only one upon whom I left that impression. Anyway, I'm not gonna dissect your post; it's appropriate to send to a poser, but kinda rude for someone who isn't. I definetely am not looking for a porcupine of a rifle with rails sticking out left and right and flash suppressor and night vision scope and God knows what else... What do you think I am? Some 14 year-old airsoft player? Hell, I'm not even in a hurry to get a muzzle brake. The only reason I liked the Blaser was for the out of box accuracy, plus I remember liking the option of switching calibers easily (> 2 mins).
Rudeness aside, why the emphasis on the semi-auto ar-15 variants?
Glad you saw the info through the SARCASM. Glad you plan on shooting the rifle ie not a poser.
The emphasis on the semi is something that I have debated for almost 10yrs now.
I have never understood why a precision rifle given to some of the most talented soldiers has to weigh a ton and be built to sustain continuous use as a hammer.
You would think the best of the best would have some coordination and be able to find a rock??????
Over that decade I have seen the tactical rifle get heavier and heavier all in the name of strength. The present Army 308 weighs as much as a SAW. How does that make sense? I bet hoofing 17lbs of musket through crowded hallways and alleys is putting some big smiles on the working stiff.
From alloys and 'plastics' to the never ceasing need for steel. All this while maintaining a ballistically inferior but readily available rd.
I have also enjoyed the evolution and simplicity of the Russian small arms. The Dragunov caught my eye as a youth and the practicality and purpose has never left me. 9lbs with OPTICS. Det 10rd mags. MOA capable (yes, martha, they will shoot that well WITH the ammo designed for them which includes high BC heavy for cal bullets). Thumbhole stocked. Balanced for position as well as bipod use. Muzzle brake/flash hider. Robust and reliable in working conditions. All sounds pretty familiar today but the Russians put this together in the 1950's
Until recently, the bolt action has ruled supreme in Western sniper doctrine. Sure, one shot, one kill has a very ###y appeal.
However, as was very graphically shown in Afghanistan by some ultra talented Canadians. Those invisibles might very well be your best friend in SUPPRESSIVE FIRE from a long ways away.
Seems that these incidents have not gone unnoticed and the US forces are converting to semis for their snipers. Hell, some of them even accept having a detachable magasine on their bolt rifles now. Amazing. How anyone would make a soldier thumb 4 rds into their mag inorder to continue fighting is beyond me?
Even the Russians gave their soldiers ammo in stripper clips. NO rifles, but at least they didn't have to fumble the ammo.
Multiple targets that need to be removed at all engagment ranges and a big hurry is the scenerio our soldiers face/have faced/will face.
Over the last 5 yrs, the AR platform has really come into its own as an accuracy platform. The bugs seem to have been ironed out and the precision of these rifles equals a working bolt rifle.
Yep, they are still made of alloy and plastic but 1/2 MOA is 1/2 MOA made even more desireable when you can plink away as fast as the next M4 owner. They also can weigh a lot less.
I believe the present Knights Armament 308 platform is around 12lbs fully loaded with scope. Hey, an extra 5lbs for ammo, food and gear...coool Look ma, no steel (except the barrel and a few parts).
I feel that the future in a working rifle will be enhancements to the AR family or whatever this evolves into. The US 'Dragunov' will finally arrive albeit 50yrs behind the times.
Many Euro countries have seen the benefits of accurate high rates of fire and have been putting together some superb platforms for decades. From the HK to Sig, very nice working rifles.
The Isrealis, Finns, Chinese, Singaporeans, and just about anyone else who is allowed to make a small arm has been mucking about with accurate semi autos AND OPTICS.
We are definitely behind the curve but catching up fast.
SOoooooooo.... if you do want to have both a very functional/accurate factory rifle AND be on the next desired platform, the accurized semi platform might just do it for you. Plus two pins and you have a new cal from the 308 family to the RSAUM magnums.
As for barrel changes, the Savage will let you do the same thing albeit in 10mins. The new center feed det mag is superb and almost as good as the AI's. All for 1/4 the cost.
If they ever come, the HS or McM A5 stocked LE Savage HB will be a superb platform every bit as good as any of the rifles you are looking at. NO you can't convert a Stevens into this mag style (maybe the new center feed variants might?????).
Yep, pretty pedestrian and low brow but 1/2 MOA is 1/2MOA and the $3000 saved can buy you some superb optics, binos, rangefinders, kestrels, reloading gear/components, etc. The accutrigger at 1.5lbs is as good as any trigger on a rifle today.
Enjoy the journey. See you at the range.
Jerry