Straight pull AR10/AR15's for stalking

[User00040]

Becoming more popular now, even in 'free' countries like the USA where politicians are trying to remove them.

Ingenious devices like the 'KaliKey' seem to be acceptable work-arounds, although a side-charging modification would be better for maintaining cheek weld



I know companies such as Southern Gun Company and LMT are offering AR15/AR10 platform rifles which are built to be straight pull/side charging only.

Curious to see who is using them for deer management/vermin control.

 

[jthyttin]

I can think of two benefits over a chassis type rifle of your choosing:
- takedown feature for transport and/or storage
- more ergonomic safety lever

Everything else is stacking against the AR style straightpulls. Worse trigger, limited COAL, worse ergonomics in places built for bolt actions (ambush boxes etc), more fiddly to build for real precision...

Yes I own AR-15 and AR-10 semiautos and use them for vermin and occasionally hunting. In some cases semiauto is real benefit, but I really cannot see myself purchasing a straightpull even if semiautos were not available.

 

[User00040]

Everything else is stacking against the AR style straightpulls. Worse trigger,

Triggertech or Geissele have solved this

limited COAL,

Hence 6 ARC, also longer COAL mags.

worse ergonomics in places built for bolt actions (ambush boxes etc),

Huge benefit of the AR platform is their stocks are much easier to adjust for length of pull, SOPMOD type stocks have solved the 'cheek weld' issue.

Many chassis 'hunting' rifles have a simillar footprint to the AR's now, look at the Bergara magnesium

more fiddly to build for real precision...

Don't know how you would define that, who is shooting most of their deer/vermin past 500 meters?

 

[viking90]

I have both my comblock straight pulls on open ticket, I wouldn't be seen dead with an AR but a good mate brings his out on the hill in 6.5 grendel

 

[jthyttin]

Caberslash, you really need to get AR style straightpull and first hand experience.

 

[Lloyd90]

Didn’t they just ban one of the “work arounds”?

Was it MARS rifles or something?

Kali key may be ok in the USA but I can’t see you being able to own a seperate bolt carrier group here in the U.K. so would be pointless anyways.

 

[palmer_mike]

If you want a straight pull for stalking @caberslash then get one and let us know how it compares?

Firearms have evolved to be tools that excel for a particular purpose. Sure, an AR style rifle can be used for stalking but it’s not what it was designed for and there are better suited rifles for the job.

 

[User00040]

If you want a straight pull for stalking @caberslash then get one and let us know how it compares?

Firearms have evolved to be tools that excel for a particular purpose. Sure, an AR style rifle can be used for stalking but it’s not what it was designed for and there are better suited rifles for the job.

Have a .223 slot so probably will.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Triggertech or Geissele have solved this



Hence 6 ARC, also longer COAL mags.


Huge benefit of the AR platform is their stocks are much easier to adjust for length of pull, SOPMOD type stocks have solved the 'cheek weld' issue.

Many chassis 'hunting' rifles have a simillar footprint to the AR's now, look at the Bergara magnesium



Don't know how you would define that, who is shooting most of their deer/vermin past 500 meters?

Having had first hand experience of a SGC lever release owned by my brother before it was banned and had to be handed in I can say that I would certainly never have considered using it for stalking or shooting any living quarry, the accuracy was absolutely sh1t - "cow's arse - this is banjo - send position - over". From new it would not group below 6" at 100 yards with any ammunition including top end 'match grade' stuff. It was returned to SGC and a longer stainless 'match grade' barrel fitted, this improved the accuracy but only in relative terms - it could not hold a 4" group at 300 yards (S&B 4-16x PM2 fitted before anyone asks or suggests low mag CQB scopes are no good for longer ranges). As for the trigger, yes they can be upgraded but even then not brilliant, I fitted a Giessele two-stage. The front and rear cross pins are another area where accuracy can be lost if they allow upper and lower receiver to move, even making and fitting custom pins did little to improve accuracy. All I can say is that my brother was very pleased to hand it in and get back what he paid for it!

 

[C h r i s]

I like the ergonomics of the AR platform, only reason I don't use one "in the field" is because the noise from sending the bolt forward is enough to scare everything off for miles around, especially on a cold still night, trying to drop the BCG slowly often then doesn't feed well. Plus I've seen regular damage to poly tipped bullets, guess its the feed ramps or barrel extension locking lugs.

 

[User00040]

Didn’t they just ban one of the “work arounds”?

Was it MARS rifles or something?

Kali key may be ok in the USA but I can’t see you being able to own a seperate bolt carrier group here in the U.K. so would be pointless anyways.

I'm pretty sure it would still be legal to fit an extended bolt release. Challenge would be getting the bolt to come back and lock open after each round without a gas system fitted...

 

[User00040]

I like the ergonomics of the AR platform, only reason I don't use one "in the field" is because the noise from sending the bolt forward is enough to scare everything off for miles around, especially on a cold still night, trying to drop the BCG slowly often then doesn't feed well. Plus I've seen regular damage to poly tipped bullets, guess its the feed ramps or barrel extension locking lugs.

You don't walk around with a round in the chamber?

 

[scotch_egg]

I had a Bradley Arms AR15 straight pull. I loved the ergonomics. The Magpul UBR stock was rock solid and can be adjusted for length of pull easily. So shooting out the truck window was a breeze. Mine was pretty accurate to be honest.

I was shooting CSR at the time. But I really couldn’t commit to the comps due to having a young family at the time. As a result it was only being used for one purpose and to be honest the drawbacks became evident.

I can’t remember how much it weighed but it was a far bit heavier than a Tikka T3. It was really noisy to cycle the bolt. The movement between the upper and lower was annoying, I put a rubber wedge to take this out but there was still a little movement. The lock time of the hammer striking the firing pin does feel longer than a bolt rifle.


As a result I bought a Fix which has the same ergonomics as an AR15. Although it’s the larger AR10 for .308 size cartridges. It’s lighter and quieter to cycle. They also do the mini fox for .223 size cartridges now.

You could easily get something like an MDT LSS chassis which has similar ergonomics to the AR15 and use a traditional bolt action in. You would have the advantage of ergonomics and not the drawbacks.

 

[viking90]

You're in Scotland aren't you? @caberslash. This could be a problem this time of year

 

[C h r i s]

You don't walk around with a round in the chamber?

Yes , but usually get round to reloading at least once

 

[User00040]

You're in Scotland aren't you? @caberslash. This could be a problem this time of year
View attachment 340896

Roller delayed...

 

[User00040]

You could easily get something like an MDT LSS chassis which has similar ergonomics to the AR15 and use a traditional bolt action in. You would have the advantage of ergonomics and not the drawbacks.

Hard to believe there is a Rem700 under all that!

 

[Lloyd90]

I think when it comes down to it, it’s a bit like wanting a smoking hot woman but getting a lady boy … it looks quite similar … but when you get up close and personal it just ain’t right

Take a trip to the USA and shoot the real thing, scratch the itch and you soon lose the novelty.

I shot a Thompson, MP5 and SAW on a recent trip, great fun

Wouldn’t want anything but a bolt action for my U.K. hunting though.

 

[C h r i s]

I think when it comes down to it, it’s a bit like wanting a smoking hot woman but getting a lady boy … it looks quite similar … but when you get up close and personal it just ain’t right

Take a trip to the USA and shoot the real thing, scratch the itch and you soon lose the novelty.

I shot a Thompson, MP5 and SAW on a recent trip, great fun

Wouldn’t want anything but a bolt action for my U.K. hunting though.

I'd happily shoot foxes all night with a SAW.

 

[Lloyd90]

I'd happily shoot foxes all night with a SAW.

I reckon they’d flank and over run you eventually but you’d be able to hold off the first few waves of attack!

Surprisingly nice to shoot, not bad recoil even.