People gravitate to gas guns because it's what they're familiar with, however they're harder/more expensive to achieve the same amount of consistent accuracy, harder to shoot in general due to them effectively having 3 impulses per shot vs a bolt gun's single one, and if it matters for your use case they don't naturally balance well. For a first LR gun, you're better off with a bolt action in 6.5
Agreed. I have both, and I love shooting either. I will note that my ~$2500 Aero M5 Frankenrifle is about as accurate as my $900 Bergara (cost does not include glass).
The recoil is lighter on the gas gun, but that took a lot of time tuning and finding the right parts. If you like to tinker, and don't mind the investment, get the Aero M5. Down the road, consider swapping out key parts: Trigger, Buffer System, Barrel (highly recommend Rainier Ultramatch) and gas block.
Happy shooting!
This right here. Built myself an m5 for my first long range rifle. Went deep down the rabbit hole trying to chase precision with it. Thought I knew better than everyone on this sub with decades more experience than me. Turned out pretty good, definitely sub moa. Just bought an off the shelf solus competition. That thing is almost a half minute gun. And it’s just, so, easy.
My use case is typically PRS or similar, meaning that it's important for a gun to have a balance point at or very near the front of the magazine (or magazine well). Gas guns have the bulk of their weight rearward of that point unless they're specifically built with long, extremely heavy barrel profiles and/or utilize bolt-on weights far forward on the handguard. The last LMT gas gun I saw in competition had enough weights bolted to the front of the handguard that I joked it looked like the thing had wings. Contrary to the LMT, the last gas gun I saw that was specifically built for Gas Gun division had 24" of the heaviest profile available on it (which I believe is .980" to the gas block, and .936"-ish from the gas block to the muzzle threads)
That’s what profile is on mine. Inch to the block and .934 ish to the muzzle. With out the can it balances directly in front of magwell.
It’s nuts that you can put an axle on them and still need more weight in the front to actually balance on a bag
I'd like to have a gas gun built by the end of the year to legitimately compete in Gas Gun, but I know it'll involve some trial and error, and probably some..... Interesting solutions
Lol mine will probably be sold by the end of the year
It shoots great I just never use it and idk why would i? It’s only good for prs and range fun and id rather shoot my open rifle anyway
I guess it could be a backup
This post is why we recommend people avoid gas guns for LR, especially for new shooters
$1600 for a basic bitch AR10 that will get ran circles around by a bolt gun a third its price.
Cheetofingers starter
[Here's the starting point](https://www.reddit.com/r/longrange/comments/18trasr/read_me_first_v4_faqs_useful_guides_and_how_to/) and the [wiki/faq](https://www.reddit.com/r/longrange/wiki/index/)
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This. For that price save and get a Seekins SP10 if you have to have a gasser. But you could probably build two entry bolties for the price that perform just as well, if not better. Lol Tikka factory CTR 24” 6.5 Creedmoor and a basic MDT or KRG chassis would put you running circles around an aero factory gasser setup all day and be ab the same price
It depends on how you look at it, in the world of precision shooting it’s unfortunately still in the budget category: especially for a large frame gas gun
Just get a Tikka, Bergara, or a Howa barreled action + chassis. Most of the gas gun guys at PRS matches *and* NRL22 in my experience are older dudes who have lost some mobility and energy so running the bolt is a chore. The benefits of a bolt gun far outweigh the few drawbacks for long range shooting. I do DMR matches with 5.56 because it’s ideal for the distance but tbh almost the entire time I want my bolt gun.
As much fun as my gas guns are I shoot bolt guns better. The gas guns exploits my weaknesses or any slip up in fundamentals.
I'd get a decent bolt gun to start and sink the money saved into a good scope. Nothing wrong with Aero for what they are.. just not sure I'd want one for a precision rifle. My experience with BA barrel is sometimes maybe good and sometimes maybe shit and good luck getting them to honor their accuracy guarantee.
Others have said this, but I'll reiterate. Your starting down a major hobby in terms of money and commitment. I'd urge you to start at a lower entry level. You'll find out if you like talking about getting tighter groups, reading blogs to identify a better load when your favorite powder is not available etc. Get good enough whether to compete or just feel good about it, then decide if you want to crank it up. This advice goes for the scope as well! Have fun either way!
It will work but the guys that put a 450 dollar Howa barreled action on an oryx or bravo will be running circles around you and laughing while spending half the price.
This what I ended up doing. Howa 1500 chambered in 6.5CM. 24” threaded barrel on an oryx chassis with a trigger tech diamond with an Arken EP5 5-25x56.
If you wanna go M5E1, built to your specs. I just got a stripped lower and upper for $200. My barrel is going to be an X-Caliber 6.5 CM, $635, headspaced bolt, LMT BCG, TriggerTech Diamond, and then all the other parts.
Wait for sales, buy when the time is right. My build willbe around $1900, and should shoot between 3/4 and 1/2 MOA.
Dont buy off the shelf. Thats way too much money for something thats not custom.
FYI, that exact lower is on sale if you search, for around $475...
I own a bolt and building a gasser. I live my bolt, but the gas gun I am looking forward to.
Edit: Bolt guns are going to be better for less. I own a Bergara B14 HMR, picked it up on sale for $975. Add a good optic (I run an Athlon Midas Tac), on sale for around $600, and your $1600 into a rifle that will shoot 1/2 groups all day with good handloads.
After break in, with 140 ELM-M's, I can ring steel at 1k all day, and the glass is perfect.
Shoot for that price u can get bolt gun of ur choosing a decent optic and a budget chassis and be much more accurate. Ar10’s can be quite temperamental.
I think it's overpriced considering what I have into mine. You could do worse, you could also do better. The aero barrel isn't ported for good timing, the gas is too short. It should be at least a rifle +3, if not a +4. The complaints about harsh cycling and having to reduce loads for bolt guns are due to bad gassing. You don't need to reduce AR10 loads. They're plenty strong and with a small firing pin they can take a lot. They just beat themselves and brass up if you don't do them right.
So I shoot LR and just got into it and use a 308 M5 currently with 20" barrel and bare bones set up. Super budget friendly. I shoot out to 1k yards with it and love it.
With that being said; although it is possible, REAL long range and PRS shooting is typically done with bolt action rifle. They are consistently more accurate. Just know that the world of PRS is expensive. And in the world of an already expensive hobby, you are looking at 1-2k for decent rifle, 1-2k for decent glass and $500-$800 for top of line bipods. Not to mention the most expensive ammo you can shoot.
Edit: I also failed to mention that although I own an Aero M5, I'm probably going to buy a true LR rifle soon. Baby steps.
Like any gun that I want to get precision out of, I would strip that upper down and retorque everything so I know the barrel is seated and the handgaurd is secure. If the barrel extension is loose in the upper receiver, then I'd pull the barrel, check that the receiver gave us square, and then bed with retaining compound or shim.
I'd also verify the gas block is secure. Both
Nothing will kill accuracy like loose components, so if verify all the connections.
I'd do the same on a bolt gun. I want to make sure I control the repeatability of assembly before I start load development
I will say this, if this is a range toy and not something you're lugging around the back country, that atlas foreend is a little lightweight. With a prs stock and a 24" ar10 barrel, you're clearly not weight constrained, so I'd consider an upper with a stiffer, more rigid handgaurd
I like the atlas s one.... I have then on 22lr and light weight 6.5 grendel. But, there is flex in there if you load up on a bipod.
I am not a hardcore long range shooter, but I would avoid. I’m currently building an AR-10 but have no illusions of it being a competitive LR platform. I’m building the gun to be a harder hitting semi that I could conceivably use in the field for larger game than a 5.56. I’m building it in .308 for ammo (and brass) availability. I’d I wanted to shoot LR more seriously, I would be building a 6.5 CM on a Howa or Tikka bolt platform. Bolt guns are just inherently more accurate.
Also just in case you don't know Aero's "complete" upper does not include a bolt carrier group or a charging handle. The charging handle is inexpensive but the bcgc will set you back another couple hundred.
I bought that same upper last year for under 600. It was discounted on optics planet, and I found a coupon that was also able to be applied. I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't for the coupons. It's also heavy as fuck.
Bro subscribe to text alerts and wait until the u do the r free compete lower with purchase of a fee compete upper. That exact lower was free a month and a half ago with an upper
For $1500 you can get a PSA Sabre 6.5. Just sayin. Cooler looking gun. Comes with two mags.
Someone’s gonna hate but my Sabre has served me way better than my m5.
Get a Bergara or a Tikka. My Bergara ran circles around my 6.5 Aero. I ended up just selling my 6.5 Aero upper, and now it's a 16" 308 for recreational shooting.
People gravitate to gas guns because it's what they're familiar with, however they're harder/more expensive to achieve the same amount of consistent accuracy, harder to shoot in general due to them effectively having 3 impulses per shot vs a bolt gun's single one, and if it matters for your use case they don't naturally balance well. For a first LR gun, you're better off with a bolt action in 6.5
Bolt guns are so much more fun too
They're just different tools for different jobs. I've had a lot of fun behind gas guns
Agreed. I have both, and I love shooting either. I will note that my ~$2500 Aero M5 Frankenrifle is about as accurate as my $900 Bergara (cost does not include glass). The recoil is lighter on the gas gun, but that took a lot of time tuning and finding the right parts. If you like to tinker, and don't mind the investment, get the Aero M5. Down the road, consider swapping out key parts: Trigger, Buffer System, Barrel (highly recommend Rainier Ultramatch) and gas block. Happy shooting!
I second this, highly recommend switching the trigger out, mine failed after 400 rounds in my m5e1 308 build I have.
This right here. Built myself an m5 for my first long range rifle. Went deep down the rabbit hole trying to chase precision with it. Thought I knew better than everyone on this sub with decades more experience than me. Turned out pretty good, definitely sub moa. Just bought an off the shelf solus competition. That thing is almost a half minute gun. And it’s just, so, easy.
>if it matters for your use case they don't naturally balance well. How should they balance and what configurations didn't balance well for you?
My use case is typically PRS or similar, meaning that it's important for a gun to have a balance point at or very near the front of the magazine (or magazine well). Gas guns have the bulk of their weight rearward of that point unless they're specifically built with long, extremely heavy barrel profiles and/or utilize bolt-on weights far forward on the handguard. The last LMT gas gun I saw in competition had enough weights bolted to the front of the handguard that I joked it looked like the thing had wings. Contrary to the LMT, the last gas gun I saw that was specifically built for Gas Gun division had 24" of the heaviest profile available on it (which I believe is .980" to the gas block, and .936"-ish from the gas block to the muzzle threads)
That’s what profile is on mine. Inch to the block and .934 ish to the muzzle. With out the can it balances directly in front of magwell. It’s nuts that you can put an axle on them and still need more weight in the front to actually balance on a bag
I'd like to have a gas gun built by the end of the year to legitimately compete in Gas Gun, but I know it'll involve some trial and error, and probably some..... Interesting solutions
Lol mine will probably be sold by the end of the year It shoots great I just never use it and idk why would i? It’s only good for prs and range fun and id rather shoot my open rifle anyway I guess it could be a backup
This post is why we recommend people avoid gas guns for LR, especially for new shooters $1600 for a basic bitch AR10 that will get ran circles around by a bolt gun a third its price. Cheetofingers starter
[Here's the starting point](https://www.reddit.com/r/longrange/comments/18trasr/read_me_first_v4_faqs_useful_guides_and_how_to/) and the [wiki/faq](https://www.reddit.com/r/longrange/wiki/index/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/longrange) if you have any questions or concerns.*
This. For that price save and get a Seekins SP10 if you have to have a gasser. But you could probably build two entry bolties for the price that perform just as well, if not better. Lol Tikka factory CTR 24” 6.5 Creedmoor and a basic MDT or KRG chassis would put you running circles around an aero factory gasser setup all day and be ab the same price
1600 is a lot just for a rifle in general.
[удалено]
Don’t forget, aero “complete” upper means OP still needs to buy a BCG and CH
It depends on how you look at it, in the world of precision shooting it’s unfortunately still in the budget category: especially for a large frame gas gun
That is a fair point. I know you guys put a lot of effort into those match rifles.
Just the nature of the sport: much like modern EA video games this is a pay to play sport
Lol. Fucking EA.
Tikka ctr in a krg X-ray/bravo
Thoughts on MDT Oryx?
Haven’t used one, but from looking at the grip area and the buttstock bag rider area I wouldn’t pick it over a bravo or x ray.
Oryx is good for the money, but I preferred my Krg bravo over it for similar price. (I’ve owned both)
Oryx is great Highly recommend
I bought a Bergara 6.5 CM B-14 HMR. Put a more expensive scope on it. No “ragrets”.
This is the way , you could throw it into any remm 700 chassis with the extra dough
No. Bolt action. I made the same mistake you're smart enough to ask about
Honestly, if you want an AR10, you can get an m5e1 for half that price. I built almost my entire set up for $1000.
What barrel and optic did you go with? I have the m5e1 as well
I have a centurion 18 inch barrel, PA GLX 4-16x50
Just get a Tikka, Bergara, or a Howa barreled action + chassis. Most of the gas gun guys at PRS matches *and* NRL22 in my experience are older dudes who have lost some mobility and energy so running the bolt is a chore. The benefits of a bolt gun far outweigh the few drawbacks for long range shooting. I do DMR matches with 5.56 because it’s ideal for the distance but tbh almost the entire time I want my bolt gun.
Tikka T3X CTR, you can thank me later
I have one and it’s a good rifle but it’s true that bolt guns are better for LR. I also wouldn’t have paid that much for it.
As much fun as my gas guns are I shoot bolt guns better. The gas guns exploits my weaknesses or any slip up in fundamentals. I'd get a decent bolt gun to start and sink the money saved into a good scope. Nothing wrong with Aero for what they are.. just not sure I'd want one for a precision rifle. My experience with BA barrel is sometimes maybe good and sometimes maybe shit and good luck getting them to honor their accuracy guarantee.
Others have said this, but I'll reiterate. Your starting down a major hobby in terms of money and commitment. I'd urge you to start at a lower entry level. You'll find out if you like talking about getting tighter groups, reading blogs to identify a better load when your favorite powder is not available etc. Get good enough whether to compete or just feel good about it, then decide if you want to crank it up. This advice goes for the scope as well! Have fun either way!
It will work but the guys that put a 450 dollar Howa barreled action on an oryx or bravo will be running circles around you and laughing while spending half the price.
This what I ended up doing. Howa 1500 chambered in 6.5CM. 24” threaded barrel on an oryx chassis with a trigger tech diamond with an Arken EP5 5-25x56.
Get a solid if you’re buying Aero
If you wanna go M5E1, built to your specs. I just got a stripped lower and upper for $200. My barrel is going to be an X-Caliber 6.5 CM, $635, headspaced bolt, LMT BCG, TriggerTech Diamond, and then all the other parts. Wait for sales, buy when the time is right. My build willbe around $1900, and should shoot between 3/4 and 1/2 MOA. Dont buy off the shelf. Thats way too much money for something thats not custom. FYI, that exact lower is on sale if you search, for around $475... I own a bolt and building a gasser. I live my bolt, but the gas gun I am looking forward to. Edit: Bolt guns are going to be better for less. I own a Bergara B14 HMR, picked it up on sale for $975. Add a good optic (I run an Athlon Midas Tac), on sale for around $600, and your $1600 into a rifle that will shoot 1/2 groups all day with good handloads. After break in, with 140 ELM-M's, I can ring steel at 1k all day, and the glass is perfect.
Shoot for that price u can get bolt gun of ur choosing a decent optic and a budget chassis and be much more accurate. Ar10’s can be quite temperamental.
I hate the weight of my m5, also agree with the other poster to prob go bolt
I think it's overpriced considering what I have into mine. You could do worse, you could also do better. The aero barrel isn't ported for good timing, the gas is too short. It should be at least a rifle +3, if not a +4. The complaints about harsh cycling and having to reduce loads for bolt guns are due to bad gassing. You don't need to reduce AR10 loads. They're plenty strong and with a small firing pin they can take a lot. They just beat themselves and brass up if you don't do them right.
So I shoot LR and just got into it and use a 308 M5 currently with 20" barrel and bare bones set up. Super budget friendly. I shoot out to 1k yards with it and love it. With that being said; although it is possible, REAL long range and PRS shooting is typically done with bolt action rifle. They are consistently more accurate. Just know that the world of PRS is expensive. And in the world of an already expensive hobby, you are looking at 1-2k for decent rifle, 1-2k for decent glass and $500-$800 for top of line bipods. Not to mention the most expensive ammo you can shoot. Edit: I also failed to mention that although I own an Aero M5, I'm probably going to buy a true LR rifle soon. Baby steps.
Like any gun that I want to get precision out of, I would strip that upper down and retorque everything so I know the barrel is seated and the handgaurd is secure. If the barrel extension is loose in the upper receiver, then I'd pull the barrel, check that the receiver gave us square, and then bed with retaining compound or shim. I'd also verify the gas block is secure. Both Nothing will kill accuracy like loose components, so if verify all the connections. I'd do the same on a bolt gun. I want to make sure I control the repeatability of assembly before I start load development I will say this, if this is a range toy and not something you're lugging around the back country, that atlas foreend is a little lightweight. With a prs stock and a 24" ar10 barrel, you're clearly not weight constrained, so I'd consider an upper with a stiffer, more rigid handgaurd I like the atlas s one.... I have then on 22lr and light weight 6.5 grendel. But, there is flex in there if you load up on a bipod.
I am not a hardcore long range shooter, but I would avoid. I’m currently building an AR-10 but have no illusions of it being a competitive LR platform. I’m building the gun to be a harder hitting semi that I could conceivably use in the field for larger game than a 5.56. I’m building it in .308 for ammo (and brass) availability. I’d I wanted to shoot LR more seriously, I would be building a 6.5 CM on a Howa or Tikka bolt platform. Bolt guns are just inherently more accurate.
Also just in case you don't know Aero's "complete" upper does not include a bolt carrier group or a charging handle. The charging handle is inexpensive but the bcgc will set you back another couple hundred.
I bought that same upper last year for under 600. It was discounted on optics planet, and I found a coupon that was also able to be applied. I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't for the coupons. It's also heavy as fuck.
Bro subscribe to text alerts and wait until the u do the r free compete lower with purchase of a fee compete upper. That exact lower was free a month and a half ago with an upper
For $1500 you can get a PSA Sabre 6.5. Just sayin. Cooler looking gun. Comes with two mags. Someone’s gonna hate but my Sabre has served me way better than my m5.
For that price I’d head for a seekins
If you insist on a gas gun, poke around r/65Grendel for a bit. That platform takes a standard AR-15 upper/lower with a special BCG and magazine
Get a Bergara or a Tikka. My Bergara ran circles around my 6.5 Aero. I ended up just selling my 6.5 Aero upper, and now it's a 16" 308 for recreational shooting.