Originally Posted by
whomever
This is sort of a diversion, but FWIW: when I got interested in longer range shooting, I knew that my skills - more precisely, the lack thereof - were an issue. I got one of the cheaper Savage heavy barrel 223's - whatever model Cabela's frequently has on sale for 300 odd bucks. And I mounted one of the Weaver T series, because this wasn't intended to be a general purpose rifle; it was training wheels for me. And I started shooting. IIRC a number of commercial loads were right at one MOA. I worked up a handload that frequently halves that, and is rarely over 0.75 MOA (5 shot groups here, off bipod+rear bag). I mostly work on my technique now; if I'm getting less than .75 I figure it's me.
My thinking is something like this: I'd have to be a veritable prodigy to become a great rifle shooter by shooting under 5000 rounds (making Expert in bullseye took me many times that!). I figured the cheap Savage would probably have a barrel that was better than beginner me, and I'd get better as the barrel wore out. If those curves cross at 5000 rounds, then my education to that point cost $2500 in ammo and say $500 for a top of the line rebarrel (which is cheap on a Savage, 'cuz you can DIY).
A bolt action just has a lot less going on than a semi.
I should emphasize - everyone has different objectives. I'm more interested in being able to hit steel at several hundred yards. A 1 MOA rifle works for that; if it will shoot 6 inches at 600 yards, reading the wind is a bigger problem than the rifle's inherent error. That may or may not apply to your objectives.
Anyway, food for thought, FWIW.