Bolt Action RIF advice.

[Punisher3990]

I am thinking about exploring Bolt action sniping.

I currently use a DMR and a ghillie and enjoy the Gameplay. I am a stealthy/sneaky player by default so a sniper style loadout appeals to me.

DMR is fun, I have a Specna Arms LVOA upgraded to be a semi only DMR. But I always think I could be doing much more with a Bolt Action. (I am also restricted by "realism" gamesites as an M4 platform isnt technically a DMR so theres that too. One site i go to often has this rule, kinda annoying but nothing I can do other than get a proper dmr platform)

Typically I dont spam shots with my DMR so the firerate change isnt an issue. My main site at the moment locks DMR to 1.68J and Bolt Actions are 2.3J so there is a sizable amount of extra power available for a Sniper.

Now onto the main question.

I already own a TM VSR10 G-Spec, I bought this a very long time ago. I understand I would have to upgrade the majority of the internals to allow it to take a better spring etc.

Is it worth upgrading this old relic or just buying something like the list below:

1. EMG Barrett M98B MRAD® Spring Bolt Action - Patrolbase (This is more of a airsoft collection addiction choice, I know these things are notoriously heavy and difficult to use)

2. CYMA CM.708-U Sniper Rifle; Upgraded Version - Patrolbase (I like the look of this one and have heard good things?)

3. Silverback Tac-41 LTS - Actionhobbies (Seems everyone likes the Silverback rifles at the moment. However, I must admit, I like have the less common RIFS. One reason I enjoy my LVOA and P90, rarely see anyone else with them lol)

4. Any VSR10 Clone

5. SSG11

6. Stick with DMR, its the best of both worlds. Maybe invest in a proper DMR platform/GBBR

Would welcome any advice.

 

[Impulse]

I'm all about variety, so I say go for it. I pretty much always use bolt actions or DMRs, but I still have various SBRs, SMGs, shotguns, even a support gun in my collection.

In terms of which to go for, I'd just upgrade the G-Spec if you already have it, but I'm likely biased as I've built 3 VSRs myself and so I'm very familiar with the system. You will have to replace most of the internals, which can be expensive, but once you do it they're fantastic guns. And in the process of upgrading it, you'll learn how everything in that rifle works inside and out, so if something goes wrong on the future, you'll be able to fix it yourself.

Of the other options, I'd either go for the tac-41 or the SSG11.

Novritsch's stuff isn't bad these days. His guns aren't for me (personal preference), but I respect what he's doing and the corner of the market he's in. His guns work fine out of the box, and they're not extortionately priced for what you get.

But with the tac-41, I'd want to go for... not the sport version. They're great budget rifles, but they're not as nice if you want to eventually do a high-end build with them. They will handle things like upgraded springs so if you're looking at pure performance it's probably fine, but the finish on them just isn't as nice and it's made of cheaper materials. I've never owned one myself, I will also say, but they're good rifles. I'm just fully in the gas world, and my one spring rifle that I use is my SRS (I way prefer the SRS to the tac-41 because of aesthetics and that short bullpup design)

 

[Punisher3990]

Thanks for the response Impulse.

I also like the look of the SRS but it seems a bit out of my budget right now. Perhaps I could save for it. I hear its very nice out of the box. Its smaller size appeals to me as it would allow me to run a larger second like an Mp7/9 or a shorty shotgun.

I am assuming to get my G-spec up to par, it would be a few hundred in parts.

 

[Tackle]

I'm no expert in sniping kit, but the vsr always has been a legendary platform, & even when shopping for spare parts, vsr compatible seems to be written everywhere, which is surely testament to their quality & popularity.
You've already got the platform, id be inclined to test it & then drip feed the most recommended upgrades as & when you need them, what i wouldn't recommend is ordering a shopping list of bits in one go, & then trying to get them all working together at once, if there's an issue its much harder to track down the offending part.
Only question I have is:
"Why the feck haven't I ever owned one ?"

 

[Impulse]

Thanks for the response Impulse.

I also like the look of the SRS but it seems a bit out of my budget right now. Perhaps I could save for it. I hear its very nice out of the box. Its smaller size appeals to me as it would allow me to run a larger second like an Mp7/9 or a shorty shotgun.

I am assuming to get my G-spec up to par, it would be a few hundred in parts.

Click to shrink...

A few hundred, yeah. Getting the hop and barrel upgrades isn't too expensive (AA chamber, Tridos TDC, hop rubber and barrel of choice), but the power upgrades cost a bit. The stock trigger will not handle up-rated springs, and it's a 45 degree trigger which is crap anyway, so you need to replace it with a better one (Springer Custom S-trigger, or the flux trigger are my choices there) and trigger boxes are usually fairly pricey. Then because TM are annoying, you either need to replace the cylinder, or carefully drill the stock one because they have these pins that need drilling out to remove the cylinder head. A new cylinder is also not that cheap, neither is a good quality piston like the WASP. At least the final piece of the puzzle, the spring itself, is cheap...

So yeah, it ends up being quite pricey. Probably somewhere between £400 - 500 for everything, including new cylinder, which would almost get you an SRS or tac41, and would get you a Novritsch rifle with spare change.

 

[The_Lord_Poncho]

I must admit, I like have the less common RIFS

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In which case- might be worth looking at the S&T KAR98K - supposed to be pretty good out the box, but very upgradeable to a perfectly serviceable sniper. Partially VSR compatible for the internals (bucking, spring, inner barrel etc), and companies like Begadi make relatively competitively priced upgrades like 90 degree trigger boxes (to handle powerful springs), and better made pistons, spring guides, hop arms etc.

Due to the historic nature of the rifle, scope mounts are bespoke (but available), as are the original style optics. But plenty of 3d printable files for scope mounts out there too.

Patrol base have the fake wood version for £150 (which is an excellent price), and the real wood version for £240. I currently have one waiting to turn up in the post myself.

(there are various versions of the KAR98, so take care. From my research the S&T - latest version with the tiny stick mags - seems to come out top)

 

[Tad]

I've actually given up on Bolt actions, I've had 2x VSR clones and a L96 variant, all have had breakages / problems with the cylinder attachment to the Bolt. Either I'm too strong, or the metal crimping that they used for these things just didn't hold up to the springs being used. To be fair this was a fair few years ago, and it costs just the same to buy a new cylinder.

The Novritsch SSR platform seemed decent, only used it for 2 days, only complaint was that it was heavy.

My recommendation would be, stick to a DMR, AEG or Gas works. I've modded a G&G M14 which has been running for 10 years at this point, and had no issues, and will soon be getting a LEVAR, to start experimenting with HPA too.

 

[Tank423]

I've actually given up on Bolt actions, I've had 2x VSR clones and a L96 variant, all have had breakages / problems with the cylinder attachment to the Bolt. Either I'm too strong, or the metal crimping that they used for these things just didn't hold up to the springs being used. To be fair this was a fair few years ago, and it costs just the same to buy a new cylinder.

The Novritsch SSR platform seemed decent, only used it for 2 days, only complaint was that it was heavy.

My recommendation would be, stick to a DMR, AEG or Gas works. I've modded a G&G M14 which has been running for 10 years at this point, and had no issues, and will soon be getting a LEVAR, to start experimenting with HPA too.

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I think you are doing something wrong if you've broken 2 VSR style rifles in that manner, i've never heard of one break in that way in 20 years of playing. I've got a 20+ year old TM VSR that's ran at 500fps for most of those and still going strong (it's got mosquito molds parts inside it's that old) It's only been the last year i've dropped the fps to suit my new locals limits and changed bolt handle at the same time and only saw minimal signs of wear around the bolt handle and mounting system.


Punisher: For the cost of buying all the upgrades for yours, have you thought about buying a second hand one someone has already dropped the money into? Quite often very nice VSR's will come up for sale at very reasonable prices for what they've had done to them.

 

[Punisher3990]

Punisher: For the cost of buying all the upgrades for yours, have you thought about buying a second hand one someone has already dropped the money into? Quite often very nice VSR's will come up for sale at very reasonable prices for what they've had done to them.

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I am keeping my eye open for a nice VSR10 or SRS in the classifieds. it seems like the cost to get my old relic vsr up to a decent level would cost the same or similar as getting a used one pre upgraded or even a stock novritsch or something. Id love a silverback SRS but they be pricey lol

 

[Ronin0033]

If you can, try an SRS before you buy… I had one that I upgraded to the hilt and used a fair bit, but I just couldn’t get used to the bullpup bolt pull.
I tried extra stock spacers, no spacers, but just couldn’t get used to it, actually gave me tendinitis in my elbow the last time I used it skirmishing!

It is a fantastic platform though, the EdGi stuff for it is perfect too, just make sure it’s comfortable for you!

 

[Punisher3990]

If you can, try an SRS before you buy… I had one that I upgraded to the hilt and used a fair bit, but I just couldn’t get used to the bullpup bolt pull.
I tried extra stock spacers, no spacers, but just couldn’t get used to it, actually gave me tendinitis in my elbow the last time I used it skirmishing!

It is a fantastic platform though, the EdGi stuff for it is perfect too, just make sure it’s comfortable for you!

Click to shrink...

I have been researching the SRS and this seems to be a common theme. I have used an AUG and found the reload odd, i feel that with the SRS reloading while prone would be harder to accomplish without larger movements. I play primarily as a stealthy recon and a countersniper so being less obvious when prone under my ghillie is key

After looking into Silverback a bit more I came across the TAC-41P

This one https://www.skirmshop.co.uk/silverback-tac-41.html

The look of it appeals to me alot more and its more in my budget. Do you know if this one is good at all?

 

[Hudson]

Just had similar discussions to this with a mate.
Someone he knows had an old G-spec, and he asked me about upgrading it to a usable level.

After talking through it all with him, it came out to be not much different in price between upgrading his old gun, and just getting a new Tac 41.

Which then drove me to buying one for myself too!
Left it standard, barring a 2J spring and metal spring guide.

Its very nice, but as stock, the hop unit wouldn't lift 0.45s, I think 0.36s might have been about as heavy as it'd lift.

I bought a standard silverback metal hop unit, chub nub and new inner barrel, and despite the nub supposedly fitting the standard hop unit, it needed a light bit of sanding to get it to fit. (It did however fit the polymer hop unit without any work).

 

[Punisher3990]

Yeah this is the same position I am in. My Gspec is 10+years old the stock is scratched and some of the parts are ceased etc. Plus as you say, upgrading would cost amost as much if not more than a TAC41-P. Im guessing parts are easy enough to get a hold of for it?