[007] Gas Gun vs Bolt Gun

Gas gun versus bolt gun is a topic that is a constant subject of discussion in the tactical sniper world. As a full-time Special Forces sniper instructor, I’ve heard this subject come up in every class and with a wide range of opinions from students and cadre. Over the years, I have developed a love for both and believe both are fully capable with proper training. There is one significant difference between the two and it’s not a difference in precision, accuracy, or even shootability.

During our sniper course, for the first week on the range students dedicate their range time purely to fundamentals at 100 meters with the Army’s primary sniper rifle, the M110. This week, it was typical to see students struggle to maintain good, consistent groups, with some working to hold a sub-2 MOA size group. As the course progressed and we eventually transitioned to using the Army’s 300 Winchester Magnum, the M2010, built on a Remington 700 long action, those same students struggling to hold good groups were suddenly capable of consistently shooting sub-MOA. This drastic improvement in group size would lead many students and even instructors to claim the M110 was incapable of the precision we expect from our sniper rifles and the general shortcomings of a gas gun system. This trend does not indicate a lack of accuracy in the gas gun system but a lack of fundaments of the shooter. A gas gun will inherently show flaws in your basic fundaments far more than a bolt gun. I prefer to teach students fundamentals on a gas gun because I can see and diagnose every little thing they do when they pull the trigger. It is very apparent when a student makes a tweak to body position or trigger squeeze, and you can see the group go from 1.5″ down to 0.75″. Fundamentals do not change when you change your weapon system. If I can train and achieve great groups with my gas gun, those same fundamentals will transfer directly to my bolt gun.

Moving over to the civilian side, I frequently shoot precision rifle competitions and sniper challenges. Typically the competitors will overwhelmingly be using bolt guns. I have competed with bolt guns and gas guns, and I can say I much prefer my bolt gun when it comes to competition shooting. The reason for that isn’t a lack of accuracy, precision, or capabilities but simply a lack of time spent on the system. I have a custom, well-built 6mm ARC with a beautiful Zero Theory 🙂 barrel that will shoot 0.5″ groups all day. I am confident I could be competitive with it at any competition with appropriate dry fire and live fire training. I shoot a lot of sniper challenges with the same partner I have had for the past four years now, with me being the primary shooter running a bolt gun and my partner being the secondary shooter running a gas gun. Due to this, I have far more rounds and hours dry firing my bolt gun than my gas gun. I am confident if I put in the time with my gas gun, I could be just as competitive with it as I am with my bolt gun. After all, Tyler Payne, a shooter for the Army Marksmanship Unit, went to the 2-day Accuracy International Long Range Classic held at Altus Shooting Solutions and took third place out of a field of 161 shooters using a gas gun.

Both weapon systems have their pros and cons. When people ask me which system to get, I don’t believe it comes down to one being more accurate or precise than the other. It comes down to your personal preference and the time you are willing to learn your system and work to become proficient with it.

About the author: Zach Stamp is a Special Forces sniper, sniper instructor, and a competitive precision rifle shooter. It’s hard to attend a shooting event in the Southeast where you won’t run into him. This dude is everywhere.