Bushmaster Announces the New BA30 Straight-Pull Bolt Action Rifle

1. Uhhh…

   Somebody please explain the advantages of a straight pull-back bolt system? Honest question…I genuinely don’t see the snaz of this design. I admittedly have no experience with it.

   • To my knowledge it is simply quicker than a normal bolt, due to fewer motions necessary.

   • Basically just a little faster. Any experienced and practiced person can do a normal both just as fast.

   • “Somebody please explain the advantages of a straight pull-back bolt system?”

     As I understand it, it’s the only way that AR-platform rifles can be sold in the UK.

     And if things turn south for us, it’s a way to use your AR rifle if semi-autos are forced to go on the NFA.

     EDIT – See here :

     “Civilian Service Rifle Competition — UK Style
     The British’s Work-Around to Semi-Auto Centerfire Restrictions.”

     https://www.accurateshooter.com/competition/civilian-service-rifle-competition-uk-style/

   • You never have an issue with the bolt handle hitting your optic.

   • Basically, it’s the European answer to laws restricting semi automatics. Straight pull designs are mechanically closer to semi autos than conventional bolt guns; in theory if you added a gas system you’d have a semi auto. Also, check out some of the European gun forums: apparently the straight pull design is super sensitive to ammo pressure and will completely lock up on marginally over-pressure rounds. It’s like a CA compliant AR: great for those stuck behind enemy lines, but inferior to anything we free people can possess

     • “Basically, it’s the European answer to laws restricting semi automatics… but inferior to anything we free people can possess”

       Um, not exactly. For example- there are no restrictions on what I can possess, and I’d very much like a straight-pull version of a rifle I already own. I adore my Ruger American Ranch Rifle AR Mag in 300 BLK, and would love it even more with a straight-pull action.

       In addition to making cycling the bolt easier and faster, it would also allow me keep my right hand in the proper position on the stock while operating the bolt with left hand, as well as allowing me to retain my cheek weld during bolt cycling for quicker follow-up shots.

       Straight-pull bolts offer a shooter the valuable feature of efficiency of motion. Efficient biomechanical movement is neither political nor inferior, and has nothing to do with “freedom”.

       • OK. So, what is the problem with the same rifle in semiauto form, instead, since that is where this action originated, and was modified in order to NOT be semiauto. What for? What are we avoiding?
         Let’s see, fast/easy cycling, check, right hand in proper position, check, cheek weld, check, efficiency of motion, check. So what’s wrong with a semiauto if there is no LAW against it?

       • Did not intend to start an argument here, merely pointing out the positive features of straight-pull bolt actions.

         Those who appreciate the strengths and simplicity of bolt actions aren’t looking to defend them vs. semiautomatics- they are simply different animals.

         I didn’t expect this to devolve into a “mine’s better” contest, and it would be a shame if it did- these are simply different tools, for different jobs, designed for different customers. More choice is always a good thing.

         Not being a semiauto makes it more mechanically efficient (less parts/reciprocation/weight/wear/complexity, etc.) and provides user-controlled cycling- which may add slightly to the user’s physical effort, but also provides more precision in return. And precision is why many people choose manual over automatic.

         Manual firearms should not be viewed as “inferior” to automatic ones- in fact, one could argue that manually-operating firearms are for the more discerning user.

         This should simply be a matter of selecting the tool that you feel is the best tool for your particular job. I personally choose all of the above- there’s no reason to limit oneself.

       • What are the advantages of a bolt gun vs. a semi-auto? Hmmm. Let’s see if I can remember all the points:

         1. Higher extraction forces. Bolt guns have ferocious extraction force available to pull a case from a dirty chamber (and to shove a round into a dirty chamber).

         2. Better brass life. When you’re reloading for the typical semi-auto rifle, you need to full-length size your brass to enable reliable cycling. With a bolt gun, you can just neck size, perhaps bump the shoulder and (thanks to reason #1 above) leave the rest of the case alone.

         3. You can put rounds on-target at long ranges faster with a bolt gun than with a semi-auto. You can see evidence of this from modern Norwegian shooting competitions and you can see it in The Book of The Garand with 1903’s vs. Garands at 300 yards.

   • Two things:

     a) they’re faster for many shooters than a bolt gun with near-90 degree lift.
     b) You don’t need to worry about the bolt hitting an optic mounted on the top of the receiver.

     The first of these issues could be addressed in a turn-bolt gun by making it cock-on-close. The second could be addressed with a three-lug bolt and needing only 60 degree lifts.

   • Others have already listed some of the benefits but if you have an SR762 then you can set the gas port to zero which effectively turns that rifle into a bolt action + suppressor. This should work on any rifle with a port setting of zero. Having a dedicated rifle locked to this setting is pretty niche.

     While you can modify the charging handle on those rifles, it will break cheek weld after each shot due to having to move. A rifle with all the parts being self-contained (like the BA30) should prevent that and allow you to continue looking through your optic between shots. At least, this is how I see it. Left hand operation will let you keep your firing hand on the rifle while able to chamber a new round quickly.

     This seems to be a niche rifle for very narrow needs / wants but there must be a market / demand for it.

   • Straight pulls are slightly faster to cycle than traditional rotated bolt to run, withiout mounting concern for rotating bolt handle contacting scope ocular housing. Using an adjustable ON-OFF gas block, one can switch between bolt-action and semi-auto operation. Using a side charging bolt carrier group/upper receiver, the action can be run without losing cheek weld…..as necessitated with a traditional AR charging handle. Few of us are clearing structures or laying down suppressive fire, so a bolt action rate of fire is sufficient. Eliminating the semi-auto action movement allows one to remain on the scope, recover from recoil faster in order to spot one’s own impacts……faster correction and follow-up shot….eliminate brass flying into the air/having to hunt to recover, eliminates noise of spring/buffer cycling, runs cleaner without gases entering receiver. For a dedicated bolt gun, use a custom barrel without gas port drilled, one can eliminate the gas block, gas tube and even the buffer and recoil spring……less noise, less weight, reduced parts costs, and true free float barrel for improved accuracy duplicating a true bolt gun accuracy. I’ve built/run/advocated side charging, straight-pull, full bolt and combo bolt/semi ARs for years.

     • Best answer I’ve seen. Thanks!

     • The way you worded all of that makes me want one now.

   • It is a good system but most importantly for someone like Bushmaster it can be made with 95% of the same parts they already make for their gas fed ARs.

     It would be much more work for them to make a turn-bolt style bolt gun.

     The advantage bolt guns have over semi-autos is that the chamber can be made shorter and snugger which in theory enhances accuracy.

2. Straight-pull bolts have the same advantages provided by a bolt action- but it is easier/faster to cycle than a traditional bolt action.

   I’d be very happy to have a short barrel straight-pull rifle in 7.62×35 that utilizes a detachable standard-capacity magazine .

   • I’d love to have a Swiss K31. Old school straight pull bolt action

     • I would suggest you go out and do so. While not the cheap surplus of yesteryear they definitely won’t break the bank now and far from unobtainium. My nephews absolute favorite gun to shoot when he visits his uncle. Can’t blame him at all.

     • Yup. K31’s rule. Smooth action, phenomenal trigger, and (if the barrel hasn’t been shot out) very accurate. One on my favorite milsurp battle rifles.

       Too bad the milsurp 7.5 Swiss ammo (match grade stuff which could be had for $300/1000 just a few years ago) is now essentially unobtainium.

       • I have two of them. They are wonderfulsweet rifles, deadly accurate, and pretty fast actions. That 7.5 Swiss is a pwerful round, though perhaps not the fastest thing out there. but the pill l is heavy and does its work when wellplaced.
         One advantage of the straight pull action is that since the entire mptioin is fore-and-aft, and there is no up/down to unlock.relock the bolt in a conventional action, you are less likely to disturb your point of aim from the last round. After recoiul and recharge, you are much more likely to have come back on target more quickly.

         I’ve seen shooters with things like a Remington 700 firing 7.62 x 51 sitzer bottailed copper jacket founds so long they can’t fit down into the mag well, so each round has to be placed and chambered by hand, no auto-feeding. The guy scored 1
         98 out of 100 on the fourth stage AQT target in under half the allotted time. His hand motion was magical to watch, and it was obvious he had fired tens of thousands of rounds through that rifle. When he’d tke his trigger finger off the grip to cycle the bolt, that rifle never moved hairs-breadth. nd he ws already back on target. Just a quick check to verigy NPOA then sqeeze. A couple of his rounds went right through the same hole s the previous round… almost perfectly centred but not quite. Telltle sign was the funny new tear right where the second rund overlapped the hole of the earlier one. Took a loupe to see it.

         But most of us have nowehre near that milieage” even on our favourite rifle. The K 31 Swiss , each of them, cost me bout a tenth what this BushMaster does…. if I had the opportunity i’d think about at last trying one. They don’t build junk, Bushmaster don’t.
         IF my state contnues on their putz to enact an AWB I’d rather have that as a MBR than anything else I can think of. Not quite as fast, but it is a rare occasion that ultimat speed in ruonds downrange is a critical factor. Better half or a tenth s many rounds ON THE MARK. than a spray and pry maneouvre.

3. So wait, you get a side charger AR-10 with no gas block and no recoil spring in the butt stock for $1800? Why would anyone buy this when it could be built for half this much?

   • Why would you leave out the recoil spring? As long as you cycle the action open manually I don’t see why the spring couldn’t be used to drive it closed.

   • If a side-charging AR has an adjustible gas block, you can shut off the gas. Bam, straight pull (and release) bolt action.

4. Like the looks. Would like to see some accuracy results. More cartridge option are needed. (6mm Creedmoor)

5. Why does it look like the “upper” and “lower” are not compatible with an AR10? Lemme guess, they are not actually interchangeable?

6. A Bushmaster thats no an ACR……

   • Not*

7. Well, I suppose someone, somewhere can find a use for it.

   • Certainly cant paddle a canoe with it, not efficiently anyway.

     • Possum, maybe you can use the recoil to push you upstream.

       • LOL,

8. Oh sweet Jesus

9. Honestly I don’t understand why more manufacturers don’t make straight-pull bolt actions that basically use the same action as an AR just without a gas tube. Seems to make sense to me

   • If your going to have an AR action why not just have an AR?
     I tell yah what, if I went in a gunm store and was looking to buy me a bolt action riffle I damn sure wouldn’t buy that.
     Pretty sure Bushmaster reads our comments.
     What the hell are you guys thinking? A straight pull soy boy rifle ain’t going to get you writing in the black.

     • Why not just have an AR? Probably for the same reason I got a Troy PAR pump action 5.56. I like the modularity of the design and having access to most AR upgrades, but I cannot abide the fins, stump grips, or those Thorsness abominations that NY would force on me. You are probably lucky enough to live in a state without asinine restrictions on semi auto rifles. I also don’t miss the DI filth getting piped back into the receiver.

       • In 20 years the NY stocks will be cool. I remember when thumbholes were an ugly work around to the 94 ban. Now people put them on guns on purpose because when they were kids that’s what they saw on the cool guns.

       • Ah! Jim! FINALLY we get down to it, the idea is completely dedicated to getting around some stupid and unconstitutional LAWS!! Those living in free states can mostly just ignore this unless it answers some unusual needs from a unique situation. Lighter weight, quieter, possible accuracy increase, no gas/dirt entering the action, for most of us, absolutely NOTHING worth paying twice the price for a castrated semiauto, just buy the semiauto.

10. looks like the Tikka T3X TAC A1

11. what’s the largest t- bolt caliber?

12. I am mindboggled. A new manually operated repeater in 2022 AD? Why? That field was pretty crowded a century ago. There have been very few improvements since 1898, all of them incremental.

    What is its purpose? Who will buy one? Is it lighter than an AR10, at least? By how many ounces?

    Sheesh.

    • Go forth and learn which type of rifle allows you to put more rounds on target at extended ranges (eg, in a foot-wide circle at 300 yards) in a minute.

      Hint: If you think it is a semi-auto, you’re wrong.

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