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New AI AT vs AX purchase decision

T

tna9001

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 4, 2017
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Asheville NC
Hello All,

I'm looking at AI's offerings and plan to buy this week. I've researched AI's website and searched Google to get as much information as I can about the differences between these two rifles. I'll be getting the rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor which means if I go with the AT the rifle will have the same barrel (Bartlein) as the AX instead of the Lothar that comes standard on the AT.

So, besides the obvious (buttstock and foregrip) the only difference is the action as far as I can tell. The buttstock offers tool-less adjustment vs the AT which could be useful and it seems the foregrip would make shooting off barricades easier.

The AX is $2,100 more than the AT, I could swing it but I feel like I'm not seeing the value in spending the extra money, am I missing something? I'm ready to cry once, just want to be sure to shed enough tears so I don't have to do it again.

Thanks in advance,

Tyler

AT:
​​​​​​http://www.accuracyinternational.com...et-UK-0g9a.pdf

AX:
http://www.accuracyinternational.com...et-UK-k8cl.pdf
 
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I don't know if the kit has ever became available. But I remember reading not long no ago here that they were going to make a AX stock kit for the AT. That was something Tom Irwin had said they might make. I have the AXMC and love it. I would have kept my AT but I had a chance to sell my magnum AW and my AT to purchase it. If you do not need to add anything on the forend I would just stay AT.
 
Hello Tyler. Great choice in going with Accuracy International. I would say if you haven't already, try to get behind both rifles to see which you feel most comfortable with. I was also back and forth between both options and had more time behind an AX and valued the AX platform more as it can be taken apart into a smaller package for transport, The chassis has more adjustments and also the mag I find much easier to load from prone with the way the receiver is designed on the AX. Both rifles will do phenomenal for you and it comes down to which model you feel suits you and your needs best. Looking forward to hearing which one you go with.
 
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Thanks for the replies. My current rifle is a RPR so I can't wait to see what I've been missing. One problem I ran into with the RPR is because of my long arms I have difficulty getting proper eye relief with LOP set correctly. I remedied that with a cantilevered scope mount but it's not ideal as it sits 1/4 inch too high. Looking at pictures, It looks like the ergonomics are similar in that regard.
 
I had an AT (lefty when it first came out), and sold it for the lefty AX when it came out. You're right about the price, and on paper it's hard to justify the extra $2k for what amounts to a tubular forend and an adjustable rear stock. The action is identical between the AT and AX (the long action AXMC is another story), so there's no difference there. But to me, the total package of the AX is worth it for a few reasons:
- Quick adjust stock is nice for barricade/positional/free-recoil shooting. I find myself adjusting the LOP for standing or kneeling stages, and dropping the cheek piece for when I want to free-recoil off a barricade. The LOP adjustments are notched, and the cheek piece has a numbered scale next to it, so it's super easy to reset it to your default settings after you've changed them.
- Forend works better for me on barricades, with a Gamechanger bag, or for loading into. The option to use a RRS auxiliary plate is nice too if you intend on using a tripod.
- Forend allows more front to back adjustment for placing your bipod. I have it all the way forward for prone stages, and I can run it all the way back for oddball semi-prone stages like shooting off of rain barrels.
- Forend lets you adjust the QD mount locations, so you can fine tune where your sling attaches for sling-supported positional stages. The pic rails on the side of the tube also let you shoot the gun sideways off the bipod if you run into a stage where you have to shoot the gun prone through a sideways loophole.
- Mag changes with AX mags are AWESOME compared to the AT. The cutout on the support side makes it easy to get the mag in the magwell, and the way it angles up and rocks in versus the more straight up mag change of the AT makes it faster and more consistent for me.
- Folding stock to the bolt side is slick if you're looking to save space or use a shorter hard case.

The biggest downside to the AX compared to the AT is the scope has to be mounted so high over the bore because of the higher action pic rail and night vision rail. This manifests itself with barricade shooting since any canting is magnified; I see it most when I try to hold onto the scope while shooting on a barricade, it's easier to pivot the scope (by accident) when your height over bore is 2.8" instead of the 2" you'd have with the AT.

In the end, if none of those reasons above seem worth it to you, save the $2k and use it to buy enough ammo to burn out your first 6.5 Creed barrel. One thing that's certain is the AT and AX will both shoot the same, and that's freakin' LIGHTS OUT!
 

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This ^^^^^. Your choice to go to AI will not let you down. I've operated with AIs since the mark 2 and will tell you there's nothing comparable (Personal bias )
You cant go wrong with either. If the 2K difference is a deciding factor, have you thought about a used AX? I've seen a few here for a little more than a new AT. AIs are tanks that are nearly indestructible. I currently run an AT at work and an AX for my personal rifle. The ergonomics of the AX will adjust to your body a little better, but with training, you can feel just as comfy behind an AT. Either way you win. Enjoy !!!
 
clrems77 said:
This ^^^^^. Your choice to go to AI will not let you down. I've operated with AIs since the mark 2 and will tell you there's nothing comparable (Personal bias )
You cant go wrong with either. If the 2K difference is a deciding factor, have you thought about a used AX? I've seen a few here for a little more than a new AT. AIs are tanks that are nearly indestructible. I currently run an AT at work and an AX for my personal rifle. The ergonomics of the AX will adjust to your body a little better, but with training, you can feel just as comfy behind an AT. Either way you win. Enjoy !!!
Click to expand...

Great point. If you're not picky on color (and especially if you don't need a small firing pin) there are great deals to be had on used post-'14 AXs here on the Hide. I've seen used ATs go for as low as $3500, sometimes with multiple barrels, and I just saw a black AX with a large firing pin go for $4600! And unless someone has already put 50,000 rounds through it, I wouldn't consider any AI to be really "used" lol.
 
The chassis features of the AX are well worth the cost difference for reasons already mentioned. I've had both and will pick an AX every time.
 
samb300 said:
I had an AT (lefty when it first came out), and sold it for the lefty AX when it came out. You're right about the price, and on paper it's hard to justify the extra $2k for what amounts to a tubular forend and an adjustable rear stock. The action is identical between the AT and AX (the long action AXMC is another story), so there's no difference there. But to me, the total package of the AX is worth it for a few reasons:
- Quick adjust stock is nice for barricade/positional/free-recoil shooting. I find myself adjusting the LOP for standing or kneeling stages, and dropping the cheek piece for when I want to free-recoil off a barricade. The LOP adjustments are notched, and the cheek piece has a numbered scale next to it, so it's super easy to reset it to your default settings after you've changed them.
- Forend works better for me on barricades, with a Gamechanger bag, or for loading into. The option to use a RRS auxiliary plate is nice too if you intend on using a tripod.
- Forend allows more front to back adjustment for placing your bipod. I have it all the way forward for prone stages, and I can run it all the way back for oddball semi-prone stages like shooting off of rain barrels.
- Forend lets you adjust the QD mount locations, so you can fine tune where your sling attaches for sling-supported positional stages. The pic rails on the side of the tube also let you shoot the gun sideways off the bipod if you run into a stage where you have to shoot the gun prone through a sideways loophole.
- Mag changes with AX mags are AWESOME compared to the AT. The cutout on the support side makes it easy to get the mag in the magwell, and the way it angles up and rocks in versus the more straight up mag change of the AT makes it faster and more consistent for me.
- Folding stock to the bolt side is slick if you're looking to save space or use a shorter hard case.

The biggest downside to the AX compared to the AT is the scope has to be mounted so high over the bore because of the higher action pic rail and night vision rail. This manifests itself with barricade shooting since any canting is magnified; I see it most when I try to hold onto the scope while shooting on a barricade, it's easier to pivot the scope (by accident) when your height over bore is 2.8" instead of the 2" you'd have with the AT.

In the end, if none of those reasons above seem worth it to you, save the $2k and use it to buy enough ammo to burn out your first 6.5 Creed barrel. One thing that's certain is the AT and AX will both shoot the same, and that's freakin' LIGHTS OUT!
Click to expand...

Thank's! Shooting in the PRS is my next objective, you make an excellent argument for the AX.
 
Thank you all for the info.

The small vs large firing pin, is the large a problem only with hot hand loads? Do new AT's and AX have the small firing pin?
 
I'm going to caveat this by saying that I've never been behind an AX.

That said, I've found that no matter how many adjustments a stock has, I seldom mess with it once I get it dialed in. Between that and the fact that I just don't have any need for as much rail space as the AX offers, I'd find it tough to justify the extra cost of the AX over the AT. Additionally, I personally prefer what I feel is the cleaner aesthetic of the AT.

The one feature of the AX that I wish was present on the AT is the fact that the folding butt folds over and captures the bolt handle.

Just my opinion, and it's worth everything that you paid for it... ;-)
 
I have one of each, both chambered in .260 with S&B's atop, and Thunderbeast Ultras. I don't do PRS or anything organized. I do shoot a lot, mostly paper and prairie dogs. Couple thousand dogs over the last 5 years. I find the AT a little easier in terms of overall mobility and shooting off bags. The AX has the better folding stock, it folds over the bolt, and fits in a soft double rifle case better. Either one, you'll be happy.
 
tna9001 said:
Thank's! Shooting in the PRS is my next objective, you make an excellent argument for the AX.
Click to expand...

His entire post is spot on.

BurnOut said:
I'm going to caveat this by saying that I've never been behind an AX.

That said, I've found that no matter how many adjustments a stock has, I seldom mess with it once I get it dialed in. Between that and the fact that I just don't have any need for as much rail space as the AX offers, I'd find it tough to justify the extra cost of the AX over the AT. Additionally, I personally prefer what I feel is the cleaner aesthetic of the AT.

The one feature of the AX that I wish was present on the AT is the fact that the folding butt folds over and captures the bolt handle.

Just my opinion, and it's worth everything that you paid for it... ;-)
Click to expand...

You should try out an AX, I typically don't mess with anything but LOP and will only do it when I have a setup that I can quickly index settings. The AX has this. I'm often too short for the rides and it's really nice to run the LOP in on a stock for barricades. There's other times it's nice too, a lot of sitting stuff where you're not into the rifle as much as normal. By running the LOP short you're not working against yourself trying to pull your head in to get a sight picture.

The forend rail space is nice for moving the bipod in and out too, it's another feature you'd probably enjoy if you tried it out. For barrels and small table tops you can run it all the way back, run a rear bag under the grip and be rock solid.

For me the stock folding over the bolt is more of an hinderance than convenience, there was several times where I'd fold the stock on my 2012 AX and shoot with it folded in awkward positions, I can't do this with the right folding stock as I can't run the bolt with it folded. With the left folding stock I could lay backwards on my side and run the sling over my knee and support the pistol grip with my hands letting the rifle free recoil, it's a very solid position in some circumstances. The quick adjustments are much more of a convenience to me than the stock folding left though so it is what it is but ideally I'd have the PSR buttstock folding left.
 
tna9001 said:
Thank you all for the info.

The small vs large firing pin, is the large a problem only with hot hand loads? Do new AT's and AX have the small firing pin?
Click to expand...

If you're going to shoot Creedmoor, X47, XC or anything similar to those, ideally you'd want the small firing pin. It's more of a pressure curve thing or if you run small rifle primers. The new short actions do (AX magnum doesn't) but I'm sure dealers have leftover stock of large pin so I'd just making sure you're getting the small.
 
I was in the same boat I weighed the AT vs AX. It was a really tough decision. What sold me on the AX was the adjustable stock. Also I did not ever want to have that little voice saying you should have sprung the extra 2 k and got the AX.
 
Do an honest assessment of the differences. If the additional features of the AX over the AT are more than just a quality of life difference for you, how do you put a price on that? I like saving money as much as anyone but for me, some of the AX features were indispensable so I bought an AX and never looked back.
 
maggitas said:
What sold me on the AX was the adjustable stock. Also I did not ever want to have that little voice saying you should have sprung the extra 2 k and got the AX.
Click to expand...

This. I could live with the AT; the additional features of the AX don't really bring much to the table for me personally and the extra cost is truly significant. However, I don't like the clubfoot stock of the AT (both aesthetically and in use) and I couldn't have that voice telling me I should have just ponied up the cash to buy the one I really wanted.
 
just what maggitas said:

all important information aside (your buying top tier gear), if you are looking at the AX to begin with and you can prob swing it...buy it.
when you buy the AT you will still dream about what you could possibly missing with the AX.
and i actually think the AX balances better than the AT.
i dont use night vision or thermal but the extra rails and tube forend up front become useful. i mounted my magneto chronograph on a shaft that i attached with a old scope ring, then i attached that to a side rail. no more mounting the chronograph to the barrel and having to mess with it while it slips off. never mind taking the break off etc.
mounting a mirage shield for rally hot days is a Venetian blind and piece of tape, no barrel contact.
little stuff like that makes all a big difference when playing around.
 
The only way to improve the AT for me would be to have it fold to the right. I don't even want all of the features that the AX has I just want my AT to fold to the right.

The AT is otherwise my perfect rifle.

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I have an AT and have no desire for an AX. For the extra cash I did not see enough gain. I have no doubts the AX is fantastic, but my AT has never left me wanting.
 
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Thank you all for the helpful information. I ordered a AX chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor today, I went with Dark Earth. It should ship the end of next week. I can't wait to shoot my first group with this thing!

Any suggestions for a soft sided case? With the stock folded it will be 37" long, I'd like to find something a bit more compact than the full size case I've got now.
 
maggitas said:
I was in the same boat I weighed the AT vs AX. It was a really tough decision. What sold me on the AX was the adjustable stock. Also I did not ever want to have that little voice saying you should have sprung the extra 2 k and got the AX.
Click to expand...

I am in this same boat. I have had an AT in the past and absolutely loved it. AIs are like nothing else on the planet. There are some features of the AX that I really like such as the magwell, tubular fore end, and the tool less stock that I think are well worth the extra $. I had my scope money set aside but I think I am going to put that towards the purchase of an AX and start saving again for the glass.
 
Anyone able to tell me about the colour options on the Ax. specifically the "Elite ultra high performance" Elite Sand and Elite Midnight?

Thanks!
 
OP check out CDNN. They had some Eagle Industries cases for hella deals a couple months back. I got a couple of the M60 discreet cases and the discreet M4 cases and both of them work great for the AX. Other than that I just use a TAB Gear rifle cover that I've had for years.

kujuak said:
Anyone able to tell me about the colour options on the Ax. specifically the "Elite ultra high performance" Elite Sand and Elite Midnight?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't think there's any photos of them in the wild yet, not that I've seen. I can tell you that the Dark Earth and Sage Green and super sexy though.

 
tna9001 said:
Thank you all for the helpful information. I ordered a AX chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor today, I went with Dark Earth. It should ship the end of next week. I can't wait to shoot my first group with this thing!

Any suggestions for a soft sided case? With the stock folded it will be 37" long, I'd like to find something a bit more compact than the full size case I've got now.
Click to expand...

Awesome choice. Looking forward to hearing about your first range trip with it. Enjoy and welcome to the AI family
 
Originally posted by tna9001 View Post
Thank you all for the helpful information. I ordered a AX chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor today, I went with Dark Earth. It should ship the end of next week. I can't wait to shoot my first group with this thing!

Any suggestions for a soft sided case? With the stock folded it will be 37" long, I'd like to find something a bit more compact than the full size case.

what length barrel did you get? Check out the Armageddon gear rifle cases.
 
remington patriot said:
Originally posted by tna9001 View Post
Thank you all for the helpful information. I ordered a AX chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor today, I went with Dark Earth. It should ship the end of next week. I can't wait to shoot my first group with this thing!

Any suggestions for a soft sided case? With the stock folded it will be 37" long, I'd like to find something a bit more compact than the full size case.

what length barrel did you get? Check out the Armageddon gear rifle cases.
Click to expand...

I'll check them out, thank you.

I went with a 24" barrel.Thats what I've got on my RPR and although my girlfriend said another 2" would make a big difference my friend with a DT with a 26" is only getting 20-40 fps more.
 
tna9001 said:
I'll check them out, thank you.

I went with a 24" barrel.Thats what I've got on my RPR and although my girlfriend said another 2" would make a big difference my friend with a DT with a 26" is only getting 20-40 fps more.
Click to expand...

i want to order an 18.5" 6.5CM AX. I like the pale brown. Is the elite sand available and is there much difference? I'm not going to say anything about the GF saying 2" would make a big difference. :)
 
remington patriot said:
i want to order an 18.5" 6.5CM AX. I like the pale brown. Is the elite sand available and is there much difference? I'm not going to say anything about the GF saying 2" would make a big difference. :)
Click to expand...

The distributor I talked to said the Elite colors would be out in 2018. Here's a link to another post with a example of the Elite sand:

 
The Elite Sand is said to look like wet Quikrete in person. It certainly sounds pretty cool. My sage green AXMC's little brother is going to be Dark Earth however.
 
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