Accuracy International AT-X

[Rodney65]

I have the competition trigger in my AT (not an AT-X) set at 1.75lb. Even lightly greasing the lugs was causing the trigger to foul up, the AT gunsmith advised to run the bolt dry even said that was in the AI manual. I have run my bolt dry since then and seems to run without any problem. I do grease the lugs on all my other rifles.

I did see that in the manual for several AI rifles. Despite reading that I usually go pretty crazy with grease putting a heavy coat on everything that rubs including the bolt handle base, internals, etc. and was wondered if it would cause any problems.

 

[geek65]

I wonder how that was fouling up the trigger, I haven't experienced any trigger issues over several thousand rounds now. Just checked the manual and it says lightly lubricate with "CLP oil or similar". I use some m-pro grease on all my bolts, just what I have. I've seen some ruined bolts (one on a rifle I bought unfortunately) due to galling on the lugs and I'm pretty committed to a bit of grease because of it.

It doesn't take much to clog up the trigger, at a competition I had to clear it with lighter fluid. After that and heading the advise the AI gunsmith had previously given me I decided to run the bolt dry. As above, not had any issues, even had a couple of successful competitions.

 

[blindspotter]

I recently picked up an AT-X and I'm just wondering, how much does the action break in/smooth out? I've got a 2015 AT that maybe has 1k rounds on it and it's night and day, even after greasing everything (yes I took the bolt apart) and dry firing 500 times or so. I'm sure a lot of you own other AIs, does the AT-X eventually break in to that point? Or maybe yours was great out of the box let me know if that was the case too.

 

[tna9001]

I recently picked up an AT-X and I'm just wondering, how much does the action break in/smooth out? I've got a 2015 AT that maybe has 1k rounds on it and it's night and day, even after greasing everything (yes I took the bolt apart) and dry firing 500 times or so. I'm sure a lot of you own other AIs, does the AT-X eventually break in to that point? Or maybe yours was great out of the box let me know if that was the case too.

I dry-fired mine 1,000 times with a dry bolt and it smoothed out a little.

 

[3rdfocal]

I recently picked up an AT-X and I'm just wondering, how much does the action break in/smooth out? I've got a 2015 AT that maybe has 1k rounds on it and it's night and day, even after greasing everything (yes I took the bolt apart) and dry firing 500 times or so. I'm sure a lot of you own other AIs, does the AT-X eventually break in to that point? Or maybe yours was great out of the box let me know if that was the case too.

My 2013 AT action was significantly smoother my ATX action. Not sure what changed, different tolerances, tooling, idk. My ATX action has probably been cycled 5k times and I think it's loosened up a bit but not a ton. I bought a new spare bolt a few weeks ago and it is definitely stiffer/less smooth than my existing bolt with 5k or so cycles so I'd say they do "break in" but not as much as we'd maybe like.

Smoothest 60 degree action I've ever felt is the GAP Tempest by a LONG shot.

 

[anon]

The AT-X zipper sound is a bit higher pitch than an RPR's, it's falsetto RPR.

 

[D_Lamz]

I recently picked up an AT-X and I'm just wondering, how much does the action break in/smooth out? I've got a 2015 AT that maybe has 1k rounds on it and it's night and day, even after greasing everything (yes I took the bolt apart) and dry firing 500 times or so. I'm sure a lot of you own other AIs, does the AT-X eventually break in to that point? Or maybe yours was great out of the box let me know if that was the case too.

Ive noticed more machine marks on my atx bolt vs my old AT. AT was slick as shit

 

[SilentStalkr]

Y’all making me not want to order one of these!

 

[Tex68w]

Y’all making me not want to order one of these!

Ditto, sounds like a down grade.

 

[Rio Precision Gunworks]

If the complaint is with the initial opening of the bolt after a shot, make sure you have your thumb on top of the chassis right behind the bolt.

Then just make an upward motion with your hand shaped like a knife.

Basically the thumb presses down and the hand/fingers rotate up.


This will keep the rifle almost complete still and the bolt will pop up and open easily.



Most people we see complaining are just grabbing the bolt knob. Which can feel much stiffer and also rotate the rifle.

 

[3rdfocal]

Y’all making me not want to order one of these!

Nah do it, they're badass.

 

[blindspotter]

If the complaint is with the initial opening of the bolt after a shot, make sure you have your thumb on top of the chassis right behind the bolt.

Then just make an upward motion with your hand shaped like a knife.

Basically the thumb presses down and the hand/fingers rotate up.


This will keep the rifle almost complete still and the bolt will pop up and open easily.



Most people we see complaining are just grabbing the bolt knob. Which can feel much stiffer and also rotate the rifle.

I wasn't so much complaining about how an AI compares to other actions for bolt lift, it's that my other AI has a much better feel and also a smoother, lighter bolt lift with not many rounds on it. Just wanted to see if that matched other owners experience.

 

[Rio Precision Gunworks]

I wasn't so much complaining about how an AI compares to other actions for bolt lift, it's that my other AI has a much better feel and also a smoother, lighter bolt lift with not many rounds on it. Just wanted to see if that matched other owners experience.

I've never had an AI that I felt was that much worse than another. And have had or seen many.

But, I've heard similar from people. So can only guess there is some action to action variance in something.

 

[Rodney65]

I've never had an AI that I felt was that much worse than another. And have had or seen many.

But, I've heard similar from people. So can only guess there is some action to action variance in something.

I have two. Not absolutely precise but I ran a piece of electrical tape under the bolt knobs and then to a hanging scale. On my AE MkIII (the one with the AW type bolt) I could lift the bolt without the scale breaking 6 pounds and was able to do so smoothly enough that it stayed right around that weight for whole lift.

The AT-X was over 8 pounds and it was no where near as smooth and consistent in resistance from start to finish. The AE is much older but I would say there is definitely a perceptable and measureable difference. Perhaps with more bolt cycles they will feel more alike.

 

[hafejd30]

I compared my 22 ATX to my 15 AT. I thought initially my ATX was heavier. Compared side by side I think they’re the same. I’ve never had an issue with my AT for “my use”. I certainly don’t think the ATX will give me any issues. My AXMC was the same.

I think it’s just the design of the action. Your not getting the best custom action feel. But depending on your use it may or may not be an issue

I find my AIAT the best rifle I’ve ever used/owned. I see no reason for my uses the ATX won’t be the same

I primarily shoot steel and crop damage (deer hunting).

I could see if shooting off barricades all the time the bolt lift may be an issue. A 90° throw may be a bit smoother

 

[SFree]

I compared my 22 ATX to my 15 AT. I thought initially my ATX was heavier. Compared side by side I think they’re the same. I’ve never had an issue with my AT for “my use”. I certainly don’t think the ATX will give me any issues. My AXMC was the same.

I think it’s just the design of the action. Your not getting the best custom action feel. But depending on your use it may or may not be an issue

I find my AIAT the best rifle I’ve ever used/owned. I see no reason for my uses the ATX won’t be the same

I primarily shoot steel and crop damage (deer hunting).

I could see if shooting off barricades all the time the bolt lift may be an issue. A 90° throw may be a bit smoother

I put my AT in the ATX chassis, best of both worlds…

 

[BurtG]

Smoothest 60 degree action I've ever felt is the GAP Tempest by a LONG shot.

My terminus 223 is night and day compared to AI. Like compared a rubber band to a ratchet strap.

And now that y’all say it. My axsa was a lot smoother too

 

[redneckbmxer24]

This is disappointing that they aren’t smooth as I have basically convinced myself to buy one at the current sale. All of my AI’s (like 15-20) have been super smooth. The 6 lug ones were a little notchy putting the bolt into battery compared to the 3 lugs but running them like they’re meant to be I never noticed it, they were all very smooth though.

Are these coated inside the action or bolt? Are they not nitrided?

 

[Tex68w]

Yea my AX, AT and AT-LE were all very acceptable. These reports of the AT-X not being in the same class are disheartening.

 

[hafejd30]

This is disappointing that they aren’t smooth as I have basically convinced myself to buy one at the current sale. All of my AI’s (like 15-20) have been super smooth. The 6 lug ones were a little notchy putting the bolt into battery compared to the 3 lugs but running them like they’re meant to be I never noticed it, they were all very smooth though.

Are these coated inside the action or bolt? Are they not nitrided?

What exactly are you referring to when you say “smooth”? I don’t think the bolt travel or anything else really isn’t smooth…. on this ATX anyways

If you drop the firing pin and operate the bolt they have more effort to lift the bolt then some actions. But all 3 AI’s I’ve had seemed the same

I certainly wouldn’t call this a complete letdown by any means. Trigger seems great to

 

[blbennett1288]

I put Hoppes No 9 Gun Grease on all six (6) lugs, bolt body, base of the handle where it makes contact with the action, and bottom of the firing pin shroud. Did this on my AT, AX, and ATX. All slick as shit. It lasts, depending on conditions, maybe 500-1000 rounds, before I clean and reapply. Zero issues with it gunking up any of the triggers.

I have a buddy, cough cough, @jwood1284, who doesn’t do this and it is noticeable between our two actions.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

What exactly are you referring to when you say “smooth”? I don’t think the bolt travel or anything else really isn’t smooth…. on this ATX anyways

If you drop the firing pin and operate the bolt they have more effort to lift the bolt then some actions. But all 3 AI’s I’ve had seemed the same

I certainly wouldn’t call this a complete letdown by any means. Trigger seems great to

The bolt operation being smooth. AI’s all have heavier bolt lift than most actions, I’m very familiar with that and it’s a non issue to me. One person in this thread said their ATX has a higher pitch zipper sound than their RPR.

Several people in this thread are saying they’re not smooth. My buddy who has an AT-X also says it’s not smooth like his AXSA was that uses the same bolt and lug design.

 

[BurtG]

Grease gets gummy in wet / cold / snow etc.

Attracts dust in dry

 

[blbennett1288]

Grease gets gummy in wet / cold / snow etc.

Attracts dust in dry

Have had two field matches where it has absolutely poured on us. No issues with the action getting gummy.

It does attract dust, but it has to be extremely dry and windy. Yet to have an issue with it. Arena Training Center in Blakely GA comes to mind, always have a layer of moon like red dust on it after two day field matches. But again, nothing that doesn’t just wipe off.

 

[just browsing]

Mine is as smooth as any AI I’ve felt. And I don’t do shit to it other than clean, oil the bolt, and wipe it dry.

I dry cycled it probably 1k times when I first got it. There’s definitely no perceptible zipper noise. I’ll clean it every couple hundred rounds or as needed. I’ve never cleaned my trigger assembly and it looks the same as the day I got it.

I guess it’s possible that it could be sample variance. And I will say that all of my on-hand experience has only been with the Gen 1/very early Gen 2 guns. But I do find it odd that there are only recent reports of any of these smoothness/manipulation issues.

 

[BurtG]

bad for me in a snow ice freezing rain match

 

[redneckbmxer24]

bad for me in a snow ice freezing rain match

Your mistake wasn’t putting grease on the lugs, it was not sitting inside by a wood stove sipping hot cocoa instead.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Mine is as smooth as any AI I’ve felt. And I don’t do shit to it other than clean, oil the bolt, and wipe it dry.

I dry cycled it probably 1k times when I first got it. There’s definitely no perceptible zipper noise. I’ll clean it every couple hundred rounds or as needed. I’ve never cleaned my trigger assembly and it looks the same as the day I got it.

I guess it’s possible that it could be sample variance. And I will say that all of my on-hand experience has only been with the Gen 1/very early Gen 2 guns. But I do find it odd that there are only recent reports of any of these smoothness/manipulation issues.

Yeah the complaints do seem recent. I’ve always cycled the shit out of mine dry and ran the first few hundred rounds dry and then used tetra grease or something else on the lugs and some oil on the bolt body and bolt lug raceway and they were slick as shit.

 

[TheOE800]

Every AT-X I’ve played with has felt worse than the AXSA I sold to @Kiba. Varying degrees of worse than, but all worse than. I’m not talking about how heavy an AI’s bolt lift is, I’m familiar, but the AT-X is just..worse.

All have been in the last year, but the owners had to have had them for at least a little while.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Have had two field matches where it has absolutely poured on us. No issues with the action getting gummy.

It does attract dust, but it has to be extremely dry and windy. Yet to have an issue with it. Arena Training Center in Blakely GA comes to mind, always have a layer of moon like red dust on it after two day field matches. But again, nothing that doesn’t just wipe off.

I’ve always ran grease and oil and never had an issue.

 

[hafejd30]

I use slip2000 on all my gun parts for AR’s and bolts generally

I do have a Ruger Ranch rifle. That sounds like a zipper

AI ATX isn’t even close to that

 

[hafejd30]

For everyone saying they’re smooth or not what year rifles we talking?

Mines a 22 and seems normal

 

[Rodney65]

What exactly are you referring to when you say “smooth”? I don’t think the bolt travel or anything else really isn’t smooth…. on this ATX anyways

If you drop the firing pin and operate the bolt they have more effort to lift the bolt then some actions. But all 3 AI’s I’ve had seemed the same

I certainly wouldn’t call this a complete letdown by any means. Trigger seems great to

I know you weren't asking me but since I was using the term as well by smooth I mean consistent pressure required throughout lift and this is how I am measuring it:

Here is my AE, I can keep the scale between 5.3 and 5.7 pounds while lifting the handle.



Here is my AT-X. The force required goes over 8 pounds at one point and is noticeably less consistent which translates to less smoothness.



I'm sure this isn't precise and a lot of the variation is my fault but I find the older model a bit better. Not the end of the world but some people are saying their AT-Xs feel the exact same as their other AIs and I guess that isn't the case for everyone.

FWIW my Tikka CTR in 6.5cm with 60 or 70° lift is almost identical to the AE at right around 5.5 pounds throughout.

 

[hafejd30]

I know you weren't asking me but since I was using the term as well by smooth I mean consistent pressure required throughout lift and this is how I am measuring it:

Here is my AE, I can keep the scale between 5.3 and 5.7 pounds while lifting the handle.



Here is my AT-X. The force required varies and is goes over 8 pounds at one point and is noticeably less consistent.



While I'm sure this isn't precise and a lot of the variation is my fault I find the older model to be measurably better.

This I can see. I must have misunderstood. My thought is he’s talking the bolt travel. My Ruger sounds like a zipper but on the travel. Lift on my Ruger is horrendous so I can see that being better than an AI

 

[anon]

My post about the zipper sound was tongue in cheek, for all of the ball busting Ruger owners have gotten.

I paid the entry fee so I decided to have some fun. I just went and checked, yes the AI AT-X does indeed make a zipper sound that is louder/more pronounced than my RPR with about 2300 rounds through it. But, that AT-X I have yet to shoot. I was waiting on AINA's response about the bolt body and shroud having a leading number one digit off from the action's serial number. The other one, that now has 56 rounds through it is nice and quiet.

It also stacked the leftovers from my RPR Long Range Prone ammo into a .53 moa hole while I was doing some break-in. I am interested to see what the difference between clean bore and fouled settle down to. Right now they are about as close together as I shoot.

I am pleased and would buy again. Just don't release the short forended AT-X quite yet.

 

[Rodney65]

This I can see. I must have misunderstood. My thought is he’s talking the bolt travel. My Ruger sounds like a zipper but on the travel. Lift on my Ruger is horrendous so I can see that being better than an AI

I am probably the one who misunderstood. When someone says throw I never know if it's lift or travel or both.

 

[hafejd30]

I am probably the one who misunderstood. When someone says throw I never know if it's lift or travel or both.

Most people bring up what you tested. The lift

 

[BurtG]

Finally had a chance to shoot after a hiatus.

I take back what I said. At x is pretty slick with hornady one shot on bolt. At least as smooth as my higher round count axsa I had

 

[WI2017]

Just got the folder, new muzzle brake, and red dot on the diving board. Really enjoying this rifle!

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Finally had a chance to shoot after a hiatus.

I take back what I said. At x is pretty slick with hornady one shot on bolt. At least as smooth as my higher round count axsa I had

View attachment 8248750

Is the ball head at the balance point of that setup? If so what is the barrel contour, caliber and length?

 

[D_Lamz]

For everyone saying they’re smooth or not what year rifles we talking?

Mines a 22 and seems normal

Mines a Gen 3 22 vs my 15 AT and 03 AWM

 

[hafejd30]

I know you weren't asking me but since I was using the term as well by smooth I mean consistent pressure required throughout lift and this is how I am measuring it:

Here is my AE, I can keep the scale between 5.3 and 5.7 pounds while lifting the handle.



Here is my AT-X. The force required goes over 8 pounds at one point and is noticeably less consistent which translates to less smoothness.



I'm sure this isn't precise and a lot of the variation is my fault but I find the older model a bit better. Not the end of the world but some people are saying their AT-Xs feel the exact same as their other AIs and I guess that isn't the case for everyone.

FWIW my Tikka CTR in 6.5cm with 60 or 70° lift is almost identical to the AE at right around 5.5 pounds throughout.

Doing the same test with trigger pull gauge

15 AT- 9 lbs
22 ATX- 12 lbs

As far as the bolt running back and forth both are silky smooth and definitely not Ruger rough

 

[BurtG]

Is the ball head at the balance point of that setup? If so what is the barrel contour, caliber and length?

You made me doubt myself lol

18.5” 6,5cm
Think it’s a factory barrel I had cut down. But slightly lighter contour than most I have.
Gen 1 338 ultra cb can

Zco420 spuhr
Custom kac/yhm bag rider

 

[SpeedDrop]

Just got the folder, new muzzle brake, and red dot on the diving board. Really enjoying this rifle!View attachment 8248788

Where did you pick the NF mount without the logo on the side? Looks like the MIL version.

 

[Timo Turl]

Has anyone switched out the firing pin spring for a lighter version ?

 

[WI2017]

Where did you pick the NF mount without the logo on the side? Looks like the MIL version.

Yah it’s the mil version

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You made me doubt myself lol

View attachment 8248942

View attachment 8248943

18.5” 6,5cm
Think it’s a factory barrel I had cut down. But slightly lighter contour than most I have.
Gen 1 338 ultra cb can

Zco420 spuhr
Custom kac/yhm bag rider

Thanks. These things must be significantly lighter in the rear and lighter overall than previous AI rifles.

 

[Rodney65]

You made me doubt myself lol

View attachment 8248942

View attachment 8248943

18.5” 6,5cm
Think it’s a factory barrel I had cut down. But slightly lighter contour than most I have.
Gen 1 338 ultra cb can

Zco420 spuhr
Custom kac/yhm bag rider

Nice setup. What does it weigh like that?


In my earlier posts mentioning bolt lift I hope I am not giving the impression I that I don't like the rifle or that I am not an AI fan. Yes the bolt could be a bit lighter but with a good bipod and/or good position it is pretty much unnoticeable.

They have a few quirks but I think they are overall a very solid rifle.

 

[Woodland_Wolf_M81]

I might have missed it, but do you have close ups of the paint issue?

 

[NoLegs24]

Looks like winners of the NASTI comp at Hat Creek were using ATX and possibly AXSR

That AT-X had to have had a custom firing pin spring to make the bolt lift lighter, with possible lapped lugs to make that action buttery smooth when cycled…