I'm getting about the same (2550FPS) from Federal GMM SMK 175gr in the same weather.
Random question…
Is the 223 aftermarket conversion still a thing or ever become an officially announced thing?
Was zoned out staring at homeless people arguing in Phoenix while at a red light and starting thinking about buying the kid an ATX.
Pic for funsies.
Is the 223 aftermarket conversion still a thing or ever become an officially announced thing?
Was zoned out staring at homeless people arguing in Phoenix while at a red light and starting thinking about buying the kid an ATX.
Pic for funsies.
I remember the guys making them aftermarket here talking about how it was to much of a pain to make them run right and they didn’t plan on continuing the process. They do however pop up from time to time in the px
Bugholes had the last of the bolt heads iirc. They said they were going to use them up and discontinue doing the conversion since it was a pita to get them to run right.
Regarding the 223 conversions, a few months back Greg at bugholes said once the last couple 223 bolts he had on the shelf were gone he was likely done with them, they required too much fiddling to make and get to run well. He only had a couple left at that point when he posted the info.
Short magnum conversions are still good to go as they run well and it's far less work on his end. Black Canyon customs does those too.
I had a 223 conversion for about a year and while I liked it, it didn't run nearly as smoothly as an R700 clone (especially in 223AI) so I sold it. Sometimes I regret it, sometimes I don't. At this point I doubt AI will ever come out with an "official" 223 kit, between the long breech ring because of the 2 rows of bolt lugs and the reduced diameter of the bolt head/face compared to the bolt body leads to some challenges getting a 223 diameter case to feed 100% reliably in the AI action, not to mention getting the AI bolt to strip a 223 round from a single stack 223 AICS magazine pretty much requires the feed lips to rub the bolt body. Did the conversion work? Absolutely. Was it as reliable or as smooth as a R700 clone? Not in my experience, but part of that is because I had mine chambered in 223AI and that 40 degree shoulder wasn't as forgiving with the somewhat unfavorable feeding angle, regular 223 probably would have ran much better (Enrique suggested I stick with regular 223 because he said it feeds much more smoothly in the conversion, but I didn't listen because 223AI looks cooler, lol.)
The other thing that looked dicey in the long run is the sako style extractor that was modified to fit the 223 conversion bolt had very minimal engagement of the exactor pivot pin into the bolt head because any longer and it would rub the firing pin because of the design of the stock AI firing pin. If you ever had a stuck case I doubt the extractor would survive the beating. The fix would require modifying the firing pin and bolt head to allow for a longer pivot pin on the extractor, but then you'd need a modified firing pin and separate bolt shroud assembly dedicated to only the 223 bolt.
Still a neat conversion though.
Short magnum conversions are still good to go as they run well and it's far less work on his end. Black Canyon customs does those too.
I had a 223 conversion for about a year and while I liked it, it didn't run nearly as smoothly as an R700 clone (especially in 223AI) so I sold it. Sometimes I regret it, sometimes I don't. At this point I doubt AI will ever come out with an "official" 223 kit, between the long breech ring because of the 2 rows of bolt lugs and the reduced diameter of the bolt head/face compared to the bolt body leads to some challenges getting a 223 diameter case to feed 100% reliably in the AI action, not to mention getting the AI bolt to strip a 223 round from a single stack 223 AICS magazine pretty much requires the feed lips to rub the bolt body. Did the conversion work? Absolutely. Was it as reliable or as smooth as a R700 clone? Not in my experience, but part of that is because I had mine chambered in 223AI and that 40 degree shoulder wasn't as forgiving with the somewhat unfavorable feeding angle, regular 223 probably would have ran much better (Enrique suggested I stick with regular 223 because he said it feeds much more smoothly in the conversion, but I didn't listen because 223AI looks cooler, lol.)
The other thing that looked dicey in the long run is the sako style extractor that was modified to fit the 223 conversion bolt had very minimal engagement of the exactor pivot pin into the bolt head because any longer and it would rub the firing pin because of the design of the stock AI firing pin. If you ever had a stuck case I doubt the extractor would survive the beating. The fix would require modifying the firing pin and bolt head to allow for a longer pivot pin on the extractor, but then you'd need a modified firing pin and separate bolt shroud assembly dedicated to only the 223 bolt.
Still a neat conversion though.
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Do it. The kids love the AT-X. The cost to shoot some smaller 6mm's isn't that much different then the 223 if you reload.
Wasn't there someone else in TX doing the 223 conversions as well? Also, aren't bolts almost impossible to come by?
The conversion started with a talented smith out of Texas and then Bugholes bought the rights from him.
Correct, Enrique out of Massey's in Texas did the 223 bolts and magazine mods originally with bugholes chambering the barrels, then bugholes took over the entire conversion including fabricating the bolt heads. I got the last 223 bolt head from Enrique before he passed the project off to bugholes. My 223 conversion is now in the hands of another AI owner here on the forum.
Yes, you have to send a bolt body in. That was another frustration that bugholes mentioned, extremely long wait times to get bolts from AI so he couldn't offer off the shelf ready to go complete 223 bolts.
I had a spare complete large firing pin bolt just sitting around that I sent to Enrique for the 223 conversion along with a spare factory 1.6mm small firing pin.
Bugholes may or may not have a 223 bolt head left at this point, call or email them. If they still have one and he's willing to do the conversion you'll need to send a bolt body in. Several months ago he only had about 2 bolt heads left so they may be gone by now, and if so your only option at this point is to find a used 223 conversion and buy it.
Swapped out the Razor for a 5-25 ATACR.
24” .308, 168gr FGMM @ 2701 fps. Consistent hits at 1,000 yards.
Zeroing groups were about .5 MOA, need some more trigger time behind this thing and I’m sure they can tighten up.
Please peer pressure me into losing the Harris bipod.
24” .308, 168gr FGMM @ 2701 fps. Consistent hits at 1,000 yards.
Zeroing groups were about .5 MOA, need some more trigger time behind this thing and I’m sure they can tighten up.
Please peer pressure me into losing the Harris bipod.
Don't look through a 7-35 ATACR. You'll throw that 5-25 in the trash too.
I mean, they’re perfectly serviceable bipods. I’d hunt with one any day. They deploy quicker and easier than most, and with careful technique they can be used to shoot as small groups as with any bipod. BUT, they’re nowhere near as easy or forgiving to use as an Atlas CAL (my favorite, but I’m sure there are many others that other people favor as well). The thing I HATE about my Harris bipods is the rolling legs. That, and the springs don’t lock the legs in the deployed position as solidly as a notch/pin design. Both of these things contribute to the problem that, occasionally, if you aren’t perfect with your technique, just as you are about to break the shot, one or the other will “give” just a little and throw your aim off just as the trigger is breaking. That’s infuriating, and will make you want to throw it in the trash with the Razor. So all my rifles have Atlas CALs now (with the exception of a couple that don't have rails and only have sling swivel studs - they still have Harris).
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Trashing a razor but keeping the Harris means you haven’t fully eradicated the mentality of a vortex owner.
What if I told you... that I can shoot just as small with a Harris as I can an Atlas or Accu-Tac.
The Harris' biggest drawback IMO is the ability for you to pull back on it in the field and snap a leg closed...thereby causing your rifle to fall over.
And if you are going to actually throw your Razor into the trash, I'll give you a hundred bucks for it.
I’d believe you. I have never used anything other than a Harris. My biggest hurdle is probably analysis paralysis when deciding what to try next. So many options out there.
One of the biggest things I like the harris for over all others is the adjustable tension. No one has got it right but them. All the Atlas bipods I use have been either locked or looser than your sister after a Friday night out. The harris you can go from no friction anywhere up to locked. It's nice being able to adjust it to half tension and beable to muscle some can't into the gun when to actually geton a obstacle and nothave to reach up and unlock/lock.
I've yet to playwith a bipod that got itright except harris. Best I'vegotten is tightening the nut on an atlas to get more tension but then it's adjusted to that specific rifle
I've yet to playwith a bipod that got itright except harris. Best I'vegotten is tightening the nut on an atlas to get more tension but then it's adjusted to that specific rifle
I know I just got done plugging Harris, but I do prefer an Accu-Tac if I'm strictly target shooting. I have an Atlas on one of my hunting rigs too. But for a range gun, Harris is more than sufficient for most of us amateurs.
Youngest boy is starting to really grow now. Just turned 8. Burned up a bunch of 6.5cm ammo and 308win in the trg22.
I still want to try it in an AXMC. Everyone says no way because of the magazine and feed ramp. I still want to try to have a guy at work make a bolt head for me and see if I could possibly make something work.
On the AXMC it just taking the large flathead screw out to remove the head right?
Certainly you can! Lots of examples.
Ok...I see your point.to impress everyone
After removing the firing pin and bolt shroud assembly you drive out the small roll pin that retains the bolt head retaining pin to the bolt body, then push the bolt head retaining pin out, then the bolt head slides right out of the bolt body. Way easier than an AE/AW/AT/AXSA with multiple stubby roll pins and possibly with the bolt head epoxied into the bolt body.
I sadly found out today that the AT-X bridge does not have enough clearance to allow for a Proof competition contour barrel. Some reports on the hide led me to believe otherwise, but I took a couple shots this morning before a match and that sucker shook like crazy when I pulled the trigger and started stringing shots.
Glad I had time to pull it off beforehand.
Glad I had time to pull it off beforehand.
In a thread here,
But I know @NoLegs24 had issues with 1.250” in his and had to take it down for the same issue.
When ordering mine from Manzella we came to the conclusion that a M40/HV contour was best to clear the bridge.
My 28” HV goes 1.250 for 5” then tappers.
Accuracy International AT-X
Does anyone have any idea what time frame we are looking at for chassis? Wish they would have gotten this out before I bought my AX last year.
www.snipershide.com
I shot a proof competition contour (PVA Osprey) without issues with the full bridge. I never paid attention to the clearance when I had the barrel but it must be close where minor dimensional differences can mean the parts touch.
ATX did not disappoint yesterday at Chaos Concepts being wet and muddy.
Just got my new barrels from Schneider and Fisher T&C. Unfortunately I went a little extreme with my barrel contour (1.350x5" straight to 1.250" at 28"), and the barrel is in contact with the bottom of the forend.
I recommend going 1.19" @ 28" with 1.350"x5" shank to be below 1.250" at the end of the forend (for a straight taper).
Or with a 1.350"x3" shank: 1.17" @28".
I recommend going 1.19" @ 28" with 1.350"x5" shank to be below 1.250" at the end of the forend (for a straight taper).
Or with a 1.350"x3" shank: 1.17" @28".
The other issue, is all my barrels 2x factory, 3 Proof Research, and 2 Schneiders sit low and left in the forend. Which makes me think its not necessarily a barrel diameter issue as much as it is a forend alignment issue.
I might try some shims on the rear forend screw, but Im open to suggestions.
I might try some shims on the rear forend screw, but Im open to suggestions.
I had to loosen my foreend and reset my barrel on my AXSR.
Never had it hit anything but it irritated my tism. May want to try that as there is play in the holes. When I called MHS they told me to tighten the front first to avoid tilting. I'll pull it out tonight and see if there is anything weird with it.
Edit for me being dumb
Never had it hit anything but it irritated my tism. May want to try that as there is play in the holes. When I called MHS they told me to tighten the front first to avoid tilting. I'll pull it out tonight and see if there is anything weird with it.
Edit for me being dumb
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Interesting. I have not run barrels with your contour in my AXMC. I run MTU in my AXMC and Proof Competition contours in my AT, and it hasn't been an issue. However, your muzzle diameter is larger. I'll have to make some measurements tomorrow.
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Fritz at Black Canyon Customs. Great job, and easy to deal with. He has done 2 for my AT so far.
After I installed the bridge it looked like there was plenty of clearance, but the bullet and gun said otherwise. I might just be on the unlucky ends of the tolerance spectrum this time.
Great to meet Ray from TBAC this morning and shoot the AX50.
Has AI been butthurt over civ buying LE guns on small town dept letterhead like folks used to do with peq15s and such? There’s nothing illegal or regulated about it right? Does AI make dept sign something saying they won’t resell?
Just curious. Not in market for one
