Thoughts on the Aero Precision SOLUS ?

[4O6shootist]

Exactly.......I have adjusted my fuzion plunger and extractor to where my brass reliably exits about 3' to my right at about 3 o'clock. I'd fuck we these springs on the solus, but my worry is get it too light and not be able to get more springs. Guess I could see if I can get some from McMaster carr.

 

[WeR0206]

Exactly.......I have adjusted my fuzion plunger and extractor to where my brass reliably exits about 3' to my right at about 3 o'clock. I'd fuck we these springs on the solus, but my worry is get it too light and not be able to get more springs. Guess I could see if I can get some from McMaster carr.

I was wondering about the same thing recently. It would be nice if Aero offered spare bolt parts like springs, extractors, etc..but im not holding my breath on that

 

[TheJeanyus]

I shot mine for the first time today, and mine also launches brass way further than my other bolt guns. Caught me by surprise the first time.

 

[4O6shootist]

I removed 1 coil, still launches brass, cut another coil from both ejector springs. Will see how it does at range tomorrow. If anyone is going to attempt this, just be very careful removing the ejectors.

I push my punch through to drive out the role pin, this keeps the ejectors captured. I then insert a case under extractor, applying side force to compress ejectors, then remove the punch. Slowly remove case from extractor and everything stays put, no flying parts. Now tip bolt upside down to drop out ejectors, may need to tap on bolt to get springs to drop out. Do this in reverse order for reassembly.

Also keep in mind, the springs are ground down on both ends for flatness. Make sure if you're making multiple cuts of coils, to leave one end of spring un-molested. The ground spring face goes against the ejector, and raw cut goes face down into the bolt body.

Hope this helps anyone who may try and mess with them. I believe they used to ejectors to manipulate the trajectory or the case, keeping it flatter, to keep it from hitting turrets or what not. It's just too much force in my opinion.

 

[ARShooter91]

Has anyone messed with the striker spring? I'd like to have a replacement lined up after I burn out the barrel that's currently on it. Doesn't appear that Aero has any plans to support replacement parts at all.

Curious if a standard 700 spring will work or something from ARC perhaps.

 

[carbonbased]

Doesn't appear that Aero has any plans to support replacement parts at all.

Wow. Full retard move, if that’s the case.

 

[ARShooter91]

I'm over 3 months waiting on an in stock bolt head. I've taken every avenue to contact them with no response.

I didn't "need" it but wanted the 223 bolt head as it was in stock lol and if I did a 223 I'd just need a barrel. Would probably do a 6bra instead at this point but now I'm thinking I need to be able to source 3rd party parts or have a paperweight.

Been 100% so far. CS isn't bad it doesn't exist apparently. They keep it up through summer and I'm probably going to start phasing out my Solus stuff.

 

[Rod79]

Lol, going over 3 months waiting on a 223 bolt head as well, at some point I’m going to want to build this thing but Aero doesn’t want me too…..hoping they get their shit together by the time I have some duckets to move on the rifle build. Shit show x infinity + 1

 

[FuhQ]

I have some news that I received yesterday, that came straight from a high-up inside source @ Aero... That douchebag GM the hired, Ryan Donahue (creepy weirdo), who was the root cause of the problems at Aero... Has now been fired, and they are in the process of rebuilding their reputation and trying to get things back to normal.

So, fingers crossed, things will go back to being normal soon, and they can start having excellent CS and sales/shipping, like they were before that assclown got hired and fucked everything up.

 

[ARShooter91]

We shall see. They need to go full stop on new crap and fill current orders with at least some swag as an apology or something on top to gain some trust back.

 

[kthomas]

I have some news that I received yesterday, that came straight from a high-up inside source @ Aero... That douchebag GM the hired, Ryan Donahue (creepy weirdo), who was the root cause of the problems at Aero... Has now been fired, and they are in the process of rebuilding their reputation and trying to get things back to normal.

So, fingers crossed, things will go back to being normal soon, and they can start having excellent CS and sales/shipping, like they were before that assclown got hired and fucked everything up.

I have a really hard time believing that all these issues are due to one individual.

The scope of issues suggests something much more systemic.

I wouldn't hold your breath...

 

[FuhQ]

I have a really hard time believing that all these issues are due to one individual.

The scope of issues suggests something much more systemic.

I wouldn't hold your breath...

Yes exactly... One individual who has done this same thing at every company he's been put into a position of authority at. He hires his idiot buddies, who do whatever he says, pisses off all the good employees, and then they fire them for opposing their new stupid way of doing things, and those that oppose of the firings of the good employees, get fired for speaking up. This was noted by numerous people. That's how 1 man can systemically ruin a company.

 

[FuhQ]

We shall see. They need to go full stop on new crap and fill current orders with at least some swag as an apology or something on top to gain some trust back.

Also, I forgot to mention that he did talk about the sales and stuff. That Donahue fag would force them to sell products they don't even have in stock, and show it as "in stock", and not tell people it was a backorder. This would explain a hell of a lot of the issues with shipping times and processing times. This has (supposedly) been corrected instantly upon his firing, according to the source.

Things will take time to get corrected, some things can't be fixed overnight. Just like the problem took a while to rear its ugly head, it will take some time to fix the fuckups.

My buddy, who talked personally with the insider on the phone, told them that it would help them out A LOT if they were to send out an email explaining what happened, and apologizing for what happened. And I agree, from a professional standpoint, admit your fuckup, and don't let it happen again. This would have helped Dead Air tremendously after their Sierra5 & KGM debacle.

 

[ironhiide]

I hope you're insider is correct. I'm holding off buy anymore Aero products until I see change. As I still have some of my money tied up in items that havent shipped yet.

 

[Coosawfisher]

I have some news that I received yesterday, that came straight from a high-up inside source @ Aero... That douchebag GM the hired, Ryan Donahue (creepy weirdo), who was the root cause of the problems at Aero... Has now been fired, and they are in the process of rebuilding their reputation and trying to get things back to normal.

So, fingers crossed, things will go back to being normal soon, and they can start having excellent CS and sales/shipping, like they were before that assclown got hired and fucked everything up.

So, how do you really feel about this guy?

Seriously, here is wishing them well. Have two of their actions and a u/l.

 

[FuhQ]

Decided that since I wanted to hunt with the spiral-fluted 20” 6.5CM Solus rifle next year, that I would test some loads with the Berger 140 Elite Hunter bullets. So, I used the same Alpha SRP brass, same CCI 400 primers, same 45.0gr of StaBall 6.5, but seated the bullets about 0.072” jump to get the bearing surface sitting fully in the neck, with just the boat tail protruding into the case body. Using 0.003” neck tension with SAC bushings in my Redding Elite Series comp dies, my average runout is 0.0005”. Ironically, they were leaving the muzzle at the same rough MV as the 140 RDF's... Right around the 2,740 FPS range.

So, having done zero load development, just threw them in there after measuring the chamber with them…I chose to jump them 0.072”.

Here's the results… For a hunting rifle, I'm satisfied with these results, having done nothing more than scrubbing the barrel out, adjusting the scope and changing the bullet to a proper hunting bullet.

 

[Magsz18]

Decided that since I wanted to hunt with the spiral-fluted 20” 6.5CM Solus rifle next year, that I would test some loads with the Berger 140 Elite Hunter bullets. So, I used the same Alpha SRP brass, same CCI 400 primers, same 45.0gr of StaBall 6.5, but seated the bullets about 0.072” jump to get the bearing surface sitting fully in the neck, with just the boat tail protruding into the case body. Using 0.003” neck tension with SAC bushings in my Redding Elite Series comp dies, my average runout is 0.0005”. Ironically, they were leaving the muzzle at the same rough MV as the 140 RDF's... Right around the 2,740 FPS range.

So, having done zero load development, just threw them in there after measuring the chamber with them…I chose to jump them 0.072”.

Here's the results… For a hunting rifle, I'm satisfied with these results, having done nothing more than scrubbing the barrel out, adjusting the scope and changing the bullet to a proper hunting bullet.

View attachment 8631064View attachment 8631065View attachment 8631066
View attachment 8631059View attachment 8631060View attachment 8631061

What's your OAL on that round?

I have some Berger 140 grain Hybrids that I CANNOT get to group in my Solus guns. I've tried it across three different barrels, including the 20 inch spiral fluted variant and yeah...shotgun.

 

[FuhQ]

What's your OAL on that round?

I have some Berger 140 grain Hybrids that I CANNOT get to group in my Solus guns. I've tried it across three different barrels, including the 20 inch spiral fluted variant and yeah...shotgun.

I measure base to ogive, 2.228” for my chamber is 0.072” jump. Unless your chamber is relatively similar in length, then it might not work in your’s. Also Berger Hybrids are not the same as Elite Hunters, they’re shaped slightly different. So, measure your own chamber, and then work your numbers from there.

 

[4O6shootist]

What's your OAL on that round?

I have some Berger 140 grain Hybrids that I CANNOT get to group in my Solus guns. I've tried it across three different barrels, including the 20 inch spiral fluted variant and yeah...shotgun.

If you can't get 140hyb to shoot going mid 2700s jumping 50-70k at least 3/4 minute, you have a bunch of super picky barrels.

 

[flatland1]

For all you Solus owners with pre-fit bbls - did your barrels have a chamfer cut in the breech face, or were they flat? I just finished doing a Bartlein bbl in 223AI for a PVD FDE Solus with the .382" bolthead, and it wouldn't feed until I removed the bbl, dialed it back in, and cut a chamfer at a 30* angle. Now it feeds fine, with all the heavier (S80MK, B85.5 Hyb, B90VLD) bullets I've tried in it. Didn't cut a chamfer in the breech face of the 6XC bbl I did on my 1st Solus, and it fed just fine with Berger 105 Hybrids & VLDs, Sierra 107MKs, DTAC 115s, but wouldn't feed with Lapua 105s. I always cut a chamfer in all the dozen or more Bighorn barrels, and in the Zermatt Origins in 22 Grinch & 6.5 CM that I've done.

 

[FuhQ]

For all you Solus owners with pre-fit bbls - did your barrels have a chamfer cut in the breech face, or were they flat? I just finished doing a Bartlein bbl in 223AI for a PVD FDE Solus with the .382" bolthead, and it wouldn't feed until I removed the bbl, dialed it back in, and cut a chamfer at a 30* angle. Now it feeds fine, with all the heavier (S80MK, B85.5 Hyb, B90VLD) bullets I've tried in it. Didn't cut a chamfer in the breech face of the 6XC bbl I did on my 1st Solus, and it fed just fine with Berger 105 Hybrids & VLDs, Sierra 107MKs, DTAC 115s, but wouldn't feed with Lapua 105s. I always cut a chamfer in all the dozen or more Bighorn barrels, and in the Zermatt Origins in 22 Grinch & 6.5 CM that I've done.

They’re supposed to have a slight chamfer at the breach mouth, and all mine that have the chamfer feed great. My CarbonSix shit barrel doesn’t have the chamfer, and it won’t feed from a magazine. I have to single feed each round. One of many reasons I’m sending it back for a full refund.

 

[4O6shootist]

Well I just ordered another solus 478bf action. They run aics and aw mags equally well. I did a 6br for my nephews birthday on a solus in October. I enjoyed shooting it, so I'm gonna do another 26" hvy palma 6br for myself to use a prs trainer. Using the alpha 125b reamer, my smith's CNC program does indeed have a slight chamfer at breech.

 

[flatland1]

The weather's so foul here today (wind with gusts to 60+MPH, 30* with snow) that I might as well get the 6XC bbl pulled from the 1st Solus and get the chamfer cut on it. I entertained the thought that the rifle might still feed the 105 Scenars out of an AIAW magazine instead of AICS, but why not cut the chamfer first and find out if it fixes the problem? Only found one place that usually has AW mags in stock; might wait to see if Accurate Mag ever comes out with the AW mags...
ETA - photo of the PVD FDE 223AI in a B&C #2015 stock. Scope is probably overkill, but have been looking for an excuse to get the big Sightron SVIII mounted on something so I can try it out....

 

[FuhQ]

Well I just ordered another solus 478bf action. They run aics and aw mags equally well. I did a 6br for my nephews birthday on a solus in October. I enjoyed shooting it, so I'm gonna do another 26" hvy palma 6br for myself to use a prs trainer. Using the alpha 125b reamer, my smith's CNC program does indeed have a slight chamfer at breech.

Let us know how it goes if you're ordering straight from Aero. I'd be curious if they are starting to ship things out in a timely manner. The insider said they are severely understaffed after all the firings of the douchebag and his cohorts. So, they're skeleton crew trying to hire more good folks. Maybe some of the old folks that were there will go back to Aero. They had things running pretty damn well prior-to Ryan f***ing everything up.

 

[flatland1]

Let us know how it goes if you're ordering straight from Aero. I'd be curious if they are starting to ship things out in a timely manner. The insider said they are severely understaffed after all the firings of the douchebag and his cohorts. So, they're skeleton crew trying to hire more good folks. Maybe some of the old folks that were there will go back to Aero. They had things running pretty damn well prior-to Ryan f***ing everything up.

Am hoping you got the straight dope from your contact, and that Aero can put things right again. I have been buying 90+% of my gas gun parts from them for several years now, and have hated seeing things slide downhill over the past couple or more years. Not the quality, but availability...

 

[carbonbased]

Not saying you dudes are at the point of high-tailing it to the woman’s shelter…but you guys are in an abusive relationship lol

Maybe it’ll get better.

But I’m still gonna post a meme. Have a sense of humor willya!

 

[blackblue]

The weather's so foul here today (wind with gusts to 60+MPH, 30* with snow) that I might as well get the 6XC bbl pulled from the 1st Solus and get the chamfer cut on it. I entertained the thought that the rifle might still feed the 105 Scenars out of an AIAW magazine instead of AICS, but why not cut the chamfer first and find out if it fixes the problem? Only found one place that usually has AW mags in stock; might wait to see if Accurate Mag ever comes out with the AW mags...
ETA - photo of the PVD FDE 223AI in a B&C #2015 stock. Scope is probably overkill, but have been looking for an excuse to get the big Sightron SVIII mounted on something so I can try it out....

Grayops has their AW mag.

 

[PRS-JohnB]

Someone told me that Aero being in Washington state, which is a very liberal minded place, doesn’t want them there and is trying to push them out with over bearing regulations and such. Not sure how accurate that is, but that was some scuttlebutt.

 

[4O6shootist]

Let us know how it goes if you're ordering straight from Aero. I'd be curious if they are starting to ship things out in a timely manner. The insider said they are severely understaffed after all the firings of the douchebag and his cohorts. So, they're skeleton crew trying to hire more good folks. Maybe some of the old folks that were there will go back to Aero. They had things running pretty damn well prior-to Ryan f***ing everything up.

I ordered from the vendor here on the hide. $705 shipped, received tracking info yesterday.

 

[FuhQ]

I ordered from the vendor here on the hide. $705 shipped, received tracking info yesterday.

Nice, which one? I might need to get the hookup until Aero gets their shit back together.

 

[blackblue]

Nice, which one? I might need to get the hookup until Aero gets their shit back together.

Sent the info.

 

[FuhQ]

Update on the non-shooting Solus M24 .30 Win barrel debacle...

I contacted Ballistic Advantage, since they are owned by the same company as Aero, and make all of Aero's barrels, and because you can't get in touch with Aero to save your life. So, I mentioned my poor shooting Solus .308 Win barrel in one of their posts on Instagram, and they DM'd me to contact their CS and they would get me taken care of. So, I did, they sent me the return info within 24 hours after getting all the necessary info.

After a few weeks (life got in the way), I finally got back in touch with them, and dropped the barrel in the mail. They got the barrel in, and told me they would replace it no problem, but because of all the trouble I was having and had burnt through $500+ in components trying to get the damn thing to shoot, they told me to pick out a 2nd barrel FOR FREE! So, I picked another 22" 6.5CM Sendero/Heavy barrel like what comes on the Solus 15" Comp rifle with the 22" 6.5CM rifles. The two 6.5CM barrels I currently have are shooters, so I have no doubt my new spare/backup 22" 6.5CM barrel will be, as well. I don't know if I'm even going to mess with the new .308 Win barrel, but I'll probably get bored and give it a try to see if it will shoot better than the old one. The BA barrels do not come marked with anything, but they are engraved on the flat spot in the barrel tenon what caliber & twist they are. Those 2 barrels showed up today. I was impressed that they followed through on that promise.

I told them about a buddy of mine who was also having the same issue with his M24 .308 Win barrel, and they told me to tell him to contact them for a replacement, as well. So, I guess if you have issues with your M24 .308 Win barrel, contact Ballistic Advantage directly. Their CS is amazing...Like Aero's USED to be.

 

[KYAggie]

I have some news that I received yesterday, that came straight from a high-up inside source @ Aero... That douchebag GM the hired, Ryan Donahue (creepy weirdo), who was the root cause of the problems at Aero... Has now been fired, and they are in the process of rebuilding their reputation and trying to get things back to normal.

So, fingers crossed, things will go back to being normal soon, and they can start having excellent CS and sales/shipping, like they were before that assclown got hired and fucked everything

On 12/18/24, I contacted Aero they only way you could, via some message form on their website, and told them a small screw fell out of my Solus Chassis mag catch and disappeared at the gun range. Three days ago, I got a email from them requesting my address so they could mail a replacement. Finally. That took a while, but I wonder if it would have taken even longer if they had not fired that GM. Now let’s see how long it takes to get to my house.

 

[FuhQ]

New video is up doing a side-by-side comparison of the TBAC Magnus-S and full-size Magnus suppressors on the 8.3" Aero Solus .300 BLK.

 

[ARShooter91]

Finally received my 223bolt. Ordered 11/22/24, delivered 3/18/25.

 

[dk17hmr]

Buy Bolt Action Rifles & Accessories From Top Brands!

Elevate your marksmanship with precision-engineered Bolt Action components. Explore top brands like Aero Precision & Savage. Shop Now!

www.armorally.com

Apparently 8.6blk barrels are available?

 

[FuhQ]

Buy Bolt Action Rifles & Accessories From Top Brands!

Elevate your marksmanship with precision-engineered Bolt Action components. Explore top brands like Aero Precision & Savage. Shop Now!

www.armorally.com

Apparently 8.6blk barrels are available?

Yes, BA makes the barrels for all the Solus rifles (owned by the same firm as Aero), and they offer a 8.6 BLK barrel for the Solus. It's on the BA website. I'm guessing they're fixing to be offering them in the Solus straight from Aero soon?

They were supposed to send me a 16" 8.6 BLK barrel to replace my M24 .308 barrel that wouldn't shoot, but the people in packaging screwed up and send me another M24 .308 Win barrel... Oh well... I hope this one shoots, but I won't know that for a while.

 

[ARShooter91]

I've been messing with my 20" M24 308 barrel here some recently. Using some left over 200.20x Bergers from my 300wm I'm loading 2.97" oal and still a ways from the lands but they're showing great promise. Using PP2000MR and loading long I'm able to get them up over 2500fps with no pressure.

It's been too windy to shoot for groups but they handle wind at 1100 much better than 175 smks and even 185 Juggs.

Also have a bunch of 168g Norma bullets I bought for .23 each to try. My barrel shoots 175 smks and 175 Norma factory ammo sub moa pretty consistently.

 

[Kickin45]

Someone told me that Aero being in Washington state, which is a very liberal minded place, doesn’t want them there and is trying to push them out with over bearing regulations and such. Not sure how accurate that is, but that was some scuttlebutt.

This is true. There are half a dozen lawsuits filed against the state by Aero & Rainier

 

[Shootin25]

1000 rounds in and still hammering.
5 shots from yesterday after changing scope mount.

 

[FuhQ]

Anyone have any Solus updates? Anything new happen? Has Aero fixed their shipping issues?

I've been dealing with a bunch of other life stuff right now, so haven't even been shooting, or on here much to keep up with it.

 

[RRCo]

The FB group is pretty dead as well… may be due to comp season having people busy, IDK

 

[WeR0206]

Anyone have any Solus updates? Anything new happen? Has Aero fixed their shipping issues?

I've been dealing with a bunch of other life stuff right now, so haven't even been shooting, or on here much to keep up with it.

I haven’t heard much recently. Side question, which bore guide fits well with the Solus action? I was looking for one at PMA tools but wasn’t sure which one to get.

My 24” 308 criterion shouldered prefit is supposed to arrive this week from NSS after about a 6 month wait! Need to get some cleaning supplies ready to go.

 

[FuhQ]

I haven’t heard much recently. Side question, which bore guide fits well with the Solus action? I was looking for one at PMA tools but wasn’t sure which one to get.

My 24” 308 criterion shouldered prefit is supposed to arrive this week from NSS after about a 6 month wait! Need to get some cleaning supplies ready to go.

I use the adjustable ones. Couldn't find one that was made for the Solus, but I wish somebody would... Would only need to make 3 universal sizes of tips to fit inside the chambers with o-rings (.223/6ARC, CM/.308 Win, and magnum sizes).

For now I'm just using these... Not overly expensive, and they actually work pretty well, if you keep them tight against the chamber, and against the bolt handle stop so it doesn't leak. I bought one of the 7mm and one of the .30 cal sizes.

Dewey Adjustable Bore Saver 13 Fits 24 Cal to 7mm

Adjust to your make and model of bolt action rifle. Just select the proper caliber, remove your bolt and adjust to fit your action. The rod is guided...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[faylix]

I just installed a 24 inch bartlien prefit

Going to sight her in at the range today

I wonder how much my poi will shift

 

[flatland1]

I've done a little bit of shooting with the Bartlein gain twist (1-8 to 1-6.5) bbl that I chambered for 223AI since my last post. Have had unusually heavy rains for a few weeks on end, so too muddy to even make it to my 600-1000yd range in our pasture. But the few times that I was able to shoot at 600, the gain twist is showing some good potential, even with very windy conditions. I was shooting S80MK, Berger 85.5 Hybrid, and Berger 90VLD bullets - the Sierra 80s & Berger 90s have shot very consistently - as they usually do in my 223AI rifles - but the 85.5s are hit or miss so far.

The ejector springs are way over-powered in this bolt, flinging 223 brass out with excess force. Even shooting prone off bipod & rear bag, I wind up looking for ejected brass - not ready to take this rifle to a precision rifle match until I get the ejection springs trimmed. We've had 3"+ of rain over the Memorial Day weekend, so I'm going to have some spare time to work on the ejector springs before I can get back into the field to do any spraying.

I'm also enjoying shooting behind the Sightron SVIII 5-40x56 scope. It's very clear & sharp, I like the turrets, just a huge scope. The floating dot in the reticle doesn't really become visible for my 73yr old eyes until I run the magnification up to 20x +, so will have to try illumination when shooting close range movers at lower power to see if that helps.

Forgot to mention that the chamfer I cut on the breechface of the 6XC's barrel took care of the feeding issue I was having with Lapua 105 Scenars in the first Solus I built. Like these actions, just hoping that Aero gets themselves back up to par where CS & parts availability are concerned. Haven't needed to deal with them on anything recently, so perhaps they're making progress in that respect....?

 

[WeR0206]

I've done a little bit of shooting with the Bartlein gain twist (1-8 to 1-6.5) bbl that I chambered for 223AI since my last post. Have had unusually heavy rains for a few weeks on end, so too muddy to even make it to my 600-1000yd range in our pasture. But the few times that I was able to shoot at 600, the gain twist is showing some good potential, even with very windy conditions. I was shooting S80MK, Berger 85.5 Hybrid, and Berger 90VLD bullets - the Sierra 80s & Berger 90s have shot very consistently - as they usually do in my 223AI rifles - but the 85.5s are hit or miss so far.

The ejector springs are way over-powered in this bolt, flinging 223 brass out with excess force. Even shooting prone off bipod & rear bag, I wind up looking for ejected brass - not ready to take this rifle to a precision rifle match until I get the ejection springs trimmed. We've had 3"+ of rain over the Memorial Day weekend, so I'm going to have some spare time to work on the ejector springs before I can get back into the field to do any spraying.

When you trim your springs can you pls post back here to let me know how many coils you trimmed off? It would save me some time bc ive been meaning to do the same.

 

[flatland1]

Forgot to address the question about cleaning rod guide - over the years, when building rifles on slightly oddball actions (BAT 3L, Howa Mini, etc) I usually make my own rod guides, as I keep a small supply of aluminum tubing & delrin rod on hand so I can make a guide that fits. Been too lazy to get anything made for either of my Solus rifles, but when I do, I will need different delrin chamber plugs for the 6XC & 223AI barrels. Would be the same for any other action...

 

[bohem]

As far as availability goes:

The dealer structure has changed substantially. We are now dealing with outside rep groups instead of buying from Aero through their internal sales reps. I still cannot order receivers with a solid projected ship date or have anything "in stock".

 

[faylix]

Today was a good day! Re-zerod from smk's to 140gr bergers. Really loving my setup right now.