This gun will be used for long range shooting, long range hunting and hopefully a few matches. I'm looking for the most consistent, reliable firearm I can get
- Thread starter Mendy300wm
- Start date
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
For hard field use, you can't get more consistent or reliable than an AW
For hard field use, you can't get more consistent or reliable than an AW
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
I think it's pretty hard to answer this question without knowing what you have in mind for your "custom build" alternative. A surgeon 1086/R in a manners T3 would be very nice too. I would consider 7mm Rem Mag as candidate caliber for your custom build too.
I think it's pretty hard to answer this question without knowing what you have in mind for your "custom build" alternative. A surgeon 1086/R in a manners T3 would be very nice too. I would consider 7mm Rem Mag as candidate caliber for your custom build too.
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
I don't have anything in mind for a custom build, that's what I'm trying to decide on is there anything out there I can build that's gonna be as tough, consistant or as reliable as an AW?
I don't have anything in mind for a custom build, that's what I'm trying to decide on is there anything out there I can build that's gonna be as tough, consistant or as reliable as an AW?
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
The AW is a pretty heavy rifle, probably around 15lbs. bare and 18+ dressed up. A lot of weight to pack if your hunting.
The AW is a pretty heavy rifle, probably around 15lbs. bare and 18+ dressed up. A lot of weight to pack if your hunting.
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
Make sure you handle one before you buy one.
I've never found them to be comfortable.
Make sure you handle one before you buy one.
I've never found them to be comfortable.
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
I, personally, would go custom. Not that AI's aren't super awesome; but with the cheese req'd for the AI AW, you might just get some added features with a little less cost, weight, etc.....
Eta: forgot; with that being said; no way, no how, would I stand by for some of the stupid crazy wait times of some custom builders. A month or so, okay. 6 months or more? Pound sand.
I, personally, would go custom. Not that AI's aren't super awesome; but with the cheese req'd for the AI AW, you might just get some added features with a little less cost, weight, etc.....
Eta: forgot; with that being said; no way, no how, would I stand by for some of the stupid crazy wait times of some custom builders. A month or so, okay. 6 months or more? Pound sand.
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
The AW will be heavy for a hunting rifle, but will always be reliable. There's a lot of custom actions that are also extremely reliable. I love the AW's, but wouldn't want to hunt with one if I had to walk much.
The AW will be heavy for a hunting rifle, but will always be reliable. There's a lot of custom actions that are also extremely reliable. I love the AW's, but wouldn't want to hunt with one if I had to walk much.
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mendy300wm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This gun will be used for long range shooting, long range hunting and hopefully a few matches. I'm looking for the most consistent, reliable firearm I can get </div></div>
For consistent and reliable, customs arent even in the same ballpark as the AW. There really is no comparison here. And yes I have owned many customs from some very well known smiths.
If I was going to do some hunting with one I would look at a TRG 42. Still rock solid but a little more portable.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mendy300wm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This gun will be used for long range shooting, long range hunting and hopefully a few matches. I'm looking for the most consistent, reliable firearm I can get </div></div>
For consistent and reliable, customs arent even in the same ballpark as the AW. There really is no comparison here. And yes I have owned many customs from some very well known smiths.
If I was going to do some hunting with one I would look at a TRG 42. Still rock solid but a little more portable.
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
That is the bad part about getting the decision down to one or the other. You won't be happy til you have both. That's what happened to me.
I had a .300WM built and then wanted a AWSM.
So good luck and get a part-time job to help pay for it.
Cut
That is the bad part about getting the decision down to one or the other. You won't be happy til you have both. That's what happened to me.
I had a .300WM built and then wanted a AWSM.
So good luck and get a part-time job to help pay for it.
Cut
Re: AIAW or Custom 300WM!?! This is the Question
For a tough as nails, extremely accurate bolt rifle that will take just about anything you can dish out and keep going, the AI AW is about as good as it gets. It's a gun that is about the top to get when you need a gun that your life may depend on.
That being said, there are some things that it is not as good for:
The biggest issue for hunting & some comps is weight and the design.
It is designed to be a gun you lay prone with and shoot that way, or from a good shooting support.
Being that by the time you put gun, accessories, scope etc on it, you will be pushing 18 pounds+ and it's a bit on the squareish side, that makes it rather tough for positional shooting & heavy to hump around.
On the plus side, you can usually sell them for a good price pretty quickly if you ever want to move them.
For a tough as nails, extremely accurate bolt rifle that will take just about anything you can dish out and keep going, the AI AW is about as good as it gets. It's a gun that is about the top to get when you need a gun that your life may depend on.
That being said, there are some things that it is not as good for:
The biggest issue for hunting & some comps is weight and the design.
It is designed to be a gun you lay prone with and shoot that way, or from a good shooting support.
Being that by the time you put gun, accessories, scope etc on it, you will be pushing 18 pounds+ and it's a bit on the squareish side, that makes it rather tough for positional shooting & heavy to hump around.
On the plus side, you can usually sell them for a good price pretty quickly if you ever want to move them.
