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AIAE In Love All Over Again...

-=boone=-

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 6, 2009
1,082
290
Charleston, WV
So my AIAE MKII has been severely neglected for months now. I have been doing battle with one of those "awesome" expensive gassers trying to find a load which lead me to rob the AI of its optic. Getting fed up with the gasser I put the HDMR back in its rightful position, the AIAE. Being that the HDMR doesn't have zero stop I know that from the bottom of the scopes elevation back to my .308's one hundred yard zero is 12.3 mils. I brought two ten round magazines with me to the range. I used five rounds to zero and confirm zero, the AI 18 Moa mount and HDMR were only .2 a mil off switching between rifles.

So after sighting in I shot a 15 round group. There was no cool down on the Bartlein barrel for 20 rounds of sustained fire.

Not to shabby for semi rapid fire and zero cool down.

 
Good shooting, Boone. Back when I had my AE, I shot a box of Federal GMM into one group like you've done here. It kept all 20 rounds rapid fire in 1 MOA and boy, the barrel and suppressor were HOT. Those things just shoot, period.
 
Lots of AE love this week ...

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Lowlight, what's your favorite gun and caliber in long range bolt and why ?
 
Frank is that a MkIII or did you have a bolt upgrade? I've got a MkII which is a great rifle but the bolt lift is a little stiff. What I'm wondering is if the bolt lift on the MKIII bolt would be easier like the AW? If it is easier would I send it back to AINA and does anyone know what the upgrade cost?

Thank you.
 
I shoot anything AI, I have them all from the PSR to the AE...

I shoot a combination of calibers, from 6.5CM, 260REM to 308 and up to 338LM... I use the 308 the most because I shoot a lot and it's easy.

That is a MkIII, i traded in a MkII and had no issue with either. I'd have to feel it to know what you are describing as "heavy" as that is subjective. It's a military grade rifle and heavy could simply mean it is normal. I would send it in to be checked. Contact one of the dealer / distributors on the site they will help you, they are all here to help.
 
I thought you disliked the 3-20x S&B? Are they growing on your or have they fixed some of the problems?
 
I thought you disliked the 3-20x S&B? Are they growing on your or have they fixed some of the problems?

They originally fixed my scope within a week, and have sent me the newest one...

The one here is really good, and I have been using it a lot, I have a video review being finished up now. All I have done since getting it is box test it and shoot the snot out of it and it has been flawless. My first one was from the pre-dealer batch, it showed the same time dealers got theirs... and I think that was part of the problem. Now down the road, I think they sorted out the issues with the turrets, etc.

This one zeroed instantly, the clicks are dead on, and the parallax is perfect. I really like it.

In my opinion, the 3-20x is the dynamic option where the 5-25x is the more static choice. It's a bit faster using the 3-20x
 
I have used the Lapua Factory HPS 170gr Lock Base since the early 2000s and it's excellent stuff.

I have two cases here,

Only problem is, 1. it's expensive and hard to get, 2. Only the factory Lapua load works, 3. People get frustrated trying to reload it because not all rifles like it.

The 175 is universal and works well... Here in CO I shot it 1100 this week and it was consistent and accurate. I was still going 1251fps at 1100 yards so it's good to go
 
Talk about blowing out the bullseye. Er', there was a bullseye on that target wasn't there? LOL.
Nice shootin'. Uh, no pics of the rifle?
 
No pictures of the rifle really worth posting, I guess I need fix that.

I only shoot 175's.

175smk
Winchester brass
CCI BR-2
45.8 Varget
2.830 OAL
2750 FPS 22" barrel

I used to be a scope whore, using everything from $1200 to $2000. I Love S&B scopes just can't bring myself to buy one.
I haven't found a scope I like as much as the HDMR so it stuck.


Very nice shooting Boone, ill have to own that gun in 260 soon.

Well if you're ever over this way I'm sure Brandon would let you shoot his MKIII in .260.
 
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Boone, don't buy a Bender, because soon as you do, you'll be selling other shit to buy another. You'll neglect your rifles that don't have Benders.
 
Boone, don't buy a Bender, because soon as you do, you'll be selling other shit to buy another. You'll neglect your rifles that don't have Benders.

Honestly I just won't(at this Point). Don't get me wrong S&B's are the cats ass. When I feel like it I take a gander through Brandon's S&B. Does he see everything in a nicer picture? Yup! Has my HDMR ever caused me to miss or not see my target? Nope! Kind of hard not to buy 3 HDMR's to 1 bender.

However my next purchase is a suppressor, I've been cussed by to many silent shooters to go on any longer...
 
I have used the Lapua Factory HPS 170gr Lock Base since the early 2000s and it's excellent stuff.

I have two cases here,

Only problem is, 1. it's expensive and hard to get, 2. Only the factory Lapua load works, 3. People get frustrated trying to reload it because not all rifles like it.

The 175 is universal and works well... Here in CO I shot it 1100 this week and it was consistent and accurate. I was still going 1251fps at 1100 yards so it's good to go

agree with u Frank,especially on pt. 3
my AE seems don't like 168 smk..but 170LB (with 43.5g N140) are giving me good results...
 
Good call on the can. If you and Monteboy ever make it to MO for a match we can talk him into moving to a free state.
 
Maybe I should know. Is that a GDI mount on Frank's AE? I am ordering an S&B 3-20 or 5-25 for my AE this week and was going to use an AI mount but that looks pretty sporty too.

Chris R.
 
That is indeed a GDI. I had one on my AE back when I had one, now I have the same on my AX with a 5-25x. Probably both would serve you well. Do you need quick detach? If not, save the money and get an AI mount.