AIAX Chassis Questions????

[exd3686]

I picked up an AIAX chassis from Mile High Shooting for my Remington 700 built by PAI /APA. It is an amazing set up and pin point accurate. Originally came in a McMillian A5 with Badger M5 bottom metal. I changed to the AIAX chassis cause I wanted a stock with folding capabilities so I could fit it in a shorter case for airline transport.

I mounted up it up this weekend and ran into a few issues that I would not have expected from a stock costing $1300.

-When I insert my 10 round AI mags that I used in my Badger M5 bottom metal they wobble and rattle big time. If you shake the stock, the magazine will continue to move after you stopped shaking the stock. With rounds loaded into the magazine against a closed bolt it wobbles less. I noticed that the 5 round mag that came with the chassis has a little lip on the front top whereas the 10 rounders do not. Do I have the right mags or do I need a different version?

-The heavy profile 22" barrel does not sit centered in the free float tube. I almost touches the inside top of the free float tube. If I install a piece of picatnny key-mod rail on the top, the inner parts of the key-mod mount will touch and put pressure on the barrel.....can't be good for consistent shots. Can shims be placed on the free float tube mounting point to better center the barrel? I don't want to shim the action screws as I'd hate to mess with accuracy.

- Lastly, when I mount my Harris swivel notched 9-13 bipod to the included sling stud key-mod adapter, the bipod does not have a "stock" to hold a good purchase on and wobbles front and back. The block between the stud and free float tube holds the base of the bipod away from the tube. I assume I can purchase a Noveske key-mod sling stud which will allow the base of the bipod to contact the free float tube. Any ideas?

I love the look, feel, and adjustability of the AIAX but need to work through these concerns before I feel "warm and fuzzy" about the purchase. Any and all help and suggestions are welcome. See pics below.

I appreciate the help!
exd3686

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Legacy AICS magazines will still work just fine in your chassis, I've used Alpha 10 rounders, AI 10 rounders, and older 5 rounders without any issues. They wobble more than in an M5 because the magazine well tapers towards the action to help seat the AX magazines that have a lip.

What recoil lug do you have on that action? The AX chassis cannot accept large recoil lugs because the pocket is not deep enough, I suspect that this is your problem. To fit you'd probably have to have the bottom of the lug machined off.

For the life of me I have no idea what you've got going on with the bipod, my 6-9 and 9-13 all mounted up fine. Try removing the bipod and starting over, probably not what you wanted to hear exactly but so far I've found the AX chassis to be a solid system.

 

[Jon Lester]

My barrel sets dead center.

 

[exd3686]

Trigger Monkey,

The magazine wobble is more of a side to side wobble? They function fine but are annoyingly loose.

You're most likely right on having an over sized recoil lug. I've reached out to Jerod at APA to see what it would take to fit the AIAX as I don't want to F@$& up my kick [MENTION=1104]SS[/MENTION] barreled action.

I tried several times on the bipod. The mounted bipod rock forward and backward pivoting on the sling stud. The base of the bipod has nothing to press against (i.e. stock) so it pivots on the stud. I assume a Noveske (Noveske RifleWorks, LLC.) stud would get the base of the bipod up against the free float tube.

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately, I think your right on the recoil lug which means my "drop in" stock is no longer drop in and is going to cost me more money!

exd3686

 

[poison123]

Trigger Monkey,

The magazine wobble is more of a side to side wobble? They function fine but are annoyingly loose.

You're most likely right on having an over sized recoil lug. I've reached out to Jerod at APA to see what it would take to fit the AIAX as I don't want to F@$& up my kick [MENTION=1104]SS[/MENTION] barreled action.

I tried several times on the bipod. The mounted bipod rock forward and backward pivoting on the sling stud. The base of the bipod has nothing to press against (i.e. stock) so it pivots on the stud. I assume a Noveske (Noveske RifleWorks, LLC.) stud would get the base of the bipod up against the free float tube.

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately, I think your right on the recoil lug which means my "drop in" stock is no longer drop in and is going to cost me more money!

exd3686

They've never been claimed to be drop in stocks for after market action setups....

 

[Trigger Monkey]

"Drop in" is relative, a stock Remington 700 will drop in but a custom action with custom components may or may not. The magazine issue may be annoying but it's to ensure that magazines can clear the cut and lock in place without having to raise the rear or cant the rifle. At it's heart the AX is designed for use is difficult conditions and there are tolerances in place to make sure that it can function in dirt, snow, mud, et...kinda like an AK.

In regards to the bipod, like I said I haven't had any issues mounting two Harris bipods up to my adapter. That being said it doesn't look like your mounting screw is in all the way to properly tighten it against the adapter. This could cause a pivoting issue like the one you're describing.

Excuse the poor picture but here is my bipod mounted up, notice the screw is all the way in.



Hope this helps.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I have a AI AX rifle and I like the chassis well enough but no way would I pick the AX chassis over a MCM A5. I'd slap it back in the A5 but thats me.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I actually did that with my other rifle when I had it in a McRee chassis....didn't like it as much as I thought and put it back in the A5. I'm really digging the AX though with my AAC-SD I don't regret spending the dough.

 

[exd3686]

Thanks for all the replies. Trigger Monkey - I'll have to play with the bipod a little more and may have to live with the loose mag issue. I'll have to see what Jerod comes back with to properly mount the action to the stock. I don't want to mess with the accuracy. If there are no good solutions, I may need to go back to the A5 and deal with airline luggage fees. Accuracy is the top priority! Wish McM would come out with a folding stock conversion piece like Manners!

exd3686

 

[Trigger Monkey]

One way or another Jered will get you fixed up. Good luck.

 

[exd3686]

Trigger Monkey - Thanks for all the help. After a little elbow grease and a set of pliers, I was able to get the bipod locked down. Guess I didn't try hard enough. Bipod is good to go. I loaded the included 5 round mag full of ammo and the 10 round with ammo inserted with the bolt closed and they are still a little loose but as you said there needs to be some "sloppiness" for perfect function. It's not an AR15. I guess I was just spoiled with a total customized bottom metal. I'll see what Jered has to say about fitting the barreled action....it would be worth having him work on it in order to keep the accuracy! I really love the look, fit, and feel of this chassis.

Thanks again!

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You should be able to have the recoil lug area opened up, that's what they do on the AICS chassis so I don't see why it would be different on the AX. Mile High offers the service on the AICS so you may want to talk to them as well.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I'm not sure if it's possible to add any depth to the recoil lug area because doesn't seem to be a lot of meat there like there is with the classic AICS. The picture shows what's under the recoil lug area and there's not a lot there but it'd be interesting to know for sure though.