Accuracy International A* and SIG SSG3000 Bolt Action "Speed"

[Edsel]

I'm currently considering getting a SIG SSG3000, but have been put off by the absence of any lefty actions.

Accuracy International, on the other hand - will be coming out with lefties sometime this year for their AT platform.

I've been told that the SSG3000 action is quite slick.

With shorter cartridges, these actions are probably a joy to manipulate.



I have no idea how one would describe an Accuracy International bolt action.

For those who've used both, could you chime in?

No particular purpose in mind, just curious.

 

[mkollman74]

Hadn't heard about any lefty ATs. If true, that will make my day.

 

[Dirty D]

Check out the Blaser and its straight pull bolt if you are looking for a fast cycling action.

eta linky: Blaser R8 Bolt-Action Rifle

 

[Edsel]

Not really looking specifically for a fast action - I was just wondering how the Accuracy International actions felt like when manipulated.

Are they as slick?

 

[madAB]

Having just got my first AI, I think it's pretty slick. It definitely feels like a shorter throw, or lift, needed to cycle the bolt compared to my R700.

 

[Arbiter]

I've got a wee bit of experience with AEs, AWs, and AXs, in both left and right hand configuration. I've only handled the SSG3000 (both original $3k model, and the new $1.5k US SIG version).

Bolt manipulation is very similar between the two platforms, and I consider that to be a significant compliment to the SSG. There are few actions that buttery smooth out of the box, and both rifles are excellent.

That being said, as a lefty, I would personally prefer to shoot a right-handed rifle. I can manipulate the bolt with my right hand damn near as fast as most righties can. Put up against the top level of precision rifle shooters in this country, I'm going to give up a fraction of a second. That might make the difference between winning and losing if you're in the top 10% of shooters, but first you need to be there in everything else you do: the rifle system itself, your loads, practicing positional shooting, getting solid dope, being able to move quickly, etc. I've handled left-handed AI AWs before, and while they were nice, the majority of people who bought them IIRC were right handed shooters who wanted to do something different. Being able to see into the action is an advantage, IMO, provided you wear eye pro (you do wear eye pro, right?) and don't do anything retarded with your handloads.

 

[Edsel]

That being said, as a lefty, I would personally prefer to shoot a right-handed rifle. I can manipulate the bolt with my right hand damn near as fast as most righties can.

Do you do that with your left hand on the trigger, your right hand on the bolt, laying prone with a bipod?

Or a mirror image of this method?

 

[Edsel]

Hadn't heard about any lefty ATs. If true, that will make my day.

Here you go:

AI has told us that they plan on introducing LH models sometime in 2014.

 

[bm11]

After a few thousand cycles, AI bolts are about the slickest thing going. I haven't felt a SSG 3000 but the SSG 69 I've shot did not compare.

 

[wilwith1l]

Do you do that with your left hand on the trigger, your right hand on the bolt, laying prone with a bipod?

Or a mirror image of this method?

I'm normal ( ), but I've always done Rapid Bolt Manipulation drills with my left hand on the trigger (assuming a supported position). That's the fastest way I've ever executed.

 

[wilwith1l]

Check out the Blaser and its straight pull bolt if you are looking for a fast cycling action.

eta linky: Blaser R8 Bolt-Action Rifle

This sucks, because I thought of this in the shower one day, and thought it was my get rich quick, fo-sho.
Why did they have to do it first?

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

I think bolt manipulation is superior on an AI than SSG3k, having used both a fair amount. The SSG3k (and honorable mention to Sako TRG) is probably a little slicker than AI, but does it in a flimsy-feeling way. Meanwhile the AI feels like a well-fit bank vault.

Honestly, this is only mental masturbation applicable to fondling the rifle on your LazyBoy. When actually running the rifles in the field, you just don't feel the difference.

 

[Powermac]

Op take into consideration,that in the video you posted, the shooters shooting these drills, do use they're middle finger for trigger pull, keeping thumb and your normal trigger finger on the bolt at all times to increase the cycling rate.
They have 25 seconds to shoot as many shots as possible hitting the target, not precision work really.

The SSG / 200 STR witch is the one in the video, is surely a slick action to manipulate.
The 60 degree bolt throw helps with speed, and if your looking for a rifle for fast shooting they will serve you better then the AI.
For anyone calling BS take your AI and try to fire 18-20 shots in 25 seconds while hitting on all shots witch the best shooters can do with these. And good luck.
You wont get parts for it in the US though.
Considering calibers and bolt speed all the actions is of medium length, the mag has a 3.4 oal, as they were originally produced to run the 6,5x55, so changing calibers won't have much to say.
The 200 TR/ STR is made in left hand versions, the SSG 3000 is not sold in a left hand config by SIG.
Accuracy wise my 200 STR with a border barrel and a bedding job is a solid .25-.5 moa rifle.

Now would i choose a Sauer 200/SSG 3000 over a AI rifle?
No way, the only department the Sauers excel in over a AI is the slicckness of the action, and the speed witch you can shoot at, witch really does not matter much for my shooting.
I have owned a 200 STR for 15 years so i have some experience with them.

 

[mkollman74]

Here you go:

That rocks! Thx for pointing out that thread.

 

[6XC]

I haven't felt a SSG 3000 but the SSG 69 I've shot did not compare.

SSG 3000 and SSG 69 are made by two different companies. SSG stands for Scharfschützengewehr which literary means sharp shooter rifle.

 

[Dirty D]

This sucks, because I thought of this in the shower one day

Fast cycling your slicked up action in the shower again huh?

 

[jbell]

I own or have owned all 4 rifles mentioned in this thread the AIAW, Steyr SSG69, Sauer 200STR, and the Sako TRG 22. I can honestly say as far as speed of the action it is a toss up. I can run any of them as fast as the other. I do think that the AW has the heaviest bolt lift of the 4 due to the firing pin spring being so heavy, but it will ignite primers with ease. The Sauer is the slickest out of the gate (as stated above) as the chrome bolt body and very precise machining helps, but after the AW is well seasoned it is just as slick. I would put the TRG in a close second after the 2 way tie for first and then the Steyr is not nearly as nice due to some bolt slop. IMHO you are not going to leave anything on the table as far as action operation with the AW, SSG3000/200STR, or TRG. I would base a purchase on the other aspects of the rifle like ergonomics as the accuracy is a toss up of the 3 and all 3 have wonderful triggers. But this is just my .02

 

[Mute]

I've used all these rifles. They're so close I wouldn't let this one thing be the determining factor on which rifle I choose.

 

[Edsel]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Again, my query isn't about choosing rifles at all based on smoothness of action.

I was just curious how smooth the AI action was.

The SIG SSG3000 isn't available in the U.S. in lefty configuration, and I'll probably be getting an AI for that reason.

 

[tnichols]

Have to agree with jbell. Bolt "lift" is a bit heavy on the AI's due to how the action operates. But, the action is very smooth. My AE only has a few hundred rounds through it and it is like butta'. More importantly, it is a fricken' hammer!

 

[Papagallos]

I am the only one who thinks that an AI action isn't smooth at all, especially not the bolt lift. But I only dry fire in my garage.