Very nice
It is good to see them active with donations to worthy causes.
I wish they would get their swag available again
It is good to see them active with donations to worthy causes.
I wish they would get their swag available again
I did ask about SWAG. They said it was a 3rd party who actually ran the operation. Unfortunately she contracted cancer and passed and the capability hasn't been renewed.
Been that way for a long time. That could have been remedied in a month.
That is my only beef with AI....sometimes they need to understand how much swag is worth to us....don't think they understand that
Copy, but if it was a 3rd party, wouldn't they be fronting the monies for the SWAG and then recouping through sales? Maybe no-one wanted to take on that level of investment? IDK, just speculating.
I am sure that the 3rd party wasn't paying the bill. There are several companies that specialize in these areas. Usually, they will charge you an upfront charge based on the number of items you want them to offer. They have a supply chain that makes the items and sometimes ships direct to the purchaser. The middle man collects fees to reflect their setup, management and logistics of their suppliers. AI may have to pay an initial amount to cover the first inventory or may not. I've seen it done both ways.
I believe it is not a priority for them.
I believe it is not a priority for them.
@Defender3, You don’t seem like a kryptek kind of guy, I’ll be happy to take it off your hands 
Wow, feeling a little attacked right now, but OK.
@Defender3, You don’t seem like a kryptek kind of guy, I’ll be happy to take it off your hands
Sure, go wait by your mailbox.
Not a AI
But a AI chassis with a vudoo 22lr.
Little bit of krylon goes s long way.
Going to hit my AXSA and ACMC this weekend if I get a chance.
But a AI chassis with a vudoo 22lr.
Little bit of krylon goes s long way.
Going to hit my AXSA and ACMC this weekend if I get a chance.
I ended up sending my barrel blank to Whidden to get chambered in 6 BR. They said they were looking at about 3-4 weeks turnaround for an AI barrel to be chambered and threaded if anyone is interested. I’m looking forward to hopefully getting it next month to play around with and see how it does. They’ve been really good at communication as well, which seems to be a commonly lacking trait in gunsmiths.
Hornady Factory Match 140gr ELD-M " 2,720fps. The stuff goes really well out of this barrel.
Got home and couldn’t stop myself.
AXMC in krylon-a-flage
Same rifle different light.
Started a fde and added 3 colors.
AXMC in krylon-a-flage
Same rifle different light.
Started a fde and added 3 colors.
I’m feeling really happy after my morning shoot, I’ve been chasing my tail a little bit getting comfortable with an A.I.
I picked up an AIAT on a trade and shot it a couple times and couldn’t get comfortable. I had some issues loading for it with the large firing pin, I had bad primer flow and a couple pierced primers. I didn’t have a lot of money into the setup so I was willing to throw some money at the problem.
I sent the bolt out to Long Rifles Inc (LRI) to get bushed down (amazing process and fast turn around), my buddy @dirthead1 and I took a torch to it and installed the AX Buttstock. I got a new optic mounted on it and I’m to the point now where this might be my favorite rifle...
I’ve been calling it Frankenstein. I’m excited how it turned out and can’t wait to run it thru the paces this summer, shooting season is in full swing in the Arizona Mountains. Took it out to 1K this morning.
Specs:
2014 AIAT with AX Buttstock
Tangent Theta Gen 3XR
Spuhr 4006
Area 419 Hellfire
Long Rifles Inc bushed bolt
Atlas CAL and Atlas Spigot
@samb300 Thumbrest kit
I picked up an AIAT on a trade and shot it a couple times and couldn’t get comfortable. I had some issues loading for it with the large firing pin, I had bad primer flow and a couple pierced primers. I didn’t have a lot of money into the setup so I was willing to throw some money at the problem.
I sent the bolt out to Long Rifles Inc (LRI) to get bushed down (amazing process and fast turn around), my buddy @dirthead1 and I took a torch to it and installed the AX Buttstock. I got a new optic mounted on it and I’m to the point now where this might be my favorite rifle...
I’ve been calling it Frankenstein. I’m excited how it turned out and can’t wait to run it thru the paces this summer, shooting season is in full swing in the Arizona Mountains. Took it out to 1K this morning.
Specs:
2014 AIAT with AX Buttstock
Tangent Theta Gen 3XR
Spuhr 4006
Area 419 Hellfire
Long Rifles Inc bushed bolt
Atlas CAL and Atlas Spigot
@samb300 Thumbrest kit
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The damn grass has been getting too tall, but that’s just a good excuse to break out the RRS. Even without practice it’s still easy to bang the 6” plate at 520 sitting.
Nice man. I have a 14 AX Bolt I’ve been thinking of sending them. Primers looks good now?
I wish I had the same day as you, but mine was very frustrating. I was going to set zero on the NF as well as test a variety of factory loads to see what this rifle prefers before I work some handloads. What I ended up with were marginal groups at best.
I was shooting the AI .260R at 100y, prone and off a concrete slab that is range 1 at Quantico. I switched to rubber feet on the Atlas and used the front tabs of the mat to load the bipod.
I had a variety of factory .260 including: Hornady 130 ELD-M, Berger 130, 136 and 140, FGMM in 142, Black Hills and McCourt.
I shot a CCB sighter at the center orange dot at 100 which was high, then adjusted down (top hit on the circle), and then two shots you see low and to the left a bit. I can usually shoot bugholes at 100 with my M5, so those got my attention. I continued in three shot strings with the Berger 136's, 140's and 130's, the some Prime 130gr (POA center of each square). I was simply hoping for better. Now, there were shooters left and right (one guy with a blackpowder and another pelting me with 5.56), but I can usually focus and shoot better.
I shot 3 of the BH's, FGMM and 2 of the McCourt (all I had) on the next target with the same results.
I then switched to suppressed hoping the groups would tighten up a bit, but nope.
I'm going take the scope off, check the rails and all the screws and re-install and re-torque. I'll clean and scope the barrel, remove and re-install it and then I'll remove the SOCOM 7.62-RC brake so I can test sans a brake or muzzle device in case it's introducing a variable. One thing I noticed was a lot of carbon on the underside of the barrel from the brake. I did install, tighten, rockset and time the brake (not my first rodeo) so that was a surprise to see the blowback.
I'll also check parallax, just in case, but I've been shooting this scope on a Mausingfield M5 with no issues.
Any thoughts from the hive (besides I suck
) ?ETA - I also had a shooting buddy who has an AX shoot a 3-shot string and he sucked too.
I wish I would’ve sent mine to LRI sooner, it came back perfect and my headspace was barely effected, about a thousandth.
Here is some of this morning brass. Mild 6.5 CM load
defender it could be your scope but f it’s not..
It seems to be up and down is the main issue, velocity won’t do that at 100
Where were the crosshairs when you come back after recoil
Can you get on a bench.
Possibility of a bad barrel they do happen to every maker and Smith
It seems to be up and down is the main issue, velocity won’t do that at 100
Where were the crosshairs when you come back after recoil
Can you get on a bench.
Possibility of a bad barrel they do happen to every maker and Smith
Been playing with a slanted butt for my AI’s.
Never liked flat bottom, like the ability to move the rifle or bag back and forth for elevation adjustments.
Attacked to a cheap qd mount.
Trying it out tomorrow if all goes according to plan/wife lol
Never liked flat bottom, like the ability to move the rifle or bag back and forth for elevation adjustments.
Attacked to a cheap qd mount.
Trying it out tomorrow if all goes according to plan/wife lol
Yup. Think it’s a value guide rail.
Cheap adjustable qd mount off amazon and some jb weld.
If it’s a winner I’ll spend some time on better materials...unless I get lazy.
Already spray painted it, usually that means my lazy ass is done.
Had some pieces laying around at work.
Couldn’t find any plastic chunks that I could shape with out me spending forever.
Figure, I know it’s square off the bat and I would be able to bend it if needed.
Smooth, square, strong enough
Hopefully can’t miss
That was my biggest concern I guess what headspace but I’ve recently read on their page it was .001-.0005 change. So not too bad. What was the lead time like?
I was quoted 5-10 day turnaround, I think it took 7 days. Less than 2 weeks including shipping both ways.
I’m really happy I did it, call them early in the morning around 7am CST and Chad will answer the phone and relive any headspace concerns you may have. I talked to him at length about it, they’ve got the process pretty well licked.
The balance in the Universe has been restored. Thanks to those who replied both in the thread and though PMs.
I did a complete clean and inspect of the rifle, removed the optic from the top rail and checked torque on all screws, removed the brake, removed the barrel (after cleaning) and reinstalled everything but the brake. As I said before, there was an excessive carbon blowback right at the 6 o'clock on the barrel, which is unusual for any of my SOCOMs, as were those groups.
I took the rifle back to Range 1 and again did the 100y zero. I first took 10 minutes to dryfire and check position, eyebox, cheek pressure and placement, etc. I then fired a Prime 130gr sighter at the center of the orange dot, which you see low left. I resighted and fired the center orange, then two more that are flanking on each side, again, with Prime. I reloaded with 130gr Bergers and shot the group to the left. Since each is exhibiting horizontal stringing, I'll check cheek rest and trigger pressure (I was using the three-finger method).
I'm convinced that brake was introducing a variable as what you now see is more my norm. Again, thanks to the hive.
I did a complete clean and inspect of the rifle, removed the optic from the top rail and checked torque on all screws, removed the brake, removed the barrel (after cleaning) and reinstalled everything but the brake. As I said before, there was an excessive carbon blowback right at the 6 o'clock on the barrel, which is unusual for any of my SOCOMs, as were those groups.
I took the rifle back to Range 1 and again did the 100y zero. I first took 10 minutes to dryfire and check position, eyebox, cheek pressure and placement, etc. I then fired a Prime 130gr sighter at the center of the orange dot, which you see low left. I resighted and fired the center orange, then two more that are flanking on each side, again, with Prime. I reloaded with 130gr Bergers and shot the group to the left. Since each is exhibiting horizontal stringing, I'll check cheek rest and trigger pressure (I was using the three-finger method).
I'm convinced that brake was introducing a variable as what you now see is more my norm. Again, thanks to the hive.
Awesome. Thanks man I’ll give him a call sooner or later lol
Sam how do you like the BRA in the AIAX? I'm looking at doing a BRX right now, am ordering the barrel tonight.
I'll be sending my bolt in, as soon as our shooting season is over. I'm just getting my feet wet in PRS. On the plus side, my first match I was....56th out of 58, our last club shoot, I scored 4th place out of 20 some guys! Big thanks to my fellow Hide buddy Night Assassin for all his help. He told me to get a 6.5 barrel....and I should have listened sooner. She loves 130gr Berger AR Hybrids. I'm trying out Hornady 140's for my next match.
I’m a huge fan of the Berger 130 Hybrid as well. Great job on the improvements in the match, I found it amazing how much better my ranking was if I would slow down, focus on the hit 1 at a time and not the clock.
If you have any issues with your primers, don’t hesitate to send it to LRI it’ll only be gone for 2 weeks tops.
Happy Shootin’
I haven't gotten a chance to shoot it yet. I have all the components, just need to load up some fireforming loads and (hopefully) head out this weekend. Plan is H4895 and 105 Hybrids. I've never been a speed chaser, and with a 24" barrel I'm hoping for 2900 fps with once-fired brass.
Any thoughts from the hive (besides I suck
ETA - I also had a shooting buddy who has an AX shoot a 3-shot string and he sucked too.
Hey! I resemble that!
Looks like I’ve got no other option at this point, but to have my bolt bushed. Did another load work up. Adjusted down to 39.9 which was fine the other day. No cratering. Now they pierce every single time. Going to try a full work up again. I’m worried I damaged my firing pin.
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I had the opportunity to sneak away for a couple hours before vacation and the 16-3/4” barrel did not disappoint.
I have not had to tweak BCs or the AB custom curves much with the Kestrel 5700 Elite. This barrel and the 168gr’s I had to go from a G1 of 0.434 to 0.480. I thought it was odd, but everything lined up from 200-700yards and I was tagging 10-12” plates all the way.
Over the 30 rounds chrono’ed velocity was 2510fps, SD 10-12fps, ES 30-36.
There was one shot before this to figure out what the offset was after switching from 6.5CM to .308. This is the next 3 shots.
I was kinda rushed today so forgot to snag a pic on the line. This will have to do.
I have not had to tweak BCs or the AB custom curves much with the Kestrel 5700 Elite. This barrel and the 168gr’s I had to go from a G1 of 0.434 to 0.480. I thought it was odd, but everything lined up from 200-700yards and I was tagging 10-12” plates all the way.
Over the 30 rounds chrono’ed velocity was 2510fps, SD 10-12fps, ES 30-36.
There was one shot before this to figure out what the offset was after switching from 6.5CM to .308. This is the next 3 shots.
I was kinda rushed today so forgot to snag a pic on the line. This will have to do.
I don't know if you can scope your bore, but you could have a carbon ring in the throat that's raising pressures. I was shooting my gas 260 and blowing primers with factory Hornady 130s ELD-Ms, which is a tame load. I scoped the bore and there was carbon buildup in the throat. Same could happen in a bolt rifle.
A clean barrel throat (4200 round count of 260):
Same area showing the carbon ring. I scrubbed out the ring and all went back to normal.
I've seen one that looks like that somewhere....
Mine shoots extremely well with M118LR bulk stuff to the point that I don't even want to load for it so long as I can buy that stuff for .80 per round.
I’ll have to give it a try. I was able to pick up the 168gr FGMM for $0.825/round.
I really like it. Super maneuverable and handy.
Handy is a definite. After running it for 200 rounds and swapping back to the 6.5 creed barrel that's 24" it feels like a Kentucky long rifle compared to the shorty. I'm tempted to buy another 6.5 barrel and cut it back but not sure if it will defeat the purpose or not.
Lol that’s funny. I was thinking the same thing about my 6.5CM barrel when I was driving home today. I think 18” might be a happy medium. I definitely would not go shorter than 16.5-16.75”
Anybody still running and AI AE MK3?
6.5 Creedmoor- Effect of Barrel Length on Velocity: Cutting up a Creedmoor!
Since its introduction by Hornady in 2007, the 6.5 Creedmoor (sometimes shortened to Creed) has established a strong foothold in the US rifle market. The 6.5 Creedmoor balances the excellent exter…
rifleshooter.com This was an eye opener for me. Go down to the tables that compare the 120 amax and 142 smk to the 22” 308 175smk. When a 16-18” 6.5cm still shoots inside a 22” 308 @ 1000 it makes me want to chop them all off lol.
Did a quick ladder test up to 41.7 grains. No cratering on large rifle primers. A hair of cratering started at 41.3 for small rifle. I think I have my solution. Switch to large rifle primer brass.
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