How good is an AE MKiii?

[Estes640]

I’ve got the opportunity to snag one for a good price with a couple barrels and was considering selling my match rifle for it. How good are they. I know everyone says AI’s are the cream of the crop. How about the older ones? Still indestructible, worth the cost, and perform well all around?

I would use it for matches and hunting (I don’t have to hike super far: 1-2miles)

My current rifle is an origin with a 6br barrel sitting in a Krg bravo.

 

[Supersubes]

The reputation of AI’s were earned by those “older ones”. The mk3 uses an AW bolt with the 3 position safety. AICS mags only instead of AW mags. Exact same AW trigger. Think of it as a round action, bolt-in version of the AW. The AW(and AT/AX) are flat bottomed actions that get glued and screwed to the chassis.

Changing the barrels is a little more involved because you have to disassemble the gun, whereas on an AW of the same era you just vice the barrel, and unscrewed the gun off of it.

 

[Prophet78]

I just got a MKIII and love it. I’ve got highly customized 700’s and a Defiance.

I’m thinking of different skins and a change of scope. I do wish it was a folder.

In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller:

“It’s so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up”.

 

[b6graham]

i had one years ago before i got away from shooting for a bit. have since gone through tikka and mausingfield. have an origin and a TL3 is ordered.

the AE MKiii was a great rifle, but i wouldt get one for PRS or hunting again. AXMC for longer range stuff (norma boltface) yeah maybe but i would probably just go TL3 and 300PRC

 

[Prophet78]

But an AXMC is how much?

 

[Huskydriver]

But an AXMC is how much?

Used 5k

 

[Prophet78]

That’s asking a lot. Used MKIII’s are 2300 or better. I get the AX are the best but not all of us can pop for that amount of coin.

 

[Huskydriver]

I had a tl3 and mausingfield too. I wouldn't ever do a mausingfield again but loved my tl3 before I sold it and will prolly build another one day.

I currently have an axmc and love it but get it is not the cheapest option or there. I think I will pick up an at one day just to have another ai in the safe with quick barrel change capability.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I’ve got the opportunity to snag one for a good price with a couple barrels and was considering selling my match rifle for it. How good are they. I know everyone says AI’s are the cream of the crop. How about the older ones? Still indestructible, worth the cost, and perform well all around?

I would use it for matches and hunting (I don’t have to hike super far: 1-2miles)

My current rifle is an origin with a 6br barrel sitting in a Krg bravo.

Unless it’s a ridiculously good deal, just save up a bit more and get a used AT off the hide.

 

[SAS_Sniper]

All old AI (AW and AE) were equipped with Border (sn# 1.....) or Lothar (sn# 3.....) match barrels.. Action is like a rock..and shot very well..i think u will be happy with it.
I have a mk2 (24 and 20" barrel..both Lothar) and i love it..
Enjoy

 

[Estes640]

Unless it’s a ridiculously good deal, just save up a bit more and get a used AT off the hide.

Thanks for the feedback. I would absolutely snag an AT if I could right now, but funds don’t allow it nor will they til I can get my wife out of medical school. Then it’s game on.

Curious as to what you consider a good deal? I’ve seen some prices around here and already made my mind up on fair vs overpriced o believe.

 

[tnichols]

I have 2 AE Mk3’s and love them. Both shoot very well, sub 0.5 MOA.

 

[Mr. F]

Med school is harsh on the wallet. Id pick a Mkiii low count barrel if priced right.

I think mile high would be able to to the cal change/same cal rebarrel for a reasonable amount.

Did i miss the price you r getting?

 

[NateVA]

I had a tl3 and mausingfield too. I wouldn't ever do a mausingfield again but loved my tl3 before I sold it and will prolly build another one day.

What did you dislike about the Mausingfield?

 

[Huskydriver]

What did you dislike about the Mausingfield?

Pros: stupid slick dlc. The front to rear throw is awesome and probably one of the slickest from the first throw.

Cons: stupid heavy bolt lift compared to the tl3. Hell my AI feels like 25-30% less force to open then my mausingfield. Also I loved how easy my tl3 was to disassemble the bolt was just like an ai, grab and twist done. You need a screw and an extra set of washers to pull apart the bolt on the mausingfield. I like to do my brass work up without firing pins, extractors etc to get a good feel with my measurements. Wasn't easy to do with the mausingfield. My mausingfield extractor needed to be modified to get it to crf reliably. Called arc a ton never got a call back. Finally got them on the phone but if I remember right they wanted me to pay to send in the bolt. Found a thread here on the hide to help me get it ground down in just the right spots so it fed correctly.

Your experience my vary

 

[Dthomas3523]

Thanks for the feedback. I would absolutely snag an AT if I could right now, but funds don’t allow it nor will they til I can get my wife out of medical school. Then it’s game on.

Curious as to what you consider a good deal? I’ve seen some prices around here and already made my mind up on fair vs overpriced o believe.

Anything $2500 or more and you can get a used AT non folder for not much more.

So, probably $2k and under is what I’d call a deal good enough not to save for a used AT.

I am definitely not an expert in mkiii pricing though.

 

[Dthomas3523]

But also, get that girl out of med school and have sugar momma get you an ASR.