After 18mo of beating on things, here’s the stuff that kept working

[Dthomas3523]

So, last 18mo have been a tornado of gear for me. I enjoy trying new things and seeing what I like and the differences.

Over that time, I’ve learned that dependability and worry free operation is most important to me. As well as not having to make myself like something (average or bad glass for example).

I haven’t tried everything, but I have tried most all major brands in most categories.

I also learned that I can apparently break a ball bearing. ?

Keep in mind, this isn’t a “this is the best” list. This was what ended up not being sold or traded, or if so, what ended up back in my kit after trying other stuff.

Again, 99% based on durability and dependability. This list is mainly for anyone looking for absolute reliability and durability and doesn’t want to spend the time and/or cash to figure it all out.

You could pick and choose from this list and have a kit that you won’t have to worry with tweaking or dicking around with things like feeding issues, sub par glass, tracking issues, which app to use, taking phone into field, etc etc.

Rifle (non custom): AI-AT
Rifle (custom) Impact or Curtis Axiom (Vector is nice but takes tweaking)

Custom Stock: Kmw Sentinel (most any other reputable stock is fine and very durable)

Custom trigger: diamond

Optics: zcomp, theta, razor gen 2 (all tanks)

Bipod: atlas cal gen 2 (tried Ckye pod and have a tbac on way)

Tripod: RRS if humping or shooting off it a lot. Otherwise a leofoto 364c works perfectly well for spotting and occasional use

Software/weather: kestrel 5700 elite w/link

Spotter: swaro slc 15x56 bino

Rangefinder: terrapin x (leica also works great)


Would be too much to write on comparing them to other items. Long story short, other items either failed/broke, or I felt had some shortcomings compared to the ones listed.

Stocks was the only category where one or two things didn’t stick out.

List of items I would like to try but haven’t:

Tbac bipod (on way)
Lone Peak Fusion (I expect it to be on level with impact)
Badger 2013 action

This also doesn’t mean anything not listed is bad. Just that it wasn’t as durable or took more work to get working perfectly than I want.

I’d rather spend more time practicing or shooting matches and not tweaking things.

 

[kabarNC]

Thanks for the write up! I'm curious, what is your current caliber you're shooting for matches and what mags do you prefer for it?

 

[Dthomas3523]

Thanks for the write up! I'm curious, what is your current caliber you're shooting for matches and what mags do you prefer for it?

6cm at the moment with aw mags (running an AI-AT). But about to start running a 6xc and possibly 6 dasher. Both in aw mags (dasher with kit). And see what the actual barrel life comparison is. Barrel life is becoming more important to me than anything as all the 6mm rounds perform fine.

With the axiom and impact, I’m running .223 and using accurate mags.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Thanks for the write up! I'm curious, what is your current caliber you're shooting for matches and what mags do you prefer for it?

Oh and I have a 6.5cm barrel I use for practice and also run AW mags.

 

[Desert Raven]

So, last 18mo have been a tornado of gear for me. I enjoy trying new things and seeing what I like and the differences.

Over that time, I’ve learned that dependability and worry free operation is most important to me. As well as not having to make myself like something (average or bad glass for example).

I haven’t tried everything, but I have tried most all major brands in most categories.

I also learned that I can apparently break a ball bearing. ?

Keep in mind, this isn’t a “this is the best” list. This was what ended up not being sold or traded, or if so, what ended up back in my kit after trying other stuff.

Again, 99% based on durability and dependability. This list is mainly for anyone looking for absolute reliability and durability and doesn’t want to spend the time and/or cash to figure it all out.

You could pick and choose from this list and have a kit that you won’t have to worry with tweaking or dicking around with things like feeding issues, sub par glass, tracking issues, which app to use, taking phone into field, etc etc.

Rifle (non custom): AI-AT
Rifle (custom) Impact or Curtis Axiom (Vector is nice but takes tweaking)

Custom Stock: Kmw Sentinel (most any other reputable stock is fine and very durable)

Custom trigger: diamond

Optics: zcomp, theta, razor gen 2 (all tanks)

Bipod: atlas cal gen 2 (tried Ckye pod and have a tbac on way)

Tripod: RRS if humping or shooting off it a lot. Otherwise a leofoto 364c works perfectly well for spotting and occasional use

Software/weather: kestrel 5700 elite w/link

Spotter: swaro slc 15x56 bino

Rangefinder: terrapin x (leica also works great)


Would be too much to write on comparing them to other items. Long story short, other items either failed/broke, or I felt had some shortcomings compared to the ones listed.

Stocks was the only category where one or two things didn’t stick out.

List of items I would like to try but haven’t:

Tbac bipod (on way)
Lone Peak Fusion (I expect it to be on level with impact)
Badger 2013 action

This also doesn’t mean anything not listed is bad. Just that it wasn’t as durable or took more work to get working perfectly than I want.

I’d rather spend more time practicing or shooting matches and not tweaking things.

Really appreciate this info @Dthomas3523, especially since I am new to precision rifles (spent most of my life in the Midwest shooting shotguns all the time- hunting and trap shooting). I’ve learned a lot from your posts and am glad you wrote this. Always helpful to those of us less experienced. Helps us save $$$ by buying tried and tested gear. Much appreciated, brother!

 

[alwaywatchyoursix]

I like this list, but what I'd really like is a list of stuff you used that didn't make the list. As in, a list of things you tried out and found to be wanting.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I like this list, but what I'd really like is a list of stuff you used that didn't make the list. As in, a list of things you tried out and found to be wanting.

I can honestly say the only thing I found unacceptable was the AI comp trigger.

Went through 3 of them and they all eventually failed and failure multiple times. Two were sent back to the manufacturer and came back only to immediately fail without making tonthe field.

Broken a few Harris bipods, but that’s nothing new.

Huber triggers are finicky we shit.

Ckye pod is awesome, but too many adjustments which makes for a lot of slack to load out of the bipod.

Anything vortex not a gen 2 razor or amg isn’t my favorite.

All Athlon stuff is shit IMO. Cronus isn’t bad for the money. But when you put it beside anything.....it’s shit comparatively speaking.

LRR reticle is too small for practical use

Most any other stuff that I didn’t like wasn’t because it wasn’t good, but not up to the price point. K525i should be a $2500 optic. As well as the Minox zp5 (they are giving 50% off codes for minox, so that means they are ok selling them for $1800 for a while, that should be a clue).

 

[Steel head]

Out of curiosity what issues did you have with Huber triggers?

 

[Dthomas3523]

Out of curiosity what issues did you have with Huber triggers?

It’s not a true 2 stage. Which it’s fairly advertised as a “staged break.” So I can’t complain really.

If you take up the slack, and don’t put the safety on to reset the trigger, when any movement of the bolt happens, it can fire.

It’s also fairly picky when trying to adjust the weight and pull. I’ve had some that were hard to get any creep out of if you adjusted them.

Again, this is all either advertised as stages break, or user error on adjustments. Not like the comp trigger which will randomly start failing.

But when you compare it to say a diamond, which is idiot proof and completely/utterly drop/impact safe, then it’s lacking.

 

[Steel head]

It’s not a true 2 stage. Which it’s fairly advertised as a “staged break.” So I can’t complain really.

If you take up the slack, and don’t put the safety on to reset the trigger, when any movement of the bolt happens, it can fire.

It’s also fairly picky when trying to adjust the weight and pull. I’ve had some that were hard to get any creep out of if you adjusted them.

Again, this is all either advertised as stages break, or user error on adjustments. Not like the comp trigger which will randomly start failing.

But when you compare it to say a diamond, which is idiot proof and completely/utterly drop/impact safe, then it’s lacking.

I didn’t know you could adjust them.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I didn’t know you could adjust them.

Huber says that you need to send them in. But when you call, he’ll walk you through adjustments.

It’s a good feeling trigger and he’s a good dude to deal with.

I just feel like the diamond and AI factory triggers are where it’s at in overall feel and safety.

 

[Rob Hamilton]

I just found this. Great thread. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with different equipment.
PM sent also