Accuracy International AXSR ARCA rail and scratched cerakote

[Bruce K]

What do precision rifles have in common with cars and motorcycles? Owners always want to add or upgrade things and my Accuracy International AXSR is no exception. I’ve noticed mounting the rifle in my Really Right Stuff carbon fiber tripod and Anvil 30 ballhead, the Cerakoting was rubbing off the chassis where it was clamped into the ballhead.

I sent out two dozen emails to gunsmiths and vendors looking for a solution. My thought was to mount an ARCA plate to the rifle’s chassis which had a built in ARCA rail, but the constant clamping of the rifle into the tripod ballhead was scratching the Cerakote finish from the rifle.

Gunsmiths and vendors were responding with no direct solution, so I managed to find an ARCA plate that was close, but then having to purchase four small proprietary fasteners for Accuracy Internationals keyslot mounting system. Four tiny screws cost almost a Franklin.

Why not a transparent plastic solution or tape, because it isn’t a great solution and looks tacky. Also, the anodized finish is more durable than Cerakote.

If you’re persistent enough you’ll eventually succeed. Matt Yore of Sawtooth Rifles responded just after I ordered my workaround solution with a part that is exactly what I was looking for. He makes an ARCA rail that fits perfectly on my AI AXSR rifle with his ARCA rail coming with the necessary proprietary fasteners. The parts are being finished and sent out to be anodized, I’ve asked if I can get “Sage Green” to match my rifle.

So, like my motorcycle and car enthusiasts, I’ll have a few more things to add to my shelf of ideas that were close or sounded good at the time, but looking forward to getting the perfect part. Matt’s ARCA rail also has stops to prevent the rifle from sliding out of the tripod mount, cool!

 

[Huskydriver]

@BurtG how do you keep your arca from getting scratched?

 

[Threadcutter308]

@BurtG how do you keep your arca from getting scratched?

View attachment 8782596

His biggest challenge is throwing the rifle into one of his tracors that ISN’T broken…….

 

[BurtG]

@BurtG how do you keep your arca from getting scratched?

View attachment 8782596

Whatever shall I do.

We all got some tism
That guy got a double dose

 

[Terry Cross]

I’ve noticed . . . . . . , the Cerakoting was rubbing off the chassis where it was clamped into the ballhead.

. . . . . . but the constant clamping of the rifle into the tripod ballhead was scratching the Cerakote finish from the rifle.

Sorry Bruce.

I had to do it but at least I did it nicer than some of these other fags would have done.

 

[Threadcutter308]

View attachment 8782653









Sorry Bruce.

I had to do it but at least I did it nicer than some of these other fags would have done.

"fags" ?

Jeebuz, some people's kids

 

[BurtG]

View attachment 8782653









Sorry Bruce.

I had to do it but at least I did it nicer than some of these other fags would have done.

I was gonna tag you. You always bitch about integrated arca cause the praetorian guard and road pirates destroy their tax payer funded rifles and you have to fix

 

[Terry Cross]

I was gonna tag you. You always bitch about integrated arca cause the praetorian guard and road pirates destroy their tax payer funded rifles and you have to fix

LOL.
I gotta bitch about something! Leemme lone!

We don't give a shit about finish and coatings. As long as they still sell Krylon, we good.
It's just that it's a bit inconvenient when a rail is so fucked up shit won't even even function properly on it.

BTW, I think the sexiest rifle is one that has a lot of the finish rubbed off from actual use but still works. Your pic is schweeeet.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

 

[Dogtown]

The old Gen X skateboarder in me is reminded of all the poseurs with skateboards without scuff marks from heavy use.

 

[Roadrace33]

Its the equivalent of unscuffed construction boots.

To be fair i used to hate scratching my shit up but i have since gotten over it. Fuck it. I'm so much happier now.

 

[Bruce K]

Sniper’s Hide is no different from other forums covering niche activities. Having been involved in competitive ATA Trap and track days for decades I’m aware of ”Social power dynamics. Accusations of posing can often relate to power imbalances within the group. People with more social power, or those who have been part of the group for longer, may dictate who is "real" and who is not, often reinforcing their own status or a particular group.

Having owned over forty-five motorcycles with dozens being dedicated track motorcycles, some of which were the subject of motorcycle comparisons, there were the “Gatekeepers” that insinuated having pristine track bikes with the latest gear were “poseurs,” thankfully my lap times ended such descriptions.

As I progressed in ATA meets I upgraded my competitive shotgun to a Beretta DT11 Black and flew back to Wenig Custom Gunstocks for a personal fitting in Lincoln Missouri who makes custom fitted stocks for six-time Olympic Champion Kim Rhodes and others. To a lesser degree, “Gatekeepers” at various events and clubs thought having a custom gun cart, custom DT11 Black and Wenig stock, top of the line shooting glasses, custom vest etc. suggested I was in some manner beneath their group using older guns with years of wear as they forewent carts as a rite of passage to some elevated group. While I didn’t consider myself a top competitor I managed several 98 and 99’s out of a hundred at events.

In my experience at competitions professional race teams and top shooters always had nice equipment. Even in Supercross where bikes are filthy after each race, they come to the line in the next moto clean and pristine. I have not seen top competitors at regional or national shooting events with battered or well-worn guns, shooting glasses, vests etc. This observation suggests new or pristine equipment alone does not constitute being a poser.

Certainly, posers or “poseurs” exist, however, the mere ownership of nice equipment or having an interest in keeping ones equipment itself does not automatically define a poser. If the mere ownership or interest in nice equipment could define a poser, then the inverse may be true as well making the conclusion of the first assumption an invalid argument. The motivation of “Gatekeepers” is beyond the scope of this post.

Does the manufacturing of a part to reduce or eliminate wear on a chassis rifle make the manufacturer a poser as well? Does finding a solution to an issue that reduces damage to a rifle and solves a design flaw make someone a poser?

One of my dear friends who owns a security company and spent most of his adult life in the military with six tours of duty in Navy keeps his guns and hotrods in pristine condition. No one would mistake him for a “poseur.”

Having an anodized ARCA rail attached to my chassis will not eliminate scratches, but it will be more resistance than a Cerakote finish over what is likely a softer aluminum chassis.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, assessments and biases which I have as well. However, with various degrees of success I try to remember how to structure logical arguments as often as I can in my “Golden years” and thought sharing the availability of this product which wasn’t initially easy to find might be helpful to others.

 

[BurtG]

Stick around you need a thick skin here. At times.

 

[BurtG]

s adult life in the military with six tours of duty in Navy keeps his guns and hotrods in pristine condition.

Also

lol

 

[Bruce K]

At my old age I've been around more than a few "Gatekeeper" types and they certainly are entitled to their perspectives.

 

[MarinePMI]

Sniper’s Hide is no different from other forums covering niche activities. Having been involved in competitive ATA Trap and track days for decades I’m aware of ”Social power dynamics. Accusations of posing can often relate to power imbalances within the group. People with more social power, or those who have been part of the group for longer, may dictate who is "real" and who is not, often reinforcing their own status or a particular group.

Having owned over forty-five motorcycles with dozens being dedicated track motorcycles, some of which were the subject of motorcycle comparisons, there were the “Gatekeepers” that insinuated having pristine track bikes with the latest gear were “poseurs,” thankfully my lap times ended such descriptions.

As I progressed in ATA meets I upgraded my competitive shotgun to a Beretta DT11 Black and flew back to Wenig Custom Gunstocks for a personal fitting in Lincoln Missouri who makes custom fitted stocks for six-time Olympic Champion Kim Rhodes and others. To a lesser degree, “Gatekeepers” at various events and clubs thought having a custom gun cart, custom DT11 Black and Wenig stock, top of the line shooting glasses, custom vest etc. suggested I was in some manner beneath their group using older guns with years of wear as they forewent carts as a rite of passage to some elevated group. While I didn’t consider myself a top competitor I managed several 98 and 99’s out of a hundred at events.

In my experience at competitions professional race teams and top shooters always had nice equipment. Even in Supercross where bikes are filthy after each race, they come to the line in the next moto clean and pristine. I have not seen top competitors at regional or national shooting events with battered or well-worn guns, shooting glasses, vests etc. This observation suggests new or pristine equipment alone does not constitute being a poser.

Certainly, posers or “poseurs” exist, however, the mere ownership of nice equipment or having an interest in keeping ones equipment itself does not automatically define a poser. If the mere ownership or interest in nice equipment could define a poser, then the inverse may be true as well making the conclusion of the first assumption an invalid argument. The motivation of “Gatekeepers” is beyond the scope of this post.

Does the manufacturing of a part to reduce or eliminate wear on a chassis rifle make the manufacturer a poser as well? Does finding a solution to an issue that reduces damage to a rifle and solves a design flaw make someone a poser?

One of my dear friends who owns a security company and spent most of his adult life in the military with six tours of duty in Navy keeps his guns and hotrods in pristine condition. No one would mistake him for a “poseur.”

Having an anodized ARCA rail attached to my chassis will not eliminate scratches, but it will be more resistance than a Cerakote finish over what is likely a softer aluminum chassis.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, assessments and biases which I have as well. However, with various degrees of success I try to remember how to structure logical arguments as often as I can in my “Golden years” and thought sharing the availability of this product which wasn’t initially easy to find might be helpful to others.

Understand, in long range shooting, typically gear is used and abused. It is most definitely not like ATA Trap, shooting with $27k Perazzi shotguns with gold inlay in the engraving.

To answer you main questions; no. The ARCA specs that AI use is the RRS spec (with the finish thickness factored in), so adding something (like an additional clear coat) to it will increase the width and possibly cause issues with the ARCA clamp closing all the way.

AI's are built, and intended, to take a lot of abuse. They are most definitely not intended to be safe queens, or look pristine. ARCA rails will get dinged, scratched and scraped. It's just part of using ARCA as a clamping system.

As mentioned, they look better with the battle scars. Embrace it.

 

[Dogtown]

 

[Bruce K]

Understand, in long range shooting, typically gear is used and abused. It is most definitely not like ATA Trap, shooting with $27k Perazzi shotguns with gold inlay in the engraving.

To answer you main questions; no. The ARCA specs that AI use is the RRS spec (with the finish thickness factored in), so adding something (like an additional clear coat) to it will increase the width and possibly cause issues with the ARCA clamp closing all the way.

AI's are built, and intended, to take a lot of abuse. They are most definitely not intended to be safe queens, or look pristine. ARCA rails will get dinged, scratched and scraped. It's just part of using ARCA as a clamping system.

As mentioned, they look better with the battle scars. Embrace it.

I'm coming from the investment industry which is filled with "Gatekeeper" types, football and basketball players, sufers, Ivy League etc. so I learned a long time ago to just do my own thing. I let my performance speak for itself.

Just a comment about the RRS Anvil-30 ARC Lever-Lock Ball Head, it has a user adjustable screw on the newer models that allow you to adjust the tension of the clamp.

I get that some shooting events like PRS or some of the field events competitors have well worn guns. If you talk with Matt Yore of Sawtooth Rifles, his new ARCA rail also has the benefit of stops that would prevent the rifle from sliding out of the ARCA mount if the clamp were to become loose, possibly a concern only to posers?

I might speculate that there are those that have well worn rifles that could be considered posers as well. The mere attribute of a well worn rifle therefore is not conclusive to anything, rather suggestive at best.

I have a Honda 450X dirt bike that is well worn along with riding gear. Having such doesn't make me a better rider, rather I simply choose not to maintain my dirt bike or gear to like new condition. Nothing I say here will likely change the attitude of many, but that's why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors of ice cream. Nor is a discussion of psychological and cognitive factors within the original scope of this post nor likely desired.

 

[MarinePMI]

I'm coming from the investment industry which is filled with "Gatekeeper" types, football and basketball players, sufers, Ivy League etc. so I learned a long time ago to just do my own thing. I let my performance speak for itself.

Just a comment about the RRS Anvil-30 ARC Lever-Lock Ball Head, it has a user adjustable screw on the newer models that allow you to adjust the tension of the clamp.

I get that some shooting events like PRS or some of the field events competitors have well worn guns. If you talk with Matt Yore of Sawtooth Rifles, his new ARCA rail also has the benefit of stops that would prevent the rifle from sliding out of the ARCA mount if the clamp were to become loose, possibly a concern only to posers?

I might speculate that there are those that have well worn rifles that could be considered posers as well. The mere attribute of a well worn rifle therefore is not conclusive to anything, rather suggestive at best.

I have a Honda 450X dirt bike that is well worn along with riding gear. Having such doesn't make me a better rider, rather I simply choose not to maintain my dirt bike or gear to like new condition. Nothing I say here will likely change the attitude of many, but that's why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors of ice cream.

The problem with adjusting the Anvil (which I also own), is now your other non-worn ARCA plates won't lock into place. They're adjustable to account for all the (then) cheap Chinese ARCA bases that were not all the same spec (there basically wasn't a true spec until RRS published theirs).

As to posers...that's a whole other can of worms not even worth getting into.

BLUF: You're worrying too much about appearance. Just go out and shoot your rifle.

 

[Bruce K]

The problem with adjusting the Anvil (which I also own), is now your other non-worn ARCA plates won't lock into place. They're adjustable to account for all the (then) cheap Chinese ARCA bases that were not all the same spec (there basically wasn't a true spec until RRS published theirs).

As to posers...that's a whole other can of worms not even worth getting into.

BLUF: You're worrying too much about appearance. Just go out and shoot your rifle.

I agree and I will.

 

[Nik H]

Stick around you need a thick skin here. At times.


View attachment 8782862

More than a touch

 

[Nik H]

Understand, in long range shooting, typically gear is used and abused. It is most definitely not like ATA Trap, shooting with $27k Perazzi shotguns with gold inlay in the engraving.

To answer you main questions; no. The ARCA specs that AI use is the RRS spec (with the finish thickness factored in), so adding something (like an additional clear coat) to it will increase the width and possibly cause issues with the ARCA clamp closing all the way.

AI's are built, and intended, to take a lot of abuse. They are most definitely not intended to be safe queens, or look pristine. ARCA rails will get dinged, scratched and scraped. It's just part of using ARCA as a clamping system.

As mentioned, they look better with the battle scars. Embrace it.

Preaching the TRUE gospel

 

[Bruce K]

I'm not expert, but I've been shooting a very long time. Here I am shooting my father’s Sako Forrester L46 222 Remington Magnum (corrected typo) and restoring in 55+ years later. I'm also interested in understanding why things work the way they do and read, listen, and shoot with others to learn.

After reading Bryan Litz's books years ago I realized how much I didn't know about ballistics. Following those winning in PRS, F-Class, NRL Hunter, benchrest and others, as well as talking with the folks at Short Action Customs, Henderson Precision, Bartlein Barrels, 21st Century, PMA Tool Company, Whidden Gunworks, Eric at Blue Mountain Precision whose built me a few rifles, Tom Jacob of Vapor Trail bullets and experimenting with reloading processes.

Of course, the shooter is critical too, so lessons on body positioning, trigger pull etc. are all part of the pursuit of precision. Again, I'm someone that likes to combine practical and technical process in that pursuit of precision. I realize that is only my process and neither inferior nor superior to other processes.

 

[Bruce K]

Preaching the TRUE gospel

The character "Blondie" responding to "Tuco" couldn't have said it any more eloquently. However, innuendo is rarely the most effective manner of communication beyond "hinting."

 

[Nik H]

The character "Blondie" responding to "Tuco" couldn't have said it any more eloquently. However, innuendo is rarely the most effective manner of communication beyond "hinting."

I can't agree or disagree being that I don't know who Blondie and Tuco are.

 

[Bruce K]

View attachment 8782653









Sorry Bruce.

I had to do it but at least I did it nicer than some of these other fags would have done.

No problem at all. I realize if I don't learn from others and my own investigations, I'm not progressing.

 

[MarinePMI]

I can't agree or disagree being that I don't know who Blondie and Tuco are.

He's referencing "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly". Clint Eastwood was "Blondie" and Eli Wallach was "Tuco".

 

[Nik H]

He's referencing "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly". Clint Eastwood was "Blondie" and Eli Wallach was "Tuco".

Thanks! I haven't seen that Clint movie

 

[Bruce K]

I can't agree or disagree being that I don't know who Blondie and Tuco are.

My bad I thought you were referencing the movie to make your point.

 

[Caba]

Thanks! I haven't seen that Clint movie

It's worth watching.

 

[Nik H]

It's worth watching.

This weekend

 

[BurtG]

This weekend

Unforgiven ?

 

[Nik H]

Unforgiven ?

One of his best. A hell of a cast and just a great movie

 

[Shoots 700's]

You probably don’t shoot in the rain either

 

[Terry Cross]

No problem at all. I realize if I don't learn from others and my own investigations, I'm not progressing.

To be clear, I think we all want to take care of our equipment. The degree that we submit to the realities of use will undoubtedly be weighed by our personal goals with that equipment.

I have some private customers and friends that will almost wear their rifles out by simply taking them to the range to shoot groups and test loads from the bench. They handle their equipment very carefully and it will look pristine even after years of use.

I also have customers and friends that use their rifles as precision tools that are expected to perform in less than perfect conditions. They absolutely do not abuse their rifles. They try to protect them if for no other reason than to not compromise their zero, their glass clarity or their action function when they absolutely must count on their rifle to deliver its' end of the bargain. Those rifles will not look pristine at all even after attempts to protect them in use.

Neither of these types of rifle drivers are right or wrong. One is not superior nor inferior to the other. They are from opposite worlds and that is OK. Life is too short to compromise on what you personally enjoy from your hobbies or free time because others have a different idea of how a piece of equipment should be used and/or cared for.

Bravo to you for reaching out and asking for some possible guidance on a concern you had. Some of the more active and vocal members of this forum are very experienced and above average at using their rifles. With that comes various backgrounds and personalities that may not be too warm and fuzzy with their internet persona.

Your AX is a super nice piece of equipment that was made and marketed as a hard use rifle, but it is YOUR rifle. So everybody else, including me can be ignored when it comes to holding any sway with your preferences.

Myself. . . . if both your AXSR and that old Sako were both sitting on a table for me to pick one just to own, I would grab that L46 over the AI in a heartbeat. Super cool old rifle.



BTW, are you really sure it is chambered in 223 Magnum and not 222 Magnum?

 

[jimsair]

Having an anodized ARCA rail attached to my chassis will not eliminate scratches, but it will be more resistance than a Cerakote finish over what is likely a softer aluminum chassis.

The AI chassis on your rifle is 7000 series aluminum. The Sawtooth rail is 6000 series aluminum. The aluminum alloy of your chassis is harder and stronger.

And it’s not that you are attaching an ARCA rail to your chassis…. It’s that you are attaching an ARCA rail to your ARCA rail. Doing so doesn’t make you a poser, but it is objectively gay.

 

[Bruce K]

To be clear, I think we all want to take care of our equipment. The degree that we submit to the realities of use will undoubtedly be weighed by our personal goals with that equipment.

I have some private customers and friends that will almost wear their rifles out by simply taking them to the range to shoot groups and test loads from the bench. They handle their equipment very carefully and it will look pristine even after years of use.

I also have customers and friends that use their rifles as precision tools that are expected to perform in less than perfect conditions. They absolutely do not abuse their rifles. They try to protect them if for no other reason than to not compromise their zero, their glass clarity or their action function when they absolutely must count on their rifle to deliver its' end of the bargain. Those rifles will not look pristine at all even after attempts to protect them in use.

Neither of these types of rifle drivers are right or wrong. One is not superior nor inferior to the other. They are from opposite worlds and that is OK. Life is too short to compromise on what you personally enjoy from your hobbies or free time because others have a different idea of how a piece of equipment should be used and/or cared for.

Bravo to you for reaching out and asking for some possible guidance on a concern you had. Some of the more active and vocal members of this forum are very experienced and above average at using their rifles. With that comes various backgrounds and personalities that may not be too warm and fuzzy with their internet persona.

Your AX is a super nice piece of equipment that was made and marketed as a hard use rifle, but it is YOUR rifle. So everybody else, including me can be ignored when it comes to holding any sway with your preferences.

Myself. . . . if both your AXSR and that old Sako were both sitting on a table for me to pick one just to own, I would grab that L46 over the AI in a heartbeat. Super cool old rifle.



BTW, are you really sure it is chambered in 223 Magnum and not 222 Magnum?

That was on me, typo. Yes indeed a 222 Remington Magnum

If you like Sako's, you might also like my father's L579 I had restored at Blue Mountain Precision.

It was originaly an L579 in .243 Winchester. He shot the barrel out and replaced it when a Shilen in .243 Ackly Improved. His friend was a benchrest competitor and this rilfe was glassed bed with Devcon, the barrel free floating, the trigger replaced with a Canjar set trigger releasing at around two ounces set.

I had Eric Anderson, owner of Blue Mountain Precision rebarrel it with a custom 26" Hawk Hill barrel, cut rifling with a 1 in 7.5 twist rate, heavy contour in 6mm Creedmoor with a custom chamber to shoot the 105 grain Hybrid Target bullet. The freebore was reduced from the SAAMI spec of .183 to .135, the neck .275. Barrel was fitted with an APA Gen III Little Bastard muzzle brake and barrel was Cerakoted with high gloss clear. I asked Eric to check the action and blue print it if necessary. He checked it and said like most Sako actions, they are straight and this one did not need a thing.

Eric is a known PRS shooter and gunsmith frequently competing in national PRS events time permitting.

I haven't had time to change the Sako mounts and rings to accept 30mm or 34mm optics yet, nor have I developed a final handload yet. But on a warm afternoon I shot this five shot group at 100 yards with a fifty plus year old optic with no parallax adjustment.

 

[BurtG]

And it’s not that you are attaching an ARCA rail to your chassis…. It’s that you are attaching an ARCA rail to your ARCA rail. Doing so doesn’t make you a poser, but it is objectively gay.

To be fair. More serious people do that with hnt26 so they don’t have to worry about damaging the cf arca






Also
If AI wasn’t bitches they would tanodize instead of cerakote

 

[Terry Cross]

Also
If AI wasn’t bitches they would tanodize instead of cerakote

I think some of their chassis components are 7075 and some are 6061.
If that is true, they would probably not elect to do any anodizing unless they kept everything black.

It is damned near impossible to get anodized color matches between the two alloy types. Black is manageable but any other colors are a MF'r.
Anodizers will not guarantee a match and will usually try to dissuade attempting it if they figure out that is your goal.




I'm prolly talking out of my ass here but hey, usual day.

 

[BurtG]

I think some of their chassis components are 7075 and some is 6061.
If that is true, they would probably not elect to do any anodizing unless they kept everything black.

It is damned near impossible to get anodized color matches between the two alloy types. Black is manageable but any other colors are a MF'r.
Anodizers will not guarantee a match and will usually try to dissuade attempting it if they figure out that is your goal.




I'm prolly talking out of my ass here but hey, usual day.

Witch is fine.

It’s natural camo.

But ppl like the OP would bitch a storm

 

[BurtG]

But they don’t match says the safe queeners

 

[Bacarrat]

I think some of their chassis components are 7075 and some is 6061.
If that is true, they would probably not elect to do any anodizing unless they kept everything black.

It is damned near impossible to get anodized color matches between the two alloy types. Black is manageable but any other colors are a MF'r.
Anodizers will not guarantee a match and will usually try to dissuade attempting it if they figure out that is your goal.




I'm prolly talking out of my ass here but hey, usual day.

I mean, people have grown to like the 50 shades FDE SCARs.

I'm in the camp of AI should have anodized the aluminum bits like they did in the PSR. Cerakote is such a cheap finish, it scratches and peels too easily.