Accuracy International Picture Thread

Been trying to find a bag/solution for the axsa hump for a bit here for better stability for prs.

I saw this a while ago from area 419 but they were discontinued and I was never really sold. However someone was selling a used one here so I snagged it just to try. Seems like a solid solution and I get much better contact across the whole rail with a bag.

Only compromise is I can’t slide my bipod have to quick detach and move to rail but I do that a lot less in stages than trying to get stable off bags.

This is also a lot lower profile.

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Been trying to find a bag/solution for the axsa hump for a bit here for better stability for prs.

I saw this a while ago from area 419 but they were discontinued and I was never really sold. However someone was selling a used one here so I snagged it just to try. Seems like a solid solution and I get much better contact across the whole rail with a bag.

Only compromise is I can’t slide my bipod have to quick detach and move to rail but I do that a lot less in stages than trying to get stable off bags.

This is also a lot lower profile.

View attachment 8514236View attachment 8514237
This was my main reason for not liking the AX for positional shooting.
 
To confirm: this is from a factory AI Lothar Walther 24" 1:12 twist barrel?

Personal Anecdote:

My first Accuracy International AT308 had a 26” Lothar Walther 1/12” barrel (~ 2014).

My first and only bolt gun for quite some time.

I could never get it to group adequately.

This setup started me down the path of handloading.

Thought I could improve its accuracy.

Got fairly adept in making my own “technically and dimensionally perfect” handloads, but shooting remained horrible.

At around 3,000 to 4,000 rounds or so, thinking it was already shot out from the newbie handloader abuse that I heaped on it, I replaced the barrel with an AINA 26” AX profile 1/10” barrel by Dave Tooley.

Bugholes!

Turns out my shooting wasn’t the issue…

Later, I find out that compared to brass from my AINA barrel, the Lothar Walther specimen’s fireformed cases were rather long and had bloated bases - not on the same level as MG fired brass, but bad enough that I needed a Small Base FLS Die to “normalize” them for use in the newer barrel.

Turns out my first barrel was probably a dud…
 
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Same. This seemed to solve my problems. I was really debating building a prs rig and I probably still will later down the road but I didn’t want to sell this bad boy because I love it.
I still think it's one of the nicest looking AIs. Absolutely loved mine for prone/ bench/ tripod shooting. Just getting it to settle on a bag. I don't recall what you have as an option back when I had mine... might have changed my mind. If I was going to do a prs rig I'd just stick with an ATX... I've handled enough now to know the only thing holding me back at that point is my crap shooting skills.
 
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Personal Anecdote:

My first Accuracy International AT308 had a 26” Lothar Walther 1/12” barrel (~ 2014).

My first and only bolt gun for quite some time.

I could never get it to group adequately.

This setup started me down the path of handloading.

Thought I could improve its accuracy.

Got fairly adept in making my own “technically and dimensionally perfect” handloads, but shooting remained horrible.

At around 3,000 to 4,000 rounds or so, thinking it was already shot out from the newbie handloader abuse that I heaped on it, I replaced the barrel with an AINA 26” AX profile 1/10” barrel by Dave Tooley.

Bugholes!

Turns out my shooting wasn’t the issue…

Later, I find out that compared to brass from my AINA barrel, the Lothar Walther specimen’s fireformed cases were rather long and had bloated bases - not on the same level as MG fired brass, but bad enough that I needed a Small Base FLS Die to “normalize” them for use in the newer barrel.

Turns out my first barrel was probably a dud…
I guess it happens. The LW 1:12 that came with my AT was a laser. I regret selling it, but I love my 27" Proof Competition contour 1:10 twist. I can shoot the 185 Berger bullets without any issue
 
I guess it happens. The LW 1:12 that came with my AT was a laser. I regret selling it, but I love my 27" Proof Competition contour 1:10 twist. I can shoot the 185 Berger bullets without any issue
My LW 1:12 that came with my AT put three 308 Federal FGMMs into the same hole its first time out the gate. I am happy.

-Stan
 
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Been trying to find a bag/solution for the axsa hump for a bit here for better stability for prs.

I saw this a while ago from area 419 but they were discontinued and I was never really sold. However someone was selling a used one here so I snagged it just to try. Seems like a solid solution and I get much better contact across the whole rail with a bag.

Only compromise is I can’t slide my bipod have to quick detach and move to rail but I do that a lot less in stages than trying to get stable off bags.

This is also a lot lower profile.

View attachment 8514236View attachment 8514237
Too close to the butt pad for my liking but it is working for you thats what matters
 
For those who have had hands on the Atx and new XC what real world differences did you notice if any? I know what the brochure says but I don't trust any manufacturer
Frank touched on it in a recent podcast (the one supposedly about IPRF but was more like him rambling about random things, and how much he hates PRS). Reportedly it’s a noticeable difference.
 
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Who has good photos of the L96A1, the PM, etc? I've had an unusually difficult time getting some nice, quality and high resolution photos of it. With how few examples still exist, its expected but, none-the-less, frustrating. I came across this photo through Imgur by pure chance, along with just a couple others that seem to be in the hands of private owners.

Was there a "civilian" target rifle model of the L96A1 that existed and made its way into a few customer hands @tomirwin ? What was the rifle that started with the prefix "ABL" in the serial number?

View attachment 8467912

I'm unsure of which rifle this is below, as it looks transitional between the PM style and AW style, noting the magazine cutout to more easily pull and change it.


View attachment 8467919
@HKSniper11B

Since nobody has responded to your comment yet... Here we go:

milsurps.com is the best place to find info and some decent photos of L96A1s and PMs online. royalarmouries.org also has some good photos. Holts Auctioneers also hold some good quality photos of AIs that pass their way.

Mainstream PMs and L96A1s are identical actions but as a complete rifle, they are slightly different in terms of barrel, muzzle devices, and probably some other subtle differences. The earlier PMs had different stocks/chassis and also magazines. Prototype/test PMs had different firing pin+shroud assemblies, but otherwise generally the same.

I have only ever seen one other photo of a PM/L96A1 with pistol grip. The caption with that photo stated that a small European country had ordered them.

"ABL" likely refers to ABL as in the Belgian Army.

Interestingly enough, that exact rifle came up for sale on Holts last year: https://www.holtsauctioneers.com/asp/fullcatalogue.asp?salelot=A1123+++1155+&refno=210176&image=0

It is a fully pledged AW rifle, although apart from the cutouts for the action-mounted safety, the PM/L96A1 action bodies aren't actually any different to a AW. There are in fact AWs that were built by converting L96s.

Finally, the only official civilian AI rifle that uses the same actions as the PM/L96A1s are the very early UIT (pre-ISSF) 300m target rifles and NRA (UK) target rifles (think Palma rifle). They usually came in Walther wooden stocks, but some of the very last ones were built on Anschutz Supermatch stocks. Steve Houghton's book suggests that some rejected/prototype PM/L96A1 actions or complete actions waiting to be built into sniper rifles were repurposed into UIT CISM rifles by Malcolm Cooper, unbeknownst to the two other business partners. I have never seen a CISM rifle using the PM/L96A1 action before except in a brochure, but CISM rifles using the later Coopermatch action are more common. I have a UIT Standard Rifle and hope to add the others into my collection at some point.
 
Real talk. Is it a crime if I buy the AT-X chassis and threw a custom action in it?
No, but it's not a "real" AI 😂

I'm in a similar boat, I won a free Kelblys action cert at a recent match and now have a Prometheus on order which will need a stock. I am considering a foundation centurion or a ATX chassis. Leaning towards a sage green ATX chassis.
 
The AI is a system. I personally prefer the bonded old school AI.

I like many things about my AIAT’s. I’ve also owned the AXMC and ATX as well.

The double stack stagger feed mags are one of the best parts of the system. Super smooth feeding and ability to load in the rifle if needed

I tried AICS chassis on other guns. Like the AT chassis on a R700 platform. I didn’t care for it at all. Fed very rough compared to my actual AI’s. Used single stack AICS mags and the 90° bolt throw took away a lot of the “feel” of the AI action

On my other rifles like my Tikka I run a KRG bravo. My B14R which is R700 platform I prefer the MPA and MDT chassis’s I’ve used over the AI

It’s just one man’s opinion but I like the AI system…if that makes sense. For aftermarket AICS chassis systems I prefer others. Not to mention the mdt and MPA or KRG accessories can be found much cheaper and have more options

I’m not saying if one is better than the other. But I think for a different action I’d try mdt, MPA or even Cadex based on my past experiences

But AIAT mafia for the win!
 
@HKSniper11B

Since nobody has responded to your comment yet... Here we go:

milsurps.com is the best place to find info and some decent photos of L96A1s and PMs online. royalarmouries.org also has some good photos. Holts Auctioneers also hold some good quality photos of AIs that pass their way.

Mainstream PMs and L96A1s are identical actions but as a complete rifle, they are slightly different in terms of barrel, muzzle devices, and probably some other subtle differences. The earlier PMs had different stocks/chassis and also magazines. Prototype/test PMs had different firing pin+shroud assemblies, but otherwise generally the same.

I have only ever seen one other photo of a PM/L96A1 with pistol grip. The caption with that photo stated that a small European country had ordered them.

"ABL" likely refers to ABL as in the Belgian Army.

Interestingly enough, that exact rifle came up for sale on Holts last year: https://www.holtsauctioneers.com/asp/fullcatalogue.asp?salelot=A1123+++1155+&refno=210176&image=0

It is a fully pledged AW rifle, although apart from the cutouts for the action-mounted safety, the PM/L96A1 action bodies aren't actually any different to a AW. There are in fact AWs that were built by converting L96s.

Finally, the only official civilian AI rifle that uses the same actions as the PM/L96A1s are the very early UIT (pre-ISSF) 300m target rifles and NRA (UK) target rifles (think Palma rifle). They usually came in Walther wooden stocks, but some of the very last ones were built on Anschutz Supermatch stocks. Steve Houghton's book suggests that some rejected/prototype PM/L96A1 actions or complete actions waiting to be built into sniper rifles were repurposed into UIT CISM rifles by Malcolm Cooper, unbeknownst to the two other business partners. I have never seen a CISM rifle using the PM/L96A1 action before except in a brochure, but CISM rifles using the later Coopermatch action are more common. I have a UIT Standard Rifle and hope to add the others into my collection at some point.
These threads on MilSurps are absolutely incredible. I owe you a drink for this mate. Thank you.

For the rest of you, read this, and check the other links in it.
 
I tried AICS chassis on other guns. Like the AT chassis on a R700 platform. I didn’t care for it at all. Fed very rough compared to my actual AI’s. Used single stack AICS mags and the 90° bolt throw took away a lot of the “feel” of the AI action
I am also opposed to using a R700 action in an AT or AX chassis. One: it can look like like one is trying too hard (even though that may not be the intention); two: I think the actual ergos of the AX and AT aren’t as good as my KRG W3.

As far as “feel”, my Tikka with a Sterk handle damn near feels like my AT.

Except it’s smoother and easier to open/close the bolt lol.

No “bank vault-like lockup” however on the Tikka.
 
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I am also opposed to using a R700 action in an AT or AX chassis. One: it can look like like one is trying too hard (even though that may not be the intention); two: I think the actual ergos of the AX and AT aren’t as good as my KRG W3.

As far as “feel”, my Tikka with a Sterk handle damn near feels like my AT.

Except it’s smoother and easier to open/close the bolt lol.

No “bank vault-like lockup” however on the Tikka.
I like mine as well. My CTR is probably as close as I’ll come to buying a Sako. If a person wants a good quality rifle with several options closer to an AI than say a R700 or savage the tikka isn’t a bad way to go. I really like the 10 round mags for the CTR as well. But they’re more $$ than an AIAW mag.

I like the bravo on mine. But I also like the thumbhole AI’s best as well. I prefer them to a chassis
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I like mine as well. My CTR is probably as close as I’ll come to buying a Sako. If a person wants a good quality rifle with several options closer to an AI than say a R700 or savage the tikka isn’t a bad way to go. I really like the 10 round mags for the CTR as well. But they’re more $$ than an AIAW mag.

I like the bravo on mine. But I also like the thumbhole AI’s best as well. I prefer them to a chassis
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KRG Bravo (Sako green obviously) + Tikka + Sterk is a poor man's AI/TRG.

And probably the closest we will ever get to a 223 AT/AW.
 
KRG Bravo (Sako green obviously) + Tikka + Sterk is a poor man's AI/TRG.

And probably the closest we will ever get to a 223 AT/AW.
I was thinking the same thing looking at that tikka/223/krg thread that’s going on. I’d be rolling this route if I decided to buy a dedicated 223 bolt gun for long range

For me it would have to be the CTR. I have other tikka’s and the mags between the T3X and T1X I have vs the CTR aren’t even close. I don’t have an issue with them but those ctr mags are what helps that platform elevate in my opinion
 
I was thinking the same thing looking at that tikka/223/krg thread that’s going on. I’d be rolling this route if I decided to buy a dedicated 223 bolt gun for long range

For me it would have to be the CTR. I have other tikka’s and the mags between the T3X and T1X I have vs the CTR aren’t even close. I don’t have an issue with them but those ctr mags are what helps that platform elevate in my opinion
Do it

I’m gonna