Why do the stock AI rifles for the .33 cals come with such short barrels? The .338LM have 20" don't you want a longer barrel to maximize performance for that caliber? Or are they designed to be like what our warfighters get with a shorter barrel?
Accuracy International
- Thread starter cjs88
- Start date
The “standard” barrel is 27”. Some opt to go short though, because it doesn’t give up as much as you’d think, but becomes lighter and more handy.
I'm assuming you've been looking at not MHSA, MHSA still carry 27" 338lm.
www.milehighshooting.com
Edit: There are also a number of demo 27" on gunbroker.
AX-MC .338 LM Rifle System: 27" Folding w/ Standard Muzzle (M18x1.5 Threading)
Distributor/Dealer of Precision Shooting Gear: Accuracy International, Spuhr, Thunder Beast, Nightforce, TAB Gear, RRS, and more.
www.milehighshooting.com
Edit: There are also a number of demo 27" on gunbroker.
MHSA has Sage Green and Elite Sand in 27" NIB.
These are both 27" from MHSA as well:
EuroOptic has 27" 338NM too.
IIRC the 20" barrels were to facilitate running suppressors. 27" plus another foot of suppressor can get a little unwieldy. Unless you are doing a lot of packing the rifle around or getting in tight places my opinion is that the extra inches are worth it. The AXMC isn't some lightweight hunting rifle you are going to be trying to take offhand shots with. If 25fps/inch is correct you are looking at 175fps lost by going short. The 338LM ballistics really start to shine with longer barrels.
I can tell you from personal experience that 338 Norma Magnum with a 20” barrel is an easy to maneuver rifle with sledgehammer power to a mile.
Buddy built the rifle for some contract work.
While I wouldn’t build it like that It makes perfect sense in his use and I really enjoy shooting it.
