New Offering vs AI
- Thread starter Hawk in WY
- Start date
IMO, buy an AXMC and the SA conversion stuff. You've got LA Magnum capabilities for shooting at a mile (yes I know it can be done with SA but not efficiently), and SA capabilities for something easier on the shoulder and better suited if you get into match shooting.
I went this route last year after having both SA and LA AI's and other rifles and I haven't looked back. I run mine in 243, 6.5 and 300WM although I may switch to 300NM once my 300WM barrel is cooked since Lapua is doing brass now.
I think this is the ultimate solution but I would have to convince myself to sell the AT...won't be easy
That's a nearly impossible question for anyone other than yourself to answer.
No internet forum is going to tell you how something will feel to you or what you may like best. Just take a look at the back and forth already in this thread with different opinions.
It sounds like you may just be curious what you're missing or simply want to try the other spices in life. Doesn't hurt to browse through the classified ads until something catches your attention. Buying used saves you from taking a big hit if you decide it isn't for you.
But if you sold your AT then an AXMC wouldn't have a brother, just like right now your AT doesn't have a brother and it's probably fucking devastated. Just something to consider.
Shoot what you have, dream about what you might want and save up for the inevitable time when you know exactly what you want and are ready.
That AIAW is a sweet rifle. Now a classic.
That AIAW is a sweet rifle. Now a classic.
You can adjust the AI trigger down to be basically like a very light single stage trigger if you carefully do the adjustments.
I have an AE Mark II that has a feather light trigger.
I have an AE Mark II that has a feather light trigger.
If I could drop an AI barrelled action into a Manners stock there is absolutely no way I wouldn't own one. I abhor the AI stock (and I really tried to make friends with one over a number of months)
I am going to tell my wife...LOL
I have really been thinking about it. There are sticks in my safe that NEVER get used that also are worth a lot. I have never been one to sell stuff but maybe it is time. I really want a LA AI
Long action AXMC is where it's at. It's really fun to bring one rifle and shoot some 300WM then 6.5 or 308 and not have the car full of fun cases. Especially if you break down the AXMC like I do and put it in a small transit pelican. Would like to eventually get carbon fiber barrels but I have Al the calibers I need right now so I've got to shoot some of these out first
I am skeptical enough concerning reliability of the AI platform. This "Arctic Warfare" actually is not an arctic; many issues with the Border's barrels in general and with a trigger at a negative temperature.
In short, just a rifle - nothing special; at the same/similar level as Blaser Tactical, Sako TRG, Steyr Mannlicher SSG 08. For sure, I would not sing odes.
How can I upload a video here with an example? Only pictures are allowed?
In short, just a rifle - nothing special; at the same/similar level as Blaser Tactical, Sako TRG, Steyr Mannlicher SSG 08. For sure, I would not sing odes.
How can I upload a video here with an example? Only pictures are allowed?
Not sure why you would find an AT preferable over an AX or AXMC. I've had multiple AE's, AW's, 2012 AX, an AT and 2014 AX at the same time and an AXMC and I'll take the AX platform every time. After running the AXMC for nearly a year now I've found no issues with the large frame platform.
Everything from the fully adjustable butt, maxwell cutout, and much longer hanguard with a perfect step for a barricade stop is superior on the AX. The AT holds zero benefits to it other than cost.
Decide what you want to do first. The AW didn't all of a sudden become obsolete because of the newer AI rifles, or any of the new custom options. The AI is a great rifle for being able to do a lot of things, and working well.
A custom gives you the option to really hone in and fine tune for a very specific end state. Use the AI as a starting point and change the things you don't like about it.
I have access to both rifles. I've shot both. And I've also gotten beyond the "I spent a lot of money so I have to like it" phase of my random assortment of junk. I have lots of expensive junk these days and I don't know how I got it all.
Here's my example:
I decided I wanted to build a piece of junk specifically for "Practical
" rifle matches. I liked how utilitarian the AI was, so incorporated a lot of that into the rifle I built. So the utilitarian elements of my rifle are the KMW Sentinel stock with IMB (the aluminum bedding block), with KMW bottom metal, and a CG Trigger. I like how the stock protects the magazine from running into a barrier and accidentally causing mis-feeds. I like that there isn't any bedding to break down over time, or that might be vulnerable to solvents. The CG Trigger is one of the more reliable 2 stage triggers on the market; I think some version of it is used in the Remington MSR.
So where did I improve from the AI (in my eyes)?
Well, the KMW stock does put the bipod closer to the barrel, which increases stability. The other benefit is that the forearm is not nearly as tall, so the rifle sits about an inch lower when placed on a barricade. I'm also a short dude, and every PRS match has a barricade that is usually slightly too tall for me. Seriously, there is usually at least one stage where I'm on my tippy toes, and the rifle is still more or less above my shoulder! Getting the rifle to sit lower might save me 2 points per match! 2 more points would have improved my standing in the last match I shout by 4 or 5 places!
I like the back end of the stock. I don't think I shoot any better because of it in most cases, but having a nice pistol grip to grip the living hell out of can be nice for some positional stages that are few and far between.
The trigger itself is pretty comparable to the AI. It's a 2 stage trigger, and mine is lighter and feels better than the AI trigger. I still haven't made the move to something like a Trigger Tech Diamond, which is a single stage trigger that goes very very light, and is supposed to be able to handle dust and sand. Look at the top 10 shooters this year and over half have that trigger.
On the action side of things, I went with a Surgeon. It's round, Remington, and pretty boring. It's also one of the more reliable actions in dusty conditions. Surgeon got their anti-bind, and clearances right the first time. A dirt free Surgeon might not be as glass smooth as some other actions, but a dusty Surgeon is usually a lot better than pretty much every other custom action out there save a few. I don't have a strong preference for bolt throw either. 90 degrees works. 60 degrees work as well. I've timed how fast I can shoot my Surgeon vs how fast I can shoot an AI, and at fastest, it's the same. I think a lot of people split hairs over bolt lift when it really doesn't matter. I haven't had a stage where I was like "Awww shit the bolt lift missed me a point".
Altogether, I think the difference between how I shoot an AI vs how I shoot my custom might improve my match standing by about 10% on a two day match. That's not a lot on paper, but 10 more points would have put me about 10 places higher in the last match I shot.
Now want to hear the downsides of a custom?
You can really really fuck it up too! Spending a lot of time on forums can cause you to reach a conclusion about particular equipment and what should be possible, and what should work. And you can assemble this masterful piece of art, and then find out that you really just made a polished turd.
Go to a rifle match and you'll see it all the time. There are a lot of guys in the middle of the pack with "All or Nothing" rifles with "All or Nothing" ammo. They have a rifle and ammo that is absolutely the best in a controlled environment. Think something like a Benchrest tolerances on their action, Jewell trigger as light as it'll go, and proof loads for ammo, and AW magazines in a Remington style action. IF they go a whole match without popping primers, or a case head seperation, or the trigger breaking, they will usually do pretty well. BUT about half of the time that doesn't happen. They pop primers on a stage. The magazine that shouldn't be in a Remington action fails to feed. And things just go downhill. If the first day goes good, the second goes bad, or vice versa. Having rifle issues is literally just throwing points away.
You know the other downside...having a shit ton of options, and wanting to try everything out, instead of just getting good. Fundamentals still rule the roost when it comes to doing well.
