Rifle search continues- mrad tubb atr, AI axmc
- Thread starter captdan
- Start date
No Experience with the Tubb, but i do have a MRAD and AI AXSA308 (6.5CM). The MRAD for me, feels really solid to get behind in prone, but the rifle is BIG. The AXSA308, obviously is smaller due to the short action, feels almost as solid. My preference is the AI. The 2-Stage Trigger is really sweet on the AI. MRAD now sells a 2-stage, but pricey, roughly $300-$450?? not sure.
MRAD, Long action, so you can go all the way down to 308 and all the way up to 338LM.
AIAXMC, should have same capability. Mine is Short ACtion and limited to sa cartridges and 308 bolts.
MRAD barrels, only comes in kits. which start at ~$1400, but kit includes barrel, 1 magazine, and bolt. There are some places that will mill a custom barrel for you, but will need to re-use the MRAD's barrel extension.
AI Barrels can be had for cheaper (aftermarket/custom), However, if it's a diff family case..say magnum, you'll have to purchase the bolt separately, which costs (ballpark here) $300?? and need a magazine too.
The AXMC's, i believe are still on sale? You should also take a look at the newer AXSR. Ambi safety, similar placement to AR-15s.
MRAD, Long action, so you can go all the way down to 308 and all the way up to 338LM.
AIAXMC, should have same capability. Mine is Short ACtion and limited to sa cartridges and 308 bolts.
MRAD barrels, only comes in kits. which start at ~$1400, but kit includes barrel, 1 magazine, and bolt. There are some places that will mill a custom barrel for you, but will need to re-use the MRAD's barrel extension.
AI Barrels can be had for cheaper (aftermarket/custom), However, if it's a diff family case..say magnum, you'll have to purchase the bolt separately, which costs (ballpark here) $300?? and need a magazine too.
The AXMC's, i believe are still on sale? You should also take a look at the newer AXSR. Ambi safety, similar placement to AR-15s.
Axmc are indeed on sale at $6750.00 and is one reason I'm considering it. Thanks.
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
captdan,
Please excuse the change of pace for my answer but it's based on the 'sale' price you state in the above response for the AXMC rifle.
I can't really remember a factory rifle I've bought in the last couple of decades which I have used for myself. The reason being is the markup from the factory especially for Accuracy International. They are rapacious in their pricing.
As an easy solution, buy just the chassis ($1,765) and then buy a barreled action either from the classifieds here or elsewhere. You will wind up about 1/2 the cost of the factory version of this chassis/rifle combination. That's enough to get an excellent scope and rings at least.
Hi - i just did that exact same thing... sold a bunch of custom rifles, now just have AXMC. You will not regret it, and you will wonder why you did not do this years ago... a couple things i will point out:
- the AXMC is first and foremost a military spec rifle. That means it is built to work in all conditions. It it not a benchrest gun, with super tight tolerances: I'm particularly referring to the firing pin fit inside the firing pin channel. there is a slightly loose fit there, so that dust / sand wont stop the firing pin from moving. That "wiggle room" will result in primer flow with hot rounds. (AXMC only comes with large firing pin, but you can pay to get the bolts bushed) So just be aware that you may not be able to load very hot rounds / achieve super high velocity as with your previous customs. for this reason i like longer barrels to get back some of the velocity.
- for "tactical" matches, i run a 6 creedmoor (really would like to run a 6 Dasher, but i think that cartridge is too short to feed / eject, plus, no fireform with creedmoor) I also have 6.5 PRC (feeds from the 300WM magazines) and i have a 300NM (feeds from .338 magazines). Will have a 7 SAUM chambered shortly too. (if the PRC feeds, why wouldnt the SAUM?) This mix of calibers will cover anything out to 2200 yards.
- the rifle is HEAVY. Which is a good thing. Zilch recoil with 6mm bullets.
- definitely get the competition trigger - it is fabulous.
- the AXMC is first and foremost a military spec rifle. That means it is built to work in all conditions. It it not a benchrest gun, with super tight tolerances: I'm particularly referring to the firing pin fit inside the firing pin channel. there is a slightly loose fit there, so that dust / sand wont stop the firing pin from moving. That "wiggle room" will result in primer flow with hot rounds. (AXMC only comes with large firing pin, but you can pay to get the bolts bushed) So just be aware that you may not be able to load very hot rounds / achieve super high velocity as with your previous customs. for this reason i like longer barrels to get back some of the velocity.
- for "tactical" matches, i run a 6 creedmoor (really would like to run a 6 Dasher, but i think that cartridge is too short to feed / eject, plus, no fireform with creedmoor) I also have 6.5 PRC (feeds from the 300WM magazines) and i have a 300NM (feeds from .338 magazines). Will have a 7 SAUM chambered shortly too. (if the PRC feeds, why wouldnt the SAUM?) This mix of calibers will cover anything out to 2200 yards.
- the rifle is HEAVY. Which is a good thing. Zilch recoil with 6mm bullets.
- definitely get the competition trigger - it is fabulous.
Thanks for the info. It's on my short list. How is the recoil of the 300 wm with the weight and factory compensator?
No idea on the 300 WM as I don't run it, only a 300NM. I use APA "fat b@stard" brakes which work wonders, combined with a very heavy gun.
I replied to your previous thread as well. Everything I said about the MRAD still applies.
There are no bad reviews for AIs because nobody is going to admit that their $10k rifle isn't everything they ever wanted. Most people that own AIs will never ever shoot in any form of competition with one, nor will they use it for anything other than target practice.
Accuracy Internationals are great sniper rifles because of the maintenance. They don't need to be sent back to a factory to get a new barrel to be put on. Joe has a harder time fucking them up because it's glued into the stock.
The very lightest the AXMC can go with a scope is 16 pounds...that's with a 20 inch barrel and removing all of the rails.
The minimum price to kit one out for PRS is $8375 or more. A standard bolt body is $650. A magazine adapter is $200. And an AW mag is another $75-$85. Add $700 for a barrel.
Add another $395 for the Competition Trigger...which mind you is a CG Xtreme trigger, and has all of the problems associated with that design of triggers. (Not that it's a bad trigger...but they have issues.)
An ARCA Swiss rail is another $125. Or you can get the new Victor Company handguard that is due out this month for $400.
My calculations to make an AXMC do the things I currently use 2 different rifles for are right about $9770.
That $9770 is arguably better spent on two rifles that can fulfill specific purposes instead of just getting something to LARP with at the range.
And contrary to popular belief, AI is just as fallible as any other rifle manufacturer. Just because it's an AI doesn't mean that it's perfect.
There are no bad reviews for AIs because nobody is going to admit that their $10k rifle isn't everything they ever wanted. Most people that own AIs will never ever shoot in any form of competition with one, nor will they use it for anything other than target practice.
Accuracy Internationals are great sniper rifles because of the maintenance. They don't need to be sent back to a factory to get a new barrel to be put on. Joe has a harder time fucking them up because it's glued into the stock.
The very lightest the AXMC can go with a scope is 16 pounds...that's with a 20 inch barrel and removing all of the rails.
The minimum price to kit one out for PRS is $8375 or more. A standard bolt body is $650. A magazine adapter is $200. And an AW mag is another $75-$85. Add $700 for a barrel.
Add another $395 for the Competition Trigger...which mind you is a CG Xtreme trigger, and has all of the problems associated with that design of triggers. (Not that it's a bad trigger...but they have issues.)
An ARCA Swiss rail is another $125. Or you can get the new Victor Company handguard that is due out this month for $400.
My calculations to make an AXMC do the things I currently use 2 different rifles for are right about $9770.
That $9770 is arguably better spent on two rifles that can fulfill specific purposes instead of just getting something to LARP with at the range.
And contrary to popular belief, AI is just as fallible as any other rifle manufacturer. Just because it's an AI doesn't mean that it's perfect.
My opinion is that you should buy the Tubb rifle. It's the better rifle for the situations recreational shooters will put it through.
That's really all there is to say about it. It's a military sniper rifle and that's the reason for most citizens who buy it. "I want to own a sniper rifle, I'll buy an AXMC" regardless of what you will actually use it for. This is the equivalent of daily driving a de-militarized hummer around town to run errands.
I'll get my flame suit on and say this: Buy an RPR and get the same experience for a fraction of the money, then you can move on to a custom rifle made for your exact purposes by a talented gunsmith to do EVERYTHING better. That way you don't have to put up with the compromises demanded by a military weapons system designed for situations you'll never encounter(who's actually going to submerge their rifle in mud and then want to shoot it before cleaning it?). You'll also then have the joy of trying to sell it used for just a small fraction of its new price.
That's really all there is to say about it. It's a military sniper rifle and that's the reason for most citizens who buy it. "I want to own a sniper rifle, I'll buy an AXMC" regardless of what you will actually use it for. This is the equivalent of daily driving a de-militarized hummer around town to run errands.
I'll get my flame suit on and say this: Buy an RPR and get the same experience for a fraction of the money, then you can move on to a custom rifle made for your exact purposes by a talented gunsmith to do EVERYTHING better. That way you don't have to put up with the compromises demanded by a military weapons system designed for situations you'll never encounter(who's actually going to submerge their rifle in mud and then want to shoot it before cleaning it?). You'll also then have the joy of trying to sell it used for just a small fraction of its new price.
Thanks gents for all the views. Btw, I spoke to a shooting buddy last night. He's big into long range match shooting and shoots a AI As far as I know he does not own a hummer, nor does he crawl around in mudd when shooting that I'm aware of. However he does own a match trigger.
I've made my decision. .
Happy shooting!
I've made my decision. .
Happy shooting!
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