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Accuracy International vs. custom

For practical/field matches, and some 600 fclass marches, which would be better. Just buying a AI, or building one on a custom action and barrel? Really my question is, would an AI be as accurate as a custom build?
 
I don't shoot PRS, so take this with a grain of salt.

What it books down to, it depends. Mostly I would say it depends on what caliber you choose. If you are going with a cartridge that is small rifle primer and/or known to pop primers I would go custom. The AI firing pins are not set up for small rifle or cases that are own to be tough on primers. They work, but you won't know if you're going to have issues until you start load testing. I would go custom in this case. If not, AIs are very accurate.

If you just like the look of the AI and want the best of both worlds, take a look at the Badger action. I handled an older one and it was superb. New one is set up for small rifle primers, etc and once you get it into an chassis it will be tough to distinguish the two from a distance?

Otherwise, there are a ton of top notch actions. Defiance has grown a huge following and after seeing a few before the rifle was out together I see why. Beautifully machined and finished.
 
What it books down to, it depends. Mostly I would say it depends on what caliber you choose. If you are going with a cartridge that is small rifle primer and/or known to pop primers I would go custom. The AI firing pins are not set up for small rifle or cases that are own to be tough on primers. They work, but you won't know if you're going to have issues until you start load testing. I would go custom in this case. If not, AIs are very accurate. [FatBoy]

I'd agree entirely with these points. We have lots of AIs in the UK in civilian hands and they are VERY popular and much loved by their owners. Many are on their second or third rifle as the company designs newer improved models. They do work, and work for many disciplines too. The 7.62 models make surprisingly good 308 Win target rifles for short to mid-range FTR once new commercial brass has been fireformed in the long chamber. The GB 600 yard BR Factory Class small group was held by an 6.5X47L AI for a long time, but primer extrusion / blanking is an issue and often requires attention. Many prefer these rifles in 260 Rem for that reason, and the ideal 6.5 is probably the Hornady Creedmoor but it's barely made an impression here so far.
 
Laurie said:
What it books down to, it depends. Mostly I would say it depends on what caliber you choose. If you are going with a cartridge that is small rifle primer and/or known to pop primers I would go custom. The AI firing pins are not set up for small rifle or cases that are own to be tough on primers. They work, but you won't know if you're going to have issues until you start load testing. I would go custom in this case. If not, AIs are very accurate. [FatBoy]

I'd agree entirely with these points. We have lots of AIs in the UK in civilian hands and they are VERY popular and much loved by their owners. Many are on their second or third rifle as the company designs newer improved models. They do work, and work for many disciplines too. The 7.62 models make surprisingly good 308 Win target rifles for short to mid-range FTR once new commercial brass has been fireformed in the long chamber. The GB 600 yard BR Factory Class small group was held by an 6.5X47L AI for a long time, but primer extrusion / blanking is an issue and often requires attention. Many prefer these rifles in 260 Rem for that reason, and the ideal 6.5 is probably the Hornady Creedmoor but it's barely made an impression here so far.
Laurie, you would opt for the 6.5 creedmoor over all others? (some 1000yard use) I don't mean to hijack this thread, sometimes the creedmoor is available.
 
Good question! I have all three 6.5s and like them all.

I'd only use 6.5X47L in a custom rifle with a small diameter and tight fitting firing pin. (We've no equivalent to Gre-Tan Engineering here for a relatively quick and cheap bolt bushing job on Winchester 70, Rem 700 etc bolts.)

They'll all shoot well at 1,000 in the right rifle with the right loads. With reformed 308 Lapua Palma small primer brass, the 260 should outperform the smaller case 6.5X47L by running at the same pressures - needs a long enough throat though to seat 140s out too, so this is a single-shot custom rifle and/or long-action job.

In factory rifles, I'd take the Creedmoor I reckon. We've not seen the Savage 12 LRP yet in the UK in any of its three calibres and I know it has had excellent reviews in the US especially the Creedmoor version. Our importer is expecting one such any time now from Savage for me to review and I'm very hopeful as to how it'll perform.
 
The AI with its short 60 degree bolt throw is great, the ability to change barrels(in the field) is pretty cool, the trigger is also good, not BR good but good from the factory, down side is your pretty much limited to large rifle primer calipers, it's designed to be a battle precision rifle, and it does that roll better than any other system out there. I personally don't like AICS chassis, but the new pistol grip AIAW are badass, as for cost there are better IMHO, Surgeon Scapel for instance, same price, better accuracy, and should the small rifle primer cartridge come into the picture(6.5x47) the size of the firing hole and firing pin won't be an issue
 
Laurie said:
Good question! I have all three 6.5s and like them all.

I'd only use 6.5X47L in a custom rifle with a small diameter and tight fitting firing pin. (We've no equivalent to Gre-Tan Engineering here for a relatively quick and cheap bolt bushing job on Winchester 70, Rem 700 etc bolts.)

They'll all shoot well at 1,000 in the right rifle with the right loads. With reformed 308 Lapua Palma small primer brass, the 260 should outperform the smaller case 6.5X47L by running at the same pressures - needs a long enough throat though to seat 140s out too, so this is a single-shot custom rifle and/or long-action job.

In factory rifles, I'd take the Creedmoor I reckon. We've not seen the Savage 12 LRP yet in the UK in any of its three calibres and I know it has had excellent reviews in the US especially the Creedmoor version. Our importer is expecting one such any time now from Savage for me to review and I'm very hopeful as to how it'll perform.
Laurie thanks again. OP sorry but I have to ask. Laurie, one more. 260, 260AI or 6.5X55AI?

Also to the OP's question. Spend some time with an AI before you buy it if you can. I had an AIMKIII in .260 and it was accurate. Having a 3" plate (neck) made it almost impossible for me to line up properly. Quality was first rate and performance was as well.
 
you can have a barreled action built with a top name action and put it in a chassis or stock for less than you could buy a new AI AT but the with the AT you can switch barrels on your own. Depends on on how much you want to spend and what you prefer for a stock/chassis.
I wanted to try the AI chassis so I went with a Bighorn/Krieger in a AI chassis with Viperskins and am happy with it now. Took me awhile to warm up to the chassis though. I'm in it for way less than a new AI AT.
 
If you have the money to get more than one barrel chambered to your action, you can change the barrel in any action in about 5 minutes. You just need a barrel block and an action wrench. I have watched guys change barrels and use the same rifle during prep period.

Oh, and EVERYONE cuts standard threads in the US. Only a few guys do metric.
 
I was thinking It would be cheaper the custom route. I really lust after the surgeon actions. If i go with them, I'll build a 6.5x47 lapua. For 260, how many rounds am I looking at as far as barrel life?
 
Surely a great rifle and a major consideration is whether you like shooting that style of stock; I do not. My trainer is a 223 with a Choate Tactical stock, vs a 6.5x47 custom in a Manners T4A for the "serious" stuff. Cheek weld, grip, etc are close enough for these that the transition is minimal. Also the custom built with top end components was much less costly, and you can get exactly what you want that way. So again much of this depends primarily on your tastes regarding how well the AI fits your desires; it would be optimal if you could shoot one before buying to find out.
 
I can shoot one. My buddy has one in 6.5x47 lapua. I haven't got to the range with him yet. He was telling how much it weighs. 17 lbs for a run and gun is on the heavy side.
 
Swapping barrels on the new series of AI rifles just requires a 4mm Allen wrench then as fast as you can spin out the old and spin in the new and you are done. Ok tighten the screw then you are done. No need to use the Torque wrench.

If you like the fit and feel of the AI then it is a rifle that will provide years of double stack bliss.

There are stocks that fit so much better it is not funny. I love my AW. Once they make an AXMC in left hand I will be getting one.
 
people said:
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/11/11/best-bolt-actions-what-the-pros-use/

Those guys are pro's and sponsored well. They practice several times a week and go through a barrel a month. You could give them a red rider and they'd finish in the top half of the field. Josh 11 I'd suggest going to a match or 2 and offer to spot/score and watch. The guys there will let you hold and check their guns out, and make your own decision what you like. I personally don't like the feel of a chasis but wouldn't have known that if I didn't pick one up and try it. I actually opted to go with a trued Remington action and prefit barrels in a standard 243 caliber for ease of getting components. I'm going to shoot the fire out of it and learn and when the barrel burns out I'll just loosen the nut and screw another on. I learned quick that you only shoot prone a few times a match, most of the time you are out of position and possibly support side, for this it takes allot of practice to learn how to make the crosshairs quit jumping like they were riding a bull. Either one of the guns you mentioned will shoot good enough, get the one that fits you best.
 

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