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]
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.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 thanks again. OP sorry but I have to ask. Laurie, one more. 260, 260AI or 6.5X55AI?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.
people said:http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/11/11/best-bolt-actions-what-the-pros-use/