For those that are not in-the-know, the Accuracy International AXMC is AIs take on a do-everything rifle Sniper rifle. (Other do-everythings include the new Tubb gun, Barret MRAD, and DTA Bullpup thing...as well as few others.) If you read other forums, you will know that these rifles have a reputation for reliability, and being "bombproof"...whatever that means. Well boys and girls, I've had one of these things for about 6 months or so, and that makes me an expert...all things considered...and I am here to provide my "hot take" on it.
The short version is that this is probably the best of the "Do Everything Rifles" but comes with the huge caveat that if you are pursuing a particular shooting discipline...you are better off with a rifle purposely built for it. Sure...I can shoe-horn this into PRS, F-Class, Palma, and ELR...but it's hefty price means that it's going to cost about the same as two full custom builds. However, when it comes to moving from one side of the country to the other...I do value being able have everything consolidated into one Pelican case.
The Action
The AXMC action is a slightly changed version of the 338 Lapua sized AI actions. It's a very large target style receiver that I would describe as basically a giant magazine fed Palma gun from the late 80's and early 90's. Much like a lot of actions at the time...having more than two locking lugs was seen as the ticket to increased accuracy with factory match ammo...this is the same design philosophy that gave us the RPA Quadlock, Barnard, and countless other multi-lugged single shots...I think AI can be included into that as well because the original rifle was called the Coopermatch and was a Palma gun. This iteration has 6 locking lugs in two rows of 3 with a 60 degree bolt lift. I think there are other iterations of AIs that have 3 locking lugs instead.
By todays standards, this action would be considered stiff. There is definitely some over-cocking on bolt close, and the lift feels like it happens in two stages of primary extraction. These features are probably desirable in a military rifle...or a Palma rifle when you were forced to use military issued ammo...but would probably be a hindrance to using it as a first rate F-Class rifle.
There are 4 cool things about the action itself.
First is the "Quick Lock" barrel change feature...Basically the receiver tenon has an H slot cut into the threads, and allows the receiver to actually clamp down on a barrel with just a hex screw. Barrels are able to be changed with only the use of a single hex wrench, and doesn't rely on the use of proprietary barrel extensions to set head-space.
Second is the trigger. It's a two stage target trigger with a shoe that is adjustable for length of pull. It is probably on-par with the RPA/Barnard triggers when they are using the "Target Rifle" weight springs, and is comfortable at around 3 pounds total. There is also a Competition Trigger available today that is made by CG Xtreme...which is basically a 1 for 1 copy of the RPA and Barnard triggers (by my understanding anyways.)
Third is the 3 position safety. The safety controls the firing pin in the same way that a Winchester Model 70 or Springfield style safety work. These can be had on custom actions these days, but they are not as common as they once were. I just prefer this style of safety.
Fourth...the receiver is glued to the chassis. That is one of the reasons that these rifles are considered to be rugged...because back in the 1980s they copied what Benchrest shooters at the time were doing...and forgot to add release agent to their receivers. (I'm making this up...this is probably not historically accurate.)
Ergonomics
The Post-2014 AI Buttstock is a right side folding buttstock that will capture the bolt handle. It is adjustable for length of pull, cheek height, and the butt-plate is adjustable for cant and height. Basically, it is a tactical version of a 3 position butt-stock. However, the cheekpiece doesn't go low enough for me to use my low scope rings. There however is an aftermarket option that does go significantly lower which I am looking at getting. I also know that at least one person has figured out how to get an Anschutz cheekpiece to work on one of these.
The pistol grip on this one is a love or hate thing. The pistol grip feels more like an AR grip when it really would benefit from feeling more like an Anschutz. If you have big hands, you might find that it is slightly too short, and raked backwards slightly too far. Is it useable? Yes. Is it ideal? Probably not.
The fore-end is an octagonal tube that takes AI's version of Key Mod, and it does all of the things a round tube is supposed to do. If you remove the top rail, you can use low scope rings, and get teh scope closer to the barrel...however you might find the cheek piece doesn't quite go low enough. You put rails on it, and attach things to them. I also have a rail on order from Victor Company USA that will have an integrated 1.5 inch dovetail rail and a flat bottom.
Caliber Changes
Caliber changes are done by changing out the barrel, switching the bolt body, and changing the magazine.
There are 3 different bolt sizes available...standard, magnum, and Lapua bolt face sizes. The same firing pin and cocking piece mechanism is used in all 3, and it disassembles almost exactly like a Model 70, so switching them out isn't hard at all.
There are 3 sizes of magazine as well. Two large frame magazines for Lapua or Win Mag diameter calibers, and then there is a short action mag-well that takes the short action AW mags. In the future, AI is going with magazines that are the same external dimensions, but different internally...sort of like how the new Tubb gun is. Those should be coming out next year.
There is also a small firing pin model of the standard bolt body that exists for higher pressure standard sized cartridges using small rifle primers. And I think the newer version is going to use a smaller firing pin.
Barrels
There are a few different companies that are making Pre-Fit barrels for this rifle. They aren't really pre-fit...it's just that all of the receivers head-space the same so that barrels are interchangeable. The fact that they don't require a special barrel extension or wrench is probably what sets this one apart from the other "do everything" guns.
I have barrels from Proof Research and Hawk Hill Custom for my rifle. If you are in the military, I strongly suggest you take advantage of the PR discount because it is very nice. Even if it's only for two barrels per year.
Europtic and Mile High Shooting also stock barrels from Win Tactical that are chambered on Bartlein blanks. The price for a complete barrel is around $650-$800 depending on who you order it from.
Accuracy
Mechanical accuracy from my AI is on par with most other custom guns that I have. My Surgeon seems to shoot slightly better, but that might be because I have 3 years of trigger time behind it.
On my 6.5 Creedmoor Hawk Hill Barrel, my average group size was around .6 MOA over a series of 55 shots with my standard load of 42.5 gr of H4350 and a 140 gr ELD-M. (I shoot Bergers in matches.) The range of group sizes was between 1.036 inches down to 0.286 inches...and that was from a bipod and a rear bag on a fairly poorly designed shooting bench. That's without taking out any flyers or outliers...except for the first shot that I used to zero.
My 338 Lapua barrel seems to average out to right around that .6 to .7 MOA range when tested in the same conditions. I definitely tend to shoot it better from prone than the bench.
AI vs Custom...What am I losing?
PRS
The AXMC probably has the best chances of being competitive in PRS. AI has a team, and they do pretty well with their dedicated short action rifles. However, rapid fire bolt-manipulation is not quite as good as some of the newer custom short actions out there, and even the competition trigger doesn't go down to the ultra low weights that a lot of guys are using.
Also I have my doubts that this receiver would work well with the 6BR line of cartridges that are currently in favor with PRS competitions. So maybe get a 308 Winchester barrel and shoot in the Tactical Class with this one.
The Victor Company Handguard will allow me to put 3 pounds of extra weight into the fore-end though to manipulate the balance point further forward which should prove to be useful.
F Class
I think if I was to try out F-Class with this one, I would be running into weight limit restrictions pretty quickly. The lightest I can get the stock configuration rifle with a Harris bipod and a scope was 16 pounds...and a 20 inch barrel...so in theory it might be possible. It definitely won't behave as well in bags as a dedicated rifle without getting a bag rider for it, and even the stiff bolt lift might be an issue.
Palma/Sling
I know at least one person made the Palma 20 using an AI type rifle, and they improvised an Anschutz cheekpiece onto it. That is probably the same route that I would go, and modify the fore-end to take a handstop.
A lower cheek-piece might allow the use of a Warner rear sight without having to go to an extra tall front-sight.
In theory, you could shoot all of LR nationals while using just one rifle, and swapping barrels at will. I am kind of curious if I could make this one fit into an Anschutz Precise stock.
ELR
It would definitely be competitive in some of the caliber restricted classes. The 33XC and 37XC would also make it a semi-competitive single shot, but it seems that bigger is better when it comes to the heavy rifle stuff.
Hunting
I actually used mine for Moose hunting this year. It is definitely heavier than it needs to be, but I have a lot of other lightweight gear, and lots of ruck marching experience thanks to Uncle Sam. A good sling, and carrying it in the front with the stock folded does make a huge difference...but it's still kind of like humping a Bren gun around. If you plan on doing lots of sitting and glassing though, it isn't that bad. It probably would have made quick work on the two bulls we spotted at 1100 meters...but that would have been way too much work to go get them in the terrain we were hunting.
It is possible to get this rifle down to around 15 pounds if you use a shorter/lighter barrel. I had mine at 16 pounds even with a Harris bipod, Khales 624i, and a 20 inch 338 Lapua barrel. With the shorter barrel it was actually possible to shoot it from a standing position somewhat accurately out to 100 yards. But 20 inch 338 Lapua barrels are just miserable for your ears and your brain.
It also makes a clumsy improvised trekking pole when trying to walk across a clear cut of fallen trees at dark. I definitely broke my fall with the rifle on more than one occasion.
The short version is that this is probably the best of the "Do Everything Rifles" but comes with the huge caveat that if you are pursuing a particular shooting discipline...you are better off with a rifle purposely built for it. Sure...I can shoe-horn this into PRS, F-Class, Palma, and ELR...but it's hefty price means that it's going to cost about the same as two full custom builds. However, when it comes to moving from one side of the country to the other...I do value being able have everything consolidated into one Pelican case.
The Action
The AXMC action is a slightly changed version of the 338 Lapua sized AI actions. It's a very large target style receiver that I would describe as basically a giant magazine fed Palma gun from the late 80's and early 90's. Much like a lot of actions at the time...having more than two locking lugs was seen as the ticket to increased accuracy with factory match ammo...this is the same design philosophy that gave us the RPA Quadlock, Barnard, and countless other multi-lugged single shots...I think AI can be included into that as well because the original rifle was called the Coopermatch and was a Palma gun. This iteration has 6 locking lugs in two rows of 3 with a 60 degree bolt lift. I think there are other iterations of AIs that have 3 locking lugs instead.
By todays standards, this action would be considered stiff. There is definitely some over-cocking on bolt close, and the lift feels like it happens in two stages of primary extraction. These features are probably desirable in a military rifle...or a Palma rifle when you were forced to use military issued ammo...but would probably be a hindrance to using it as a first rate F-Class rifle.
There are 4 cool things about the action itself.
First is the "Quick Lock" barrel change feature...Basically the receiver tenon has an H slot cut into the threads, and allows the receiver to actually clamp down on a barrel with just a hex screw. Barrels are able to be changed with only the use of a single hex wrench, and doesn't rely on the use of proprietary barrel extensions to set head-space.
Second is the trigger. It's a two stage target trigger with a shoe that is adjustable for length of pull. It is probably on-par with the RPA/Barnard triggers when they are using the "Target Rifle" weight springs, and is comfortable at around 3 pounds total. There is also a Competition Trigger available today that is made by CG Xtreme...which is basically a 1 for 1 copy of the RPA and Barnard triggers (by my understanding anyways.)
Third is the 3 position safety. The safety controls the firing pin in the same way that a Winchester Model 70 or Springfield style safety work. These can be had on custom actions these days, but they are not as common as they once were. I just prefer this style of safety.
Fourth...the receiver is glued to the chassis. That is one of the reasons that these rifles are considered to be rugged...because back in the 1980s they copied what Benchrest shooters at the time were doing...and forgot to add release agent to their receivers. (I'm making this up...this is probably not historically accurate.)
Ergonomics
The Post-2014 AI Buttstock is a right side folding buttstock that will capture the bolt handle. It is adjustable for length of pull, cheek height, and the butt-plate is adjustable for cant and height. Basically, it is a tactical version of a 3 position butt-stock. However, the cheekpiece doesn't go low enough for me to use my low scope rings. There however is an aftermarket option that does go significantly lower which I am looking at getting. I also know that at least one person has figured out how to get an Anschutz cheekpiece to work on one of these.
The pistol grip on this one is a love or hate thing. The pistol grip feels more like an AR grip when it really would benefit from feeling more like an Anschutz. If you have big hands, you might find that it is slightly too short, and raked backwards slightly too far. Is it useable? Yes. Is it ideal? Probably not.
The fore-end is an octagonal tube that takes AI's version of Key Mod, and it does all of the things a round tube is supposed to do. If you remove the top rail, you can use low scope rings, and get teh scope closer to the barrel...however you might find the cheek piece doesn't quite go low enough. You put rails on it, and attach things to them. I also have a rail on order from Victor Company USA that will have an integrated 1.5 inch dovetail rail and a flat bottom.
Caliber Changes
Caliber changes are done by changing out the barrel, switching the bolt body, and changing the magazine.
There are 3 different bolt sizes available...standard, magnum, and Lapua bolt face sizes. The same firing pin and cocking piece mechanism is used in all 3, and it disassembles almost exactly like a Model 70, so switching them out isn't hard at all.
There are 3 sizes of magazine as well. Two large frame magazines for Lapua or Win Mag diameter calibers, and then there is a short action mag-well that takes the short action AW mags. In the future, AI is going with magazines that are the same external dimensions, but different internally...sort of like how the new Tubb gun is. Those should be coming out next year.
There is also a small firing pin model of the standard bolt body that exists for higher pressure standard sized cartridges using small rifle primers. And I think the newer version is going to use a smaller firing pin.
Barrels
There are a few different companies that are making Pre-Fit barrels for this rifle. They aren't really pre-fit...it's just that all of the receivers head-space the same so that barrels are interchangeable. The fact that they don't require a special barrel extension or wrench is probably what sets this one apart from the other "do everything" guns.
I have barrels from Proof Research and Hawk Hill Custom for my rifle. If you are in the military, I strongly suggest you take advantage of the PR discount because it is very nice. Even if it's only for two barrels per year.
Europtic and Mile High Shooting also stock barrels from Win Tactical that are chambered on Bartlein blanks. The price for a complete barrel is around $650-$800 depending on who you order it from.
Accuracy
Mechanical accuracy from my AI is on par with most other custom guns that I have. My Surgeon seems to shoot slightly better, but that might be because I have 3 years of trigger time behind it.
On my 6.5 Creedmoor Hawk Hill Barrel, my average group size was around .6 MOA over a series of 55 shots with my standard load of 42.5 gr of H4350 and a 140 gr ELD-M. (I shoot Bergers in matches.) The range of group sizes was between 1.036 inches down to 0.286 inches...and that was from a bipod and a rear bag on a fairly poorly designed shooting bench. That's without taking out any flyers or outliers...except for the first shot that I used to zero.
My 338 Lapua barrel seems to average out to right around that .6 to .7 MOA range when tested in the same conditions. I definitely tend to shoot it better from prone than the bench.
AI vs Custom...What am I losing?
PRS
The AXMC probably has the best chances of being competitive in PRS. AI has a team, and they do pretty well with their dedicated short action rifles. However, rapid fire bolt-manipulation is not quite as good as some of the newer custom short actions out there, and even the competition trigger doesn't go down to the ultra low weights that a lot of guys are using.
Also I have my doubts that this receiver would work well with the 6BR line of cartridges that are currently in favor with PRS competitions. So maybe get a 308 Winchester barrel and shoot in the Tactical Class with this one.
The Victor Company Handguard will allow me to put 3 pounds of extra weight into the fore-end though to manipulate the balance point further forward which should prove to be useful.
F Class
I think if I was to try out F-Class with this one, I would be running into weight limit restrictions pretty quickly. The lightest I can get the stock configuration rifle with a Harris bipod and a scope was 16 pounds...and a 20 inch barrel...so in theory it might be possible. It definitely won't behave as well in bags as a dedicated rifle without getting a bag rider for it, and even the stiff bolt lift might be an issue.
Palma/Sling
I know at least one person made the Palma 20 using an AI type rifle, and they improvised an Anschutz cheekpiece onto it. That is probably the same route that I would go, and modify the fore-end to take a handstop.
A lower cheek-piece might allow the use of a Warner rear sight without having to go to an extra tall front-sight.
In theory, you could shoot all of LR nationals while using just one rifle, and swapping barrels at will. I am kind of curious if I could make this one fit into an Anschutz Precise stock.
ELR
It would definitely be competitive in some of the caliber restricted classes. The 33XC and 37XC would also make it a semi-competitive single shot, but it seems that bigger is better when it comes to the heavy rifle stuff.
Hunting
I actually used mine for Moose hunting this year. It is definitely heavier than it needs to be, but I have a lot of other lightweight gear, and lots of ruck marching experience thanks to Uncle Sam. A good sling, and carrying it in the front with the stock folded does make a huge difference...but it's still kind of like humping a Bren gun around. If you plan on doing lots of sitting and glassing though, it isn't that bad. It probably would have made quick work on the two bulls we spotted at 1100 meters...but that would have been way too much work to go get them in the terrain we were hunting.
It is possible to get this rifle down to around 15 pounds if you use a shorter/lighter barrel. I had mine at 16 pounds even with a Harris bipod, Khales 624i, and a 20 inch 338 Lapua barrel. With the shorter barrel it was actually possible to shoot it from a standing position somewhat accurately out to 100 yards. But 20 inch 338 Lapua barrels are just miserable for your ears and your brain.
It also makes a clumsy improvised trekking pole when trying to walk across a clear cut of fallen trees at dark. I definitely broke my fall with the rifle on more than one occasion.
Attachments
Last edited:
