You can have any blank spun for a AI as well. It’s a M27 or M30 shank depending on the model. Basically any option for the surgeon or impact is an option for the AI. Only issue you may run into is trying to run a straight tube in something like an ATX with a forend bridge.
Current Surgeon vs AI Action
- Thread starter Milspec Longhorn
- Start date
I’ll search for a thread for you.. there a lot that goes in to it.
all things equal you prob cant shoot the difference but no one shooting bench rest or F class buys a “prefit” on the internet.
They may have their exact action specs on file and order it frim a smith but it’s not a “prefit”
Here is from today. AX with an AI Proof that has ~1,500rds and AT-X with a new 0 round Bartlien AI barrel. I was taking calls and clicked the wrong way a couple of times if your wondering why your seeing the groups shift around. I have a couple of fliers in the mix, but overall they both seem to shoot better then I can.
I like the AX over the at-x if that's what your asking. If your asking what barrel I like more I don't have a preference. They both work.
The AX has been broken in. So it's smooth and since the grip fits my hand the original AX looks better then the AR grip on the AT-X. the forend feels better in the hand and it has a ATACR 5-25, which a lot of people crap on, which I prefer over the Vortex Razor Gen3 6-36 on the AT-x. The difference isn't huge, but I grab the AX just about every time I go out unless the kids are coming and need something to shoot as well.
I actually was looking at a ATACR 7-35 and have no experience with NF
What do people not like about the ATACR?
What do people not like about the ATACR?
Mainly that the entire ocular housing turns when adjusting magnification, which sorta messes up any rear lens cap. No locking elevation turret, but many don’t mind that (or they actually prefer it).
The 7-35 tunnels a bit at the low end, but many don’t mind that either as it’s not bought for the low mag. Also, a small number of people don’t like the translating turret and want a rev indicator instead.
I don’t own an ATACR, but that’s what I’ve read. I do own a NX8 4-32, which has all of those issues except the rotating housing.
I have a ATACR 7-35 on my other rifle (AXSR) but the people seem to think the 5-25 is the worse in the ATACR line. Glass quality, tunneling and rotating ocular are the biggest complaints.
Are those not problems with the ATACR 7-35? NF has the Mil contract for that scope with the Barretts. Thought that would be a vote of confidence at least for durability. Not sure how the glass compares to say SB?
Glass quality is very subjective. My eyes like ATACR glass better then SB pm2 glass. Owned both.
The ATACR'S are very tough, that is the reason I use them on my hunting rifles. As well as the NXS 2.5-10x42.
The ATACR'S are very tough, that is the reason I use them on my hunting rifles. As well as the NXS 2.5-10x42.
Thanks. I heard they were very durable and tough. Probably good point on glass quality being subjective. Mostly it seems people feel SB has better glass but don’t hear them being more rugged than NF
While I feel my Atacr 5-25 is close if not even with my s&b 3-20 glass wise, the NF is more touchy than the s&b with parallax adjustment. I find no issue using either in match or hunting settings.
Just to add, you can use any barrel manufacturer you like. I have Bartlein, PROOF and Krieger barrels for my AIs.
Th
Thanks - so how would you get a barrel blank chambered/threaded to fit the AI like the AI prefit barrels without the smith having the receiver
Couple of smiths have the prints. I think Manzella is a popular one. PVA if I'm not mistaken does AI barrels. Just call them up and tell them what you want. It's no different than any other gun minus the tenon threads. Should run you 800-1000 including the blank.
If you use the covers that NF includes, the rear cover can be moved independently. At least mine can. As you point out, 7X tunneling is there but compared to my S&B 5-25, the tunneling is much less.
Read the review on the 7-35 that @Glassaholic did. The NF is the best value out these for a 7-35.
Any blank with the correct shank diameter can be machined to be an AI prefit by a competent gunsmith. I use Dave Tooley or Fritz at Black Canyon Customs
Manzella, black canyon customs or short action customs can all do prefits. You can call them and have them find a blank. Requires wait time. Or you can send them your blank.
Beyond that you can send them custom reamers or have them use what they have on hand.
Definitely agree on all points.
On my NX8 I use the included Tenebraex covers that also rotate, even though the NX8 ocular doesn’t rotate. They are really simple to reposition.
Just to be clear, I was just pointing out common complaints out to the OP about the 7-35 (since he asked). My only complaint is about the non-locking elevation turret. The other stuff doesn’t bother me.
Locking turrets are more user preference. I personally can't stand them and always leave all the scopes that I have had them unlocked. The whole ocular ring moving on the NF isn't even that big of a deal. It's easy enough to move on the NF, I really don't even think about it anymore. Illumination button also a nonissue. I don't think I ever remember ever needing illumination on any of the scopes I own and they all have it.
My biggest complaint with the rotating ocular is when going from min to max power the cap would interfere with the bolt cycling. Not a huge deal, but annoying. On my hunting rifle I have a bikini style cover on it now.
I read about the rotating ocular. I also read the glass quality was good but others have bashed it compared to SB.
But I didn’t see any issues noted with durability or the warranty compared to SB.
But I didn’t see any issues noted with durability or the warranty compared to SB.
I could totally see that. I am LH so the higher magnifications are not interfering with the bolt.
I love my S&B but the NF is better. There are many things that get bashed here that I had no issues with...LOL
I LOVE the turrets. Next to TT, they are great—positive clicks and very easy to read. They are in a different league from the DTII on the S&B. I also love the MIL-C reticle. Image quality is on par with S&B as well.
Thanks much. Helpful to hear from someone who has both NF and SB. Is build quality on par with SB?
I have never heard of a NF with shit build quality. I am sure there is probably some out there, but NF is a solid scope.
You can use it to hammer nails and remount it to your rifle.
In all honesty, the build quality is equal to S&B if not better. The packaging is awesome.
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Build quality is not an issue with either, but based on reputation I’d say NF has the edge.
I’ve currently got 3 copies of the S&B PM II 5-25 (H2CMR) and 2 copies of the NF ATACR 7-35 (Mil-C) and would give a slight edge in optical quality to the NF. I’m slowly switching over to NF after 6-7 years with the S&B for my main PRS competition rifle. I will probably keep S&B for my 22lr RimX because I like how it handles parralax and focusing up close.
If you’re after a S&B I’ll make you a deal on of them .
I know I have been really advocating for AI in this thread, but packing for a match this weekend I thought I would reiterate something. Packed my impact, spare trigger, all the odds and ends, and it made me think about how for all the talk and love for AI, some of this is motivated by just having something different to what’s normally in the mix of my shooting.
I guess it’s to say that none of us are pumping out of planes for a HALO insertion to then take a shot at a HVT…. But when it comes to actual time, money, and effort behind the use of my weekend, right now I’m grabbing an impact.
Hunting season is all AI, but man the impact is fun.
FWIW, it sits in an AT-X AICS (or sometimes a foundation depending on my ADD), so it’s not too far way from an AI….
I guess it’s to say that none of us are pumping out of planes for a HALO insertion to then take a shot at a HVT…. But when it comes to actual time, money, and effort behind the use of my weekend, right now I’m grabbing an impact.
Hunting season is all AI, but man the impact is fun.
FWIW, it sits in an AT-X AICS (or sometimes a foundation depending on my ADD), so it’s not too far way from an AI….
Thanks...seems a strong vote for NF if you are switching from SBBuild quality is not an issue with either, but based on reputation I’d say NF has the edge.
I’ve currently got 3 copies of the S&B PM II 5-25 (H2CMR) and 2 copies of the NF ATACR 7-35 (Mil-C) and would give a slight edge in optical quality to the NF. I’m slowly switching over to NF after 6-7 years with the S&B for my main PRS competition rifle. I will probably keep S&B for my 22lr RimX because I like how it handles parralax and focusing up close.
If you’re after a S&B I’ll make you a deal on of them .
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