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comments like this should also come with a giant asterisk...you can have good luck doing this MOST of the time, but ive lost count of the number of custom "assemblies" ive have to mod and tweak for people in order for them to run correctly/reliably
its not on any one manufacturer, its when you start getting into volumes of tolerance stacking from various companies
if youre familiar with rifle function and mechanically inclined with some tools, most of it can be tweaked at home, not all of it is that simple tho and theres a lot of people who dont have a clue where to start with some things if theyre newer to rifles in general
my favorite is "i bought an AW cut action so i can run AW mags" ...probably got some news for you buddy...lol
its a cheaper, usually successful route....across the board though, it AINT the same as grabbing an AI out of the box and hitting the range
How do you like that 16" barrel? I've got an 18" coming myself. Are you shooting
factory or handloads?
I was a SAKO TRG fan for years and laughed at guys spending 1k more for an AI, until, that is, I got an AI....
You can find good used AT deals often on for sale forum here.
Is it really a better rifle than the TRG though? I'm actually debating which of the two to get later this year. I'm not convinced (yet), based on comments I've read here and elsewhere, that the AI is superior. Most agree that the TRG has the better trigger and better fit/finish. Accuracy potential seems to be about the same. Since you owned both, what is better about the AI?
I love my buddies TRG, the trigger and safety are truly amazing. Unfortunately after 80 rounds, the stock fell off the action.
I own both. And I love them both. If I were to keep one, I'd keep the AI. WHY?....I travel for a living. Not for a week at a time or a few days. Months at a time. Sometimes a year. I travel in my truck not a plane. The AI, allows me to bring 4 rifles in 1 small case. ? The TRG is still a sweet rig though. The ergo' are top notch. With FGMM 168/175's it'll shoot 1/4". And I suck. The trigger bar none, awesome.
They make a match trigger that breaks at about 1.5You ain't making my decision any easier
Sadly, I've never handled an AI. But one thing I was curious about is the trigger. Listed at 3-4 lbs? Isn't that a bit heavy for a precision rig? Can it be adjusted lighter or an aftermarket trigger installed?
ArcLight, remember that in a two stage trigger you add both stages, and it sounds heavier than it feels.
The argument that a custom rifle is cheaper than an AI is not necessarily the case, especially so if you're using premium components. I've been down the route of several customs over the years as well as optics and finally took the plunge on an AX. Before the price drops and it wasnt a showroom demo, so it was substantially more expensive than what's available now. Even at that price, I have one rifle that can do anything I need it to, a trigger that fucking works every time without needing to have anything done to it, mags that fucking work without needing anything done and have a longer OAL (and are double stack cuz fuck AICS mags), barrels available everywhere in any configuration without a wait, no bedding or bolts to worry about torque, not realy any bolt parts to have to keep on hand, no worries of light strikes or any of that bullshit. No special tools to swap barrels. Add to the fact that you have one trigger to master and one optic and mount combo to buy and it saves you money with every barrel you buy.
Let’s not get too carried away now. LolYou can't afford not to buy one.
How is anyone building a full featured custom for $3000?
If you watched my video, you’d know I’m not too happy a $4,000 rifle has side stocks that seem to be made out of cheddar cheese. I’m still trying the break the thing, and haven’t so far.I've owned my TRG since 2014. I have a hard time believing that. He probably loosened up some screws and used it to chop a tree down. But I also know you have a youtube channel that pushes your AI pretty hard.
$1000 actionHow is anyone building a full featured custom for $3000?
How is it not? What is your definition of "full featured"?That’s not full featured.
$1000 action
$600 barrel
$250 trigger
$1000 chassis
very easily. You can build one for much less.
Pre fits are the norm. The chassis takes care of most of your other concerns.Now add threading, cerakote, mounting bosses for NV mount and rails, bipod attachment point, compatibility with AW magazines, buttplate/LOP/cheekrest adjustments, three position safety. What’s the price now? Also, you didn’t include the cost of the barrel changing equipment: vice, action wrench, torque wrench, ETC.
The TRG fixed stock is delicate, barrel changes are a comparative pain in the ass, the mags aren’t true double stack, the finish is more inclined to rust and mounting night shooting accessories is harder. Accessories are rarer and more expensive.
It’s also lighter, has a better trigger and a radically different safety. Barrels last longer.
The AI is therefore a better rifle for war, and the TRG has an advantage for hunting.
Dude no one is saying anything bad about AI. If you can afford it, and like it, more power to you. But pretty much everything you mentioned can be covered by said "$1000 stock/chassis" or is already included (did you really think 'threading' wouldnt be covered under the barrel cost estimate? haha). If you dont think a $2000-$3000 custom build can run with an AI, well, you'd be mistaken.Now add threading, cerakote, mounting bosses for NV mount and rails, bipod attachment point, compatibility with AW magazines, buttplate/LOP/cheekrest adjustments, three position safety. What’s the price now? Also, you didn’t include the cost of the barrel changing equipment: vice, action wrench, torque wrench, ETC.
Now add threading, cerakote, mounting bosses for NV mount and rails, bipod attachment point, compatibility with AW magazines, buttplate/LOP/cheekrest adjustments, three position safety. What’s the price now? Also, you didn’t include the cost of the barrel changing equipment: vice, action wrench, torque wrench, ETC.
You forgot cerakote. That puts it over the edge. ?Lol!
Terminus/Vector action: $1425 (set screw barrel change similar an AI)
MPA comp chassis: $920
Prefit: $600
Trigger: $250
Total: ~$3,200
Runs with AW’s
Comes with a NV bridge
Has adjustable LoP/cheek height
You can add a weight kit, etc.
You forgot cerakote. That puts it over the edge. ?
That could be a fair point depending how you look at it.Assembling a rifle yourself is NOT a FULL FEATURED CUSTOM
you listed off the retail price of parts if you wanted to do it yourself
a Gunsmith will charge you for labor and will also make sure things are correct.
My only real concern is cratered primers even with moderately warm loads. I can’t load the maximum case pressure like my buddies using custom actions. That’ll be in part 2 of my review.
True double column means it’s not center feed. How are you changing TRG barrels in the field without a vice? The TRG stock is held in place by clamping force. It’s known to fall off or crack when dropped. The folder is much stronger but very expensive. I find it an ergonomic improvement honestly.Your wrong on a few things bud. TRG mags ARE double stack. There's nothing delicate about the stock, other than it's a true 2 pieces held on by bolts, but so is the forend on an AX...2 bolts. Barrel changes are only a pain, if your not a mechanical guy. Accessories are not "rare" ?, but if you solely want factory stuff than they are a little pricey
Where are you guys getting $600 threaded cut rifled prefits? Usually you’re closer to $700 for those. Also, like Lowlight pointed out you’re assembling your own rifle at this point. Who do you call if it doesnt work?Dude no one is saying anything bad about AI. If you can afford it, and like it, more power to you. But pretty much everything you mentioned can be covered by said "$1000 stock/chassis" or is already included (did you really think 'threading' wouldnt be covered under the barrel cost estimate? haha). If you dont think a $2000-$3000 custom build can run with an AI, well, you'd be mistaken.
I will rephrase. What would you do with your money? Which would you choose and why? I am going to end up with one soon enough. I just want opinions.I have no clue what your favorite color is...
Suppose it depends on the action youre referring to. But its not hard to spend or save $100 over the course of a full build, so if it helps, go ahead and assume $700 instead of $600. I personally buy blanks on sale and have LRI do the chambering. Many people here arent using retail prices for anything. Buy second hand, on sale, etc. (that includes the AI we're hypothetically comparing to. At least those are the assumptions Im using for comparison).Where are you guys getting $600 threaded cut rifled prefits? Usually you’re closer to $700 for those. Also, like Lowlight pointed out you’re assembling your own rifle at this point. Who do you call if it doesnt work?
I’ve only ever owned AIs but I recently had the urge to build a custom rifle. I’m very happy with it but the first thing I bought after getting the rifle was the one thing I never bought for my AI....a spare parts kit ????View attachment 7235869
Here in the parts exchange. Been some killer deals the past 6 months on AISomeone suggested second hand referencing Gun Broker. There is one real AT there for $3500 and it’s got two 308 barrels. The problem is it’s left handed. I was told to consider used. From where?