Accuracy International AX small or large rifle firing pin?

[kujuak]

I have a 2015 AI/AT rifle. It has small rifle firing pin. I have read that the AXMC comes only with LR firing pin. This is a possible issue with using small rifle primer brass in rounds such as 6.5 Creedmoor. Would a new production AX come with a large or a small rifle firing pin set up?

Thanks!

 

[SNAFU308]

The short action AX comes with a small firing pin. The long action does have the large firing pin but there is a small firing pin bolt available for use with the short action conversion.

 

[kujuak]

Thanks!!!! Big relief. i can order some new small primer brass now

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I haven't seen this new SFP AXMC bolt anywhere yet, but run the brass in your gun first, you may not need it. I've shot a few thousand rounds now of rounds through mine that people claim to have pierced primers with and I have never pierced one. Also all of my short action AI rifles (2014 AX, 2012 AX, AW, several AE's) have been LFP and I've never pierced a primer in those either.

 

[QuietShootr]

The short action AX comes with a small firing pin. The long action does have the large firing pin but there is a small firing pin bolt available for use with the short action conversion.

No, there isn’t. I assure you there isn’t.

 

[dbransco]

No, there isn’t. I assure you there isn’t.

I’d look into that a little deeper.

 

[quiksilverj]

I called mile high with a supposed part number for the axmc small firing pin bolt. The guy didn't know what I was talking about and it didn't come up in their system. He was supposed to check and get back to me but haven't heard anything. It is supposedly out there but cannot seem to get hands on it.

 

[QuietShootr]

I’d look into that a little deeper.

Well. A guy named Scott at AI said last week there aren’t any. How much deeper do I need to look?

@tomirwin

 

[dbransco]

Well. A guy named Scott at AI said last week there aren’t any. How much deeper do I need to look?

Strange? I was given a part number a told they were available last week as well?

 

[QuietShootr]

Strange? I was given a part number a told they were available last week as well?

By whom?

 

[quiksilverj]

These are the part numbers that were thrown out there.

28340BL for Black
28340PB for Pal Brown

Description - Bolt Assembly .308 WIN 1.6mm Firing Pin

 

[QuietShootr]

These are the part numbers that were thrown out there.

28340BL for Black
28340PB for Pal Brown

Description - Bolt Assembly .308 WIN 1.6mm Firing Pin

@tomirwin true, or not true?

 

[dbransco]

By whom?

Mike at Mile High. He was certain when talking to him that they were. Even priced it out for me?

 

[QuietShootr]

Mike at Mile High. He was certain when talking to him that they were. Even priced it out for me?

Scott at AI said they aren’t, and won’t be making SFP AXMC bolts. I just got rid of my 6.5 barrel because of this statement. This telephone game shit is pissing me off.

 

[dbransco]

Scott at AI said they aren’t, and won’t be making SFP AXMC bolts. I just got rid of my 6.5 barrel because of this statement. This telephone game shit is pissing me off.

No kidding! You either do or you don’t offer this. I would think it will be offered, just a matter of time.
I don’t blame these manufacturers, with the advent of social media, etc. rumors are spread fast and everyone wants to be the first to have it.

 

[SNAFU308]

The part numbers quoted are the ones I provided which I got from the Australia Accuracy International distributors who now have 10 of them on order so if they aren't real i'm not sure what the part number are for and what's on order

 

[mercracing]

Here’s what I learned when I called. There isn’t and will never be a small firing pin for the AXMC from AI. I didn’t pop or pierce primers and I was given the reason for my mild cratering and it satisfied me. I’ll continue to run my 6.5CM with FGMM.

 

[QuietShootr]

Here’s what I learned when I called. There isn’t and will never be a small firing pin for the AXMC from AI. I didn’t pop or pierce primers and I was given the reason for my mild cratering satisfied me. I’ll continue to run my 6.5CM with FGMM.

That’s exactly what they told me. I got rid of my 6.5CM barrel because only shooting factory ammo is near useless to me, and I’m not carving on a $600 bolt that shouldn’t need surgery in the first place

 

[mercracing]

That’s exactly what they told me. I got rid of my 6.5CM barrel because only shooting factory ammo is near useless to me, and I’m not carving on a $600 bolt that shouldn’t need surgery in the first place

Needing to bush a bolt is for sure a bummer, but I'm ok with shooting factory. I of course understand thats not for everyone.

 

[QuietShootr]

The part numbers quoted are the ones I provided which I got from the Australia Accuracy International distributors who now have 10 of them on order so if they aren't real i'm not sure what the part number are for and what's on order

Probably AX SFP short action bolts.

 

[SNAFU308]

ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AI-26546BL: 308 SMALL FIRING PIN BOLT GROUP - As per mile high (for short action)

308 BOLT HEAD GROUP FOR AX & AT Short Action. Includes: 6 Lug Bolt Head with 1.6mm Hole, Ejector and Extractor for Installing the Small Diameter 308 Firing Pin (AI-26544)


These below are direct from the Australian distributors for AI who confirmed they are long action SFP bolts before ordering as they want them for their AXMC's as well

28340BL for Black
28340PB for Pal Brown

Description - Bolt Assembly .308 WIN 1.6mm Firing Pin

As you can see the part numbers are different and both have the 1.6mm firing pin so best I can tell they certainly do make a long action SFP bolt

 

[MarinePMI]

Not sure who confirmed what, but an "AX" bolt is not the same as an "AXMC" bolt. The "AX" (as you may already know) is short action only, unlike the "AXMC". Not sure why they wouldn't have a SFP .308 bolt for the AXMC though...it makes no sense not to have one.

 

[QuietShootr]

Not sure who confirmed what, but an "AX" bolt is not the same as an "AXMC" bolt. The "AX" (as you may already know) is short action only, unlike the "AXMC". Not sure why they wouldn't have a SFP .308 bolt for the AXMC though...it makes no sense not to have one.

They said it’s because assholes will hot rod .473 face cases in the Mag action and blow themselves up. Kind of a stupid reason.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

They said it’s because assholes will hot rod .473 face cases in the Mag action and blow themselves up. Kind of a stupid reason.

This makes no sense unless they're worried about some idiot putting the small firing pin assembly in their other large pin bolts. AXMC has the same 6 lug design and a larger/meatier bolt. Then only way you're hurting that action is by stuffing a case full of pistol powder. No load that's going to be unsafe in a AXMC action is going to be any more safe in a AX action.

It's more likely that they don't think demand will be that high for them and may not be worth their while. IMO they would be very hot sellers though and would make the purchase of their flagship rifle that much more appealing. I know I'd buy one in a heartbeat. It certainly wouldn't be cheap though, a 308 AXMC bolt body retails for nearly $700 and a spare firing pin assembly about the same.

 

[SNAFU308]

well supposedly they're on order and should be here in the next couple of months so if they do indeed turn up and are for the AXMC i'll post up. I already have a S/A conversion for my AXMC and a short action AX so don't exactly need one but just want one to be able to run the small primer cases in it if I decide I want to.

 

[QuietShootr]

This makes no sense unless they're worried about some idiot putting the small firing pin assembly in their other large pin bolts. AXMC has the same 6 lug design and a larger/meatier bolt. Then only way you're hurting that action is by stuffing a case full of pistol powder. No load that's going to be unsafe in a AXMC action is going to be any more safe in a AX action.

It's more likely that they don't think demand will be that high for them and may not be worth their while. IMO they would be very hot sellers though and would make the purchase of their flagship rifle that much more appealing. I know I'd buy one in a heartbeat. It certainly wouldn't be cheap though, a 308 AXMC bolt body retails for nearly $700 and a spare firing pin assembly about the same.

I said I thought it was a stupid reason, but that’s what they said.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I said I thought it was a stupid reason, but that’s what they said.

I got some insight on this matter from another person in the know and the explanation I got is that AI isn't going to do small pin magnum bolts for fear of people blowing stuff. Small pin 308 AXMC bolt is neither confirmed nor denied but AI and vendors are aware of this thread. If you would like to see a small pin AXMC 308 bolt, you should email AI and let them know you would purchase one if they offered them. I bet if there's enough interest they'll do it, but you have to keep in mind that if they have 100 people say they want one and would buy, maybe 20 will actually follow through.

If they do make them, don't expect them to be the same price as the short action AX SFP bolt/firing pin assembly. The AXMC bolt body's are $684 and a replacement firing pin assembly is roughly the same. I'd fully expect these to cost as much as $1200.

 

[QuietShootr]

I got some insight on this matter from another person in the know and the explanation I got is that AI isn't going to do small pin magnum bolts for fear of people blowing stuff. Small pin 308 AXMC bolt is neither confirmed nor denied but AI and vendors are aware of this thread. If you would like to see a small pin AXMC 308 bolt, you should email AI and let them know you would purchase one if they offered them. I bet if there's enough interest they'll do it, but you have to keep in mind that if they have 100 people say they want one and would buy, maybe 20 will actually follow through.

If they do make them, don't expect them to be the same price as the short action AX SFP bolt/firing pin assembly. The AXMC bolt body's are $684 and a replacement firing pin assembly is roughly the same. I'd fully expect these to cost as much as $1200.

(Not directed at you) For fuck’s sake, they think guys who spent $8500 on a rifle won’t buy a small pin bolt assembly? They ought to credit those of us who already bought a 308 LFP bolt and found out it didn’t work, too, because if they come out with an SFP AXMC 308 bolt we won’t be able to GIVE a LFP 308 bolt away, ?

 

[Lowlight]

You use the same firing pin assembly the only thing you change is the bolt body, you are not changing out the firing pin, that should be a clue right there.

But what do I know, I give bad advice

 

[QuietShootr]

You use the same firing pin assembly the only thing you change is the bolt body, you are not changing out the firing pin, that should be a clue right there.

But what do I know, I give bad advice

Apparently you do. An SFP bolt would require an SFP firing pin assembly, not the large pin that the other bolts use.

 

[Lowlight]

Apparently you do. An SFP bolt would require an SFP firing pin assembly, not the large pin that the other bolts use.

Funny I don't recall giving any advice on the subject but whatever blaming me is a team sport

I know what is offered and what is not, and what works and what doesn't, maybe why I shoot the AX308 and not the AXMC

 

[redneckbmxer24]

(Not directed at you) For fuck’s sake, they think guys who spent $8500 on a rifle won’t buy a small pin bolt assembly? They ought to credit those of us who already bought a 308 LFP bolt and found out it didn’t work, too, because if they come out with an SFP AXMC 308 bolt we won’t be able to GIVE a LFP 308 bolt away, ?

Credit you for a bolt you purchased and didn't work? What didn't work about it? With what ammo and what barrel did it not work?

You keep motherfucking AI for this but you're one of the few people who have any issue with it. Most people who pierce primers are running loads that are high pressure, oversizing their brass, have dicked with their pin protrusion or all of the above and generally don't have a clue what they're doing.

Guess what, if you run anything other than a OEM AINA barrel with anything but factory ammo AI is in no way to blame for you piercing primers. If you're shooting an OEM barrel with factory ammo and you're piercing primers then you should be calling AI and/or the dealer you purchased it from and I'm sure it will be taken care of.

I stick to 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 308 factory barrels and I have had no problem with any other them with factory ammo or my loads. I've recently been running some Lapua Creedmoor brass and Starline SR Creedmoor brass and I still haven't pierced one. I haven't touched my pin protrusion though, I know not to push pressure hard, and I seat my primers .002" below the case head so they aren't traveling back as far on ignition.

Also, if you think that a smaller diameter firing pin can fix stupid, you're going to be very disappointed. I've seen several instances of small pin guns (AI's and customs) piercing primers. When you get into high pressure, high bolt thrust rounds you have to take precaution regardless of pin diameter.

If you really want a small pin AI so badly and don't mind dropping the cash then order yourself a complete AXMC firing pin assembly plus an extra pin as a spare and send your bolt to Wade Stuteville and have it bushed and the pins turned down. It won't be cheap but it should be no more expensive than ordering a SFP complete bolt assembly (should they make it) on top of the bolt body you already have. Personally I'd love to see them make them and would preorder before they're even available, but I don't NEED it per se.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

FWIW here's the Starline 6.5 Creed SR brass I shot yesterday. Some cratering but nothing pierced. All the way up to 42.7gr of H4350 with 140 Hybrids which is the top of the sweet spot and about .5gr below where pressure signs start showing from my experience. Even in 90+ degree weather with heavy condensation on the rounds, and also spraying a few down with water, still no pierced primers.

The one is a blue sharpie mark to indicate that the bullet felt like it seated a little tighter.

 

[QuietShootr]

Credit you for a bolt you purchased and didn't work? What didn't work about it? With what ammo and what barrel did it not work?

You keep motherfucking AI for this but you're one of the few people who have any issue with it. Most people who pierce primers are running loads that are high pressure, oversizing their brass, have dicked with their pin protrusion or all of the above and generally don't have a clue what they're doing.

Guess what, if you run anything other than a OEM AINA barrel with anything but factory ammo AI is in no way to blame for you piercing primers. If you're shooting an OEM barrel with factory ammo and you're piercing primers then you should be calling AI and/or the dealer you purchased it from and I'm sure it will be taken care of.

I stick to 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 308 factory barrels and I have had no problem with any other them with factory ammo or my loads. I've recently been running some Lapua Creedmoor brass and Starline SR Creedmoor brass and I still haven't pierced one. I haven't touched my pin protrusion though, I know not to push pressure hard, and I seat my primers .002" below the case head so they aren't traveling back as far on ignition.

Also, if you think that a smaller diameter firing pin can fix stupid, you're going to be very disappointed. I've seen several instances of small pin guns (AI's and customs) piercing primers. When you get into high pressure, high bolt thrust rounds you have to take precaution regardless of pin diameter.

If you really want a small pin AI so badly and don't mind dropping the cash then order yourself a complete AXMC firing pin assembly plus an extra pin as a spare and send your bolt to Wade Stuteville and have it bushed and the pins turned down. It won't be cheap but it should be no more expensive than ordering a SFP complete bolt assembly (should they make it) on top of the bolt body you already have. Personally I'd love to see them make them and would preorder before they're even available, but I don't NEED it per se.

My cases are bumped .002, I haven’t touched my pin protrusion other than to measure it, my load is very mild
(41.6 gr of H4350, 147gr ELD-M 0.020” off the lands at 2675) , my CCI primers are seated below flush with a Sinclair hand priming tool, and I’m using Hornady brass. I’m pretty sure I’m not the problem here.

 

[QuietShootr]

Funny I don't recall giving any advice on the subject but whatever blaming me is a team sport

I know what is offered and what is not, and what works and what doesn't, maybe why I shoot the AX308 and not the AXMC

An SFP AX308, you mean.

 

[Lowlight]

D'uh, what do you think I mean.

Some call it a clue, first the fact you use the same firing pin assemble for all calibers, two that they specifically created a short action AX308 with a small firing pin so guys can shoot the race calibers

S N I P E R R I F L E, not PRS Game gun, hence the 338, 300WM and 308 listed, it's about understanding what you bought.

If one rifle did everything from 338 to 6mm perfectly everyone would shoot it, but different calibers bring different limitations. Understanding those limitations saves people time, money and the headache of trying to figure out why it pierces primers, cause let's be honest, we know. Unfortunately for some a bit late.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

My cases are bumped .002, I haven’t touched my pin protrusion other than to measure it, my load is very mild
(41.6 gr of H4350, 147gr ELD-M 0.020” off the lands at 2675) , my CCI primers are seated below flush with a Sinclair hand priming tool, and I’m using Hornady brass. I’m pretty sure I’m not the problem here.

Have you shot any factory ammo?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

S N I P E R R I F L E, not PRS Game gun, hence the 338, 300WM and 308 listed, it's about understanding what you bought.

If one rifle did everything from 338 to 6mm perfectly everyone would shoot it, but different calibers bring different limitations. Understanding those limitations saves people time, money and the headache of trying to figure out why it pierces primers, cause let's be honest, we know. Unfortunately for some a bit late.

Gotta say man, I've had some great success with LFP AI's in matches. Not so far with my AXMC since getting back into it but that isn't the guns fault.

I've shot a lot of 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, and some 260 and 6 Creemoor from them with no issue. With the Creedmoors I know to go easy on pressure but I've pushed them pretty hard with 243 and never had a problem.

If I were to drop a 6BR, Dasher, 6x47L, or something of that nature on one I certainly would expect to punch some primers though. I know that which is why I haven't done it. I look at what barrels AI offers for the AXMC and what they don't offer that they do for the short action stuff and even tell you some of them may have issues without a small pin gun... Like you said, a clue.

 

[QuietShootr]

Have you shot any factory ammo?

I have, and despite the Hornady 147 ELD-M factory load being 30 FPS faster than my handload, it hasn’t pierced. But looping back around to the point of the OPs thread, 6.5 handloads, however expertly assembled stand a good chance (though by no means certainly) of not working in a regular, unmodified 6.5 AXMC. Which Frank just stated explicitly, @kujuak.

That’s all I’m saying.

If I seem a little pissed off, it’s because I am. Not making an SFP bolt is just stupid. And all the secret squirrel shit is just an added irritant.

 

[QuietShootr]

Gotta say man, I've had some great success with LFP AI's in matches. Not so far with my AXMC since getting back into it but that isn't the guns fault.

I've shot a lot of 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, and some 260 and 6 Creemoor from them with no issue. With the Creedmoors I know to go easy on pressure but I've pushed them pretty hard with 243 and never had a problem.

If I were to drop a 6BR, Dasher, 6x47L, or something of that nature on one I certainly would expect to punch some primers though. I know that which is why I haven't done it. I look at what barrels AI offers for the AXMC and what they don't offer that they do for the short action stuff and even tell you some of them may have issues without a small pin gun... Like you said, a clue.

This was a factory 6.5 barrel. I took that to be “a clue” that it would work.

 

[Lowlight]

look at the AI Website, nothing about other calibers

The fact they make a barrel is a function of capitalism, it's not really a factory offering only that people request it, but the AI Proper site says nothing about it is my clue, it's a case of, if company X Y and Z are making them we should too.

as noted the limitations have been spelled out. I have said over and over, my 97 AW 1.5 has been a 260 since 2007 and never pierced a primer goes against when and why they switched, cause guys making aftermarket barrels were piercing them and the pressures increased on the 6.5s but mine has never pierced a primer. The 97 AW was never advertised as a 260 and they did not make barrels. WIN Tactical Makes the barrels mainly because others do too so why not keep it in-house. Doesn't mean it's a 100% every time, it will work is a by production not an advertised feature by AI

 

[QuietShootr]

look at the AI Website, nothing about other calibers
View attachment 6914255
View attachment 6914256

The fact they make a barrel is a function of capitalism, it's not really a factory offering only that people request it, but the AI Proper site says nothing about it is my clue, it's a case of, if company X Y and Z are making them we should too.

as noted the limitations have been spelled out. I have said over and over, my 97 AW 1.5 has been a 260 since 2007 and never pierced a primer goes against when and why they switched, cause guys making aftermarket barrels were piercing them and the pressures increased on the 6.5s but mine has never pierced a primer. The 97 AW was never advertised as a 260 and they did not make barrels. WIN Tactical Makes the barrels mainly because others do too so why not keep it in-house. Doesn't mean it's a 100% every time, it will work is a by production not an advertised feature by AI

I mean, you’re way smarter than I am, Frank, but it would seem to me that if they sell 6.5 barrels without even a disclaimer that they might not work, a customer might reasonably expect that they should work.

Whatever. It’s a disappointment, but the dealer took care of me, so no harm, no foul, I guess.

 

[Lowlight]

I never said it CANT and I expressly said it can work within the limitations, pressure considerations being one of the big ones.

Guys have been successful with it, but it is NOT OPTIMAL and the risk of piercing a primer is real, that is why AI went to the Small Firing Pin in the other rifles, this is not a surprise it has been spoken about for years.

I am NOT Explicitly expressing anything, I Do not work for AI or MHSA, I shoot the rifles and just happen to choose the right tool for the job

Do not put words in my mouth on this subject as I am tired of being misquoted or more weight being put on my words over like RedNecker Above he is echoing my very thoughts on the subject, he has every bit the same experience here.

 

[QuietShootr]

I never said it CANT and I expressly said it can work within the limitations, pressure considerations being one of the big ones.

Guys have been successful with it, but it is NOT OPTIMAL and the risk of piercing a primer is real, that is why AI went to the Small Firing Pin in the other rifles, this is not a surprise it has been spoken about for years.

I am NOT Explicitly expressing anything, I Do not work for AI or MHSA, I shoot the rifles and just happen to choose the right tool for the job

Do not put words in my mouth on this subject as I am tired of being misquoted or more weight being put on my words over like RedNecker Above he is echoing my very thoughts on the subject, he has every bit the same experience here.

I said “ But looping back around to the point of the OPs thread, 6.5 handloads, however expertly assembled, stand a good chance (though by no means certainly) of not working in a regular, unmodified 6.5 AXMC.” which is exactly what you said.

 

[Lowlight]

No I didn't quote me where I did I say that, it was not ME

See you are quoting RedneckBMXER and not ME

 

[QuietShootr]

No I didn't quote me where I did I say that, it was not ME

See you are quoting RedneckBMXER and not ME

Hey, you win, Frank. No problem.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

If I seem a little pissed off, it’s because I am. Not making an SFP bolt is just stupid. And all the secret squirrel shit is just an added irritant.

I understand completely why they keep things to themselves. Because of this thread and someone saying an Australian distributor claims to have part numbers for a AXMC SFP bolt assembly I bet they and their two main US distributors have received no less than a dozen phone calls about it. Look at the companies that release products and/or preorder and miss an ETA and all the bitching and moaning that happens.

AI changes part numbers some times even for the same part, they may also be offering a slightly different version. They've had a replacement SA SFP bolt for a couple years now, to my knowledge it has come only one way with a black shroud. It's entirely possible that they're now offering it in pale brown too and changed the part numbers so that they were closer and there's a typo or a misunderstanding. It's also possible that this may be a new item for the Australian market and they're using different part numbers for that market.

That's all speculation but I just don't see anyone at AI being this ignorant to their own products. AINA and UK are tied in together and Scott is the VP, he knows what's going on so if he told you no, I wouldn't question it. I especially wouldn't believe a third party account of a statement from an overseas distributor over the VP's direct statement. You got your answer.

The way I see it you have a few options. 1. Wait to see if they make it. 2. Buy an extra firing pin assembly and have your bolt bushed 3. Run something else.

Personally I'd be going to the drawing board to figure out how it mysteriously works with factory Hornady ammo as you say, but not your handloads. Hornady mass produces ammo that's designed to work in pretty much any rifle and it works for you but your loads tailored to that gun don't... Hmmmm.

This was a factory 6.5 barrel. I took that to be “a clue” that it would work.

As you said, it works with factory ammo. They can't make any guarantee as to what happens when an individual makes their own ammo, and as soon as they do the warranty is null and void as well. This is all right in the manual if you read it.

 

[Lowlight]

I explicitly said,

I SHOOT THE AX308 and NOT The AXMC in the case of the 6.5s

Fucking people this is how I get phone calls

 

[QuietShootr]

I understand completely why they keep things to themselves. Because of this thread and someone saying an Australian distributor claims to have part numbers for a AXMC SFP bolt assembly I bet they and their two main US distributors have received no less than a dozen phone calls about it. Look at the companies that release products and/or preorder and miss an ETA and all the bitching and moaning that happens.

AI changes part numbers some times even for the same part, they may also be offering a slightly different version. They've had a replacement SA SFP bolt for a couple years now, to my knowledge it has come only one way with a black shroud. It's entirely possible that they're now offering it in pale brown too and changed the part numbers so that they were closer and there's a typo or a misunderstanding. It's also possible that this may be a new item for the Australian market and they're using different part numbers for that market.

That's all speculation but I just don't see anyone at AI being this ignorant to their own products. AINA and UK are tied in together and Scott is the VP, he knows what's going on so if he told you no, I wouldn't question it. I especially wouldn't believe a third party account of a statement from an overseas distributor over the VP's direct statement. You got your answer.

The way I see it you have a few options. 1. Wait to see if they make it. 2. Buy an extra firing pin assembly and have your bolt bushed 3. Run something else.

Personally I'd be going to the drawing board to figure out how it mysteriously works with factory Hornady ammo as you say, but not your handloads. Hornady mass produces ammo that's designed to work in pretty much any rifle and it works for you but your loads tailored to that gun don't... Hmmmm.



As you said, it works with factory ammo. They can't make any guarantee as to what happens when an individual makes their own ammo, and as soon as they do the warranty is null and void as well. This is all right in the manual if you read it.

Yeah, I know. But we all load our own ammunition, you do it, I do it, and so does 90% of everyone who buys an AI or a custom rifle, and AI knows it too. You don’t get SDs in the low single digits from factory ammo, and usually you don’t get sub-quarter MOA groups like the one I posted above. I don’t have any trouble with .338LM, .300WM, or .308 handloads in this rifle, it’s just 6.5.

It’s a bigger pain in the ass than I want to deal with to figure out why it’s doing it, tbh. I know what will fix it (an SFP bolt), but that’s not an option, so I replaced the barrel and ordered a different rifle to shoot 6.5 in. It pisses me off, but it is what it is.

 

[Lowlight]

Everyone knows the large firing pin pierces primers on 6.5s too but here you went and bought one expecting a different outcome

It's been talked about for YEARS, they made a rifle specifically to address this, yet here we are talking about the AXMC shooting a 6.5 AGAIN