Accuracy International Picture Thread

re: AI Quickloc

When installing a new factory barrel or a new custom barrel do y'all use go/no go gauges or just hand turn until tight and screw down to 49 inch pounds?

I have a new gun, haven't shot it yet but given the ease in which the barrel is installed (likely quickly by hand) I'm hesitant to just shoot it. Loosened the Quickloc and the barrel was all the way in tight. Just wanted to check before sending rounds downrange. First rifle with a quick lock barrel system.
 
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IMG_2218.jpg
 
Good news for those who may be interested in running the same trigger and shoe in a R700 pattern trainer, I emailed Tom Myers of X-treme Shooting asking if it was possible to order the R700 trigger with the AI style dovetail rail, or purchase the part and install into one of their R700 triggers. This is the email I got.

So we can run a 223 trainer in a AI chassis and get the same exact trigger shoe and feel as our AI's.



Now we just need a R700 footprint action with 223 bolt face that has an AI style swept bolt handle and knob that hangs way out there...
 
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I think it’s been established over the years that even if ‘technically’ a 223 drop-in AI bolt were possible (many say it’s not), that from a production/sales standpoint the juice likely isn’t worth the squeeze. There’s a lot of design work, along with manufacturing issues that would come along with it, and if AI sells a 308 bolt body for $600 (ouch!) I’m sure a small-volume 223 bolt would be even worse.

For my purposes - cheap ammo, low time involved, fun - I’d rather buy a Vudoo 22 and put it in an AI chassis. I have no desire to shoot a 223 trainer, when it takes just as much time to load for as match ammo, and when I go to my local range it will take just as much time to set steel up and shoot.
 
AI themselves used to offer an AW in 223 many years back... it was called the AW Varminter. Limited production. Someone on this forum well before the Scout days used to have one... I tried to buy it, he wouldn't sell it. LOL

I've asked Tom Irwin 2 or 3 times over the last several years if they'd ever offer a 223 bolt and magazine kit; first for the AE since it would easily fit 223 AICS single stack mags, later I asked for the AT/AX. He said it was something on their to-do list but way, way down on that list. My guess is the cost/benefit analysis showed it wasn't worth it.

Even if a third party were to make an aftermarket 223 bolt head and extractor for an AI, you'd still need a bolt body from AI, and then you could reuse your small firing pin assembly. For an AT or AX we'd probably need new mags-- the single stack Accurate, MDT, or RPR 223 mags probably wouldn't even fit in the magwell of an AT/AX properly, although I haven't tried.

Since GAP doesn't make the Tempest with a 223 bolt face, a 223 Tikka with a Sterk AI-style bolt handle in an AICS is a pretty decent approximation. Of course you have to modify the AICS yourself to fit the Tikka. AI announced a Tikka AICS a few years back but it never materialized. Not sure if that's been back burnered or cancelled outright; after a couple years with no activity or announcements I'm guessing they cancelled it.

I'm going to toss a Nucleus in an AT or AX AICS soon for my 223AI gun. The bolt handle may not be right, but being 3 lug the bolt rotation will be close. It will get a XTSP mod 22 trigger with an AI trigger shoe. Wish I could buy a .223 kit for my AT or AX (or just buy another complete rifle) but for now this will get the job done. :)
 
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Anyone run the RRS plate on a AT? I ran it at a match this past weekend for the first time, and one thing I realized was I need a better bag, and more area to contact with a bag would be nice. Tripod use is the obvious advantage, but seems like it could make working off a bag and barricadie a bit easier as well.

Im not a photographer by any means, but it is a pic thread so....
 
Hello,
I've been a member of this forum for the better part of a decade, but have never really felt like I could add much to any of the conversations, so I've never posted. After years of dreaming, drooling, and a lot of deliberation, I finally made the plunge. I haven't done any handloading for this rifle yet, just factory Lapua. I shot it 7 times at 200 yards over the weekend and after a couple of sighters, I had a group I could cover with a nickel. It's certainly more accurate than I'll ever be.
axmc-sm.jpg
 
Anyone run the RRS plate on a AT? I ran it at a match this past weekend for the first time, and one thing I realized was I need a better bag, and more area to contact with a bag would be nice. Tripod use is the obvious advantage, but seems like it could make working off a bag and barricadie a bit easier as well.

Im not a photographer by any means, but it is a pic thread so....

Yes, I have RRS plates for both my AT's. They're what I consider a "no-brainer". They double well as a barricade stop.
 
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Whoops, I forgot to state that it's a .338. Unfortunately, AI still doesn't have bolts for purchase for the lefty guns, but hopefully that'll happen next year. It's kind of a bummer to make that much of an investment and find out that one of the big draws is invalidated because they're not making enough parts yet, but I really wanted one in .338 anyway. The rest will come later, I hope.
 
Yes, I have RRS plates for both my AT's. They're what I consider a "no-brainer". They double well as a barricade stop.

Thanks bud. I kept trying to conceive a downside and couldn't really find one, but there isn't a ton of info out on them. Looks like RRS is doing a redesign so I'll wait and see what they come out with and grab one more than likely. With the RRS plate, the new AI comp trigger, and maybe a few small tweaks over time I think this is going to be about perfect for an all around LR and PRS rig for me.
 
Hey guys about to mount a Tangent Theta 525p onto an Accuracy AT wiTh the factory low picatinny. Anyone know the best ring height from Spuhr for fit? Also anyone use the QD mount from them yet? Thanks in advance.

Unpopular opinion, but get a few mounts/height rings and try them out and find out what fits you best. The idea of 'the best' getting the objective 1mm off the barrel is lost on me. Outside of that rant, there are ring height calculators that will help if you google 'right height calculator' and Mile High used to have a nice Spuhr 'will it fit' write up.

https://www.milehighshooting.com/spuhr-will-it-fit/
 
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Hey guys about to mount a Tangent Theta 525p onto an Accuracy AT wiTh the factory low picatinny. Anyone know the best ring height from Spuhr for fit? Also anyone use the QD mount from them yet? Thanks in advance.

The 1.18" will probably be the lowest you can go with a 1-piece mount, although you may be able to get the 1.10" to work if the scope main housing has clearance with the Spuhr mount itself. If you go with the Spuhr (or other) individual rings, you can go lower and still have clearance, probably in the 0.9-1.0" range.
 
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Thanks bud. I kept trying to conceive a downside and couldn't really find one, but there isn't a ton of info out on them. Looks like RRS is doing a redesign so I'll wait and see what they come out with and grab one more than likely. With the RRS plate, the new AI comp trigger, and maybe a few small tweaks over time I think this is going to be about perfect for an all around LR and PRS rig for me.
If you scroll down to post #8 you will see the new RRS AI AT Plate. It shows as avail on the RRS website
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/ai-at-hrd-gear-arca-rail-question.6894006/#post-7134451
 
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Anyone run the RRS plate on a AT? I ran it at a match this past weekend for the first time, and one thing I realized was I need a better bag, and more area to contact with a bag would be nice. Tripod use is the obvious advantage, but seems like it could make working off a bag and barricadie a bit easier as well.

Im not a photographer by any means, but it is a pic thread so....

I’ve had one on my AT also. I usually just used it as a barricade stop so I had something solid I could push into.
 
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Looking at getting the HRD 11” rail in my AIAT MHSA package. To those that have used one, or have one on your rifle, is it worth it if you do not have a tripod?

It will be some time before I’m able to get a tripod and will use the rail for ONLY sliding the bipod (Atlas CAL with RRS attachment) and an XLR RRS baricade stop.

Not worried about the extra weight on the HRD rail as the rifle is already going to be 16+ pounds, but it does add some thickness to the bottom of an already tall rifle stock (AIAT). Any issues seen there?

If I decide against the rail, can anyone get me in contact with the member that was/is making picatinny/RRS spigot mounts for the AIAT? Looks like a lower profile setup at the cost of versatility.

Last question for now. If I decide against the rail, I’ll be looking at a Hog Saddle when I can afford a tripod. What is the realistic accuracy potential between a RRS attachment head (like an Anvil-30, etc.) compared to a Hog Saddle (with use of a sling)?

Looking forward to joining and contributing to this thread. Looking to call Mike at MHSA the first Monday of December this year!
 
Curious if anyone with the AT (2) platform has tried to install an accushot Precision monopod. The problem I had was that the stock spacer screw (lower) provided won’t thread through the factory stock block because it wasn’t threaded all the way through. Anyone get it threaded or install one in another way? Thanks in advance.
 
Looking at getting the HRD 11” rail in my AIAT MHSA package. To those that have used one, or have one on your rifle, is it worth it if you do not have a tripod?

It will be some time before I’m able to get a tripod and will use the rail for ONLY sliding the bipod (Atlas CAL with RRS attachment) and an XLR RRS baricade stop.

Not worried about the extra weight on the HRD rail as the rifle is already going to be 16+ pounds, but it does add some thickness to the bottom of an already tall rifle stock (AIAT). Any issues seen there?

If I decide against the rail, can anyone get me in contact with the member that was/is making picatinny/RRS spigot mounts for the AIAT? Looks like a lower profile setup at the cost of versatility.

Last question for now. If I decide against the rail, I’ll be looking at a Hog Saddle when I can afford a tripod. What is the realistic accuracy potential between a RRS attachment head (like an Anvil-30, etc.) compared to a Hog Saddle (with use of a sling)?

Looking forward to joining and contributing to this thread. Looking to call Mike at MHSA the first Monday of December this year!

Samb300 is the member that makes the spigots.

I have the RRS Mount on my AT. It’s much more stable to run that and a leveling base vs a saddle type in my experience. Both are stable platforms, but I notice a much tighter “lock down” of the platform with the RRS Mount setup.
 
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Question for the group: What do you expect are the minimum accuracy standards for an AI AX platform rifle? To clarify: 5-shot groups (and at 100 yards, though technically that shouldn't matter).

One thing you didn’t bring up is ammo. For me, I would expect any AI to shoot no more then .75MOA with acceptable ammo. The ones I have shot are usually in the .2-.6 range with factory match ammo and that’s good enough for me.
 
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One thing you didn’t bring up is ammo. For me, I would expect any AI to shoot no more then .75MOA with acceptable ammo. The ones I have shot are usually in the .2-.6 range with factory match ammo and that’s good enough for me.

My AT hovered in the .6-.4’s with Prime factory ammo (6.5 CM). Multiple .25’s during load development. Settled on a consistently sub .5 MOA load.
 
Sorry - should have specified. Let's say with either handloads (140 Berger Hybrids, H4350, Lapua Brass, CCI B4 primers) OR Hornady Match 140ELDs.

And, not to sound prickish, but I'm not so much curious as to what folks have gotten out of their rifles, and more so on what you think AI's standards should be.

So you want subjective, not objective data on what a rifle should do 'eh?
 
Question for the group: What do you expect are the minimum accuracy standards for an AI AX platform rifle? To clarify: 5-shot groups (and at 100 yards, though technically that shouldn't matter).

The individual barrel will be the limiting factory and AX's use Bartleins which are excellent barrels and the machine work of the factory AINA barrels being done at wintac is exceptional. 1/4 minute is easily achievable.
 
Looking at getting the HRD 11” rail in my AIAT MHSA package. To those that have used one, or have one on your rifle, is it worth it if you do not have a tripod?

It will be some time before I’m able to get a tripod and will use the rail for ONLY sliding the bipod (Atlas CAL with RRS attachment) and an XLR RRS baricade stop.

Not worried about the extra weight on the HRD rail as the rifle is already going to be 16+ pounds, but it does add some thickness to the bottom of an already tall rifle stock (AIAT). Any issues seen there?

If I decide against the rail, can anyone get me in contact with the member that was/is making picatinny/RRS spigot mounts for the AIAT? Looks like a lower profile setup at the cost of versatility.

Last question for now. If I decide against the rail, I’ll be looking at a Hog Saddle when I can afford a tripod. What is the realistic accuracy potential between a RRS attachment head (like an Anvil-30, etc.) compared to a Hog Saddle (with use of a sling)?

Looking forward to joining and contributing to this thread. Looking to call Mike at MHSA the first Monday of December this year!

Get the Sawtooth rail over the HRD. Not that the HRD isn't a great product, the Sawtooth is just a better design and has some enhancements that the HRD lacks.

Yes it's beneficial without a tripod, it gives you a nice flat bottom with defined edged that will ride a barricade bag better than the factory forend. Look at the forend design of BR stocks as an example... wide, flat, with sharp edges. It also adds some thickness to the forend to get it closer to flat with the hump to the magwell.

These days I would not buy a hog saddle for a precision rifle. They're the best of the clamp style mounts IMO and if using them on a huge variety of rifles to have a universal mount they work well, but if you have Arca rails, don't bother. You're just adding another component that's unnecessary at that point, more weight, and more expense. The $300 would be much better put towards a better tripod and/or ball head. Get a RRS BH-55 LR and RRS series 3 tripod of your choice and be done with it.
 
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Get the Sawtooth rail over the HRD. Not that the HRD isn't a great product, the Sawtooth is just a better design and has some enhancements that the HRD lacks.

Yes it's beneficial without a tripod, it gives you a nice flat bottom with defined edged that will ride a barricade bag better than the factory forend. Look at the forend design of BR stocks as an example... wide, flat, with sharp edges. It also adds some thickness to the forend to get it closer to flat with the hump to the magwell.

These days I would not buy a hog saddle for a precision rifle. They're the best of the clamp style mounts IMO and if using them on a huge variety of rifles to have a universal mount they work well, but if you have Arca rails, don't bother. You're just adding another component that's unnecessary at that point, more weight, and more expense. The $300 would be much better put towards a better tripod and/or ball head. Get a RRS BH-55 LR and RRS series 3 tripod of your choice and be done with it.
PVA just introduced a nice tripod into the market, should give that one a look too.
 
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For y’all that have a folding AT, what maintenence do you need for the hinge? Oil, WD40, dry lube, or anything? Any exposed metal that could rust easier than a fixed? Any little bits that have every made you think twice? Do you just maintain whenever you clean the rifle or is more required?

I know I sound retarded, but I’m trying to justify the extra $500 (not that that matters long term of course, thats only 2-3 months of ammo). Might push the purchase back a month, depends on the amount of overtime I get coming up.

Do you travel with it folded? Thinking of the ease at which I could transport in a backpack (with barrel removed), very tempting. Somthing like this to fit in a medium to large backpack:
606D1F97-5020-4A0A-9CB1-084AF1AD423D.jpeg


Ever wish you went with a fixed AIAT?
 
For y’all that have a folding AT, what maintenence do you need for the hinge? Oil, WD40, dry lube, or anything? Any exposed metal that could rust easier than a fixed? Any little bits that have every made you think twice? Do you just maintain whenever you clean the rifle or is more required?

I know I sound retarded, but I’m trying to justify the extra $500 (not that that matters long term of course, thats only 2-3 months of ammo). Might push the purchase back a month, depends on the amount of overtime I get coming up.

Do you travel with it folded? Thinking of the ease at which I could transport in a backpack (with barrel removed), very tempting. Somthing like this to fit in a medium to large backpack:
View attachment 6930355

Ever wish you went with a fixed AIAT?

You're over-thinking the hinge. The only maintenance is to keep the crunchy things out of it.

As for folded vs open, both work fine. It's very sturdy.
 
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Ah, but it's not! I had ordered two barrels with mine. My .308 was within my expectations. HOWEVER, the 6.5CM wouldn't shoot better than 0.6" at 100 yards (19 different charge weights, 140 bergers, H4350). Sent it in to AI, they shot it. Four 5-shot groups, and averaged over .57 MOA (at 104 yards, so about what I shot it at, and also someone who may have a significant record attached to their name). They said that was within their tolerances.

Bwahahahaha. A $7,000 rifle that won't shoot under 1/2 MOA. I have this all in writing, BTW.

Also, their optics rails are out of spec (on AXs). (Also in writing).

I can understand being unhappy with a 0.6MOA barrel. I know I would be. That being said, the beauty of the current AI system is you can take the barrel off. Did you let another user put the barrel on their rifle and shoot it? Did you try anything other than 140 Hybrids?

If the 308 barrel was up to snuff, but the 6.5 creed barrel wasn’t, unfortunately it sounds like a new barrel would be out of your pocket but you could have a new barrel with one phone call to a couple different vendors. Sometimes barrels just won’t shoot even if they’re big name brands.
 
Ah, but it's not! I had ordered two barrels with mine. My .308 was within my expectations. HOWEVER, the 6.5CM wouldn't shoot better than 0.6" at 100 yards (19 different charge weights, 140 bergers, H4350). Sent it in to AI, they shot it. Four 5-shot groups, and averaged over .57 MOA (at 104 yards, so about what I shot it at, and also someone who may have a significant record attached to their name). They said that was within their tolerances.

Bwahahahaha. A $7,000 rifle that won't shoot under 1/2 MOA. I have this all in writing, BTW.

Also, their optics rails are out of spec (on AXs). (Also in writing).

You tried one bullet and powder and the barrel is junk because you couldn't get that combo to shoot?

.57MOA is within the factory guarantee, and within what I'd expect with the factory ammo that they used. .57 with factory ammo is damn good in my book, sometimes it shoots better but not all the time.