Accuracy International: SA bolt with mag face

[Cold_Bore_88]

Has anyone out there seen a short action bolt body with mag bolt face for an AI? Any rumors from AI or aftermarket options?

Would like to get a 7mm WSM or 6.5 PRC barrel for my AX.

I feel like AI would eventually offer this with short action magnums getting more popular.

 

[Supersubes]

They’ll deliver a mag face short bolt right after they make a .223 bolt.

Been asked a million times, always with the same answer.

 

[Kiba]

There's some talk that after the 223 AI bolt head kit is finalized, a magnum boltface may be next on the "to do list."

Keep in mind this is a third party kit, not from AI themselves.

Accuracy International 223 conversion working

I needed a little bit of advice and opinions on this kit. I’ve been getting a few PM’s on the kit since Frank mentioned it. I have a working 223 conversion that we’ve made at the shop. It fed factory ammo really well with a slight stall maybe 4-8% of the time. I can’t get it replicate the issue...

www.snipershide.com

 

[blbennett1288]

I am not holding my breath for anything from AI directly.

 

[Dthomas3523]

@trophyhunter

 

[Dthomas3523]

Has anyone out there seen a short action bolt body with mag bolt face for an AI? Any rumors from AI or aftermarket options?

Would like to get a 7mm WSM or 6.5 PRC barrel for my AX.

I feel like AI would eventually offer this with short action magnums getting more popular.

AI typically doesn’t care what is popular amongst the civilian market. Unless military/le starts using a lot of short mags, I wouldn’t expect AI to even consider it.

 

[RyanScott]

What magazine would you use?

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

What magazine would you use?

I wondered this my self. The double stack mage may work if you bend out the feed lips a bit. Couldn’t fit 10 rounds but maybe 5-7

 

[RyanScott]

People have a hard time getting 260AI to work out of the AW magazine...I still think it’s the best magazine for precision rifles though.

 

[trophyhunter]

They’ll deliver a mag face short bolt right after they make a .223 bolt.

Been asked a million times, always with the same answer.

I got a 223 conversion working just fine. Still doing testing but it should be ready to release real soon.

Has anyone out there seen a short action bolt body with mag bolt face for an AI? Any rumors from AI or aftermarket options?

Would like to get a 7mm WSM or 6.5 PRC barrel for my AX.

WSM/PRC is the next on my chopping block to do. After the 223 hits the streets the mag bolt should be very doable. Gotta change a few things like extractor then work with mags to see what feeds best but it’s definitely in the works.

I should have a “working” test bolt in the next week or so.

 

[trophyhunter]

What magazine would you use?

I can get an AW mag to hold a few, it feeds ok for now. A buddy mentioned another mag that they milled the follower to seat them lower and fit more.

 

[Glassaholic]

@trophyhunter Did the magnum SA bolt face ever come to fruition?

 

[Hawk in WY]

6.5 PRC runs just fine in my AXMC using the 300 WM bolt and magazine except for primer cratering even with mild loads.

Accuracy with a Proof carbon fiber barrel and an over max load but well short of pressure signs was outstanding.

The bolt is on its way to Longrifles Inc. to be bushed and the firing pin turned down to 1.6 mm.

 

[Steel head]

6.5 PRC runs just fine in my AXMC using the 300 WM bolt and magazine except for primer cratering even with mild loads.

Accuracy with a Proof carbon fiber barrel and an over max load but well short of pressure signs was outstanding.

The bolt is on its way to Longrifles Inc. to be bushed and the firing pin turned down to 1.6 mm.

They are looking for Short action AI magnum boltface bolts

 

[trophyhunter]

@trophyhunter Did the magnum SA bolt face ever come to fruition?

Yup, it’s my main hunting rig. I’m shooting 300wsm in my short action AX. It’s a dream to shoot. Mags only hold 7rds but it’s enough for what I’m doing.

i have a 6.5PRC barrel also, same holds 7rds, fired a few times but my fav is 300wsm.

for the moment it’s still a byproduct of the 223 conversion, extractor is not hard to mod but at the moment it’s not permanent.

 

[Glassaholic]

So if I wanted to get my bolt face expanded to .535 to handle SAUM brass, the extractor would need to be from the .223?

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

Following. Would love to get a SA Mag face

 

[Steel head]

So if I wanted to get my bolt face expanded to .535 to handle SAUM brass, the extractor would need to be from the .223?

This is a question born of ignorance as I know very little on the mechanical workings of the AI.

Are the extractors on long action bolts (with a magnum bolt face) that different in design than short action extractors that you couldn’t open up a 308 bolt face and swap one in?

 

[Glassaholic]

This is a question born of ignorance as I know very little on the mechanical workings of the AI.

Are the extractors on long action bolts (with a magnum bolt face) that different in design than short action extractors that you couldn’t open up a 308 bolt face and swap one in?

I'm in the same boat. AI never had much interest for me but a friend helped me see the "light" and I have one on it's way and trying to learn about the nuances of the platform. Too bad they don't have replaceable bolt heads like the Bighorn TL3, that would sure make things a lot easier.

 

[Steel head]

I'm in the same boat. AI never had much interest for me but a friend helped me see the "light" and I have one on it's way and trying to learn about the nuances of the platform. Too bad they don't have replaceable bolt heads like the Bighorn TL3, that would sure make things a lot easier.

It’s a few quirks like this that’s kept me away from an AI.
I like to get one someday though.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

It’s a few quirks like this that’s kept me away from an AI.
I like to get one someday though.

gilbert @trophyhunter modifies AI bolts to accept 6.5prc or .223

 

[Glassaholic]

gilbert @trophyhunter modifies AI bolts to accept 6.5prc or .223

Thank you, I've sent him a PM

 

[Sniperwannabee]

 

[Steel head]

View attachment 7282236

You going magnum now?

 

[Sniperwannabee]

You going magnum now?

so I’m at a crossroad and don’t know what to do


i have a ax and a tikka 308


should I convert the tikka to 6.5 prc or 223
or my ax ? my Plan was to convert my ax to one or the other but usps lost my spare bolt so im In limbo until there investigation is complete



i just don’t know what rifle to do the 223 conversion and which one to do the 6.5 prc conversion, if I reloaded it would be a 7 SAUM or maybe 300 WSM


the sad thing is I used to shoot with Gilbert at rifles only at S.TX club matches and right after I move to the NW he figures out how to do all this haahhh

 

[Steel head]

so I’m at a crossroad and don’t know what to do


i have a ax and a tikka 308


should I convert the tikka to 6.5 prc or 223
or my ax ? my Plan was to convert my ax to one or the other but usps lost my spare bolt so im In limbo until there investigation is complete



i just don’t know what rifle to do the 223 conversion and which one to do the 6.5 prc conversion, if I reloaded it would be a 7 SAUM or maybe 300 WSM

Personally I’d turn the AI to 6.5PRC as long as the cost to do it aren’t insane and mag length isn’t an issue.

You know there’s a mile opportunity really close that spot I showed you.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Personally I’d turn the AI to 6.5PRC as long as the cost to do it aren’t insane and mag length isn’t an issue.

You know there’s a mile opportunity really close that spot I showed you.

about 2k for kit (bolt, mag, barrel)
tikka 135 open up bolt barrel 600 mag 90 so about half

 

[Steel head]

about 2k for kit (bolt, mag, barrel)
tikka 135 open up bolt barrel 600 mag 90 so about half

Well
Maybe the tikka then lol!

thinking about it including the barrel it was $950ish plus the cost of dies and brass to swap on my nucleus.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

You know there’s a mile opportunity really close that spot I showed you.

your the only reason why I’m going down this path hahhaha

 

[Steel head]

your the only reason why I’m going down this path hahhaha

 

[Glassaholic]

So wait a second, the AI bolt head is replaceable based on this image? The question then becomes does AI sell the bolt head separately and are the MC and SA bolt heads the same size? I'm assuming the MC bolt head is larger to handle 338 Lapua size (.590 face) cartridges, but does anyone know for certain?

 

[Steel head]

Some interesting machining on those.

 

[trophyhunter]

So if I wanted to get my bolt face expanded to .535 to handle SAUM brass, the extractor would need to be from the .223?

no its essential a 308 extractor modded for the bigger rim

 

[trophyhunter]

This is a question born of ignorance as I know very little on the mechanical workings of the AI.

Are the extractors on long action bolts (with a magnum bolt face) that different in design than short action extractors that you couldn’t open up a 308 bolt face and swap one in?

different in size and length

 

[trophyhunter]

so I’m at a crossroad and don’t know what to do


i have a ax and a tikka 308


should I convert the tikka to 6.5 prc or 223
or my ax ? my Plan was to convert my ax to one or the other but usps lost my spare bolt so im In limbo until there investigation is complete



i just don’t know what rifle to do the 223 conversion and which one to do the 6.5 prc conversion, if I reloaded it would be a 7 SAUM or maybe 300 WSM


the sad thing is I used to shoot with Gilbert at rifles only at S.TX club matches and right after I move to the NW he figures out how to do all this haahhh

i'll tell you what i did but it was a no brainer for me. I have my AX short action shoot 223, 223AI, all the 308/BR cases and 6.5prc and 300wsm.
one rifle
one trigger
one scope
many MANY barrels

I was able to eliminate all the excess by having only one rifle to outfit

 

[trophyhunter]

View attachment 7282300


So wait a second, the AI bolt head is replaceable based on this image? The question then becomes does AI sell the bolt head separately and are the MC and SA bolt heads the same size? I'm assuming the MC bolt head is larger to handle 338 Lapua size (.590 face) cartridges, but does anyone know for certain?

No the AI are not replacable from AI
AI will not sell the bolt head seperatley
and the MC & SA are not the same size, larger tenon, lugs further apart, differnt extractors

yes i know for certain, I've measured all of them extensivly

those 2 bolts head were done by us, that is Lowlights hand at SHOT Show

 

[trophyhunter]

Some interesting machining on those.

just a file, patience and time

 

[Steel head]

just a file, patience and time

What was it done for?

Sucks the don't sell bolt heads

 

[trophyhunter]

What was it done for?

Sucks the don't sell bolt heads

We make a 223 conversion for short action AI Rifles

 

[Steel head]

We make a 223 conversion for short action AI Rifles

You have to modify the lugs to do that?
Interesting.
That bolt has to be pretty hard.

 

[MarinePMI]

I think he makes his bolt heads from scratch...

 

[trophyhunter]

You have to modify the lugs to do that?
Interesting.
That bolt has to be pretty hard.

It’s not the lugs that won’t let you run 223, it’s the small bolt face & extraction

we make a whole new bolt head to run 223

 

[Glassaholic]

It’s not the lugs that won’t let you run 223, it’s the small bolt face & extraction

we make a whole new bolt head to run 223

Are those bolt heads in stock or are they "made to order"?

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Is Ryan spinning the barrels for you @trophyhunter?

Any chance you could single feed a 300 prc or 28 Nosler ?

 

[trophyhunter]

Is Ryan spinning the barrels for you @trophyhunter?

Any chance you could single feed a 300 prc or 28 Nosler ?

We were spinning them here, but I’m sure we can get RBGW to spin if needed.
it’ll just be timely to get the barrel to ensure a few cuts are correct.

300PRC is long, not sure if it’ll make the turn to go in loaded, case won’t come out with extractor, it’ll hit the side before it clears.
And now you’re reaching much higher cases pressures with a massive case, this was the big reason why AI went to the AXMC. It should work, but there is a chance for “clickers” cause the barrel is stretching.

 

[trophyhunter]

Are those bolt heads in stock or are they "made to order"?

I have probably 5-6 in the shop at the moment

 

[Sniperwannabee]

@trophyhunter Did you know proof is selling 6.5 prc barrels for the AX? It’s on their website

Accuracy International Pre-Fit barrels

Pre-Fit Accuracy International barrels are quick and easy to install on the AI platform and require no specialized gunsmithing.

proofresearch.com

 

[trophyhunter]

@trophyhunter Did you know proof is selling 6.5 prc barrels for the AX? It’s on their website

Accuracy International Pre-Fit barrels

Pre-Fit Accuracy International barrels are quick and easy to install on the AI platform and require no specialized gunsmithing.

proofresearch.com

That’s interesting, maybe people are turning down the rim to .472, turn it .030” and it’ll be like a 6.5/284 rebated case.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

That’s interesting, maybe people are turning down the rim to .472, turn it .030” and it’ll be like a 6.5/284 rebated case.

darn i was hoping you were working together

 

[Steel head]

That’s interesting, maybe people are turning down the rim to .472, turn it .030” and it’ll be like a 6.5/284 rebated case.

I’d think they’re just running them in 300WM actions.