Accuracy International Vs Custom for 6.5 Creedmoor

[hypno02]

As an old 700 shooter and current AE shooter. There's no comparison. I sold two 700's to fund my AE and thought that was extreme. Totally worth it. And to gunenthusiast who said the AE and AW are completely different rifles. They really aren't.

 

[Mirnyx]

Hey now, I think it's pretty obvious that the M24A1/2/3 just aren't as good as the AI...You know, considering a decorated history on the Rem 700 action...They're just total shit compared to that AI AT.

Can't speak to the m24 but I've certainly never heard a team guy bitch about his Mk13 built on the decorated 700 <--- that's sarcasm by the way. They fail frequently enough they're being phased out and the custom 700 based replacement isn't blowing anyones skirt up. Most would love to carry an AI but the funds don't exist to make it happen so they gets what they gets.

I think that's the real question - neither one would likely fail, and you'd be sitting there for years shooting under normal range conditions. If you need that last .1% reliability, or ability to shoot under sandy/frozen/whatever conditions, the AI makes sense. For others (line me), it's more fun to construct a rifle that ends up being more "mine" than an off-the-shelf AI.

They all work pretty good under normal range conditions; factory, custom, AI, and even those Savages! Introduce some elements, debris, drops, and the game changes. I'd like to see if the difference is significant or minimal.

 

[ridenrunwv]

Hopefully this thread sparks a documented and thorough, unbiased test or two.

 

[Chiller]

Hey now, I think it's pretty obvious that the M24A1/2/3 just aren't as good as the AI...You know, considering a decorated history on the Rem 700 action...They're just total shit compared to that AI AT.

Don’t get me wrong. The Remington 700 is a good platform for what it is.

To say that is compares in a real world, two way range discussion……you need to share what you are bogarting there.

Different platforms for different needs. Next question?

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Different platforms for different needs. Next question?

This is the real info here!

I have a AE in 6.5 Creedmoor, it is without a doubt, the rifle I reach for most often. It has a Bartlein tube on it, a surefire brake and usually the surefire can too. It is however, one heavy SOB! Most of the time, I am driving the Mule somewhere close to where I plan to spend the afternoon or morning, so the pounds aren't that big a deal. I like the AI stuff, I have several, including a 308 Covert, these things are bullet proof rock solid. Don't have an AW, all AX and AE, except for the Mk13......great rifles. Probably should get an AW to complete the rack, but hey, you can't have it all.

Having said that, the present non BR rifle project on the bench, is a Surgeon short action in, yes, you guessed it, 6.5 Creedmoor, in a Mchunter stock, with a fairly light Bartlien barrel. Target weight without scope is going to be 6.5 pounds, and thinking a 2x10 USO that is sitting around will end up being the glass on it.

And.... I have a little Ruger Scout rifle that I really like, but suppressed, it doesn't shoot as well as I would like. Thinking to redo THAT also..... maybe as a 6.5, although the 308 is a better plinking choice, mayeb spin up a barrel for each caliber? I said I wouldn't "fix" that rifle... but the temptation is strong, to.... tinker.

So, to get back to the OP's ORIGINAL question - IMHO, the choice is really depending on what your needs are. If weight is not an issue for you, you like the ruggedness and 60 degree bolt, the AI stuff is hard to beat. If on the other hand, every ounce counts, and you want the "perfect, just how I like it" feel, then the custom is the one for you. Neither is better/worse, just different.

And that's OK.

 

[AEROMechanic]

This is the real info here!

I have a AE in 6.5 Creedmoor, it is without a doubt, the rifle I reach for most often. It has a Bartlein tube on it, a surefire brake and usually the surefire can too. It is however, one heavy SOB! Most of the time, I am driving the Mule somewhere close to where I plan to spend the afternoon or morning, so the pounds aren't that big a deal. I like the AI stuff, I have several, including a 308 Covert, these things are bullet proof rock solid. Don't have an AW, all AX and AE, except for the Mk13......great rifles. Probably should get an AW to complete the rack, but hey, you can't have it all.

Having said that, the present non BR rifle project on the bench, is a Surgeon short action in, yes, you guessed it, 6.5 Creedmoor, in a Mchunter stock, with a fairly light Bartlien barrel. Target weight without scope is going to be 6.5 pounds, and thinking a 2x10 USO that is sitting around will end up being the glass on it.

And.... I have a little Ruger Scout rifle that I really like, but suppressed, it doesn't shoot as well as I would like. Thinking to redo THAT also..... maybe as a 6.5, although the 308 is a better plinking choice, mayeb spin up a barrel for each caliber? I said I wouldn't "fix" that rifle... but the temptation is strong, to.... tinker.

So, to get back to the OP's ORIGINAL question - IMHO, the choice is really depending on what your needs are. If weight is not an issue for you, you like the ruggedness and 60 degree bolt, the AI stuff is hard to beat. If on the other hand, every ounce counts, and you want the "perfect, just how I like it" feel, then the custom is the one for you. Neither is better/worse, just different.

And that's OK.

Well said!

 

[JSF]

Not really wantin to join the pissin contest but here is some info. While at Rifles Only a few years ago they had an AI that had over 110k rounds on the action. I believe Frank said it was on it's 12-13 barrel or better. This may be an exceptional example for them but then again it may not.
There may be some rem 700 or clones out there with this many rounds but haven't seen them yet.

R

I am pretty sure Wade at Surgeon has a Surgeon action with close to that round count.

 

[diverdon]

Until AI starts sponsoring shooters you probably aren't going to see a whole lot, there are a few people shooting AI's though.

That Sir, is a very astute point! I wonder if the corollary point might be to wonder if the custom rifles these top shooters are sponsored with are exactly the same rifles sold to you and I or if these rifles receive additional TLC.

But, if one wanted to examine all the angles one would also have to consider that a possible reason that AI does not sponsor a team is because they do not feel that their rifles are ideal for tactical matches.

For me it is all about the weight. The question is how far do I have to carry it before I shoot it, what else do I have to carry at the same time?

 

[JSF]

They do take some time. Another reason I am doing the AT. Hate the wait!

You might look at Surgeon if you haven't completely made up your mind. I was there a couple weeks ago and they had a lot of the JAE stocks there.

 

[thefitter]

Don't know if anyone else mentioned this because I just skimmed this thread. But as good as an AI is it still is a "stock" rifle. Meaning you get it how they offer it. Many people that build custom put as much thought (more?) into the chamber specs as the individual components. I personally want to specify and buy my own reamer and have the chamber cut exactly as I want it, usually for one specific bullet, case and COAL.

But that's just me.

 

[E. Bryant]

The most important factor with any gun is the smith.

If AI employs a bad smith, you get a bad rifle.

If I employ a bad smith, I get a bad rifle.

Wrong. AIs are not dependent upon a gunsmith; they are the product of mass production, which is this clever little concept introduced about 150 years ago and steadily refined since. Since AI rifles employ good designs and solid manufacturing processes developed within good organizational management, the result is good products. It's not sexy, but it is one of the most awesome things developed by mankind.

The engine in your car involves tolerances far less forgiving than those in a modern rifle, and the world makes tens of thousands of such engines every day without some magical amount of craftsmanship.

If someone wants custom features, or fit-and-finish that is not obtainable from mass-production parts and processes, they are certainly welcome to procure a custom rifle. But to pretend that there will be comparable reliability to a mass-produced item demonstrates a general lack of understanding in any number of fields.

 

[Toast]

The reliability of an AI blows a custom out of the water. I've had both and my only regret is not buying my first AI sooner than I did, it would have saved me a lot of money and headaches.

I personally wouldn't buy an AE though, especially at that price. For the same price you can get the new AT with folding stock, double stack mags and quick change barrel. Then order your 6.5 barrel and sell the 308 barrel.

+1 Mile High gives a 5% Hide discount.