Has anyone ever used a lighter chassis for an AI? Every AI I’ve ever owned has been a tac driver and I would love to use one for hunting, but the weight is stopping me.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
The bottom metal situation stopped me, at least from doing a one-off. At scale the price would be more palatable.Talking about this yesterday actually. Seeing if it's going to to feasible, but it may take a collaboration between a few industry folks to make something happen.
I personally would want one in a Carbon Manners mini chassis stock. LRH, EH1, etc.
10 lbs scoped would be nice.How light would you like the rifle to be in your ideal configuration
10 lbs scoped would be nice.
Did you ever compare the badger m2013 bottom metal?This is a very expensive proposition if designing a chassis from the ground up, ask me how I know
If the goal is to have an existing stock be fitted for an AI action, the biggest challenge will be a custom bottom metal due to the 4 action screws and the way the trigger pack bolts to the bottom of the action with 2 large screws. The AI action is 1.25” wide and square, not round, so it makes it a challenge to fit in existing stocks and have enough meat left.
My assumption is there’s just no market for this. You can get an AO/V chassis or an atx, but to try to find at least 10-20 more people who have a spare AI action who want to turn it into a 10# hunting rifle is going to be tough.
As always, let me know if you have any questions.
I think at some point I had some dimensions or a rough CAD model in hand because someone wanted to see if the Badger would fit in the AO chassis. I think the big issue is the Badger still uses a standard R700 trigger interface, and only has 1 front and 1 rear action screw, even though it has 2 recoil lugs.Did you ever compare the badger m2013 bottom metal?
Seems extremely challenging, I weighed my AT action with trigger group at 3 lbs 0.9 Oz. That would leave just under 7 lbs for a stock, barrel scope and mount. Starting with a light weight action vs the AI brick would make the 10 lbs target more achievable.I think you could do it.
Seems extremely challenging, I weighed my AT action with trigger group at 3 lbs 0.9 Oz. That would leave just under 7 lbs for a stock, barrel scope and mount. Starting with a light weight action vs the AI brick would make the 10 lbs target more achievable.
I'm down for something in this mix. Talked to @samb300 about this awhile ago. Strongly considered a MPA ultralight cuz they offer an AI inlet. Backed down on that cuz no factory NV bridge for that chassis. Although as of the recent a friend figured out a solution for that. Currently in the process of seeing how light I can get the AT-X. Cutting the forearm in front of the short NV bridge and also light contour barrel. I think I'll end up 11ish#. Maybe 10# without bridge and 16" shorty. I could keep folder off if we really wanted to go balls deep
They still making this AI inlet? Haven't seen anything in my search. This would be a pretty decent solution. 3lbs action. 3lb carbon barrel. 2.5lb chassis. 2lb scope and rings. Right in that 10.5 lb give or take area.
The actions on the AT/AT and AT-X are identical...the chassis is where the difference lies. I believe MPA's inlet is a non-bonded fit (like the AT-x chassis), so you should be able to swap stocks easilyI believe so..... Unless things changed?? I thought this was the case when I looked into it a few years back for AT/AX. It's a nice chassis, I ran it in a 700 inlet with a 700 clone. I was going to ask MPA if they could inlet for the AT-X. That way I could bolt on/off between the AT-X chassis and the MPA ultralight chassis. Otherwise AT/AX would be the whole epoxy thing, no quick switch there.
The AT-X action and chassis are not bonded, I don’t believe.I believe so..... Unless things changed?? I thought this was the case when I looked into it a few years back for AT/AX. It's a nice chassis, I ran it in a 700 inlet with a 700 clone. I was going to ask MPA if they could inlet for the AT-X. That way I could bolt on/off between the AT-X chassis and the MPA ultralight chassis. Otherwise AT/AX would be the whole epoxy thing, no quick switch there.
You need a custom bottom metal solution.What about having someone like @LongRifles Inc. Inlet a stock for you? Would require some cash for the time to do the programming, but other than that it seems like a feasible do.
That is if you are okay with a fiberglass stock. A chassis is a whole other animal.
You need a custom bottom metal solution.
John, that was quite a while ago. We only ever made one of these.If the weight is stopping you, PSE composites made a stock for an AI rifle.
@ejg
View attachment 8048929
View attachment 8048930
Has anyone ever used a lighter chassis for an AI? Every AI I’ve ever owned has been a tac driver and I would love to use one for hunting, but the weight is stopping me.
Yeah, that was my plan B but it still wouldn't shed enough for how much I was willing to remove. I have been thinking about a short carbon barrel with the AT-X, I haven't held one but I think it's base weight is lighter than the other AI options.Have you thought about putting an AT on a diet and giving it a go?
Strip it of anything it doesn’t need. Choose lightweight scope, rings and perhaps a carbon barrel or medium palma barrel at 16-18” and a decent sling and see how you get on?
I know a contract for the Italian Military they wanted an lighter weight AI. I don’t know if it was done by AI themselves or DIY. However the skin were taken off, and a series of lighting cuts / holes was done to the main chassis itself. Then skins put back on. I don’t know how much weight was saved but know it was done.
We all know the AI is ridiculously over engineered. I considered doing this myself. But I’m no engineer. I wouldn’t know how many holes, where and how big and how much weight would be saved…
Food for thought….
Never, it's designed for military use and now sort-of PRS focused. The answer is lift weights if you want to carry an AI on a backcountry hunt.How long before (if ever?…) AI enters the sizable lightweight hunting rifle market? Seems like a logical next step?…
This is also the round-bottom AE, and it's turned into a single shot.If the weight is stopping you, PSE composites made a stock for an AI rifle.
@ejg
View attachment 8048929
View attachment 8048930
Yes it was/is. I think the stock in the picture weighed about 1000 grams if I remember right. For an AI rifle a carbon fibre stock weighing 2-2.5lb would easily be possible. Ergonomics could possibly be improved. Not sure why they don't go down that road, at least as a lighter version.This is also the round-bottom AE, and it's turned into a single shot.