AIAX optional extras

[Barn Side]

I was wondering what are worthwhile or essential extras for the Accuracy International AX rifle

E.g. tactical muzzle break, quick adjust butt, quick adjust cheek piece, the AI picatinny rail or dovetail scope mount etc.


Also what bipod would be recommended with the AX (Atlas etc)?

 

[AIAW]

I got the entire quick-adjust package with my AX338. Also, the AX series only comes in Picatinny. 20 MOA on the short action and 30 MOA on the long action are common.

The Atlas is a very nice bipod. Harris bipods are good for what they are, but if you are investing in a platform of this magnitude, nothing but the best. The spiked feet for the Atlas are also a great accessory.

As far as all of the quick-adjust components - It's really up to you as the shooter to determine if you really need the ability to swap these components with the push of a button or if you want to break out the Allen-wrench and butt-spacers (granted the cheek-piece can utilize knurled thumb-screws instead). If you do a lot of positional, off-hand to prone, competition, etc. shooting then the QA package really shines.

 

[W54/XM-388]

The buttspike is a very good option to have, but you can add it later on to the AX rifles.
Normal muzzle break unless you plan to use a suppressor.
Picatinny rail is a must these days (I do still however swear by my old AW rifle with the dovetail mount)
Good scope mount such as the SPHUR and the angle indicator for it.

Atlas bipod if you want to have lots of options for positions & speed is not as important.
Harris bipod if you need fast deployment / fast retraction.

Then get a Tab Gear Elite sling, sling thing & dope thing & a Tactical Operations drag bag

The quick adjust rear and cheek are up to you, personally I prefer to have them fixed the way I normally shoot, but others like the ability to change things around depending on what you are wearing or other people shooting etc.

 

[Barn Side]

Thanks for the replies.

So the tactical muzzle break is only designed for use with a silencer (which are illegal in my country)?

Does AI have their own Angle Cosine Indicator & Bubble Leveler? Or is there better out there?

Cheers

 

[AIAW]

Thanks for the replies.

So the tactical muzzle break is only designed for use with a silencer (which are illegal in my country)?

Does AI have their own Angle Cosine Indicator & Bubble Leveler? Or is there better out there?

Cheers

It just extends the threading of the barrel out onto the end of the brake. A cool idea, but if you aren't looking at a threaded brake and want to go with a QD-style brake then most likely you will be using said brand QD-brake anyhow. I wouldn't worry about the brake either way because you'd most likely be changing it anyhow.

AI does not make their own, but a company called "Flatline Ops" makes a scope tube mounted option with an ADI/ACI arm (called the "Strongarm). It works very well, speaking from first hand experience.

Spuhr also has their mount with a built-in bubble-level in the base, plus an ADI/ACI mounting accessory plate that also work very well. You won't be able to run the Flatline Ops tube level with most scopes mounted in the Spuhr mount though due to the tube real-estate that the Spuhr occupies - a non-issues technically since the Spuhr base has a bubble-level in it. Still, I am a fan of the tube-mounted bubble-levels since the level is trued to the reticle, not to the base. Still, generally a non-issue either way.

 

[alman1531]

I presume you are refering to the pre-2014 AXs as the quick adjustments and rails come standard on the 2014 models. I was about to pull the trigger on one untill the 2014 models were anounced. Now I have one 2014 AX on order. I am an instructor so the quick adjust butt and check were a plus for me to allow other people to use my rifle in classes. I would also recommend the Atlas bipod.

 

[Barn Side]

I am buying brand new so I think it will probably be the new model AIAX on which the quick adjustments come standard (though I better contact the dealer).


I’ll probably go the standard muzzle break to reduce recoil, is there much of a difference with or without the break?

 

[AIAW]

I am buying brand new so I think it will probably be the new model AIAX on which the quick adjustments come standard (though I better contact the dealer).


I’ll probably go the standard muzzle break to reduce recoil, is there much of a difference with or without the break?

Magnum calibers can be a little rip-ass without a brake at all. Not overly terrible, but you won't enjoy it, plus staying on target is rather difficult from the hop/flip.

308, etc. you won't notice as much really, but I would still run one just to help maintain sight picture and follow-up.

 

[SNAFU308]

I am buying brand new so I think it will probably be the new model AIAX on which the quick adjustments come standard (though I better contact the dealer).


I’ll probably go the standard muzzle break to reduce recoil, is there much of a difference with or without the break?

You will have trouble and might not be able to import one of the new AX into the country at all as it only comes with a folding stock option which is a prohibited import in Australia

 

[Barn Side]

Thanks SNAFU308; looks like I’ll be getting the old AIAAX model without the QA butt & cheek.

I’m still waiting to hear back from the dealer.

Cheers

 

[AIAW]

I don't know that the AI brakes are all that effective, I have one on my 308 didn't notice that much difference.

The AX brakes are much better designed than the older AW single/dual chamber brakes. Yeah 308 won't make a huge difference in recoil, it might help rifle movement, and will also change harmonics.

 

[alman1531]

There are issue if you try replacing AI brakes; One the M18X1.5 thread pitch is not readably available from other manufactures. The other is that they turn a shoulder for the locking clamp on the brake. If your were to screw on a thread matching brake, you now have this shoulder remaining. To rethread to a common size your going to loose roughly 3/4" to 1" of the barrel length, possible ending up with some odd barrel length.

I am upgrading to an AAC Titan muzzle brake for the suppressor and the AI thread pitch was one of the options. Bought it on Midway and they shipped it right out. Are you saying the diameter of the brake and the barrel won't match and one will be filed down?

 

[AIAW]

There are issue if you try replacing AI brakes; One the M18X1.5 thread pitch is not readably available from other manufactures. The other is that they turn a shoulder for the locking clamp on the brake. If your were to screw on a thread matching brake, you now have this shoulder remaining. To rethread to a common size your going to loose roughly 3/4" to 1" of the barrel length, possible ending up with some odd barrel length.

I am upgrading to an AAC Titan muzzle brake for the suppressor and the AI thread pitch was one of the options. Bought it on Midway and they shipped it right out. Are you saying the diameter of the brake and the barrel won't match and one will be filed down?

What he is referring to is the shoulder that I have highlighted in the picture below. You could re-thread, but honestly M18x1.5 isn't as rare as most people think in the upper-echelon of components and such. Sure, you can't exactly pick up a "Solvent Trap" in M18x1.5.