AXSR as PRS Rig with Short Action Cartridge

[warrantchief]

Hi folks,
I currently shoot a tikka tac a1 in 6.5cm. With 130g sierra it's pretty consistently (even with me) under 1/2 an inch with 5 round groups as long as it doesn't get too hot. So obviously I'm considering selling it and buying something else. The only rifle I'd really be interested in replacing it with is a switch caliber like the AXSR. I would want it in .308 and .300prc, my two most common bolt action calibers to shoot.

Is it insane to shoot a magnum action receiver like the AXSR with a short action cartridge in competition? Is running the bolt reasonable or are you traveling 2x as far for each round as you would in a short action only rifle? My main competitive deficiency is speed, so I'm hesitant to get something that would make cycling the rifle and staying on target even more challenging for myself.

Thanks!

 

[diggler1833]

How competitive are you, and how competitive do you want to be? If you'll never be better than a midpack shooter and just enjoy challenging yourself, then run the AXSR and enjoy the benefits of the modularity of the platform. If you really want to be competitive, then it might not hurt to take a look at something like the AT-XC. You can still have your switch caliber, but you lose the ability to do magnums like your 300 PRC.

The AXSR was built to be a lot of things, but a gamer's rifle it is not.

FWIW I run .308 in a long action and it doesn't hinder me...but I'm not trying to do it on the clock. A little bit of 'can of man' and you won't be short-cycling the bolt at all. The length of the bolt and throw isn't nearly 2x as long either.

 

[wpeach1912]

If you’re trying to be competitive, it’s definitely going to be lacking. Probably worse than your Tac A1. If you’re just doing it for fun, it’ll work.

 

[warrantchief]

The main appeal for me is having a "tactical" style 300prc to go with my hunting rifle. Maybe even dabble in ELR. I don't need it to be better than my tikka, but I already kind of suck at shooting a bolt action under pressure in unstable positions so maybe it's not for me.

Truthfully, I'm most competitive with my scar 20s. I've been forcing myself recently to shoot the bolt gun in order to get better.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

The AXSR is an awesome prone rifle and for shooting past 1k yds. As someone who shot 2 years of PRS with a 6.5 creedmoor barrel and also have shot 4 local matches with my 300 PRC barrel. The chassis is the biggest issue. That big hump on there to support the larger barrel and handguard will be the bane of your positional shooting experience because it puts your center of gravity really high. I almost always ran a gamer plate to mitigate this, but it only helps so much. The bolt and travel isn't a big deal in my opinion, you can learn around it and the .308 mags run great. Maybe the best of any mags I own.

I love my AXSR and wont be selling it, but it will straight up hold you back in PRS if that is your ultimate goal.

Pic below is from King of Coal Canyon probably 2 years back.

 

[brianf]

If you want to be competitive you need competitive gear.

As corny as this sounds..look at the “what the pros use”. You won’t see and long actions never mind multi cal/AXSR types.

 

[diggler1833]

The main appeal for me is having a "tactical" style 300prc to go with my hunting rifle. Maybe even dabble in ELR. I don't need it to be better than my tikka, but I already kind of suck at shooting a bolt action under pressure in unstable positions so maybe it's not for me.

Truthfully, I'm most competitive with my scar 20s. I've been forcing myself recently to shoot the bolt gun in order to get better.

Tactical and ELR... The AXSR in 300 PRC will serve you very well.

 

[jimsair]

@M8541Reaper

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I shot an AXMC for a couple seasons and also shot a PSR at the AI classic one year. The way the AI multi calibers run the fact it’s a long action doesn’t hold you back one bit, but the chassis design absolutely does. I shot it because it’s what I wanted to shoot but it absolutely handicapped me. If you’re burning through barrels the M30 AXSR barrels also cost more and can sometimes be more difficult to find. If you’re going to shoot 308 though you’re not going to be very competitive to begin with and if you’re not a serious competitor or shooting a bunch of matches then it probably doesn’t matter anyway so run whatever the hell you want.

The AT-XC is a far better design for competition (that’s what it was made for) and for the price difference you can get an AT-XC and still put together a decent ELR rig in 300PRC and just have two rifles. You’re going to have over $12K wrapped up into an AXSR with and extra barrel and conversion bolt and that’s assuming you get a good discount and before optics and extra mags. You can do a lot with $12K. You could get an AT-XC and put a TT on the thing and still have $2K+ to play with to put towards a 300PRC. You could get an Origin LA, Proof SS Prefit, TT diamond and still have some money left over.

 

[M8541Reaper]

@M8541Reaper

Hey, that’s meeee

OP:

I’ve been running an AXSR down here in the SW PRS region (Tac Class - GM308M2, 24” AI factory barrel w/ A419 Hellfire) since I think March 2023. I’ve also run it in the hero caliber of 300PRC at the Gunsite ELR match (26” factory AI barrel, Fat Bastard brake, and Hornady 225gr ELDM factory ammo).

The rifle just shoots and definitely has the capability to shoot sub half with factory match ammo.

Will you be limited by having a long action over a short, absolutely not. Not even in support side stages. Will you be limited by having a “800 pound bolt lift that the internet claims as terrible?” Absolutely not. My friggin 8yr old can run the bolt…that and with over 5,000rds through it, it’s pretty damn smooth. Can you shoot 1/2” groups at 100yds positionally off a PSGC with it? Absolutely. Does that hump require you to be on your game positionally? Yes. Disadvantage? Rarely and really only with certain props. Mine balances perfectly on the hump without any weights or anything other than a bipod.

The AT-X is nice because you don’t have that hump, which can be an issue to overcome in tight ports or gates. But on a barricade, barrel, rock/boulder, vertical post, chain, stairs, truck bed, roof peak, there isn’t an issue. Place bag, place rifle, shoot.

The whole “you’ll never be more than mid pack” is a common saying but not always the case because you can’t control who shows up. That’s all on you and your capability as a bolt gunner and problem solver. A really good shooter can shoot anything. I’m dogshit and yet somehow still have good days here and there

I don’t feel limited by the AXSR but who knows, I’m switching to open class now that I’m maxed on points for the season…so we’ll see how this whole 65cm cool kid caliber goes starting in April.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Otherwise, I say do it and have fun.