I have been looking at the badger action because I love the way it looks, but what are the differences between that action and an AI action? Can the Badger action fit 700 footprint chassis?
M2013/M2008 actions are flat bottom and will not fit in Rem footprint chassis/stock. However, many can be milled to accept BO action. There's an M2013 thread here somewhere.
Like the Accuracy International action it is patterned after, the Badger M2013 is flat bottomed with dual integral recoil lugs. The R700 pattern action is round. A number of stock/chassis manufacturers have M2013 inlet models, and a competent gunsmith can inlet a stock for the M2013.
My experience has been different. I've owned an AE MkIII and an AX, both great rifles. I built my 2018 match rifle using a Badger Ordnance M2013 and it's functionality is on par with both of my AIs. When you call Badger, you ususally get the owner answering. They stand by their products, no questions asked.
This year was a record for rain and muddy matches at our PRS club series. The M2013 ran flawlessly on AW mags. I left my action un-coated, just oiled and wiped down.
I have built several on the M2013 short action and magnum action versions. With IonBond on the moving parts and the new Elite series CeraKote, the actions are running really slick. Reports from users have been positive.