Current Surgeon vs AI Action

What are people’s thoughts on the actual AI barrels compared to say Bartlein or Krieger you could have with Surgeon or Impact?
You can have any blank spun for a AI as well. It’s a M27 or M30 shank depending on the model. Basically any option for the surgeon or impact is an option for the AI. Only issue you may run into is trying to run a straight tube in something like an ATX with a forend bridge.
 
Yes. That is my plan. Match to action. How is that different?
I’ll search for a thread for you.. there a lot that goes in to it.

all things equal you prob cant shoot the difference but no one shooting bench rest or F class buys a “prefit” on the internet.

They may have their exact action specs on file and order it frim a smith but it’s not a “prefit”
 
OK. I see Mike High also offers Proof. Are they chambered by Wintac?


Here is from today. AX with an AI Proof that has ~1,500rds and AT-X with a new 0 round Bartlien AI barrel. I was taking calls and clicked the wrong way a couple of times if your wondering why your seeing the groups shift around. I have a couple of fliers in the mix, but overall they both seem to shoot better then I can.

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The AX has been broken in. So it's smooth and since the grip fits my hand the original AX looks better then the AR grip on the AT-X. the forend feels better in the hand and it has a ATACR 5-25, which a lot of people crap on, which I prefer over the Vortex Razor Gen3 6-36 on the AT-x. The difference isn't huge, but I grab the AX just about every time I go out unless the kids are coming and need something to shoot as well.
 
I actually was looking at a ATACR 7-35 and have no experience with NF
What do people not like about the ATACR?
Mainly that the entire ocular housing turns when adjusting magnification, which sorta messes up any rear lens cap. No locking elevation turret, but many don’t mind that (or they actually prefer it).

The 7-35 tunnels a bit at the low end, but many don’t mind that either as it’s not bought for the low mag. Also, a small number of people don’t like the translating turret and want a rev indicator instead.

I don’t own an ATACR, but that’s what I’ve read. I do own a NX8 4-32, which has all of those issues except the rotating housing.
 
Th

Thanks - so how would you get a barrel blank chambered/threaded to fit the AI like the AI prefit barrels without the smith having the receiver
Couple of smiths have the prints. I think Manzella is a popular one. PVA if I'm not mistaken does AI barrels. Just call them up and tell them what you want. It's no different than any other gun minus the tenon threads. Should run you 800-1000 including the blank.
 
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Mainly that the entire ocular housing turns when adjusting magnification, which sorta messes up any rear lens cap. No locking elevation turret, but many don’t mind that (or they actually prefer it).

The 7-35 tunnels a bit at the low end, but many don’t mind that either as it’s not bought for the low mag. Also, a small number of people don’t like the translating turret and want a rev indicator instead.

I don’t own an ATACR, but that’s what I’ve read. I do own a NX8 4-32, which has all of those issues except the rotating housing.

If you use the covers that NF includes, the rear cover can be moved independently. At least mine can. As you point out, 7X tunneling is there but compared to my S&B 5-25, the tunneling is much less.

Read the review on the 7-35 that @Glassaholic did. The NF is the best value out these for a 7-35.
 
Th

Thanks - so how would you get a barrel blank chambered/threaded to fit the AI like the AI prefit barrels without the smith having the receiver

Any blank with the correct shank diameter can be machined to be an AI prefit by a competent gunsmith. I use Dave Tooley or Fritz at Black Canyon Customs
 
Th

Thanks - so how would you get a barrel blank chambered/threaded to fit the AI like the AI prefit barrels without the smith having the receiver
Manzella, black canyon customs or short action customs can all do prefits. You can call them and have them find a blank. Requires wait time. Or you can send them your blank.

Beyond that you can send them custom reamers or have them use what they have on hand.
 
If you use the covers that NF includes, the rear cover can be moved independently. At least mine can. As you point out, 7X tunneling is there but compared to my S&B 5-25, the tunneling is much less.

Read the review on the 7-35 that @Glassaholic did. The NF is the best value out these for a 7-35.
Definitely agree on all points.

On my NX8 I use the included Tenebraex covers that also rotate, even though the NX8 ocular doesn’t rotate. They are really simple to reposition.

Just to be clear, I was just pointing out common complaints out to the OP about the 7-35 (since he asked). My only complaint is about the non-locking elevation turret. The other stuff doesn’t bother me.
 
Locking turrets are more user preference. I personally can't stand them and always leave all the scopes that I have had them unlocked. The whole ocular ring moving on the NF isn't even that big of a deal. It's easy enough to move on the NF, I really don't even think about it anymore. Illumination button also a nonissue. I don't think I ever remember ever needing illumination on any of the scopes I own and they all have it.
 
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Definitely agree on all points.

On my NX8 I use the included Tenebraex covers that also rotate, even though the NX8 ocular doesn’t rotate. They are really simple to reposition.

Just to be clear, I was just pointing out common complaints out to the OP about the 7-35 (since he asked). My only complaint is about the non-locking elevation turret. The other stuff doesn’t bother me.

My biggest complaint with the rotating ocular is when going from min to max power the cap would interfere with the bolt cycling. Not a huge deal, but annoying. On my hunting rifle I have a bikini style cover on it now.
 
My biggest complaint with the rotating ocular is when going from min to max power the cap would interfere with the bolt cycling. Not a huge deal, but annoying. On my hunting rifle I have a bikini style cover on it now.
I could totally see that. I am LH so the higher magnifications are not interfering with the bolt.
 
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I read about the rotating ocular. I also read the glass quality was good but others have bashed it compared to SB.
But I didn’t see any issues noted with durability or the warranty compared to SB.
I love my S&B but the NF is better. There are many things that get bashed here that I had no issues with...LOL
 
Thanks much. Helpful to hear from someone who has both NF and SB. Is build quality on par with SB?
Build quality is not an issue with either, but based on reputation I’d say NF has the edge.

I’ve currently got 3 copies of the S&B PM II 5-25 (H2CMR) and 2 copies of the NF ATACR 7-35 (Mil-C) and would give a slight edge in optical quality to the NF. I’m slowly switching over to NF after 6-7 years with the S&B for my main PRS competition rifle. I will probably keep S&B for my 22lr RimX because I like how it handles parralax and focusing up close.

If you’re after a S&B I’ll make you a deal on of them . 😁