I ordered the 6.5 competition rifle last night. I think I may cancel the order and order a masterpiece arms 6.5 for a few hundred bucks more
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Is the aero precision SOLUS worth buying
- Thread starter Panamacitymustang
- Start date
The tikka is a superior action in almost every way. Its WAY smoother to run.
The Solus comp is $1504 right now. The cheapest MPA is ~$2,300. How are you getting "a few hundred bucks more"?
MasterPiece Arms 65CMPMRRHTNGPBA PMR Bolt 6.5 Creedmoor 24" 10+1 Aluminum V-Bedded BA Hybrid Chassis Stk Tungsten
Item : MQ05778 | SKU : 65CMPMRRHTNGPBA | Model : PMR | UPC : 866803012912
$2,200.00
$1,904.11
Item : MQ05778 | SKU : 65CMPMRRHTNGPBA | Model : PMR | UPC : 866803012912
$2,200.00
$1,904.11
That MPA chassis looks like a kid’s best attempt at drawing an Accuracy International rifle… 
I already PM him some info but i would get the PMR Pro. Compes with a matrix pro chassis and an arc CDG action along with Bix trigger. Hell of a rifle for $3k and even better with discount codes.
$1000 action
$1500 Chassis
$300 Trigger
$80 mag
$Free barrel and chamber job.
$1000 action
$1500 Chassis
$300 Trigger
$80 mag
$Free barrel and chamber job.
It’s going to be more than a few hundred bucks more, but it’s in a whole different class quality wise. You can’t go wrong with an MPA, especially the model with a CDG action. See how this works, BAM, you’re now into a $3000 gun.
. Lots of great choices with that kind of money to spend, with MPA being amongst the top.
Got a link to one you can actually purchase at that price? Because that’s $2,450 on their site with a 3+ month lead time.MasterPiece Arms 65CMPMRRHTNGPBA PMR Bolt 6.5 Creedmoor 24" 10+1 Aluminum V-Bedded BA Hybrid Chassis Stk Tungsten
Item : MQ05778 | SKU : 65CMPMRRHTNGPBA | Model : PMR | UPC : 866803012912
$2,200.00
$1,904.11
Likewise, the Solus comp is $1,504.
Yes, the MPA is a lot more rifle, for a lot more money.
There’s some awkward mental gymnastics going on here. If you are this hesitant to go for the Solus, and have the budget, absolutely go for a higher end rifle. I’m guessing you’ll have a bit of grass is greener syndrome anyway. I usually do, hence how I wound up with a few $4k+ customs. After running those, I’ve found I absolutely do not need them. While smooth a glass actions and crispy turrets are great for basement fondling, they mean jack in a match for me and the type of shooting I do.
I’m not saying the Solus is the best. It is the cheapest action that takes shouldered prefits and is readily available, which is exactly what the market needs, especially if we’re looking to grow the precision sports. The fact that is holding up extremely well in the real world and has an extensive feature set is just icing on the cake.
If all else fails and you wind up not liking the action down the road, you can swap it out with an Origin action and use every other existing piece of the rifle. It’s an extremely low risk option.
I canceled the order from aero and got the mpa. Buy once cry once i guess
IMH, UNexpert opinion, the Aero doesn't appear to be a bad action... But I wouldn't recommend one over a Tikka action until the Solus has been around for 10-15 years and proves itself. But it does look like a decent value. But WTF do I really know!
The Solus is the lego-model action for people who need/want an R700 pattern action. As nice as Tikkas are as a cheap package, they have some COAL limitations, have limited trigger options if you want a different shoe/2-stage, and have a small barrel tenon. R700's are the easist action out there to find stocks and accessories for, and savage small-shank is very well supported on the barrel market for on the shelf or takeoff options. And if you really want a for-fun gun you can grab a savage takeoff barrel for $200, throw it on your $600 Solus and rip.
But at the end of the day, it's soulless. It is devoid of beauty. It is the minimum-viable product.
But at the end of the day, it's soulless. It is devoid of beauty. It is the minimum-viable product.
I do wish it had some extra flair…At minimum a spiral-fluted bolt would look sexy as hell in it.
Aero definitely kept a theme going with the chamfers/angles, like on the bolt shroud. Having AW compatibility is cool. Even Faxon did some cool stuff with their new bolt action, but… it’s a Faxon.
I wonder if AI is going to be able to keep up with AW magazine production. I’m not aware of another mfg and until recently AW mags were sparse items next to AICS models, and now there’s several new actions running them, I don’t know that there’s many CDG’s being pumped out but the Aero’s will probably be made in a fairly good volume.
I’m sure ARC will continue to make CDG’s as fast as humanly possible while trying to realistically scale production as much as they can without overshooting. Those will continue to sell extremely well for several years. They are fantastic actions for the money, if you want to wait for them.
I agree, I have one on order. I don't know how big ARC is, but I don't know that they're pumping enough CDG production to majorly affect the AW mag market; but them plus Aero now making AW mag compatible actions might cause a magazine bottleneck.
you are aware that MPA was known for making Shit Mac 11s before they got into the precision rifle business but look at them now...
I am a big ARC fan. But are we gonna pretend that Zermatt, Defiance, Impact, Badger, Stiller, Curtis, Terminus, Lone Peak, and others didn't make AW compatible actions years before the CDG and Solus were even announced.
I think they're saying since 2 of the newest actions that will sell very well both take AW mags, there will be a noticeable increase in demand for them.
I totally forgot about their dumpster fire abortion Mac11's...
They're basically like if Hi-Point and Keltec made a Mac 11 attempt...
Maybe start seeing some aftermarket 10, 12 and 15 rounders
I'd say they are close. The bolt lift is smoother and lighter on my Solus than my 3 Tikka's with well over a thousand rounds on each. I really like my Tikka's but don't see how it's superior in any way other than being lighter..
Yes, but now there is a big volume increase hitting the market. These guys aren’t the first, but they’re the first flagship options in big demand to offer it. Even the Zermatt offering with AW compatibility is relatively quite rare in comparison to the huge volume of its AICS action (Origin).
I finally got mine out the range. 20" fluted .308 barreled action. I added a Trigger Tech Special and tried to throw it in a HS Precision stock, using HS Precision bottom metal. About an hour of dremelling the top of the trigger guard later, I got it to fit. I think that the trigger hanger pushes the trigger down 1/10 of an inch or so, so the bottom metal wouldn't screw into the receiver without removing material from where it hit the bottom of the trigger. I wasn't expecting this, and so it was a little frustrating.
I shot about 8 five round groups at 100, using a 10x Leupold. Groups ranged from just under half an inch, to just over an inch, with an inch being about the average. This is with 168 FGMM. I think if I was using slightly higher magnification, groups would likely have shrunk a little, but I was honestly pleased with this level of accuracy, because I think it will likely settle in to being a .~75 MOA gun.
Its a 60 degree bolt throw, and the lift really feels fine. It did keep hanging up when it came time to feed the next round. Basically, with the bolt retracted all the way to the rear, it took a pretty good push to get the bolt feeding forward. I'd never experienced this dry firing or using snap caps before getting out the range. I don't think the bullets were hanging up on the feed ramp. Temperature out was 33 F, and I'd put a light layer of EWL on the bolt, so who knows if that was leading it to bind, but it didn't feed very smoothly, like I'm used to with my ARC Nucleus. Again though, bolt lift felt good.
I had been on the fence between this and the CDG, and the fact that I got a barreled action for the same price, effectively, as the CDG, is a screaming good deal. I think ARC really missed the mark by saying that the CDG wasn't compatible with older Nucleus barrels in the smaller bolt faces. It sounds like the Solus should be, at least in terms of barrel nut barrels. I don't know that I'll ever use the AW mag option, which is why the CDG change just rubbed me the wrong way, since I was already pretty invested in the Nucleus system.
Doing it again, I'd have ordered the full rifle that comes with the KRG Bravo and Trigger Tech, which they've had on sale for less than $1300. Thats just a crazy deal for a Remington pattern with built in lug and rail, and Origin tenon, and I wouldn't have had to do any work on the trigger guard. I do wish these had been offered in slimmer barrel profiles. I'd been hoping the 20" fluted Sendero would be lightish, but its pretty stout. I'd love to see some #4 or #5 contours offered by AP, especially if they could pair that with lighter stocks. I'm guessing a lighter, hunting version will come out eventually, and I'll probably buy another at that point.
I'll shoot it a bunch more and report back, but on the whole I'm pretty pleased with the insane value the Solus represents. I may try coating the bolt at some point, if people report that helps with feeding, and I REALLY want a round ball knob for the bolt, but it does feel like a custom action, and I didn't pay a custom price. I think this product represents the economy of scale that had been missing in this space and its exciting to see what AP does next - carbon stocks? Their own trigger? Long actions? They could really eat up some market segment once they start targeting hunters. This is a much better product than some rifles costing 2x or 3x as much.
I shot about 8 five round groups at 100, using a 10x Leupold. Groups ranged from just under half an inch, to just over an inch, with an inch being about the average. This is with 168 FGMM. I think if I was using slightly higher magnification, groups would likely have shrunk a little, but I was honestly pleased with this level of accuracy, because I think it will likely settle in to being a .~75 MOA gun.
Its a 60 degree bolt throw, and the lift really feels fine. It did keep hanging up when it came time to feed the next round. Basically, with the bolt retracted all the way to the rear, it took a pretty good push to get the bolt feeding forward. I'd never experienced this dry firing or using snap caps before getting out the range. I don't think the bullets were hanging up on the feed ramp. Temperature out was 33 F, and I'd put a light layer of EWL on the bolt, so who knows if that was leading it to bind, but it didn't feed very smoothly, like I'm used to with my ARC Nucleus. Again though, bolt lift felt good.
I had been on the fence between this and the CDG, and the fact that I got a barreled action for the same price, effectively, as the CDG, is a screaming good deal. I think ARC really missed the mark by saying that the CDG wasn't compatible with older Nucleus barrels in the smaller bolt faces. It sounds like the Solus should be, at least in terms of barrel nut barrels. I don't know that I'll ever use the AW mag option, which is why the CDG change just rubbed me the wrong way, since I was already pretty invested in the Nucleus system.
Doing it again, I'd have ordered the full rifle that comes with the KRG Bravo and Trigger Tech, which they've had on sale for less than $1300. Thats just a crazy deal for a Remington pattern with built in lug and rail, and Origin tenon, and I wouldn't have had to do any work on the trigger guard. I do wish these had been offered in slimmer barrel profiles. I'd been hoping the 20" fluted Sendero would be lightish, but its pretty stout. I'd love to see some #4 or #5 contours offered by AP, especially if they could pair that with lighter stocks. I'm guessing a lighter, hunting version will come out eventually, and I'll probably buy another at that point.
I'll shoot it a bunch more and report back, but on the whole I'm pretty pleased with the insane value the Solus represents. I may try coating the bolt at some point, if people report that helps with feeding, and I REALLY want a round ball knob for the bolt, but it does feel like a custom action, and I didn't pay a custom price. I think this product represents the economy of scale that had been missing in this space and its exciting to see what AP does next - carbon stocks? Their own trigger? Long actions? They could really eat up some market segment once they start targeting hunters. This is a much better product than some rifles costing 2x or 3x as much.
I would 100% recommend a Tikka as the starting place for anyone looking for a hunting rifle. As good as the Solus price is, only their lowest price offering, in the KRG, is even close to the price of a Tikka, and that is heavily discounted Black Friday pricing anyway. Tikkas are simple, bullet proof, turnkey guns.
But for people who want to shoot a barrel out, or swap calibers, or stay within the Rem 700 trigger and stock family, I think the Solus is probably the new standard, and I'd pick it over a Christensen or Bergara, and many others. I don't expect it to eat at the market share of established PRS actions or other high end customs, because the features and options aren't there. But that isn't the point, the point is that they've brought the entry price down for "custom" actions by a few hundred dollars, and that is something that ALL of us should be celebrating.
If you think ARC missed the boat on anything by making a coned breach for optimal feeding from any mag configuration, you deserve the Solus.
10-15 years? You mean like years longer than just about any current action that gets discussed here on a day to day basis? Maybe im missing the sarcasm
I'd DAMN sure take the Solus over a Bergara or Christensen.
Bergara seems to have really fallen out of favor in the last few years.
Right,10-15 years? You mean like years longer than just about any current action that gets discussed here on a day to day basis? Maybe im missing the sarcasm
Not like Origin or CDG are antiques.
I think that's getting off easy. I was thinking 15yrs minimum and we see Solus at the top of benchrest and PRS charts.
Annnd my name is put in place of Litz, at least on the ballistic calcs.
How does it feel like a custom action yet not even feed right and binds??? thats crazy and the whole point of this thread.
Perhaps it's a mag, stock, bottom metal, action compatibility issue? Mine with the Magpul Aics is very smooth. Hard to feel the last few rounds unless you run the bolt slow.
Perhaps I just an idiot. I have a Solus with a junk XTR3 and I'm using a poor excuse for a bullet ELD in Hornady brass. The stars aligned for me
Perhaps I just an idiot. I have a Solus with a junk XTR3 and I'm using a poor excuse for a bullet ELD in Hornady brass. The stars aligned for me
Hornady brass???!! yep, that checks for someone pushing aero. you know there's quality components out there right? (ADG, Lapua, Alpha)Perhaps it's a mag, stock, bottom metal, action compatibility issue? Mine with the Magpul Aics is very smooth. Hard to feel the last few rounds unless you run the bolt slow.
Perhaps I just an idiot. I have a Solus with a junk XTR3 and I'm using a poor excuse for a bullet ELD in Hornady brass. The stars aligned for me
Do you have the correct magazine & mag latch combo? Are you using an AW mag latch and AICS mags and shoving the magazine into the action? Or AW mag latch and AICS mags and your magazine is sitting too low?
I'm not pushing Aero just sharing that my first hand experience doesn't align with what you're saying.
what custom actions you own? I'd like to assume you didn't come in here talking good about that dog pile without ever owning a real action.
I don't and have never owned a custom action except the Solus. Very limited experience with Defiance and Badland? I think it is that they make also.
Do you have a Solus?
that makes the most sense. no, I don't a solus - I spend my money on quality parts and companies that actually innovate not just knock off existing products with poor QC. I don't have to own a solus for everything I have said about Aero to be true. Have a great day and please stop pushing this shit on people.
I love it when people with zero experience with a subject buy some cheap thing then proceed to tell everyone how great it is.
Its like someone who has only eaten ground beef telling people its just as good as a prime ribeye, because they never had one.
You really should not be giving anyone advice, much less arguing with people when you don't even have a little bit of experience to be able to have an intelligent opinion.
I own a bunch of custom actions, factory actions and semi-custom stuff like tikka's reworked. Have owned most actions on the market. Have more rounds down range through a Solus Action (both as a custom build and in factory config) than most people in this thread who claim to own them. My buddies have more rounds through solus actions than anyone on the planet, including the shitty testers at aero. My qualified opinion is to stay away but by all means, listen to the kid whose first "custom" action is a mass produced one from a company that never even made bolt gun shit before. Nothing else needs to be said in this thread, So I am out.
Its like someone who has only eaten ground beef telling people its just as good as a prime ribeye, because they never had one.
You really should not be giving anyone advice, much less arguing with people when you don't even have a little bit of experience to be able to have an intelligent opinion.
I own a bunch of custom actions, factory actions and semi-custom stuff like tikka's reworked. Have owned most actions on the market. Have more rounds down range through a Solus Action (both as a custom build and in factory config) than most people in this thread who claim to own them. My buddies have more rounds through solus actions than anyone on the planet, including the shitty testers at aero. My qualified opinion is to stay away but by all means, listen to the kid whose first "custom" action is a mass produced one from a company that never even made bolt gun shit before. Nothing else needs to be said in this thread, So I am out.
Which is exactly why I immediately discount any opinions from the peanut gallery. No hands on experience, no effort to understand the root cause of the problems, just immediately blame the non-alpha tier equipment from a manufacturer that typically produces astronomical volumes of parts that the vast majority of users have no problem with. It's a freaking bolt gun. People are going to use odd combos of magazines, bottom metals, pillar heights, mag catch heights, etc. New users are going to jump in with no idea about mag tuning and round presentation. There's going to be speed bumps - it's no different even with the top brands, but we're going to see a higher rate of incidence due to higher sales and a less experienced demographic.
What did Aero NOT innovate on this action other than the explicit intention to adopt the most common standards?
It is the cheapest r700 platform action that takes shouldered prefits. Why should it feel like anything other than the cheapest action (which it doesn't)?
Budget is not a bad word. Opening the precision sports to more people is not a bad thing.
Well, considering I was heavily invested in Nucleus barrels, bolt heads, etc, etc, and that the CDG doesn't support those barrels, and that I didn't want/need AW mag support because I'm also well invested in AICS mags... I think it was a mistake. I'm happy a bunch of people disagree, and I'm a big fan of ARC, but I do think they stepped on their dick and would have sold a lot more CDG if it was simply AICS compatible, without all the other engineering compromises they made to support a mag that isn't very popular for most uses. Maybe time proves me wrong, we'll see.
I was using an HS Stock, HS Bottom Metal, HS Gen 1.5 mags (1.5 stack to single feed). I'd started by trying to install it into a Christensen MPR Chassis, but I had the same issue, i.e. the top of the bottom metal was hitting the bottom of the trigger housing and the action screws wouldn't seat. I didn't want to bubba-gunsmith the Christensen, so I worked on the HS until it fit. I didn't measure the overall depth of the trigger compared to a traditional, non-hanger setup, but my assumption was about 1/10 inch lower.
Everything fed great with dummy rounds, the binding was out at the range, while shooting from bags on the bench, but again, I've shot this thing once and would like to start eliminating variables.
Please give us details. Yes we know Aero bad, water is wet, and fire is hot. Steer clear because?? All you two have said is nothing more than a blanket stereotype. Is it going to explode at shot 887?
I ran Impacts all last year. 737 in PRS and bench, NBK in NRL Hunter. I've ran Vudoo and Anschutz for years in NRL22. I know what some of the nicest feel like. I'm typically well over 80% (unless the wind kicks up), so I like to think I know what matters - "feel" is way, way down on the list.
So far, I will absolutely recommend the Solus to anyone wanting to get into the games with a budget or wanting a 60deg without a wait.
If you guys hate Aero, that's fine. We're all entitled to our own opinions. But unless you can demonstrate why a specific product is unacceptable (after ruling out other causes like mags/fitment/maintenance), you have no factual basis for your position on that product.
there's multiple people in this thread stating they wouldn't buy it again or are having issues and you just want to ignore them to justify your cheap gun parts.
Define a “lot more”? They had a 6 month production head start on orders and from the very first order had a 4 month backlog, which continues to this day with zero decline. They gave you everything your nuke had plus a bunch more features and shaved $200 off the price in the process. Can you imagine the size of the margin its outselling the nuke and mausingfield at the moment? I get your gripe about the barrels, but they knocked it out of the park.
On topic, had it not been for the CDG, we’d be griping about a 6 month backlog on the solus, which is a kick ass action imo.
What is the pillar height in the HS stock? Does the mag latch in firmly with little to no play?
On the trigger height, for reference, I measured the firing pin from bore centerline, as best I could between my Impact and the Solus. The Solus firing pin hangs down ~0.020" lower (+/- 0.010" I'd estimate due to the awkward geometry). Assuming firing pin to sear engagement is similar, the trigger should only hang down a similar amount, if that makes sense.
No, there isn't. One user said they bought one, it was acceptable, they will continue to use, but won't buy another. The only one that is advocating against it only claims to have more rounds down range than anyone else in this thread, and only after actual user experience was called into question, despite making no mention of said experience prior in this and other threads (they'd only said they've seen them run and have issues, with no supporting information). The other user is trying to troubleshoot issues common to all rifles, not just the Solus. You can't even toss flagship parts together and expect 100% reliability out of the gate, why are you expecting it out of the budget option? Hell, that's why MDT and others use adjustable mag catches and shimming systems. Some fitting is expected with any custom DIY build.
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