**Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

[JC Steel]

So first, I am a lefty,

second, I really like the idea of a short bolt throw. Thus, I am looking for a sweet action. I saw Mike V had a left AI, would the badger M2008 be about the same action?

Or am I missing something?

The badger looks nice though huh? FOr a lefty, it might be the perfect action.

THanks for your expert advice.

Jake

 

[sab9259]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

Badger is working on a few updates that are going to be shown at SHOT from my understanding. The badger is a very close clone of the AI..that being said Im waiting until after SHOT to purchase my action for my upcoming 6.5 build.

 

[RyanScott]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

It is the equal of the AI in some ways but in no way surpasses the AI. In particular it could use an AI style trigger.

 

[KYS]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

I think what is nice about the rifle is the fact that you don't HAVE to use to AI trigger. I prefer the single stage, flat shoes for my triggers. AI doesnt offer that... The Badger M2008 is a fantastic action, I own many and plan on owning more in the future.

People complain about the bolt lift.... GA Precision has a way to smooth it up dramatically. I don't know the process and I think they keep it a secret. Might be worth it to look into them doing the build for you.

 

[K_4c]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

The bolt lift is my only complaint (when compared to a surgeon,Templar, etc....).

it's built like a tank and feels extremely smooth.

 

[Dustin Morris]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

Short answer. No. I'm not knocking the Badger but its not an AI by any stretch of the imagination. Mile High is getting some AW lefties early next year. They are getting 5 in and 3 are already sold so if you want one I'd move quickly.

Dustin

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

I had one of the original M2008's and had APA build me a 308 on it. First it wouldn't feed with AICS mags. I sent it back and had it modified for AW mags, still wouldn't feed. It jammed the rounds into the top of the action. Before somebody says Jered didn't do the inlet right, it was a AICS 2.0 stock that was ordered from GAP and inletted by Marty. All Jered did was install the barrel and paint it.

To make things worse the round wouldn't fired 50% of the time due to light primer strikes. Marty sent me a new firing pin assembly and spring and it got better but was never right.

I ended up selling it for dirt cheap because of the problems and bought an AI AE MKI. It was in a different world than the M2008 and the LW barrel shot every bit as good as the Rock Creek on the M2008.

I've been told the problems have been fixed and people seem to like theirs but my experience completely turned me off from the action.

AI all the way.

 

[bm11]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

It looks like an AW/AX but would be more comparable to an AE in terms of specs. It obviously isn't permanently bonded to a chassis so it is not the equal of an AW/AX.

Plus, in my (biased) mind, it is a wannabe. Don't agree? Well, just look at how many of them end up in AI chassis vs all other stocks combined.

 

[Onemoretime]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

I just got my first M2008 and I don't see the problem with the bolt lift.... Sure it's a VERY little bit stiff but I've had worse.

I even had mine Cerekoted which I thought would make the bolt lift even worse and it's still not that bad.


Two words to fix it... DRY FIRE.

 

[Rhys]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

The biggest change I would like to see on the 2008 would be the change to a 3 position safety as seen on the M-70 just because i' have more of them than anything else. It's just what I'm used to.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

700 clone=upgrade due to the fact they can be seriously jacked up from factory

ai clone= down grade!! ai has done rigorous testing to make sure that there rifles are field reliable and you very rarely here someone having an issue with one. badger on the other hand seems like a large percentage of people have had to have a smith work it over to get it to run right.

i have had them side by side and other than looks and basic design concept really they aren't that close. try it yourself and i promise you will agree

 

[T J]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

Forgive me if i'm wrong. I had heard through the grape vine that Badger stopped making the LH M2008. I've been wanting one for quite a while but, if they are in fact no longer made I can see their price increasing quite quickly. If you can find one.

What have you fellas heard about that?

 

[zenghost]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dustin Morris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Short answer. No. I'm not knocking the Badger but its not an AI by any stretch of the imagination. Mile High is getting some AW lefties early next year. They are getting 5 in and 3 are already sold so if you want one I'd move quickly.

Dustin</div></div>

This is what I did - placed a deposit on an AW lefty from Mile High. I wanted an AE MkIII, but as a "lefty" the availability of a left-hand AW model overrode the AE for me. Otherwise, the AE would have been just fine for my purposes.

It was obviously a leap cost-wise, but I finally get my first left-hand bolt-action, which happens to also have an outstanding and proven reputation for performance and reliability in harsh environments. It was worth it to me, as it will be the one and only precision rifle I own.

 

[Onemoretime]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TeamSendIt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
ai clone= down grade!! ai has done rigorous testing to make sure that there rifles are field reliable and you very rarely here someone having an issue with one. badger on the other hand seems like a large percentage of people have had to have a smith work it over to get it to run right.
</div></div>

Not going to compare reliability with AI but I'm pretty sure the "bugs" were worked out with the Gen2 M2008's.

 

[JC Steel]

Re: **Is the Badger M2008 an updrade to an AI?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: T J</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Forgive me if i'm wrong. I had heard through the grape vine that Badger stopped making the LH M2008. I've been wanting one for quite a while but, if they are in fact no longer made I can see their price increasing quite quickly. If you can find one.

What have you fellas heard about that? </div></div>


Yes you are correct, they are no longer making the lefty M2008.