My new to me Accuracy International AE

[James n TN]

A couple weeks back I was asking around about the value of this rifle with scope bipod and a few other accessories.
Well I made the trade after I put a few rnds down range using FGM ammo and seeing it was stacking this ammo in the same hole I went with a trade. The rifle came with the S&B PMII 3-12x50 pictured here.

The S&B just wasnt enough magnification for me so I acquired a new NF ATACR and installed it and this is my new setup.

So after mounting the scope of course I had site it in so instead of using the expensive FGMM ammo I bought some LC match ammo and sighted the scope in once this was done 3 shots I proceeded to shoot a group and damn if it didn't stack those to in the same hole as well. So looks like I have a keeper and now time to work up my own loads.


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[lobo56]

caliber?

 

[James n TN]

caliber?

I'm sorry it's a 308

 

[308Shooter1911]

Nice Setup…Still learning my AE

 

[Dacam]

Nice, I just love my AIAE MKIII. I did replace the thumbhole stock with a Viperskins though.
I like your hydro dip! I want to do a dip on mine but unsure on the durability.

 

[allen200]

congrats, nice rifle

 

[Cobracutter]

I love that Camo, where did u get it from?

 

[Catfish_Hunter]

Sweet set up man

 

[limamike56]

Nice rifle and nice camo.

 

[remington patriot]

Congrats and that is one outstanding rifle

 

[James n TN]

I love that Camo, where did u get it from?

It came with the rifle so I have no idea where he got the skins at.

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[Ring]

get some pistol grips on that FAST!....

 

[Ring]

what is that a MK1 or 2?

 

[James n TN]

Its a mk1 with a mk 3 chasis

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[James n TN]

Here are some load development groups from the rifle today. I shot using the bipod. I'm a benchrest shooter so manipulating a bipod is a bit more tricky.
The one group of 6 shots I pulled that last one I'm pretty sure I went back to loading room loaded up another round and put the sixth shot in the original group. Anyhow this rifle is a shooter no doubt.

Here's the 6 shot group



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[James n TN]

Well crap sorry here is the 6 shot group.

The brass also is virgin so I'll go back now and fine tune the load for fired brass.

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[308Shooter1911]

Here are some load development groups from the rifle today. I shot using the bipod. I'm a benchrest shooter so manipulating a bipod is a bit more tricky.
The one group of 6 shots I pulled that last one I'm pretty sure I went back to loading room loaded up another round and put the sixth shot in the original group. Anyhow this rifle is a shooter no doubt.

Here's the 6 shot group



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Nice!!! I had a generic load that I have been using, that has worked well in most of my 308's. My AE doesn't like it, so once its all gone, I will be doing load work ups as well. Where did you get that target, are they printable?

 

[James n TN]

Nice!!! I had a generic load that I have been using, that has worked well in most of my 308's. My AE doesn't like it, so once its all gone, I will be doing load work ups as well. Where did you get that target, are they printable?

Heres a link to the targets and mine is the first one for download.

Downloadable Targets

 

[Eastbay]

Nice rig, and proven groups.

 

[James n TN]

Nice rig, and proven groups.

Thanks, next load set with fire formed brass I'm gonna use my rifle rest instead of a bipod, I know I can shrink those groups down even smaller by doing so. I actually should had done that today to be honest.

 

[James n TN]

Got back out today and played with different die bushing for neck sizing. The load is 42 grns IMR 4064 using Lapua case Fed 210m primers bushings are 335 TL 334 TR and 333 both bottom L and R as folks see with same load and just a difference in neck tension what difference it makes. I know these are 3 shot groups this time but if one knows what look for 3 shots tells much more than 5 for these tests. The bushing I will use is the 334 because.... the triangular group this is what one looks for when load development. If you have a load string horizontal or vertical as using bushing 333 you will not get rid of this and it shows its ugly face further out. I will now change powder charge and fine tune the load using the 334 bushing. I'm guessing 42.2-42.4 grns will be the key load.

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[James n TN]

Well load development is coming to a close as it appears I went back to reloading room loaded up some loads starting at 42.2 grns of IMR 4064 and stopped at 42.6 grns.
The wind was up more so today than yesterday and I didn't elect to put out any wind flags so my groups were well who knows I did my usual 3 shot load test had two in one out was it me the gun or wind?
also today I didn't feel calm and relaxed but I decided to go ahead and shoot.
This I believe will be the 4064 load I will fine tune seating depth and see if I can squeeze more from the rifle.
Load is 42.3 grns IMR4064 F210m primer in a Lapua case. Tested at 100 yards and no wind flags as stated. Oh five shots.

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[308Shooter1911]

Think I found my "Pet" load

175 SMK
42.2Gr IMR 4064
Lapua Brass
Federal 210M
2.8 COL

 

[James n TN]

Congrats it seems these 308 digest pretty much same loads.
I settled in on 42.3 grns IMR 4064 using the sierra 175 MK Laupa brass and F210m primers COL is 2.815 or 2.230 using and ogive gauge.

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[308Shooter1911]

What gauge do you use for your measurements?

 

[James n TN]

I'm using the stoney point gauges and a pair digital calipers.

I also double them up to measure bearing surface and sort my bullets to within .003 bearing surface.

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[cramey74]

James try this... Lapua brass, 44.5 Varget, 175 SMK, CCI BR2, 2.835.. My AE has proven it will shoot everything I have thrown at it, but this combo has been really stellar.

 

[308Shooter1911]

James try this... Lapua brass, 44.5 Varget, 175 SMK, CCI BR2, 2.835.. My AE has proven it will shoot everything I have thrown at it, but this combo has been really stellar.

I varget were available, I would try this too...

 

[James n TN]

I varget were available, I would try this too...

No worries on my end for varget the CCI primers is a different story.

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[cramey74]

No worries on my end for varget the CCI primers is a different story.

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Don't worry about the primer. I have also used this combo with Winchester & Federal primers.

 

[James n TN]

Well I loaded 4 sets different charges of varget starting at 42.5 grns and topped at 44.0 grns in .5 grn increments I wanna make sure I'm safe before I go over that. I used fed 210m primers so we will see how goes tomorrow

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[308Shooter1911]

Rub it in why don't cha!!!!

 

[308Shooter1911]

Last question…When testing loads, do you shoot off a sled or secure rest of some type to eliminate shooter error?

 

[James n TN]

I shoot off a benchrest top and use a rear bag. This next go around I'll use the bipod since the accuracy seems be about equaled

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[James n TN]

Well I got out over the weekend and tried the Varget starting at 42.5 grns and went all the way to 44.5 and it just wasn't as consistent as the IMR 4064 so I'll stay with that for now. I see why federal and lake city is using this powder in there match ammo it's just that good. The Varget did ok but the accuracy node wasn't as broad as the IMR powder. I may try some RL 15 next just to see how that works.

 

[308Shooter1911]

I tried Reloader 15 before I had my AE. Couldn't find a consistent node. It's been sitting here, I may try it out since I have it.

 

[James n TN]

I tried Reloader 15 before I had my AE. Couldn't find a consistent node. It's been sitting here, I may try it out since I have it.

Guess I should just stay then with the IMR 4064 and be happy because its consistent and just works. Thanks for your input.

Side not I measured and sorted 5 boxes bullets last night by measuring bearing surface. All went well had two different lots until I got to the last box and now I have 3 lots and a box of about 10 culls.

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[farmerbrown]

Thanks for this James, very interesting: bringing the benchrest methods to bear.

Nice five shot groups.

 

[308Shooter1911]

Guess I should just stay then with the IMR 4064 and be happy because its consistent and just works. Thanks for your input.

Side not I measured and sorted 5 boxes bullets last night by measuring bearing surface. All went well had two different lots until I got to the last box and now I have 3 lots and a box of about 10 culls.

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I put some Reloader 15 rounds down range today. Like I said, they never performed well in my Rem 700, but showed promise in my AIAE. I am getting ready for a competition this weekend, so, I will give it a closer look next week.