Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

J

jaycoux

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 22, 2010
503
12
Central Texas
#1
I currently shoot an AW and was thinking of going to 300 win mag or 338LM. The AWSM platform seemed like a natural choice since the feel would be so similar.

There are still a few AWSM floating around. My questions are 1. Are the improvements made to the AWSM design (ie the AX) great enough to warrant paying the extra cash for it? and 2. Is the design of the new AX similar enough that It would feel the same as the AW that I currently shoot?

My guess is no and no. I haven't even held an ax so I am looking to you folks for some help

Thanks,
Jay
 
#2
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

You have a couple of choices:
1. either purchase another AW Magnum weapon in the .338LM or
2. purchase the barrel change kit, .338 barrel, bolt assembly and magazine to accommodate the conversion.

Either of the two will work great just depends on if you want to swap or have one each to operate. You will be limited to the non-CIP ammo with the current AW action/magazine, so that is one thing to consider if you are not a reloader.

To the AX vs AW ergonomics, they are a totally different breed in the grip, spike, magazine and trigger sections to the end user. The bolt and other features are very similar to same. However very different fit/feel to the end user which honestly does not cause an issue IMPO. The improvements within the AX are fantastic to say the least. The new magazine, grip, trigger, action and setup is absolutely a new favorite of many current AI owners including myself. As for pricing, the .338's are nearly identical, and the only reason the the current AX's are higher are due to the build, all QA features. They will be available with less options in the near future and available hopefully soon. Hope this helps and if you get a chance to check one out, by all means do, but honestly there has not been much push back other than the few "thumbhole" fans.
 
#3
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

Im in the same boat. I currently own an AW in 308 and want to get something in .338

Ive been looking at the srs but dont care that much about caliber swapping etc.

I just dont like how the ax looks and am close to getting another aw. Im not super concerned with cost. I just cant decide. ugg!

Jesse
 
#4
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

Understandable, if you don't like the AX look, then I would highly recommend you get one of the Legacy AWSM's before they are all gone and no longer available. These will be a harder item to find in the near future with the AX coming out, they will be up for sale used of course but this is the time to find a new one available if you are looking. Contact Mile High Shooting Accy's here on the hide, they still have some instock in several different configurations.
 
#5
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

Stacey,

I'm sure this has been answered before, but since we're on the subject: Is the AX interchangeable between 300WM and 338LAP given the above mentioned components, or is it only designed to shoot 338?
 
#6
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

Good question actually. Yes sir it is completely capable of going from .338LM to .300WM to even the .308 (7.62x51mm), plus some others in the bolt head and magazine family of the prior mentioned, all in one weapon platform. It was displayed at this years Shot Show, but is currently offered only in the .338LM.
 
#7
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stacey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good question actually. Yes sir it is completely capable of going from .338LM to .300WM to even the .308 (7.62x51mm), plus some others in the bolt head and magazine family of the prior mentioned, all in one weapon platform. It was displayed at this years Shot Show, but is currently offered only in the .338LM. </div></div>

Care to explain that one a little further Stacey? Thats the first I've heard that its possible for it to go down to even a .308 case.
 
#8
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Poison123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Care to explain that one a little further Stacey? Thats the first I've heard that its possible for it to go down to even a .308 case. </div></div>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmRG554QKRo

Skip to 2:10
 
#9
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

I can only say that it was displayed, not listed due to not being offered other than to military end users at that time. I can not even begin explaining if it will be a "cost effective" or when available offering at this time. Right now, the AX .338 and AX .308 are coming in, selling extremely well and in the future more options and offerings should become available. As soon as more information becomes available it will be posted on many forums such as here and the AI distributors websites.
 
#10
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

Wait....I thought the "true switch" barrel was LE/MIL only......are you saying that the AX338 that will be sellable to john smith on the street might be capable of running down to 308 one day?
 
#11
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

So I guess the real question is: will the ax338 change? If i buy an ax338 today will there be new revisions? Im hoping that nothing will change but rather accessories such as other barrels and bolts etc will become available that will be compatible with the ax338.

Really could use some insight asap on this. Pretty Please...

Thanks.
Jesse
 
#12
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

Stacey,

Thanks for the insight, and it seems like I've stirred up a hornet's nest on this subject. Based on your response, I'll go ahead and assume the following:

The AX 338, as sold today, is capable of being converted to 300WM and 308 with the change of various components. Whether these components will be released to the public is not determined.

Therefore, people buying the AX 338 today are at no disadvantage to future buyers (for purposes of caliber change), as the rifles will be identical from this perspective.

If I'm off base please advise.
 
#13
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

Yes that is correct on the what I was saying, thank you. The current AX is completely capable of this caliber transition and only requires the barrels, bolts and magazines to complete the transition, no modifications at all. As I stated previously, when updates become available they will be passed along to all the distributors and of course the hide forum. Have a good weekend.
 
#17
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

No. The AX AICS is supposedly going to be shipped to the distributors (Mile High Shooting, AI SRT, etc.) sometime near the end of this month, beginning of next.
 
#19
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

The AX338, AX308 and AICS are all available.
The AW338 is still available but we will transition into AX338 as qickly as we can and the AW338 will no longer be manufactured. The AX338 is a new product all round and an improvement over the AW338. The AW308 and 300 are still available with no plans to absolete these. We do not have an AX300 in production just yet but will have next year. As with everything demand will dictate what we do in the future.
We will be able to go from AX338 to 300 to 308 in the future and have produced product for military customers. This will not just be for military and LE customers and everyone will be able to get them. It is still a way off, probably 18 months.
Tom Irwin
Accuracy International
 
#22
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazlo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jesse - this question was answered by Stacey in a previous post. </div></div>

Lazlo thanks. I noticed he mentioned the no disadvantage regarding bolt, barrel, mag change but making sure there wasn't some completely new chassy developed for military. Or something like that.
anyways based on ai's amazing record you can't go wrong even if the price is steep.
 
#23
Re: Need advice on old AWSM vs. AX 338LM

Consider this though. If you want the original Legacy AWSM .338 I would highly recommend getting one now while they are available. This is for the customer which appreciates and desires the thumbhole, original design and does not desire the newer AX attributes for his/her particular application. You can easily go from the .338 to the .300 or 7mmRM in the AWSM, but not the .308. Mile High Shooting Accy's has some convertibles instock in this configuration right now as well which is normally a rare find. As well as several AWSM's in different configurations. They currently have the AX .338 as well but only in the first available models which are pricy due to the QA cheek, QA butt, spike fully loaded models. As I stated before, you will not go wrong with either model, each has it pro's and con's, but as you clearly stated, they are simply an amazing system which will do nothing but increase in popularity and demand in the near future. If you would like to discuss both systems, feel free to PM me your phone # or call me to discuss in future details, I am here to help.
 
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