Re: Pros and Cons of AI v. custom rifle using AICS?
I have an AIAW (not an AE,) and have had a brief amount of time shooting a friends custom 700 in an AICS.
My opinion is to buy the AI over the 700. It is a much more modern platform, it has a 60 degree bolt throw that is much smoother in addition to being shorter to the 700's, the trigger is in my opinion much nicer (though there are many very nice trigger options for Reminton,) and the AI has end user replaceable barrels.
That being said, a 700 in an AICS is a very nice rifle, just not on the same field as an AI, in my opinion. Check out the FS forum though, there are guys selling AICS'd custom 700's all over the place, and the occaisional AE.