Round 2 - More AI Questions - Too much elevation & Trying to Make a Buying Decision

[Devlin]

Hey Guys,

Considering an AIAX 308 that's in stock at a dealer here in Canada and it has a 20 MOA rail on it (I've only looked at it online so not sure if the rail can be removed/replaced) I have an existing scope (S&B PMII 2-20X50mm) that is sitting in a Spuhr mount that has 20 MOA built into the mount. My question is if I just use the existing optic setup with the 20 MOA Spuhr will I end up with too much slope in the scope base at 40 MOA where I wouldn't be able to get a 100 yard zero.

My plan is to also get a 6mm or 6.5 barrel for the AI as well if I go that route.

I'm still trying to decide between the AI and a custom build in an MPA with an Impact Action and Kreiger or Bartlein pipe on it. There's just something appealing about the AI that keeps pulling me in that direction. My intended use is banging steel and paper on a square range, local PRS style matches most often and maybe some static hunting with it from time to time (can't see hiking all day with 20 + pounds of rifle).

Appreciate any info you can offer.

 

[Pinmaster]

That scope has 26 mils of elevation you should be able with the 40moa combo.

 

[MOUNTIC]

You will not regret the AI. Get it!

Your going to cut it very very close. I would just put the scope in a 10moa mount to be safe. Unless your wanting to be at the very bottom of the erector when shooting at 100 yards and need all 26 mils? With the calibers you mentioned, I would not use 40moa total in the mount and base. 20 would be fine or 30 total would be ideal to maximize the travel and not being on the ragged edge for your 100 zero.

With 40moa total you will be 1mil from the bottom and have 25 mils of come up. If no other factors play into it. You could be half mil or less from the bottom. My opinion is this isn't ideal unless you need all 25-26 mils for shooting at extreme distance for your calibers you mentioned..
With 30moa total you will be 4 mils from the bottom and have 22 mils of come up.
With 20moa total you will be 7 mils from the bottom and have 19 mils of come up.

 

[Huskydriver]

30 moa total would be plenty for 6.5 out to a mile fyi...I think if you used 40 you would probably be perfect at maxing out the scopes full travel though +- a mil or 2 for your zero

 

[MOUNTIC]

For what its worth, the 26mil Schmidt I just zeroed with a 30moa base on an AI, I have 23.4 of come up. 40moa wouldn't work for me on this rifle.

Every rifle is different. Buy the AI. Try it. If it doesn't work, sell or trade the mount and it will be a wash price wise. Everyone is swapping spuhr mounts back and forth these days it seems.

Go buy that AI before someone else does. Worry about the mount after you grab the rifle! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Devlin]

Thanks guys, for the muss and fuss of it I'll likely just grab another Spuhr with 0 MOA to make life easier. Appreciate the replies.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Buy the AI, ask questions later

 

[flyright]

You could try it. If the rifle has any tendency to shoot low, you're fine.

 

[Devlin]

Another question for this group, I am still eyeing up an AI but am wondering if I were to go with an AXMC in 300 Win Mag (shop that sells AI here has one in stock). To use a short action calibre like 6.5 or 308 I suspect I will need to also buy a different bolt head or a whole new bolt?

Any idea on the costs to convert the bolt to short action or convert the bolt head? Not well versed on how this system works so I'm not entirely clear on what is needed to go from long action calibre to a short action calibre. Google is giving me conflicting info.

 

[supraguy88t]

Another question for this group, I am still eyeing up an AI but am wondering if I were to go with an AXMC in 300 Win Mag (shop that sells AI here has one in stock). To use a short action calibre like 6.5 or 308 I suspect I will need to also buy a different bolt head or a whole new bolt?

Any idea on the costs to convert the bolt to short action or convert the bolt head? Not well versed on how this system works so I'm not entirely clear on what is needed to go from long action calibre to a short action calibre. Google is giving me conflicting info.

The action is still a long action just a smaller faced bolt. You would need to buy a smaller face bolt body and switch over your firing pin or go with a small pin body with small pin already in it. You also need the magazine and magazine adapter and whatever barrel matches all of that. It is expensive but you know AI isnt cheap

 

[flyright]

A friend of mine bought the AXMC 300WM and a .308 conversion back when the prices first went crazy low. He had several mag and feed issues when using the SA conversion. He bought a demo AXSA a few months later and sold the conversion kit. He told the buyer the problems with it but the conversions were so difficult to find, the guy bought it anyway. It was quickly repaired/replaced by AINA but it did have some growing pains. That AXMC 300WM is an awesome rifle though.

 

[Devlin]

Thanks guys the shop actually got back to me last night with pricing on doing the conversion between LA and SA action calibers and what is needed. I quickly shit my pants, went back to bed to think on it some more ;-)

Thanks for the replies

 

[mercracing]

Thanks guys the shop actually got back to me last night with pricing on doing the conversion between LA and SA action calibers and what is needed. I quickly shit my pants, went back to bed to think on it some more ;-)

Thanks for the replies

If you can afford an AXMC, conversions aren’t terrible. I have the 338 and 308SFP and 308LFP setups. I’ll never sell the rifle, I just love it too much for that. Eventually I’ll find a 300 Conversion so I have all the parts. It’s a great rifle. You won’t regret it.

 

[verdugo60]

The 2015 and 2016 AXMC has a lock ring for the feed ramps that causes problems feeding short action rounds in some of the AXMC long actions.

Mine is currently at AINA to fix this issue under warranty, I'm told it was resolved after 2016. That was frustrating and made me miss my AIAT but if it comes back feeding right it will be worth it to be able to shoot 6 creedmoor, 308, 300 win and 338 all in the same package.

If you were doing a lot of PRS comps I would say do a custom chassis build. Since you're doing more general long range I would recommend the AI in some flavor. It's the best switch barrel system out there and is just a solid, accurate tank of a rifle. I have placed well in several local matches running an AT, for lots of positional work the AI is not the most ideal but is an accurate, dependable rifle with a pedigree in military sniping.

If you get into more comps you could always put your AX SA into an Accuracy Obsession chassis. Won't work for an AXMC (long action) though.

If you want an awesome, versatile, multi caliber sniper rifle do the AXMC. If you want a gun for serious PRS then build a gamer chassis gun. The AI will be fine for local comps.

 

[sleeplz]

You could also turn the mount around and it will zero with the rail, short term fix.

 

[supraguy88t]

The 2015 and 2016 AXMC has a lock ring for the feed ramps that causes problems feeding short action rounds in some of the AXMC long actions.

Mine is currently at AINA to fix this issue under warranty, I'm told it was resolved after 2016. That was frustrating and made me miss my AIAT but if it comes back feeding right it will be worth it to be able to shoot 6 creedmoor, 308, 300 win and 338 all in the same package.

thats interesting I didnt know they had issues early on. I have a 2018 and it runs smooth in both .338 and 6.5 CM