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Thoughts on the Aero Precision SOLUS ?

My Solus Bravo 6.5 Creedmoor from the Labor Day sale finally arrived. I mounted the DMR3 that was originally intended for my 6.5C gas gun. I have a feeling I'm going to want higher max magnification before long - but when the gun itself is an impulse buy, sometimes you just need to run with the gear you have.

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Just looking for confirmation of what I’ve seen posted and written, but it’s not in Aero’s website that I can find;

Solus prefits are the same specs as Origin prefits, as in 100% cross compatible?
 
Just looking for confirmation of what I’ve seen posted and written, but it’s not in Aero’s website that I can find;

Solus prefits are the same specs as Origin prefits, as in 100% cross compatible?
Yes, they are. There's several members here running Origin prefits they already had on their Origin actions, on their Solus actions they bought later, with no issues.

However, most companies are now also offering "Solus Prefits" as a selectable option when you purchase a custom prefit barrel, even though the tennon and headspace dimensions are the same. My guess is maybe they offer this so the writing on the sides lines up where you can read it when the barrel is installed?
 
Alright, an update in load development with the Solus/CarbonSix 7 SAW saga...

I decided to pickup a couple pounds of Hodgdon H4350 after reading lots of good reviews on it. My ES/SD numbers were REALLY good, and groups were more consistent, however, my speeds are about 100 fps slower than StaBall 6.5... The reason for this, is StaBall 6.5 is a spherical ball powder, and has tiny granules, and they will stack nicely in the case and compact better, and H4350 is an extruded powder, with larger kernels, and so I can't fit as much in the case. So, it seems my dilemma is this... Better ES/SD and lose 100 FPS and be no better off than my 20" 7mm-08 Rem, or run StaBall 6.5 and have the slightly higher ES/SD's, but more speed...? 🤦🏼

Groups from today... First 2 were a little wild, but it settled in. This was shots 51-75 on the barrel (so, still not even really broken in, IMO).

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Thanks. Turns out I’m just retarded. 😂

Info for anyone interested;
Aero has Contract overrun Solus barrels on sale. Some 6.5CM, .308, 6CM, & 6.5PRC. I just snagged a 22” 6.5CM stainless barrel for under $200 AFTER tax, and free shipping…

 
Thanks. Turns out I’m just retarded. 😂

Info for anyone interested;
Aero has Contract overrun Solus barrels on sale. Some 6.5CM, .308, 6CM, & 6.5PRC. I just snagged a 22” 6.5CM stainless barrel for under $200 AFTER tax, and free shipping…

Apologies if IM retarded but are we sure those are shouldered pre fits for the Solus?

I can't find the info on the website and Aero customer service is like trying to find an honest politician...
 
Apologies if IM retarded but are we sure those are shouldered pre fits for the Solus?

I can't find the info on the website and Aero customer service is like trying to find an honest politician...
I guess I should preface, order at your own risk. I sent a message last night to Aero trying to verify. Haven’t heard back, but I figured it was worth the risk and the odds are in our favor that they would be Solus barrels.
 
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Thanks. Turns out I’m just retarded. 😂

Info for anyone interested;
Aero has Contract overrun Solus barrels on sale. Some 6.5CM, .308, 6CM, & 6.5PRC. I just snagged a 22” 6.5CM stainless barrel for under $200 AFTER tax, and free shipping…

I snagged one of the 20" spiral-fluted 6.5CM barrels for $200 shipped yesterday myself. Figured it was worth the risk, even though it didn't say "Solus" on it, I assumed since it's the only action they sell that takes shouldered barrels.

Also figured if I ever wanted to make it a lightweight hunting rifle, that would be a good and cheap option to spin a lightweight prefit tube on it. Hopefully it shoots good. Also, might get it cerakoted to match, if yall know anyone who does good work for a good price?
 
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I snagged one of the 20" spiral-fluted 6.5CM barrels for $200 shipped yesterday myself. Figure if I ever wanted to make it a lightweight hunting rifle, that would be a good and cheap option to spin a lightweight prefit tube on it. Hopefully it shoots good.


My thoughts exactly. It will be interesting to see what it weighs. I was tempted to grab a 18” or 20” 308 too, but I held back. If they had listed the weights, and it was light enough, I might have been pushed over the edge. I have a 20” PVA 308 Wilson barrel on it now, Sendero weight.
 
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Grabbed a 22" 6.5 creed yesterday. I'm planning on working up a load and posting results. At $200 shipped for a shouldered barrel to add to my Origin prefits. I'll try that all day.
That's what I figured, too. For $200, I can always get my money back out of it locally, if it's not up to snuff for my liking. Plus, the spiral-fluting is cool. If mine shoots good, I'm going to get it cerakoted graphite black to match the factory Nitride (or DLC or whatever it is) finish on the action.
 
That's what I figured, too. For $200, I can always get my money back out of it locally, if it's not up to snuff for my liking. Plus, the spiral-fluting is cool. If mine shoots good, I'm going to get it cerakoted graphite black to match the factory Nitride (or DLC or whatever it is) finish on the action.
Where are these barrels being sold? I must have missed the link to them.
 
I'm betting the spiral fluted barrels were originally made for the Stag Arms Pursuit rifles. According to the Aero rep I spoke with at the AZ CANCON, the Solus and Pursuit share the same action with only differences in external machining.
 
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I'm betting the spiral fluted barrels were originally made for the Stag Arms Pursuit rifles. According to the Aero rep I spoke with at the AZ CANCON, the Solus and Pursuit share the same action with only differences in external machining.
Makes sense. Quite a few of their overruns have been Stag branded.

I’m fighting the urge to grab an 18” .308 spiral sporter barrel. I’ve gone back to the site multiple times now…struggling.
I don’t even load for .308. Yet.
 
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Makes sense. Quite a few of their overruns have been Stag branded.

I’m fighting the urge to grab an 18” .308 spiral sporter barrel. I’ve gone back to the site multiple times now…struggling.
I don’t even load for .308. Yet.

I’m with you on that. I wish they would post the weights of the 18” and 20”. Very temping.

Are they making these barrels and if so, whose blank are they using? That could help my decision as well.
 
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I’m with you on that. I wish they would post the weights of the 18” and 20”. Very temping.

Are they making these barrels and if so, whose blank are they using? That could help my decision as well.
If they are making the barrel they are Aero barrels. I know with the Solus hunter and bravo they are Aero in house barrels.
 
If they are making the barrel they are Aero barrels. I know with the Solus hunter and bravo they are Aero in house barrels.

Aero acquired ballistic advantage a while ago. They're all in house so I'm pretty sure they make the barrels from A-Z.

I snagged three barrels. For that price, I couldn't resist. Those spiral fluted barrels look amazing. Tons of people talk all kinds of shit about Ballistic Advantage but so far, my 22 inch factory Aero barrels are shooting and holding SUB MOA and I haven't even started reloading for them yet.
 
Aero acquired ballistic advantage a while ago. They're all in house so I'm pretty sure they make the barrels from A-Z.

I snagged three barrels. For that price, I couldn't resist. Those spiral fluted barrels look amazing. Tons of people talk all kinds of shit about Ballistic Advantage but so far, my 22 inch factory Aero barrels are shooting and holding SUB MOA and I haven't even started reloading for them yet.
My factory Solus M24 .308 Win barrel shoots like shit and is super picky (so does everyone else’s that I know), which is why I snatched it off. I have seen nothing but good results and reports for their 6.5CM barrels, so I have more faith in them.
 
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22” Solus 6.5CM FINALLY showed up at the LGS without me receiving an email from Aero (but I’m pretty sure that’s the email server being anti-2A bullshit…Happens only with gun stuff. 🤔). Luckily my dealer is always on the ball. I’ll go pick it up on my way home. Also my new DNT 7-35x56 showed up today, so I’ll be able to load up some ammo and do some load testing this weekend. 👍🏼
 
So in theory I could screw one of these on an old small shank savage action?

No, these are shouldered prefits for a Solus or Origin action. You can screw a barrel with small shank savage threads onto a Solus, Origin, and Savage action if you have a barrel nut and headspace gauges, but the shouldered barrels only fit the Solus and Origin actions.
 
So, ironically, the Solus 6.5CM and the new DNT 7-35x56 showed up today... I had a spare set of ARC rings that are one size too low, but it clears enough for me to start some load development. Got it bore-sighted roughly off the foresight from my .25CM (I'm figuring about the same velocities), so I should be pretty close when I go to zero it... We're going to see how well this DNT scope is for $600. Supposedly it's better than one of the new Arken EP5 Gen2 scopes, which is supposed to be much better than the Gen1 EP5 scopes.

First impressions... So far, the glass seems VERY clear and bright for the price (just judging based on a boresight grid on a solid white background). But ran out of daylight to take it outside to see if I could glass some things and see how it looks outside. I'll find out this weekend. So far, turrets feel like the Arken EP5's I had...Not that impressive, lots of spring-back, but still solid and repeatable and tactile with smooth loud clicks. This new TOR reticle is not available in the Arkens, but is VERY similar to a NF MIL-XT reticle, which I am a big fan of. That's what I have in my ATACR F1 5-25x56.

Also, last pic is my Surefire alignment rod in the 6.5CM with an OCL Hydrogen-S 6.5mm suppressor, and it's dead-center. Aero does know how to cut some concentric barrel threads, I'll give them that. All of my factory Solus barrels have been dead-nuts on the muzzle threads.

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I pretty sure that stiffness on close would be the lock up of the lugs in the action, I don’t believe any “cocking” of the sear engagement is happening at that point
If the trigger timing to cocking piece are off, there will be additional cock on close(actually its the fp and spring being compressed more). This will add additional effort to closing bolt. This is fairly common on origins and the fix on them was measure and contact zermatt for new cocking piece or file/stone existing cocking piece to desired spec. I've done the file/stone fix to 3 origins and the same can be done to any action that exhibits cock on close. My solus with a bix n Andy tacsport pro x and low top sear is perfect with zero coc and extremely light bolt lift. In reality, a poor trigger to action fit can result in any action feeling crappy.
 
Ordered one of the 26" 6creed barrels, for $200 my kids can burn it down on pdogs... I feel like I should order a 18" 308 and a 22" 6.5prc also but I'll wait until they send out a promo code.
 
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Ordered one of the 26" 6creed barrels, for $200 my kids can burn it down on pdogs... I feel like I should order a 18" 308 and a 22" 6.5prc also but I'll wait until they send out a promo code.
How often do they send out promo codes?

I do not need to add another caliber.
I do not need to add another caliber.
I do not need to add another caliber.
 
How often do they send out promo codes?

I do not need to add another caliber.
I do not need to add another caliber.
I do not need to add another caliber.
Those barrels won't get any cheaper than that, so if you're waiting on a promo code, they'll probably sell out before that happens. Also, most times, their sales prices don't interact with coupon codes, so at $200, might be worth it to just bite the bullet now, if you're wanting one, and it's in stock. Just my thoughts.
 
Yesterday they were $50 off if you bought an over run large frame AR receiver set.

For sure if you need one buy one at that current price, I did, but if you just want another one for no real reason and you are indifferent if you get one or not maybe there will be promo code in the future before they sell out.
 
Those barrels won't get any cheaper than that, so if you're waiting on a promo code, they'll probably sell out before that happens. Also, most times, their sales prices don't interact with coupon codes, so at $200, might be worth it to just bite the bullet now, if you're wanting one, and it's in stock. Just my thoughts.
I’m the one who posted the barrels here, and I already bought one. Just trying not to buy another. If they’re sending out coupon codes, that will likely be the nail in the coffin for my resolve to not buy another caliber I don’t really need…