Accuracy International for stalking.

[ejg]

I am not a fan of the rifle weight of an AI and would not use one. Certain design features however are positiv. The design of a classic stalking rifle is in my opinion outdated and is just a recipe for a rifle that is difficult to shoot consistently with. The military have understood that and went away from the design. Of course one can build a light rifle that shoots well, that is what you want for the hill or for any kind of hunting.
edi

 

[8x57]

Hope not. "True" sporting rifles are a pile of junk that manufacturers foist on us to save cost and because they think we are stupid enough to not know any better.

The design of the sporter stock comes from the fixed sight era and is hopeless for scoped rifles. When was the last time you saw a rifle without a scope? Why did it take manufacturers 40 years to give us proper ergonomic designs? Not that the innovation came from them. How hard was it for them to envisage an adjustable stock and a grip that puts the trigger in reach. Military had been doing it for years.

Why did it take so long to get even a basic sort of bedding into factory sporters ?

Why can't you by a field rifle that other than a useless sporter profile or a hulking great varmint tube? Well you can now if you try but I only know of one or two.

Until very recently if you wanted a rifle with proper ergonomics, decent "bedding" characteristics and a barrel that behaved better than a piece of spaghetti we were stuck with tactical style rifles. Its hardly been a revolution though. Go into any gun shop and most of the designs on offer do nothing to improve the shooters experience.

While I take on board and agree with some of what you say CM, I just wonder if perhaps we are talking at cross purposes or are you suggesting that the likes of Heym, Tikka, Sauer, Sako, Mauser, Blaser and a few others have got it all totally wrong, and that their rifles are not fit for purpose. If so then I am afraid that we will have to agree to differ on that one.
If on the other hand you are talking about what I would refer to as "supermarket rifles" that are turned out in bulk at minimum cost and with little care or precision for the mass market, then most of what you say is perfectly valid.

 

[Subsonic]

I shoot a good number of deer each year in both woodland and open areas. I own several rifles and almost always take the AI. If you are fit the weight is not a problem. I liken it to owning a top sports car. Do you need it, is it the best car to drive around town, NO but it makes you feel good and you appreciate the quality every time you drive it.

One of the UK's top gunsmiths recently said to me custom rifles are like race horses, they can have a bad day but AI's perform every day. If you have the opportunity to try one you will appreciate the thought behind the design, the adustable fit and how that helps you to become a better shot.

 

[finnbear270]

It matters not what rifle performs everyday, It's what your heart rate or your rain ingress quota is.

 

[urx]

If everyone stalked the same ground with the same mindset and skill then we’d likely all use the same rifle and calibre and bullet and scope and mod and.....
But we dont

There is room for all

 

[BE Precision]

Do you mean the trend for tacticool rifles in the field is actually waning and that folk are actually returning to using true sporting rifles in the field? I hadn't noticed this myself but if its true I'm all in favour of it.

No. The key is the word “still”. Aimed at those who in the past stalked with AI’s. Do you still stalk with an AI or have you moved towards lighter (yet still tacticool!) type rifles such as carbon stocked/barreled rifles which are all the rage now. Not really aimed at “traditional” sporting rifle users.

 

[Slickshot]

If you get tired find the highest spot & dial the deer in lol..

 

[BE Precision]

Nice setup

 

[scotch_egg]

No. The key is the word “still”. Aimed at those who in the past stalked with AI’s. Do you still stalk with an AI or have you moved towards lighter (yet still tacticool!) type rifles such as carbon stocked/barreled rifles which are all the rage now. Not really aimed at “traditional” sporting rifle users.

I have moved to a super light carbon barreled rifle. I can still shoot out to 1000 yards with it and if a follow up shot is required at beyond normal stalking distances I have the confidence it will do the job.



I still have the AI it is just too much for stalking.

 

[Cumbrian 1]

To the OP I would suggest stalking with the rifle that gives you the most pleasure, I hunt in a lot of high mountains and a few pounds on a rifle is neither here nor there providing you are in good shape. You can try climbing to 14,000sqft with a 5.5lb rifle when you're 35 stones and haven't seen your willy in 10 years but I doubt it would make much difference. Better to lose a few pounds of the body methinks, if you want to stalk in the UK with an AI then providing you have a decent sling for the relatively short distances and climbs encountered in the UK I think you'll survive.

 

[scotch_egg]

To the OP I would suggest stalking with the rifle that gives you the most pleasure, I hunt in a lot of high mountains and a few pounds on a rifle is neither here nor there providing you are in good shape. You can try climbing to 14,000sqft with a 5.5lb rifle when you're 35 stones and haven't seen your willy in 10 years but I doubt it would make much difference. Better to lose a few pounds of the body methinks, if you want to stalk in the UK with an AI then providing you have a decent sling for the relatively short distances and climbs encountered in the UK I think you'll survive.

I agree with Cumbrian 1.

A good rucksack sling that spreads the load makes all the difference with the AI. Especially as the sling points are on the side of the stock.

Although I will say my light rifle gives me far more pleasure especially when dragging a fallow back to the car at the same time as carrying the rifle.

My rifle with the .308 16” steel Bartlein weighs 6.3lbs bare. Even with the heavier 20” steel Bartlein it weighs less than the bare AI AT with scope, bipod and silencer on board. The 24” proof research barrel weighs 250g lighter than the 20” steel barrel.

 

[new forest]

What good rucksack sling do you recommend I've seen and tried the Niggeloh split sling but would like one that has wider straps

 

[CarlW]

What good rucksack sling do you recommend I've seen and tried the Niggeloh split sling but would like one that has wider straps

TAB Gear.

 

[Benji53]

Could always buy a corn rucksack to carry your AI

 

[Benji53]

Vorn

 

[aris]

I’m sold. What do you recommend - the AX or AT?

 

[scotch_egg]

AT with AX folding stock. There is a black one for sale on here brand new for a bargain price.

 

[aris]

AT with AX folding stock. There is a black one for sale on here brand new for a bargain price.

I thought the AT and AX were the same gun - differing only in the stock.

 

[Slickshot]

I thought the AT and AX were the same gun - differing only in the stock.

I may sell my AI AT 6.5 creedmoor if you want a long range precision rifle. Load data to follow.

It may not be new like that 308 that’s on here. But with my data it will out shoot it at any distance.

 

[smullery]

There is a lot of misinformation on this subject.

My hill stalking rifle is a 7Lb (scoped) 7mm08. It's home loaded and shoots 1/2" providing you don't heat it up too much. #4 profile fluted barrel. It's actually a bog standard factory Remington 700 Ti with Talley mounts and a Swaro Z3 that has been properly bedded.

It's a great rifle to carry and does all I need it to do at stalking ranges. In January on the hinds it was good for two 5 hinds sittings - 5 for a group in under a minute - no loss of accuracy but I probably wouldn't want to take any longer shot strings with it. Furthest shot was a sika calf who ran when I shot the hind. It was shot when it stopped at 360 meters. I really don't need anything heavier for the hill and certainly don't for woodland stalking where I have not taken a shot longer than 100 meters all year. The comb isn't quite high enough but that is taken care of with a removable cheek raiser/bullet pouch which get's me to the right height and means I carry 5 spare rounds on the rifle at all times. When the average day out is a 15km walk with 1000m of ascent why on earth would I want to carry anything heavier?

I wouldn't choose that rifle for any long range work over about 400 meters. For that I have a 14 Lb 6.5x47 lapua with a heavy barrel and big heavy scope on it. It is a more stable platform, it has an adjustable comb, recoil is negligible and I never fail to see shot strikes. It's a better tool for that job, but that job is not stalking and I rarely have to carry it too far.

To write off all rifles that are not tacticool and weigh less than 12Lbs is madness and shows a very poor understanding of stalking.

My son handling the most expensive stalking rifle he ever held.

Stan