Accuracy International for stalking.

[Heym SR20]

If you ask the soldiers, most will crib about the weight of their gear... even if they are in their 20's-30's. Even the fittest soldier will be quicker with lighter gear, some special forces have recognised that and are strongly looking for lighter gear. Our special forces tested a tikka with carbon stock we put together and had no disadvantages accuracy wise compared to their standard issue AI. The Tikka/Carbon lighter scope kitted out weighed 3kg less. When it comes to bolt action rifles the military seems quite far behind. I am not saying the AI is bad just that it can be improved.
edi

Could n't agree more - weight is only really of use to a steam roller. With a rifle weight can help with steadiness, heat dissipation and control of recoil. But use of moderators, barrel fluting, properly designed and fitting stocks, and good training and technique will help with this.

Lets not forget that the Accuracy International was designed in the 1980's - that's nearly 40 years ago and there has been plenty of innovation ever since. Mainly in the use of Polymers, Fibres and other lightweight materials including Titanium. If you were designing a new sniper rifle from scratch, you would be looking at all these advanced materials. Biggest challenge with most rifles is the bedding between action and stock and scope mounting. What about starting with a chassis that incorporates the action body and scope mounts all out of one solid piece of material?

 

[Ronin]

The AI action was designed as a single shot target rifle called the Targetmaster that Malcom Cooper used to such good effect.

The repeater action seen on AW, AX, AT has minor design variances, but essentially the same action I believe.

Ive used an AW, AX for deer managment on all types of terrain, never ever had an issue with them other than all up weight when dragging hinds or stags.

Edi touched on they could be improved - yes, they can by placing the action in a lighter stock.

That may lose the "military drop out of helicopter appeal" but increase functionality.

Today we see many people taking their actions out of the stocks and placing them in lighter chassis (for PRS discipline in the US) I dont see that happening here very often if at all.

I considered doing this with my own AX and putting into a suitable stock, but the technical difficulties of marrying up the action screws and making a suitable bottom metal were beyond my capabilities so I opted for a different solution.

Sourced a suitable bomb proof action in the form of a PGWDTi Coyote and used this in a PSE Composites E-Tac.

Now I have an absolute tac driver capable of all weather use and lighter weight (6 lbs less than the equivalent AI offering)

I now have my panacea

 

[ejg]

Ronin, recon if we had our workshops closer we could do some damage.
I would actually guess that composites done right will be stronger on impact than alu. This week we had parts in from a small twin aeroplane that hit the runway with gear up. Composite made of Dyneema and carbon. Very little damage. Life boats... the bigger ones are made of Kevlar to take the impacts. Build a stock out of the stuff you make bullet proof vests and you'll be ahead of alu. Won't be much cheaper though.
edi

 

[alberta boy]

The AI action was designed as a single shot target rifle called the Targetmaster that Malcom Cooper used to such good effect.

The repeater action seen on AW, AX, AT has minor design variances, but essentially the same action I believe.

Ive used an AW, AX for deer managment on all types of terrain, never ever had an issue with them other than all up weight when dragging hinds or stags.

Edi touched on they could be improved - yes, they can by placing the action in a lighter stock.

That may lose the "military drop out of helicopter appeal" but increase functionality.

Today we see many people taking their actions out of the stocks and placing them in lighter chassis (for PRS discipline in the US) I dont see that happening here very often if at all.

I considered doing this with my own AX and putting into a suitable stock, but the technical difficulties of marrying up the action screws and making a suitable bottom metal were beyond my capabilities so I opted for a different solution.

Sourced a suitable bomb proof action in the form of a PGWDTi Coyote and used this in a PSE Composites E-Tac.

Now I have an absolute tac driver capable of all weather use and lighter weight (6 lbs less than the equivalent AI offering)

I now have my panacea

PGW builds very good actions and rifles , but I'm a bit regionally biased lol . I've shot a Coyote a few times , a very consistently accurate rifle , but the model I shot was over 12ish pounds if I remember correctly , a bit on the chunky side . Still , it does exactly what is was designed to do .

AB

 

[macfarlane]

It's great that everyone is different and we all use different rifles, I like going down the range and seeing guys shooting next to each other, some folks with £100 Parker Hales, folks with blazers, accuracy International rifles, everyone is different but we all blether away and love what we do.
Stalk with whatever you want, whatever your accurate with. Sure our quarry doesn't notice what it's shot with.

 

[NullMac]

Obviously never owned any Sako products then.

Owned 2 !

 

[MarinePMI]

I think the AT-X that is coming out, changes this discussion a bit. Lighter, and improved ergonomics. I think AINA had a crosss over rifle in mind when they designed the AT-X; competition and hunting. AI reliability in a lighter package with an action set lower in the chassis for better recoil management.

JMTCW...

 

[paul o']

looks just like my 1st stalking rifle

 

[carbon]

I wonder how much just the AI barreled action weighs compared to a similar barrel profile/length in a Rem 700/Tikka?

Not sure where all the weight in an AI comes from, I guess.

 

[NullMac]

I think the AT-X that is coming out, changes this discussion a bit. Lighter, and improved ergonomics. I think AINA had a crosss over rifle in mind when they designed the AT-X; competition and hunting. AI reliability in a lighter package with an action set lower in the chassis for better recoil management.

JMTCW...

AT-X is 13.1 lbs vs 12.8 lbs for the AT308 and 13.8 lbs for AX308.

Not sure what they mean by saying it is lighter, as that is off their own data sheets

 

[NullMac]

Not sure where all the weight in an AI comes from, I guess.

Most of it is made of metal and not skinny sections either

 

[aris]

I'm wondering why there is no info on the AI website about the AT-X.

 

[paul o']

Accuracy International Rifles, Accessories & Service Center

Accuracy International Rifles, Magazines, and more. We are the largest distributor in the world and the only Certified Service Center in the USA. Shop our selection!

www.milehighshooting.com

 

[aris]

Accuracy International - AT-X Short Action 6.5 CM Competition Rifle

The Accuracy International AT-X rifle has been specifically designed and engineered to match the rigorous demands of the growing civilian competition shooting community worldwide. Low Profile, High Performance The non-bonded standard (AT/AX) barrelled short action is bolted into a sleek low...

www.sportingservices.co.uk

 

[samdk]

With fashion moving towards lighter rifles, who on here still stalks with an AI?

I carry one as my only stalking rifle, never caused me any issues and I love it!

Sam

 

[aris]

I carry one as my only stalking rifle, never caused me any issues and I love it!

Sam

Do you wear cammo too?

 

[samdk]

Do you wear cammo too?

Of course! If I miss the deer I just call in an air strike!

 

[Scotty99]

As long as you can carry it it’s not a problem

My Mauser M03 is a bit weighty but I don’t mind as the extra weight softens out the recoil and it feels like a proper rifle not like these titanium / aluminium and carbon fibre toys

The M03 is a proper rifle, heavier than plastic but very well balanced and really accurate. Now that they have been discontinued, I emailed Mauser in Germany and they have confirmed that we will still be able to order barrels, mags, bolts, bolt heads etc well out into the future. Just as well really as I’ve just sold my two plastics and now only have my M03 with 6.5 x 55 and 30-06 barrels.

 

[Woodsmoke]

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.

Yep. I'm sure Bell, Selous, O'Connor, et al would agree . . .

I personally use traditional sporting rifles because I have a tiny penis, and I can't shoot anyway . . .

 

[MarinePMI]

AT-X is 13.1 lbs vs 12.8 lbs for the AT308 and 13.8 lbs for AX308.

Not sure what they mean by saying it is lighter, as that is off their own data sheets

I believe you have incorrect data. The AI-AT is 13.9lbs (without a folder mechanism). The AT-X is 13lbs (unloaded). Obviously, the AXSA (15.2lbs) and AXSR (15.9lbs with the 27" barrel)) are heavier, especially if the have the long forend tube.

With the changes in design, the AT-X feels much more nimble in the hand than the older AT, and recoil was noticeably much more manageable, to see your own splash on target. At least it did to me the last time I shot one of the prototypes, compared to my own AI-AT (which is a pig with a Gen2 Razor on top; an almost 3lb scope).

I just went and weighed by AT; with the scope, rings and empty mag it weighs 17.6lbs. The Razor is 3 lbs by itself. Rings are ARC M-10 34mm High that weigh 5.8oz.

ETA: Oh, and I'll weigh the production AT-X when mine is delivered...