Accuracy International Owners out there?

Ryan.M.Anderson said:
No official tests but a couple of guys on IG discussing it.

It is happening on regular barrels as well but it seems to be worse on the switch barrels.
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I'm not one to actually switch barrels back and forth in the field anyway, but I love the ability to easily swap barrels when shot out or it's required. The AI is definitely great for that. For how often I do it though a proper vise and action wrench would work just as well if I had barrels on standby. Something I'm working on.
 
Ian Kelbly also says this about the AI system:

The best system we have seen to date is AI's switch platform, but it only serves the purpose for tactical and plinking applications. If it were as accurate as a shouldered barrel it would have made its way into benchrest, or F-Class, because it is so easy to change their barrels.
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I think it was Scott Satterlee, Aaron Hipp, and then Nolegs (I am not sure of his real name) that were seeing the issues.

It was not just the quick change systems - Nolegs had a brutal video with an AI AW and it showed it as well.

It really only makes sense that the issue would be more pronounced with a quick change barrel though.
 
Kelbly makes many excellent actions used in SR BR, and F class. The AI is not built for these tasks so I do not expect them to function or be choices to compete in these games.

But the AI will continue to function in environments that would stop a Panda in its tracks.

Different tools for different jobs.

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
Kelbly makes many excellent actions used in SR BR, and F class. The AI is not built for these tasks so I do not expect them to function or be choices to compete in these games.

But the AI will continue to function in environments that would stop a Panda in its tracks.

Different tools for different jobs.

Jerry
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Or you can build on a custom action built for reliability (Mausingfield, Impact, Lone Peak, etc.) and use a shouldered barrel torqued to 100+ ft-lbs chambered up by a top notch gunsmith and have the best of both worlds ;)

Reliability, precision and no RTZ issues.
 
Mystic Precision said:
I will also suggest - drive before you buy. The AI AW was my dream rifle when I got into shooting years back. I was so dissappointed when I finally got to try one out and I didn't fit... not even remotely close. Was there anything wrong with the action, feeding, cycling, accuracy, etc, etc, etc... NOPE. I just didn't fit.

As it was set up, it was the smoothest feeding rifle I had ever used... trigger felt fine but my grip had to be all goofy to reach. The S&B on the rifle had one of the nicest glass I had looked through but its location and my head, well... no joy. The owner put it to good work shooting 8 clay pigeons in a row at 830yds in moderate winds.

if you fit, you will be very happy with the system. have not played with the new gen stuff but I expect it to be much better given the flexibility in ergonomics now possible in their stocks.

When you ask for accuracy, what are YOUR expectations? This is a working rifle with the priority to function under adverse conditions.. not winning BR contests. Can you make them into sub 1/2 MOA rifles? Yes.... would you want to use this set up for F class competition... NOPE.

how heavy is heavy to you? Some compete in PRS with rifles north of 20lbs.. and they carry them from stage to stage. Some want a 6lbs rifle to climb up a mountain.

wrt to how is it like to use? My experience was very positive... I put in a mag and it went click and locked... I closed the bolt and it eerily and smoothly loaded a cartridge... with a fair amount of discomfort, I aimed at the target and pulled the trigger.... the target went poof.... I cycled the bolt and the empty came out and was positively ejected into the grass next to me.

If I fit, I would have purchased one

Jerry
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thanks Jerry for the input. I think for a gun commanding such an asking price all should be expected but I appreciate your perspective regarding it as well. I plan on using whatever gun I pick as my workhorse and if I eventually get into competitions, like you said I think the AI is going to leave me wanting. Maybe in the future, The switch barrel issue is something I'll for sure have to look into. In the mean time I think a custom route might be an advantage.

kthomas said:
Or you can build on a custom action built for reliability (Mausingfield, Impact, Lone Peak, etc.) and use a shouldered barrel torqued to 100+ ft-lbs chambered up by a top notch gunsmith and have the best of both worlds ;)

Reliability, precision and no RTZ issues.
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In a way that kind of may be the answer, certainly would be a bit cheaper haha
 
If you have the chance to get behind an AI you should though.

It may be the goldilocks gun for you, I shot my AI well enough but the ergos were never perfect for me. Some guys love the stock, some guys don't.

If you are after the AXMC maybe the Cadex Kracken could work too. The little bit of time I have spent behind the Cadex it is comfier and slightly more modular (grips at least).

Weight is weight and it is your friend sometimes.
 
mareshow said:
thanks Jerry for the input. I think for a gun commanding such an asking price all should be expected but I appreciate your perspective regarding it as well. I plan on using whatever gun I pick as my workhorse and if I eventually get into competitions, like you said I think the AI is going to leave me wanting. Maybe in the future, The switch barrel issue is something I'll for sure have to look into. In the mean time I think a custom route might be an advantage.
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For best success, make sure you define what type of game you want to use any platform in. Each game has its needs and wants... they are not always the same AND the goal posts are constantly moving.

The more specific you are with your end use goals, the better the recommendations you will see for what is known at the time of the post.

LR precision sport has changed so much in the years I have participated... and it is going to continue to evolve.

The AI and other working rifles, are built around a specific doctrine and need. Those specs can serve you well in a variety of field shooting games BUT may not be optimised for what is current thinking.

BUT the one thing for sure, it is going to go bang.

Jerry
 
F class: Just FYI, AI's have been used in these sports. Darrel Evans set 600 yard UK benchrest records with An AW in 6.5X47 Lapua. h ttp://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/ai-aw/

My original walther barrel shot many groups in the .3's before I shot it out (and by that I mean it would no longer print under 1/2" for 5 @ 100 yards). The Walthers that come on these rifles are just as accurate as any other maker. The only limitation is you are stuck with .308, .300 WM and .338 Lap mag.

Rifle fit: As for how their rifles "fit" I have had well over 20 different people of all ages (kids, women, ect) shoot my AW over the years and not one has ever had a problem getting comfortable behind that rifle.

I adjust the LOP and cheek piece to suit them (my rifle has quick adjust) and within a few minutes of instruction kids are ringing gongs and adults are clover leafing bullets. I get that some of you guys don't like the ergos, but how does it not fit your body after you properly adjust the LOP, cheek piece height and mount your scope for proper eye relief?
 
The biggest thing for me that didn't fit is the one thing you can't change on an AI and that is trigger finger spacing to get the perfect 90 degree bend. You could probably build up the grip or modify it in some way. The Viper Skins kind of do that but I am not sure if they change it that much.

Personally I find other chassis sytems easier to shoot (PRS type). Obviously lots of folks are successful with AIs though.
 
Ryan.M.Anderson said:
If you have the chance to get behind an AI you should though.

It may be the goldilocks gun for you, I shot my AI well enough but the ergos were never perfect for me. Some guys love the stock, some guys don't.

If you are after the AXMC maybe the Cadex Kracken could work too. The little bit of time I have spent behind the Cadex it is comfier and slightly more modular (grips at least).

Weight is weight and it is your friend sometimes.
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I wish I knew someone who had one. I had a Barrett 98B and wasn't the biggest of fans, great gun just left me wanting more. I had a cadex and while it too is a great rifle with superb fit and finished, trigger was great too, it was just not the gun I was looking for. I've held a DT and played with it cycled it a few times and the bullpup is very attractive to me from a size perspective but AI while people have their criticisms, everyone ends with, its a great rifle.

Mystic Precision said:
For best success, make sure you define what type of game you want to use any platform in. Each game has its needs and wants... they are not always the same AND the goal posts are constantly moving.

The more specific you are with your end use goals, the better the recommendations you will see for what is known at the time of the post.

LR precision sport has changed so much in the years I have participated... and it is going to continue to evolve.

The AI and other working rifles, are built around a specific doctrine and need. Those specs can serve you well in a variety of field shooting games BUT may not be optimised for what is current thinking.

BUT the one thing for sure, it is going to go bang.

Jerry
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Yes, good call I see myself doing PRS eventually, but I'd also like to use it for practice as well.
 
Too much talk and not enough pics of AI ###yness. There is no room in this thread for skinny little actions that don't use a breech ring, this is about big square blocks epoxied onto aluminum rails.

Do you have any Grey Poupon?

BY2aIh6.jpg


Look at that lug feeding rounds from below the feed lips of a double stack magazine, only an AI can make loading look that ###y.

KURzpgj.jpg


Smell that glue, its fantastic!! I would know:p

3ZGtomY.jpg
 
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Ryan.M.Anderson said:
The badger M2013 and Kelby Black Bear are big blocks of metal as well.
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the Badger was suggested to me as well, but given curtis actions are here, I don't see the point of a badger, except if you really want an AI clone. Anyone in the Edmonton area have a Desert Tech or a AI AXMC or an AX that they'd let me check out?

I'm stuck between getting a desert tech Srs a2, an AI AXSA in 6.5x47 Lapua, or a custom build, with whatever I want. I played with a couple actions today and that Curtis action really impressed me, I love the short bolt throw. But I'd really like to check out an AX even just to see if I get that chassis or a Desert tech so I can see if I can handle the bullpup ergos.
 
If you do go custom build, I would also try some actions other than Curtis Customs. Everyone I personally know who has experience with Curtis Customs, including my shooting buddies in Utah (where they are made), don't have anything good to say about them. Manufacturing defects and poor CS.

Hopefully you get the chance to try out some AI's and DTA's. Great rifles, the ergonomics just have to agree with you and your body type. Really good deals on AI's and DTA's down south right now.
 
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kthomas said:
If you do go custom build, I would also try some actions other than Curtis Customs. Everyone I personally know who has experience with Curtis Customs, including my shooting buddies in Utah (where they are made), don't have anything good to say about them. Manufacturing defects and poor CS.

Hopefully you get the chance to try out some AI's and DTA's. Great rifles, the ergonomics just have to agree with you and your body type. Really good deals on AI's and DTA's down south.
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Is Curtis Customs still having heat treatment issues? It was a rumour I heard form a gunsmith I shot with in Montana last year.
 
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