New Baby: AAC-SD shorty in .308

TV-PressPass

TV-PressPass

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Ahh Christmas time.

After years of shooting .223 rifles almost exclusively, I’ve purchased a new .308 bolt-gun for 2014 and am excited about getting back into the precision game.

My core concept is a compact rifle for carrying through the bush, capable of a first round hit out to 500 yards. I'd really rather an SR-25, but in Canada that means never shooting outside. With that in mind, I’ve settled on one of the new Rem700s, the AAC variant with a 16.5″ barrel on it. Do you think it will be up to the challenge?

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In order to have it “shoot-able” I’ve put an S&J Hardware picatinny base on there to hold my Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10×44 and its precision rings. The previous owner took advantage of the factory-threaded barrel by adding an Alberta Tactical Rifle Brake. Those little 5.56 gas-guns have spoiled me, and I’m happy to tame a little of the recoil. A compact bipod rounds out the package for now.

I’m excited to pickup a sling from 3HGR, as their tree-rest design seems to match my goals for the gun.

I’ve always had a good rangefinder, spotting scope, windmeter, rifle rest, and ballistics calculator in the gear-bag, but haven’t had a long distance rifle to shoot with since I sold my old 6.5×55 Swede.

I’m looking forward to Shot Show in late January and trying to pick a setup that will bring me closer to that AR-10 dream.

Currently I’m envisioning a chassis for this gun. Possibly one from Ashbury, or Cadex, or MDT, but we’ll have to see how they stack up side by side.

After my first range trip I’ll post some initial groups! I’m looking forward to distance shooting again.

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Personally, I like the set up you currently have but I appreciate wanting to upgrade the stock to something of better quality. A McMillan A1 in a "swirly" pattern would be sharp!

There's quite a difference between those chassis stocks you mention, especially the price! Ever consider an AI AX? At less than 1/2 the cost of a CADEX or Ashbury, and not much more than a MDT by the time it's fully equipped, it might be a viable alternative for what you're looking for.
 
Congrats. If you bed that crappy Hogue stock and float the barrel some more, it ain't too bad. That could buy you some time until you get the stock you want.
 
That was the same rifle that I used as the base for my MDT TAC-21... a great rifle. I didn't know until after I sold it but my wife loved the original Hogue stock, "Ghillie Green" I think they call it. Should have hung on to it ;) Never struck me as crappy though?
 
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There's some flex in it around the end. You can definitely get the stock to touch the barrel. I know they've been derided on the US forums, but it feels good enough for me at the moment!

Give it a few months and then send me a PM if you're still looking for one :p
 
Single best upgrade you can do to that rifle is change out the stock. At least that was my experience with a 20" model.

Please post results once you get that thing out to the range. I would be interested to see how well it groups with the shorter barrel.
 
Every bolt .308 I've ever had was capable of "first round hits" out to 500 yards.

If you want a lighter carry gun you should ditch the bipod. There are also lighter stocks out there.
 
TV-PressPass said:
As soon as the 3HGR gets here the bipod will go away!

Good eye on that Lapua ammo! I like the idea of something manufactured specifically for shorter barrels.
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Do you not currently reload? I'm betting that going to be at least $50/box of (20) rds.
 
Great buy! I have a 20" but I wish they offer a 24" version, its a b**ch to get velocity out of a 308s
 
I own a 20'" model, sold off the over-mold, replaced it with H-S precision. Bedded the recoil lug, torqued her down to 65" lbs, she'll shoot sub MOA w Fed. match 168 BTHP. Very happy with this purchase.
 
I have a 16.5 on an AICS 1.5 I have been shooting sub moa with168 gr hornady match with 37.5 gr 3031. Love this rifle, couldn't imagine hunting with it, a little too heavy.
 

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Welcome to the club. If you wanted to check one out in an MDT LSS chassis swing by Edmonton.

Oh, that reminds me I need to go grab a new range membership.
 
That'll get it done for sure TVP!

It'll be interesting to read up on the new Cadex chassis - the current models they have out now are PRICEY!!! Wouldn't fit your requirements anyways. An AI AX chassis would be the same thing - I had one for my Surgeon build and I wouldn't have carried it around in the bush all day - mind you it was a 20" barrel, but still.
 
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My core concept is a compact rifle for carrying through the bush, capable of a first round hit out to 500 yards.
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I think once you put it in a chassis it won't be much fun carrying it through the bush, maybe something carbon fibre??
 
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