PGW Coyote vs AI AT
- Thread starter schumy
- Start date
Can't compare much since I don't own both, wife won't permit me to do so but what I can tell is PGW Coyote is damn heavy shooter, very accurate even with the factory load. I never bother to do some load. Hornady 168 gr BTHP match is all I use. I wish, they would made something a bit lighter for hunting purpose like medium contour barrel in that coyote folder chassis, anyway my Sako finnlight is doing that job for now.
Like twincam said, what do you want to do with it?
Both are very accurate, both are built like tanks. I would be very happy with either. Here are a few differences for you to ponder.
- AT has 10 round double stack mags, Coyote has 8 round single stack mags.
- AT has 60 degree bolt throw, Coyote has 90 degree.
- Coyote is available in McMillan A5 or PGW's chassis with pistol grip, AT is chassis only and permanently bonded to it. You can choose between pistol grip or thumbhole stocksides.
- AT has quick change barrel capability so you can shoot different calibers.
- both can be had with folding stocks.
- AT uses a breaching ring system with 6 lug bolt, Coyote has two lug bolt.
- Both have bolt mounted safetys that block the firing pin (Win70 style).
- AI barrels have 1.5" long barrel threads, Coyote has 1" long threads.
- Coyote comes with 1:10 Krieger barrel and PGW can do other calibers to order, AT comes with 1:12 Walther Lothar SS barrel. Bartlein and OTM barrels in various short action calibers can be imported from the US ( bit of a pain but guys do it).
Both are top notch, can't go wrong with either.
Both are very accurate, both are built like tanks. I would be very happy with either. Here are a few differences for you to ponder.
- AT has 10 round double stack mags, Coyote has 8 round single stack mags.
- AT has 60 degree bolt throw, Coyote has 90 degree.
- Coyote is available in McMillan A5 or PGW's chassis with pistol grip, AT is chassis only and permanently bonded to it. You can choose between pistol grip or thumbhole stocksides.
- AT has quick change barrel capability so you can shoot different calibers.
- both can be had with folding stocks.
- AT uses a breaching ring system with 6 lug bolt, Coyote has two lug bolt.
- Both have bolt mounted safetys that block the firing pin (Win70 style).
- AI barrels have 1.5" long barrel threads, Coyote has 1" long threads.
- Coyote comes with 1:10 Krieger barrel and PGW can do other calibers to order, AT comes with 1:12 Walther Lothar SS barrel. Bartlein and OTM barrels in various short action calibers can be imported from the US ( bit of a pain but guys do it).
Both are top notch, can't go wrong with either.
Last edited:
Well said........
I really prefer the MacMillan stock, but is a personal preference. I am not a fan of the AW/Cadex/PGW chassis system, I find them awkward for relief/comb, even though they are adjustable, but maybe that's just me. But I am also a fan of old school wood stock precision rifles
I really prefer the MacMillan stock, but is a personal preference. I am not a fan of the AW/Cadex/PGW chassis system, I find them awkward for relief/comb, even though they are adjustable, but maybe that's just me. But I am also a fan of old school wood stock precision rifles
Well I'll be using this rifle for PR competitions, some courses and general shooting at the range. I want a rifle that's made to last, doesn't need any work on it to be accurate and that will take any abuse I may throw it's way, bump, drop, hit. And also important is the resale value if I ever want to sell it.
Like I said in a previous post, I was extremely impressed with the smoothness of action and how nice the rifle felt. I have to say that the barrel swap is a big plus for me on the AT as I'm thinking of trying 6.5CM as well.
well, it sounds like you answered you own question, go with the AI interchangeable barrel system, Also, I think Coyotes are about 6 months delivery right now.
Both will last and should more or less hold their value. ( until sniper rifles get reclassified )
Both will last and should more or less hold their value. ( until sniper rifles get reclassified
)
PGW now offers 10rd mags.
I have both. I like both. I couldn't say which is more robust or more accurate for that matter. They are both superb in those respects.
Some observations:
Cocking effort is way less on the Coyote being a 2-lug action and 90* throw. The AI is a bit notchy but very positive. Both are very smooth but I'd give the edge to the AI. It feels like the bolt rides on roller bearings. The new TT triggers furnished on the Coyotes are way nicer than the Rifle Basix that it used to come with. I swapped mine to a TT and am very impressed with it. The 2-stage on the AI is a better trigger IMO however I shot Sako TRG's for a long time and prefer a 2-stage.
As for fit and finish, build quality and attention to detail the AI has an edge. The new AT's and AX's are almost flawless. I have 2- AI AW's, a '97 and a '09. The '97 is definitely less polished and refined than the '09 which itself shows tooling and machining marks. Keep in mind these are military grade rifles and the level of finish is not typically up to a commercial product intended for the civilian consumer. The new guns are significantly improved in this regard and why I give them the slight edge over the PGW.
The AI's are renowned for their repeatability and consistency however my Coyote is un-matched in this respect. I've never owned a rifle before that is as trustworthy as my .260 Coyote. I have documented its cold bore POI since finalizing load development and it does not change. Period. Squeaky clean or fouled. I dismantled it completely a few times and bolted it back together to find it did not change its zero. It is the first gun I have owned where I can truly and confidently eliminate the gun from the equation and know that the results rest entirely upon my ability as the operator. I cant tell you how much this improves ones confidence.
Both were very easy to develop loads for. I was extremely lazy with the AI. I seated 167 Scenars over Varget and Fed 210m's at 2.810". An unexciting load that duplicates factory match ammo. The AI stacks then on top of each other. I put as much thought and effort into that load as the time it takes to read this.
The Coyote Shoots as well or better. Its pet load is 130gr VLD's at 2915fps. Its a 1/3moa gun. When its not, its me thats the issue.
One thing I will add is that service from PGW before and after the sale is by far the best I have experienced from any manufacturer or vendor. In the very unlikely event that the gun needs support/service, you can be assured that PGW will do what it takes to satisfy you as a customer. They really are terrific.
Whichever you choose you will be very happy.
BTW, I've had the barrel off of my Coyote. Barrel clamps and action wrenches aren't a large investment. You don't need an AI to do quick caliber changes.
I have both. I like both. I couldn't say which is more robust or more accurate for that matter. They are both superb in those respects.
Some observations:
Cocking effort is way less on the Coyote being a 2-lug action and 90* throw. The AI is a bit notchy but very positive. Both are very smooth but I'd give the edge to the AI. It feels like the bolt rides on roller bearings. The new TT triggers furnished on the Coyotes are way nicer than the Rifle Basix that it used to come with. I swapped mine to a TT and am very impressed with it. The 2-stage on the AI is a better trigger IMO however I shot Sako TRG's for a long time and prefer a 2-stage.
As for fit and finish, build quality and attention to detail the AI has an edge. The new AT's and AX's are almost flawless. I have 2- AI AW's, a '97 and a '09. The '97 is definitely less polished and refined than the '09 which itself shows tooling and machining marks. Keep in mind these are military grade rifles and the level of finish is not typically up to a commercial product intended for the civilian consumer. The new guns are significantly improved in this regard and why I give them the slight edge over the PGW.
The AI's are renowned for their repeatability and consistency however my Coyote is un-matched in this respect. I've never owned a rifle before that is as trustworthy as my .260 Coyote. I have documented its cold bore POI since finalizing load development and it does not change. Period. Squeaky clean or fouled. I dismantled it completely a few times and bolted it back together to find it did not change its zero. It is the first gun I have owned where I can truly and confidently eliminate the gun from the equation and know that the results rest entirely upon my ability as the operator. I cant tell you how much this improves ones confidence.
Both were very easy to develop loads for. I was extremely lazy with the AI. I seated 167 Scenars over Varget and Fed 210m's at 2.810". An unexciting load that duplicates factory match ammo. The AI stacks then on top of each other. I put as much thought and effort into that load as the time it takes to read this.
The Coyote Shoots as well or better. Its pet load is 130gr VLD's at 2915fps. Its a 1/3moa gun. When its not, its me thats the issue.
One thing I will add is that service from PGW before and after the sale is by far the best I have experienced from any manufacturer or vendor. In the very unlikely event that the gun needs support/service, you can be assured that PGW will do what it takes to satisfy you as a customer. They really are terrific.
Whichever you choose you will be very happy.
BTW, I've had the barrel off of my Coyote. Barrel clamps and action wrenches aren't a large investment. You don't need an AI to do quick caliber changes.
Last edited:
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Honestly, due to the fact of it's $4,000 lower purchase price, buy the Ruger rpr.
Short throw 3 lug bolt (like the AI), able to interchangeably use several different choices of mags (aia/m14, ar10, AI), and ar15 butt and PG stocks (or stick with factory stock), comes as a folder...
I'm waiting for Ruger to build a long action version as I can't justify another 308 class rifle....
Short throw 3 lug bolt (like the AI), able to interchangeably use several different choices of mags (aia/m14, ar10, AI), and ar15 butt and PG stocks (or stick with factory stock), comes as a folder...
I'm waiting for Ruger to build a long action version as I can't justify another 308 class rifle....
Wrong. We took top spot in performance, but couldn't compete on price. The trial guns were snapped up buy a special unit after, what does that tell you...
Our cost was good, but we had paired up with a large Canadian manufacturer of carbines and they put a ridiculous markup on our product and we lost on price.
You will have an easier time finding a gunsmith to chamber a barrel for a PGW than an AI. Anyone out there will do the PGW, few will do a an AI because the bonding to the chassis prevents them from screwing the action onto the barrel while it's in the lathe and that is how many/most gunsmiths want to work. Not an issue if you're happy with the caliber options offered. But, you will have more caliber options with the PGW if you aren't.
Any rifle can have quick change barrel capability if you have a barrel vice and an action wrench for it. Even an M700 if you pin the recoil lug. You don't even have to take the rifle out of the stock if they don't bed around the barrel shank. Many competition shooters will have their gunsmith chamber multiple barrels for them in the off season so that they don't lose the rifle in the peak of competition season to replace a barrel.
Any rifle can have quick change barrel capability if you have a barrel vice and an action wrench for it. Even an M700 if you pin the recoil lug. You don't even have to take the rifle out of the stock if they don't bed around the barrel shank. Many competition shooters will have their gunsmith chamber multiple barrels for them in the off season so that they don't lose the rifle in the peak of competition season to replace a barrel.
Last edited:
