The AI isn't a bad purchase! And if you're new, it will out perform you for a long time. However, if you plan on shooting competitively, you'll likely want to build a custom at some point. The AI will do what you want untill then. And if you have to or want to sell the AI to build your custom rig, it'll be an easy sell.
To build or buy, this is my question.
- Thread starter 3of30
- Start date
This has always been the response by those who own custom guns and those who build them.
I prefer factory guns whose components are engineered from the onset to perform as a system to deliver accuracy and reliability.
Say you want a Corvette, why ask your mechanic to build you a car based on the Corvette body but with a Toyota motor, a Dodge transmission and Honda running gear? Maybe a helluva a good mechanic can make this all work together but whats the advantage? What car will sell faster? The Corvette or the bastard stew you just cooked up?
I know where my money will be spent. YMMV.
No offence meant to those who have custom rifles. I've had my fair share as well and some were great, others mediocre but in the end all depreciated more than my factory guns and didnt deliver any better accuracy.
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I don't own an AI, but I have a soft spot for them. I shot an AI at a Rifles Only course recently, and that thing had the smoothest action I've ever felt! My action ain't no slouch either, its a defiance and I have gotten quite a few comments on how great it feels, but it's still no AI!
There's reasons for going for either a full blown custom or an AI, and if you get a good smith to put it together, there really isn't a bad choice there. If bombproof is your goal, I would go either AI or PGW. However if you are particular with how you want your rifle setup, getting a really good gunsmith to put your rifle together with the components you want is a solid route to take as well.
As far as the thumbhole goes, you do not have to put your thumb in the thumb hole. Just rest your thumb on the side of the stock. That definitely wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Hell, that's how I shoot my rifle with the McM A5 stock.
There's reasons for going for either a full blown custom or an AI, and if you get a good smith to put it together, there really isn't a bad choice there. If bombproof is your goal, I would go either AI or PGW. However if you are particular with how you want your rifle setup, getting a really good gunsmith to put your rifle together with the components you want is a solid route to take as well.
As far as the thumbhole goes, you do not have to put your thumb in the thumb hole. Just rest your thumb on the side of the stock. That definitely wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Hell, that's how I shoot my rifle with the McM A5 stock.
Ryan.M.Anderson;12100094...[b said:
That changes everything since they are no longer made.
Nice thing about custom is that parts are always available or can be fitted. The main component will always be the action and barrels. A good smith will always make a custom gun out shoot a factory gun any day. Just check any formal competition.
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The last two competitions I shot in were won by shooters with "factory" rifles. One AIAT and a TRG. When these guns will consistently do sub 1/2 moa (which they do) it's all up to the driver at that point.
Even I managed to top a 500yd deliberate stage this season and I am far from good when compared to some of the shooters on the firing line. I attribute it to a hammer of a rifle (AIAW that consistently groups in the .300's) and my spotter had the wind gusts figured out.
From what I have seen a custom repeater will not outshoot an AI or PGW in a tactical match, both of those are capable of 1/4 moa if the shooter can.
Even I managed to top a 500yd deliberate stage this season and I am far from good when compared to some of the shooters on the firing line. I attribute it to a hammer of a rifle (AIAW that consistently groups in the .300's) and my spotter had the wind gusts figured out.
From what I have seen a custom repeater will not outshoot an AI or PGW in a tactical match, both of those are capable of 1/4 moa if the shooter can.
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Skip the low grade Remington in a chassis definitely. Some would say they're good to learn on, but a truly consistent accurate rifle teaches you more, and in a quicker time frame.
The ai at is hard to beat as a great all around rifle, reliable, and great accuracy.
A full blown custom from a good smith will outshoot the ai, but price will likely be higher, and be less bombproof.
The ai at is hard to beat as a great all around rifle, reliable, and great accuracy.
A full blown custom from a good smith will outshoot the ai, but price will likely be higher, and be less bombproof.
Same thing with a few differences.
-The AT has a 6 lug bolt (AW 3lug)
-AT has flush cups (AW HK hooks).
-AT has movable trigger (AW is fixed).
-AT has quick lock barrel system (AW needs action wrench and barrel vise).
-AT comes with pistol grip skins, thumb hole skins are also available.
I was speaking about F-Class matches. I forgot this is a Tactical forum. My apologies.
I did a build a few years ago just like the Op is suggesting. AI Chassis and Rem 700 clone, The gunsmitthing was done by Dan Dowling in Payton AZ who is one of the top guys in the USA.
The rifle was chambered in 6x47 Lapua and was an honest 1/8 MOA rifle if I used large primer brass. So the point is that you can build a 700 into an accurate rifle... Not that I'm suggesting that you should, especially if the accurizing gunsmith is not practically famous.
I like the idea of creating your own build, but for the $$$ you are going to burn through, go with a better action. There's a saying that goes "You cant polish a turd" The Remmy is ok, but it will always be your weak link. The action is just not all that stiff and the bolt is sloppy if you don't sleeve it.
Go with a Defiance action that you can get from Alberta Tactical I believe.
Here's a link to Defiance http://defiancemachine.com/
Get an action where the scope rail and recoil lug are part of the action and not a screw on deal. this way instead of paying the gunsmith to accurize the remmy, you can just put that cash toward a better action in the first place.
another action is the surgeon that's quite good but not as tight as the Defiance. The Surgeon is popular with the tactical and sniper crowd, but I'd go with the Defiance.
The rifle was chambered in 6x47 Lapua and was an honest 1/8 MOA rifle if I used large primer brass. So the point is that you can build a 700 into an accurate rifle... Not that I'm suggesting that you should, especially if the accurizing gunsmith is not practically famous.
I like the idea of creating your own build, but for the $$$ you are going to burn through, go with a better action. There's a saying that goes "You cant polish a turd" The Remmy is ok, but it will always be your weak link. The action is just not all that stiff and the bolt is sloppy if you don't sleeve it.
Go with a Defiance action that you can get from Alberta Tactical I believe.
Here's a link to Defiance http://defiancemachine.com/
Get an action where the scope rail and recoil lug are part of the action and not a screw on deal. this way instead of paying the gunsmith to accurize the remmy, you can just put that cash toward a better action in the first place.
another action is the surgeon that's quite good but not as tight as the Defiance. The Surgeon is popular with the tactical and sniper crowd, but I'd go with the Defiance.
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Pfft! Is that supposed to be a joke? You probably would have done better if I had just kept my mouth shut!
3of30, a lot of guys make the mistake of buying a less expensive rifle to start out, only to end up with what they really wanted a lot sooner then expected. If tactical/precision/PRS style shooting is your focus and an AI is what you want then spend the money now and save some in the long run. If you want to win national f-class matches then there are better options out there.
If you want a AI just get it the first time because you will end up with it anyway down the road... ask me how I know.
The AT is a bargin really at 5K, (I know that sounds crazy) its a upgraded AW at 2k less than the AW used ti retail for.
And YES the AT will be both Reliable AND Accurate, it could be argued that the AI's fill this roll better than any other rifle on the market.
Edit: Another consideration is resale(god forbid) The AI will hold it's value pretty well but the jazzed up 700 will always be a 700.
The AT is a bargin really at 5K, (I know that sounds crazy) its a upgraded AW at 2k less than the AW used ti retail for.
And YES the AT will be both Reliable AND Accurate, it could be argued that the AI's fill this roll better than any other rifle on the market.
Edit: Another consideration is resale(god forbid) The AI will hold it's value pretty well but the jazzed up 700 will always be a 700.
