6.5 creedmoor accuracy international

[Chrisii2009]

Hi guys. I'm relatively new to shooting so sorry if any of this is common knowledge or sounds silly. But the best way to learn is to ask. I want to get into competition shooting. Now I know the best way is to pick your rifle and shoot it for years and learn everything about it. So I'm looking to get the best platform to get me started. I'm looking to buy a accuracy international ax308 very shortly. And will want to get a 6.5 creedmoor barrel for it. How would I go around getting a bartlein or proof barrel for it in 6.5 creedmoor? Obviously on the proof website the cost of the carbon fibre barrel is $1100 but after shipping costs etc it would be considerably more. I'm happy to pay costs as like I said I want the best available platform to start with. Would this be a good way to get into long range target shooting? I.e a accuracy international set up with a bartlein/proof barrel in 6.5 creedmoor? Or is there something else I should be looking at which would out shoot this easily? I got alot more questions but I think the answers I get from this will help me massively to what I need to purchase. 

Thanks 

 

Chris 

 

[Moorlander]

You can buy AI barrels in the UK , theres quite a few rifle smiths who will machine you one up , as far as I know production AI barrels are made by Sassen in the UK so no reason not to use one of those.

[Catch-22]

Why not buy a second hand AI?

A few knocking about, mostly AT...same action as the AX...only difference is the chassis/stock. Some even with aftermarket barrels (6.5x47, 6.5 Creed etc). 

Why not buy one and the price difference you’ll save on a new one will allow you to buy a new barrel in whatever calibre you want...for the same price as a new AI in .308. It’ll save you around £900 I reckon! 

AI AX .308 = £4,600

or

AI AT .308 = £3,800

custom barrel = £800

or a second hand AT with .308 barrel = £2,800 

or second hand AT with custom barrel = £3,000ish

AI’s just don’t wear out (action wise), so a second-hand isn’t anything to be worried about.

Some options already up for sale here:

http://ukvarminting.com/topic/44671-accuracy-international-aw-65-x-47-for-sale/

AT in .308:

http://ukvarminting.com/topic/46985-accuracy-international-at-308-for-sale/

Going the route you’re originally thinking is gonna be costly...money that could otherwise go on thousands of bullets, primers and kilos of powder. 

Just a thought.

[Chrisii2009]

7 minutes ago, Catch-22 said:

Why not buy a second hand AI?

A few knocking about, mostly AT...same action as the AX...only difference is the chassis/stock. Some even with aftermarket barrels (6.5x47, 6.5 Creed etc). 

Why not buy one and the price difference you’ll save on a new one will allow you to buy a new barrel in whatever calibre you want...for the same price as a new AI in .308. It’ll save you around £900 I reckon! 

AI AX .308 = £4,600

or

AI AT .308 = £3,800

custom barrel = £800

or a second hand AT with .308 barrel = £2,800 

or second hand AT with custom barrel = £3,000ish

AI’s just don’t wear out (action wise), so a second-hand isn’t anything to be worried about.

Some options already up for sale here:

http://ukvarminting.com/topic/44671-accuracy-international-aw-65-x-47-for-sale/

AT in .308:

http://ukvarminting.com/topic/46985-accuracy-international-at-308-for-sale/

Going the route you’re originally thinking is gonna be costly...money that could otherwise go on thousands of bullets, primers and kilos of powder. 

Just a thought.

Very true it's just I like the idea off having it all new that's all. And the ax stock is a must for me. I may be tempted with a second hand ax but I definitely want that ax stock to get used to rather than the at 

[Chrisii2009]

9 minutes ago, Moorlander said:

You can buy AI barrels in the UK , theres quite a few rifle smiths who will machine you one up , as far as I know production AI barrels are made by Sassen in the UK so no reason not to use one of those.

I had a message from ai saying they don't supply 6.5 barrels. So I'd have to contact sassen direct? Would they be as good as a bartlein/proof/krieger etc?

[Moorlander]

20 minutes ago, Chrisii2009 said:

I had a message from ai saying they don't supply 6.5 barrels. So I'd have to contact sassen direct? Would they be as good as a bartlein/proof/krieger etc?

No, shop around the rifle smiths on this site and else where in the UK , Sassen are equally as good from what I hear, AI would not use them otherwise.

[pengo]

19 minutes ago, Chrisii2009 said:

I had a message from ai saying they don't supply 6.5 barrels. So I'd have to contact sassen direct? Would they be as good as a bartlein/proof/krieger etc?

Just contact Dave Wylde - Valkyrie Rifles - 9-5 Monday to Friday - 07889 388378. https://www.valkyrierifles.net/index.html

Also known as Baldie on this forum.

He's the only officially approved service centre for Accuracy International and he can supply and fit any barrel you choose onto your AX AI rifle, which includes Sassen.

He's a great bloke, who'll talk you through everything.

Cheers

Paul

[Chrisii2009]

22 minutes ago, pengo said:

Just contact Dave Wylde - Valkyrie Rifles - 9-5 Monday to Friday - 07889 388378. https://www.valkyrierifles.net/index.html

Also known as Baldie on this forum.

He's the only officially approved service centre for Accuracy International and he can supply and fit any barrel you choose onto your AX AI rifle, which includes Sassen.

He's a great bloke, who'll talk you through everything.

Cheers

Paul

Thanks mate! 

[ds1]

To the OP,

I would take a step back and consider what you want from your investment- in general an AI holds its value  better than other rifles. However you say that you want to do competition shooting- the question is what competition as the kit can be so specialised. For example you are not going to see many AI’s at F Class competitions. Where the AI will shine is stuff like PRL competitions and Mc Queens.

The same thoughts apply to calibers  as well- although 6.5 Creed is the flavour of the last year or two it does not start to stand head and shoulders above 308win until after about 500 to 600m. Consider how many times you are going to shoot past these distances - if the answer is most weeks and considerably further I would then consider also a long action AXMC and spend the 1.6k on a conversion kit.....

Also related to the type of comps and distances you want to shoot is the scope. As a general rule it’s hard to go wrong with March or S&B but again you get into the type of competition favouring certain reticles etc. The scope can become just as specialised as the rifle.

This is not meant to be negative and for what it’s worth I have a couple of AI rifles but I would have a look at who’s winning with what kit for the comps you intend to shoot. There are also some generally informative websites - accurate shooter, 6.5 guys and PRS blog that detail kit list. As a rule of thumb whatever you spend on the rifle you can double by the time you have a scope, mounts, bipod and all the other crap that goes with it.

More specific on your questions: two great gunsmiths on here: Baldie as already mentioned and Ronin. Also for all things AI  Sporting Services U.K.

Re barrels it’s the process that matters as much as the name - speak to Sassen they do both cut and button barrels. In short cut barrels are more expensive, take longer to produce. You then get back into the cycle of choosing the barrel length, profile and having the barrel throated for the bullet type you want to use which depends on what you want to do ( type of competition).

I know Delboy  on here has done exactly what you are proposing- buy a 308 AX and has had Baldie make up a 6.5 Creed barrel....... worth dropping him a pm.... he’s a great bloke.

[Chrisii2009]

12 minutes ago, ds1 said:

To the OP,

I would take a step back and consider what you want from your investment- in general an AI holds its value  better than other rifles. However you say that you want to do competition shooting- the question is what competition as the kit can be so specialised. For example you are not going to see many AI’s at F Class competitions. Where the AI will shine is stuff like PRL competitions and Mc Queens.

The same thoughts apply to calibers  as well- although 6.5 Creed is the flavour of the last year or two it does not start to stand head and shoulders above 308win until after about 500 to 600m. Consider how many times you are going to shoot past these distances - if the answer is most weeks and considerably further I would then consider also a long action AXMC and spend the 1.6k on a conversion kit.....

Also related to the type of comps and distances you want to shoot is the scope. As a general rule it’s hard to go wrong with March or S&B but again you get into the type of competition favouring certain reticles etc. The scope can become just as specialised as the rifle.

This is not meant to be negative and for what it’s worth I have a couple of AI rifles but I would have a look at who’s winning with what kit for the comps you intend to shoot. There are also some generally informative websites - accurate shooter, 6.5 guys and PRS blog that detail kit list. As a rule of thumb whatever you spend on the rifle you can double by the time you have a scope, mounts, bipod and all the other crap that goes with it.

More specific on your questions: two great gunsmiths on here: Baldie as already mentioned and Ronin. Also for all things AI  Sporting Services U.K.

Re barrels it’s the process that matters as much as the name - speak to Sassen they do both cut and button barrels. In short cut barrels are more expensive, take longer to produce. You then get back into the cycle of choosing the barrel length, profile and having the barrel throated for the bullet type you want to use which depends on what you want to do ( type of competition).

I know Delboy  on here has done exactly what you are proposing- buy a 308 AX and has had Baldie make up a 6.5 Creed barrel....... worth dropping him a pm.... he’s a great bloke.

Wow there is a lot of awesome information there! Sorry to sound new. (Which I am lol) but I didn't even know there was different styles off competitions. From a quick search it would seem that f class is prone shooting at variable distances? And prl involves shooting while prone/kneeling and resting on obstacles? I can't really find much information on mc queens could you enlighten me? Reguarding distances I will shortly be shooting at a range which is 700meters on a weekly basis with trips to Sennybridge likely once a month. So I think a 6.5 creedmoor is the way to go for me. ( I do also want a cheytac for extreme long range but one step at a time lol) I currently have a tikka t3x tactical in 223 with 24" barrel with a schmidt-bender pmii 5x25 on top so I definitely agree with the optics being just as important (if not more important) I will be purchasing a nightforce A.T.A.C.R 7-35x56 for the new rifle I had one before and loved it and regretted it's sale ever since. I'm not taking anything you've said negative at all mate its information like this I need to learn to go forward so thanks for taking the time. I've been shooting air rifles for 10 years but fullbore is relatively new to me. The type of competitions that appeal to me would be prone/bench shooting at variable distances going as far as the creedmoor will allow. I just want something that will shoot amazingly. I really do like that ai ax chassis so that's a must (I do also like the sako m10) and it would seem the best calibre to look for at the moment is that 6.5 creedmoor. But as far as the barrel/action and everything else is what I'm looking for advise on what would be best for the type off shooting I would like to do. 

 

Again thanks for that reply mate much appreciated 

 

Chris 

[D Johnson]

40 minutes ago, Chrisii2009 said:

Wow there is a lot of awesome information there! Sorry to sound new. (Which I am lol) but I didn't even know there was different styles off competitions. From a quick search it would seem that f class is prone shooting at variable distances? And prl involves shooting while prone/kneeling and resting on obstacles? I can't really find much information on mc queens could you enlighten me? Reguarding distances I will shortly be shooting at a range which is 700meters on a weekly basis with trips to Sennybridge likely once a month. So I think a 6.5 creedmoor is the way to go for me. ( I do also want a cheytac for extreme long range but one step at a time lol) I currently have a tikka t3x tactical in 223 with 24" barrel with a schmidt-bender pmii 5x25 on top so I definitely agree with the optics being just as important (if not more important) I will be purchasing a nightforce A.T.A.C.R 7-35x56 for the new rifle I had one before and loved it and regretted it's sale ever since. I'm not taking anything you've said negative at all mate its information like this I need to learn to go forward so thanks for taking the time. I've been shooting air rifles for 10 years but fullbore is relatively new to me. The type of competitions that appeal to me would be prone/bench shooting at variable distances going as far as the creedmoor will allow. I just want something that will shoot amazingly. I really do like that ai ax chassis so that's a must (I do also like the sako m10) and it would seem the best calibre to look for at the moment is that 6.5 creedmoor. But as far as the barrel/action and everything else is what I'm looking for advise on what would be best for the type off shooting I would like to do. 

 

Again thanks for that reply mate much appreciated 

 

Chris 

There’s some really nice kit being spoken about here and also some really big numbers money wise. I’m not knocking anyone who has the money and inclination to spend heavily I’ve been there myself with the likes of Armalon Remington 700s, TRG 41s etc etc, the buzz from owning and using such kit is great but to be honest nowadays you don’t have to spend massive amounts to get something that will undoubtedly shoot better than most people are capable of. The one rifle I use the most and have kept the longest is an old Anschutz 1427, don’t underestimate the basic skills you can hone cheaply and unobtrusively with a decent moderated  22lr trainer. Good luck with whatever set up you end up going for. 

[PhilM]

I purchased my AI AT from Sporting Services about 18months back.

It came as an AT308 and also I bought a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel for it at the same time from SS (it was a LW in the same profile as the normal 308 one). When I collected the rifle it was all ready, both barrels identical on the outside (bar the cal stamping)  proofed and ready to go.

If you end up going for a SH rifle from

another source, I wouldn’t hesitate to contact Sporting Services or Baldie on here to supply the 6.5 CM barrel. 

[ds1]

Mc queens is basically snap shooting from prone at 200 or 300 yards: link shows a mini version but same principle- ( one of the tricks for that game is to find a scope that gives the best fov  for the most magnification-allegedly the S&B 12-50x 56 is very good).

Sounds like you have a good idea of what you want to do - 700m will be a sweet spot for 6.5 Creed. I really like the AX chassis for prone shooting ( I have an AXMC) it is very adjustable but mainly heavy which soaks up a fair bit of recoil. The recoil seems more “direct” and less “bouncy” than many other stocks to me. The ATACR is a top class scope.

The f class game has weight restrictions in open and ftr class ( ftr- 308w and 223 only) which the AI will struggle to meet - even without a heavy scope on it like the ATACR. Also to get anywhere in f class you have to shoot league matches, so travel expenses and time commitments mount up along with ammunition cost and a few spare barrels (I am based in CZ but we have f class here too ). Tactical type completions seem more manageable for me time and cost wise and fun factor too. 

There are other competitions though like Diggle ranges fly shoots. A chat to Baldie and Ronin would be a good idea - both have a great wealth of knowledge and I know Ronin has shot U.K. f class.  

Link to using a tactical rifle for f class - some thoughts.

https://rifletalk.org/2015/07/24/using-a-tactical-rifle-for-f-class/

 

 

[markymark]

Lots of good advice here. Just for your info, if you wanted a proof barrel...... might be worth contacting Paddy Dane. He spun up my one for my AI rifles. 

Proof wont shoot any better than another top quality barrel but the weight saving is looovely.

I have my stock .308 barrel. A 26” 6.5CM steel barrel sourced from SS when purchased the rifle along with an 18” 6.5CM proof barrel. 

[Chrisii2009]

Thanks for all your help guys! Been a absolute wealth off knowledge and I can't thank you enough 

[Ronin]

The other consideration for you if you go with the AI AXMC route is, as the rifle is a long action you could choose a long action cartridge that’s better placed to handle heavy bullets (for instance creedmoor is ok but limited by action length and powder space)

 

There are better cartridges suited to long action application for long action which would excel in a long action platform 

 

I’d also specify a small diameter firing pin with any AI if you propose to run high pressure cases with small rifle primed brass 

 

Im not sure if this option is available for that model rifle 

 

 

[Chrisii2009]

2 hours ago, Ronin said:

The other consideration for you if you go with the AI AXMC route is, as the rifle is a long action you could choose a long action cartridge that’s better placed to handle heavy bullets (for instance creedmoor is ok but limited by action length and powder space)

 

There are better cartridges suited to long action application for long action which would excel in a long action platform 

 

I’d also specify a small diameter firing pin with any AI if you propose to run high pressure cases with small rifle primed brass 

 

Im not sure if this option is available for that model rifle 

 

 

Sent you a pm mate 

[baldie]

yes, the small diameter pin/bolt head is available on the AXMC.