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Rangefinder, As an optic I really liked the 12-5x56 pm2 and was I the best optic that I have had on my 22lr Sako Finfire Range as it parallaxed down to 10m.

For a “PRS” type rifle it lacked illumination for night shooting and the click options 1/8 moa, 1/4 moa or 0.025 milrad were less than ideal for me. I had the ffp version in 0.025milrad clicks and p4 fine reticle. 

For some applications the lack of illumination and smaller click values might  not matter or be an advantage, ftr comes to mind. 

Really what the 5-45x56 offers is an updated 5-25x56 with the top end magnification of the 12-50 x 56 and more updated reticle choices and turret options.

One update on the 5-45x56 pm2 is the ocular filter size is 41x0.5mm. A German company makes UV filters in this size for about 30 Euro. Now have one fitted. Btw S&B grey or yellow filters ( not UV) cost about 200 Euro each - pass.

What you are looking to achieve with the body die is the correct head space / should bump for your rifle. For a bolt action usually around 1 to 2 thou less than a case fired in your rifle from a datum measured on the shoulder with an indicator gauge. In reality the measurement will be less due to “spring-back” from the fired case. The screw down to shell holder is a bit of a shot in the dark. As a guide to shoulder bump a semi-auto is recommended around 3 to 4 thou and if you really cranky down and over cam down on it you can get down to about 1 tenth by which time you start getting case head separation. 

Lots of stages on YouTube on the THLR.NO channel, for example:

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/

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.

Blaser  do/did the LRS2 in 6mmbr Norma . You would have to check on barrel twist, if it suits the bullet weight  you want to use. Not sure if the updated Tac2 was offered in 6mmbr. Also it seems like Blaser off-loaded this rifle to Sig Sauer .....who may have ditched it too.....I can’t find it on either website now.

Andy, I had an LRS2 in 6.5x55 about 10 years ago so things may well have changed. The standard supplied 6.5x55 mags were the same as for 308 win. The COAL was too short. They sent me some 300 win mags which worked fine - a long COAL was not an issue only thing that I had to do was extend the side slots in the mags to hold 5 rounds.

Things may have changed since then.

Update on mounting and filters:

Mounting: it can be mounted in a Spuhr mount using the levelling wedge without interference from the parallax turret.

Filters: objective takes a standard 58mm camera filter - you can sandwich the filter between the objective and tenebreax sunshade which then screws into the front of the filter. I used a 58 mm Hoya UV nano HD filter.

Ocular: not there yet- I want a UV filter to protect the ocular. Schmidt offer filters that screws into the ocular but I think only yellow and grey. I tried a standard 40.5mm camera filter it is close but you need to wrap the filter threads with Ptfe  tape to make it engage the threads. I think 42mm ( old style camera filters) would be too big but I will probably try one.....and give Schmidt a call about a UV filter.

Looks like a good test of various coatings:

Hi Tony,

you’re right, what I saw was about 5 or 6 years ago at the IWA S&B booth was something different than that ( unless I am getting old timers). Looks like the 3-27x is the shortest of the three with the 5-45x being a couple of centimetres longer than the 5-25x.

I also checked on the internal elevation of the 5-45 - 27milrad is available with the double turn turret but internally there is a total of 30 milrad (105 moa).  Maybe the multi-turn turret is making a bit more sense, but still not sure how much of that could be accessed without restriction on windage adjustments.

 Also noticed that inside the ocular bell is threaded so have ordered a 40.5mm UV filter for this as well as a 58mm UV for the objective lens......hope they fit.

ps. the  PRL matches look good fun - I keep seeing your name in the results

Hi Lee, you were right about the scope  Sadly the wait continues. We are still waiting for number 2 to arrive which was ordered with this one and number three has been ordered.

I am also waiting for the 58mm Hoya nano UV filter to turn up before shooting it - I like to protect the objective lens. Just hope that it is a standard 58mm thread.

Shendy like most things it depends, if used in a harsh environment- like a sandy range then AI hands down. Hint I saw several very nice rifles suffer bolt and trigger issues at this years cz sniper comp - on a very sandy range. 

If not used in a harsh environment or harshly then TikTac for the value option and kelbly NYX for the posh option. 

Scope - what you like ffp with a reticle you like - the 5-25 market is packed with offerings from the usual suspects - Steiner, Vortex , S&B etc. Personally I want a bigger top end - less choice Nightforce ATACR, March fx 5-40, S&B 5-45 pm2 or IOR Crusader fit the bill.

Bipods- there are a a lot of gucci carbon bipods now Tier One would be my first choice unless again harsh environment- then AI, Harris and Parker Hale seem to be more reliable- not a thing of quality just a thing of generous tolerance.

Caliber - most of what I shoot is limited to service calibers so 338 LM with a 20” barrel works for me. For most it would not be a good choice-  6.5 Creedmoor is where it’s at at the moment.

If ‘robust’ is on your wish list - then AI. Otherwise like Steve Mc Queen said how fast you want to go - how much money you got! 

Some names that I recognise there :) hope that it keeps going from strength to strength.

RCBS trays work - size 1 holes. Pic of 338 Lapua. 

Also have posh stainless ones made by the bloke who advertises the annealing machines here, but I tend to use them for that purpose

.

RS have a new double based powder RS 76, which may be interesting for 300NM. I spoke with them at the IWA and they will send me temperature sensitivity data. Burn rate is between Vhit n165 and n170. 

A bit general but worth a read:

https://gununiversity.com/300-norma-mag-ballistics-caliber-comparison/

On 2/10/2019 at 6:02 PM, markymark said:

 

Whats your thoughts of the new LRR reticle? I assume you liked it and have looked through it if you’ve ordered two?? 

I just read a good article in this months shooting sports magazine reviewing the S&B 5-25 PMii, specifically with the LRR ret. Would you agree with the findings? 

I have only seen the LRR in 5-25 pm2,s so far. I hope ours in 5-45 will be here by the end of March. The day illumination works well for me giving quick target acquisition and without the illumination it is a very fine/ precise reticle. Sorry I have not read the Shooting Sports review.

I also saw a Christmas tree type reticle from Schmidt - not my cup of tea  but the yanks will no doubt love it.

Last reduction to £1200

A good option would be to go to the British Shooting show (15-17 feb) and have a look at many choices under one roof. The big marquees S&B, March, Swarovski etc will be there plus major retailers- Optics warehouse and Sportsman’s.

if you are shooting a specialised disciple then the optic will be quite specific eg f class - light optic, high mag, 2fp, fine dot reticule. Top of the food chain for this are the likes of Nightforce Competion and March 10-60 x56 high master scopes.

For LR or ELR the IOR crusader with 100 moa of elevation and March Genesis with 400 moa of elevation are worth a good look.

For something more versatile FFP I would be looking at the new March 5-42x56 PRS scope and the S&B 5-45x56 with the new LRR reticle. (Hint we have ordered two of those for our AI rifles).

Last bump before the Shooting Show 

Bump

I would like to move it, so reduced to £1300.