a change from my AI AE to something lighter ?

[pwinnall]

Hello,

Can I have your thoughts please.

I have just been stalking with my AI AE MkIII with 8-32 nightforce, but it just too heavy. At first I wanted 1 rifle for all, a long range target puncher plus a stalking rifle but

I think its too specialized for one rifle to do it.

I'm thinking of selling it and getting an AR15 for fox and target work and a

Dedicated light weight woodland stalking rifle with a low power scope for dusk shooting. What do other people use for one gun for all?

PS.I'd like to shoot the McQueen's comp too with what ever gun choice I make.

Thanks for your advice. Phil

[gbal]

A difficult set of demands for one rifle-even for one cartridge. AI is too heavy by far for a stalking carry rifle,though a good tactical option.Not really a competitive target choice. Any one rifle/cartridge will be a compromise.

More detail on each useage might help,but the general conclusion holds-comromise.

gbal

[ds1]

DTA is worth a look, very versatile......16" 308 barrel and mod is very compact and well balanced for off-hand. Stick whatever barrel on that works best for the comps you want to do eg 6.5x47 for Mc Queens. Granted a tad heavy but not AI weight.

[gbal]

Phil-reading you post again,the AR 15 (among many others-presumably 223 etc) will do very well indeed for fox,and a stalking rifle with appropriate scope will be ideal for(close range?) work in poor light.

But neither is in any way a long range target rifle,if long range means more than say 400y?

One rifle won't do it all-just dependent on what long range target shooting means-distance and 'competitive' rather than just holes somewhere on paper...A 6BR might be a contender,or 6.5x47/.260rem -cartridges with some versatility,but platform/rifle again has to compromise.....

g

[pwinnall]

Hello gbal,

I originally wanted to try up to 1000yds but realistically I never get chance to shoot even 300yds.

So I thought just scale it all down and try an AR15 .223 with something like a sako 85 in 25.06 or 6.5x55.

My AE mkIII is in .260rem with a 24" fluted barrel but still too heavy. I like woodland stalking.

Thanks for your posts :-)

[gbal]

Phil,

AE 260 covers most range work,though 1000 is a stretch,but as you say,you won't be doing that! It tends to be disappointing anyhow,without a more specialised rifle.

223 is good for short-mid range,say 500y maybe-at least for fig 11s .

For a woodland stalker,a light Sako (75 maybe) would be dandy-unless large fallow are involved,I'd think 25-06 isn't optimal,as ranges will be shortish....if it's just roe ,less gun would probably be better.243,even 7-08 or 308 ,6.5x55,for plenty choice in light carry rifles,and Sako chamber for all those-or did.in the 75 Hunter.8x56 S&B are not silly money,used.Anyhow,good luck-plenty choice out there.

g

[pwinnall]

Hello.

I am thinking of an AR15 in .223 and a sako 85 in .308.

Nothing adventurous in calibers but they work well.

I will be stalking up fallow and reds.

Thanks again Phil