I've been a little obsessed with Accuracy International rifles over the years and was fortunate to visit the factory in Portsmouth, England about 10 years ago. I've had an AW and two AWMs for quite a few years now and decided that I'd like to add an AX model to my collection. So a couple of weeks ago I took delivery of a pale brown AXMC in 6.5x47mm Lapua from the wonderful Diann Pennington at Mile High Shooting Accessories. First impressions: Another AI win! I would say that sand would be a better color description but no biggie. I really like the color and it makes for a nice change to the green & black look of my "legacy" rifles.
The AWs have AI canted scope mounts on 0 moa Picatinny rails, but for this rifle I opted for a 34mm 0 moa Spuhr mount with FDE finish given that the full length rail has a cant built in. I also ordered four extra 10-round magazines in pale brown (AW mags don't work), a Vortex RAZOR HD Gen II with the EBR-7C reticle, an ATLAS bipod, a Vortex Switchview throw lever and some Vortex flip up lens caps. The rifle is shown with a Vickers Tactical sling but I'll most likely change it out for a TAB GEAR PRS sling. I'm a fan of the SilencerCo Omega 300 with the end cap sized for 6.5mm projectiles so I'll be ordering another rather than stealing the one shown from my other 6.5 AI.
So why the Lapua over the 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win? I've been putting Lapua rounds together for my gf's custom rifle for a few years now so I know how good the cartridge is and am familiar with the ease of loading, the low ES numbers and availability of powders that are ideally suited to the cartridge. Also, my AW has .308 Win and 6.5 CM barrels so this was something different to play with.
Other than the obvious differences between the AW and AX, I was surprised to see two sets of three bolt lugs on the AX bolt i.e. six total compared to three for the AW. The AWMs have six lugs but not the short action.
This past weekend I mounted the Vortex, figured out where the lands start in the barrel and put two loads together based on some load data and running numbers in QuickLOAD. I typically start with bullets .020" off the lands if the magazine will allow it (and it does) so that's what I did. I used QuickLOAD to generate a list of suitable powders/loads that would give 63,000 psi max. Of the 22 powders listed I narrowed it down to what I have on hand (see below). I decided to start with H4350, 130gr Berger VLDs, CCI 450 primers and new Lapua brass. The two groups are shown at the bottom of this post so this was a good start. QL was only off by 2 fps on velocity for the 41.5gr load.
I didn't spend any time getting the stock set up for me. I'll need to do that eventually but my main objectives were to get the scope zeroed and shoot a couple of groups. I'm probably going to use a powder other than H4350 for the next loads, one that burns 100% in a 24" barrel. I use Varget for my gf's handloads but it's on the slow end of the scale. I want a powder that's relatively insensitive to ambient temperature changes so will have to do some research.
More to follow I'm sure.
Rifle as received
Scope mounted .... bipod, sling and suppressor attached
Shooter's left
QuickLOAD powders/loads generating 63,000 psi using the components listed below
First two handloads, 5-shot groups, H4350, 41.2gr bottom (2,800 fps), 41.5gr top (2,840 fps), 130gr Berger VLD, CCI 450 primer and Lapua brass (0.1 milrad grid)
The AWs have AI canted scope mounts on 0 moa Picatinny rails, but for this rifle I opted for a 34mm 0 moa Spuhr mount with FDE finish given that the full length rail has a cant built in. I also ordered four extra 10-round magazines in pale brown (AW mags don't work), a Vortex RAZOR HD Gen II with the EBR-7C reticle, an ATLAS bipod, a Vortex Switchview throw lever and some Vortex flip up lens caps. The rifle is shown with a Vickers Tactical sling but I'll most likely change it out for a TAB GEAR PRS sling. I'm a fan of the SilencerCo Omega 300 with the end cap sized for 6.5mm projectiles so I'll be ordering another rather than stealing the one shown from my other 6.5 AI.
So why the Lapua over the 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win? I've been putting Lapua rounds together for my gf's custom rifle for a few years now so I know how good the cartridge is and am familiar with the ease of loading, the low ES numbers and availability of powders that are ideally suited to the cartridge. Also, my AW has .308 Win and 6.5 CM barrels so this was something different to play with.
Other than the obvious differences between the AW and AX, I was surprised to see two sets of three bolt lugs on the AX bolt i.e. six total compared to three for the AW. The AWMs have six lugs but not the short action.
This past weekend I mounted the Vortex, figured out where the lands start in the barrel and put two loads together based on some load data and running numbers in QuickLOAD. I typically start with bullets .020" off the lands if the magazine will allow it (and it does) so that's what I did. I used QuickLOAD to generate a list of suitable powders/loads that would give 63,000 psi max. Of the 22 powders listed I narrowed it down to what I have on hand (see below). I decided to start with H4350, 130gr Berger VLDs, CCI 450 primers and new Lapua brass. The two groups are shown at the bottom of this post so this was a good start. QL was only off by 2 fps on velocity for the 41.5gr load.
I didn't spend any time getting the stock set up for me. I'll need to do that eventually but my main objectives were to get the scope zeroed and shoot a couple of groups. I'm probably going to use a powder other than H4350 for the next loads, one that burns 100% in a 24" barrel. I use Varget for my gf's handloads but it's on the slow end of the scale. I want a powder that's relatively insensitive to ambient temperature changes so will have to do some research.
More to follow I'm sure.
Rifle as received
Scope mounted .... bipod, sling and suppressor attached
Shooter's left
QuickLOAD powders/loads generating 63,000 psi using the components listed below
First two handloads, 5-shot groups, H4350, 41.2gr bottom (2,800 fps), 41.5gr top (2,840 fps), 130gr Berger VLD, CCI 450 primer and Lapua brass (0.1 milrad grid)
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