Options for first full bore bolt action rifle

[WelshShooter]

You can get an aftermarket trigger guard for the T3 which accepts AI mags:
http://www.midwayuk.com/epages/Midway_U ... cts/115197
but there's no AICS for Tikka as far as I'm aware. Also, if you're going to get a remington get one pre-cerburus takeover as the quality control drastically dropped since then.

Also, as mentioned above do put down imperial and metric calibres (ie 308/7.62) as some police forces will only accept what's stamped on the barrel/receiver.

Why buy from Midway when TET do T3 bottom metal - see here, which is much cheaper and British. TET also do T3 Picatinny rails and their mods/brakes are awesome.

Rumour has it that AI are planning an AICS for the T3, but I wouldn't hold your breath. There's always Roedale ... ... ... but I wouldn't

I've got the MDT Tac21 on order for my T3 Super Varmint, with MDT's own skeleton stock and various whistles and bells from here, there and everywhere.

There are replacement bolt handles & shrouds, plus replacement triggers from Jard, Timney and Bix'n Andy.

Thank you for that link! I was giving midway as an example but wow that one is much cheaper! My next steps are to get a nicer scope and stock for my T3, I've already got a 20 moa rail which is roughly the same price as that website.

[HALODIN]

From my experience, I would say `new` rifles don't hold their value irrespective of the number of rounds put through them. Whilst this is only a generalisation, I would expect the second hand price of a rifle to be in the 2/3rds bracket. However the next person in the chain probably won't lose very much/any money. You will certainly see better value for money if you can buy second hand.

Yes I think so too, once you take a rem700 and make it the rifle you want, it's probably the cost of an AI AT. I'm getting to the point when I'm going to order my AT in .260, can't wait. Personally I wouldn't buy the AI AX, it's a lot of extra cash for a slightly different chassis, accuracy is identical.

I have budgeted a maximum of £5k to start with which isn't a waste as rifles seem to hold money well????

The thing is by the time you trick up a Remington or Tikka you are bordering on the cost of an AI I think.

Is that correct?

[DW58]

It's all very well spending £5k on an AI AX, but are you going to notice the difference? To get the very best out of it you need to invest another £2.5-3k+ on optics, then there's the mount and other add-ons, no to mention the hand-loading gear and consumables needed to get the best out of it.

There's no doubting the quality/accuracy of the AX, but for a first rifle I think it's way OTT unless you're made of money and even then it's going to taker you a lot of time and effort to get the best out of it.

Do you really think that you need such a high-cost rifle?

[Grahamcs]

Is the action the same?

[DW58]

Thanks for that tip.

I have budgeted a maximum of £5k to start with which isn't a waste as rifles seem to hold money well????

The thing is by the time you trick up a Remington or Tikka you are bordering on the cost of an AI I think.

Is that correct?

You could easily trick up a Remington or Tikka to the price of an AI AT, but you'd have to go some to reach the cost of an AX. I'm in the final stages of a Tikka T3 project and with optics, chassis etc. it's nowhere near the price of a bare AX - I did consider AI in my deliberations.

Remember, AI have a reputation for building very good long range rifles for military/LE use - they are soldier proof, but for range use you don't necessarily need such a weapon to win competitions or we'd all have them.

[HALODIN]

Yes I believe so.

Is the action the same?

[Grahamcs]

Need? No

Made of money? No

Walt? Yes !

I am struggling to see that the ax at difference is just in the chassis when the difference in chassis cost between the aics at and aics ax is a few hundred quid I believe

Perhaps it's the mc bit that costs the money and ability to swap calibres

[Grahamcs]

Which would still make the action the same of course

[WelshShooter]

Thanks for that tip.

I have budgeted a maximum of £5k to start with which isn't a waste as rifles seem to hold money well????

The thing is by the time you trick up a Remington or Tikka you are bordering on the cost of an AI I think.

Is that correct?

You could easily trick up a Remington or Tikka to the price of an AI AT, but you'd have to go some to reach the cost of an AX. I'm in the final stages of a Tikka T3 project and with optics, chassis etc. it's nowhere near the price of a bare AX - I did consider AI in my deliberations.

Remember, AI have a reputation for building very good long range rifles for military/LE use - they are soldier proof, but for range use you don't necessarily need such a weapon to win competitions or we'd all have them.

Do you have a separate thread on this? Would like to read if you do. Also, do you go to Sennybridge F range shoots? Would love to take a look if you're ever there.

[DW58]

I haven't written up my build as yet as I'm still waiting for parts - Tikka and MDT are keeping me waiting - but I'll be sure to do a full write-up when it all comes together, hopefully fairly soon.

Here's the basic plan (a photoshop cobble together not necessarily of the exact parts, e.g. this is the Remington Tac21 chassis rather than Tikka).



I may add the forthcoming AccuShot Atlas 5-H bipod when it's released - the entire chassis/stock will be Cerakoted Flat Dark Earth, I haven't finally decided what do do with the stainless Tikka T3 barrelled action, whether to Cerakote it or leave as is. The only major components missing above are the TET Spartan III suppressor and AccuShot monopod.

I'm based up north near Inverness, so Sennybridge is highly unlikely, sorry.