New rifle - AI AXMC in 6.5x47mm Lapua

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MCMXI

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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. :D

Rifle as received
axmc_01.jpg

Scope mounted .... bipod, sling and suppressor attached
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Shooter's left
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QuickLOAD powders/loads generating 63,000 psi using the components listed below
ql_powders.jpg

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)
h4350_41.2gr_41.5gr_130gr_vld.jpg
 
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Nature Boy said:
It must feel pretty good to pull a rifle out of the box with a load that you developed for another gun and lay a 5 shot group down in the 2’s

Actually this was a different load. I use 38.5gr of Varget for my gf's load but the same bullet. This was a new load using H4350 ... still feel good about it but will most likely try to find a great load using Varget due to temperature stability. I have a LabRadar so will use it soon to find the velocity sweet spot and then play with COAL.

ES for the 41.2gr load was 20 fps, and 14 fps for the 41.5gr load.

C-grunt said:
Is that a long action AX or short?

It's short action only. I already have an AWM in .338 LM and didn't want the longer action to shoot short action stuff. I originally bought the AWM as a switch barrel kit with two barrels and two bolts but then bought another AWM in .300 WM so have a spare bolt and spare .300 WM barrel ... if that makes sense.

BTW ... I really like the RAZOR feature of being able to zero the reticle and not get stuck between clicks. I haven't seen that on any other scopes.
 
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I came really really closer to buying a Razor Gen2 when I got my AT. I love that scope. Only reason I didn't was I got a really good deal on a NF 7-35.
 
C-grunt said:
I came really really closer to buying a Razor Gen2 when I got my AT. I love that scope. Only reason I didn't was I got a really good deal on a NF 7-35.

I "needed" two scopes so decided on the RAZOR and an ATACR. Thanks to this forum, and @taliv in particular, I was able to return the ATACR today and exchange it (shipping in July) for the same 7-35x56mm model but with the MIL-XT reticle rather than the MIL-C that I received. I don't know if the RAZOR will stay on the AX of if it will migrate to another AI once the ATACR arrives in July.

Those ATs are very nice rifles too. I had thought about buying one of those a couple of years ago.
 
Here are some photos to illustrate the difference between the newer AX bolt and the older AW bolt. The AX short action bolt has six lugs rather than three. In addition, the firing pin hole is smaller i.e. approx. .070" compared to .083" for the AW.

I haven't taken any measurements but the AX receiver looks like the older AWM receiver in height, and the bolt release is the same and different to the AW. Lots to learn.

From left to right: AXMC (6.5x47), AW (.308 Win/6.5 CM), AWM (.300 WM), AWM (.338 LM)
axmc_05.jpg

From left to right: AXMC (6.5x47), AW (.308 Win/6.5 CM), AWM (.300 WM), AWM (.338 LM)
axmc_04.jpg

AX firing pin hole (left) is smaller than the AW firing pin hole (right), approx. .070" compared to .083"
axmc_06.jpg
 
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Last post tonight and it's to show the cool feature that the Vortex RAZOR HD Gen II turrets have. Maybe this is common knowledge but it's new to me. Let me know if you've seen any other scopes that have this feature. Once you remove the caps on the elevation and windage turrets you have access to a brass screw. To properly zero the scope, you leave the windage and elevation turrets set to zero, simply loosen the three set screws on the turret and turn the screw to move the reticle to the desired position. With the screws backed off, you aren't turning the turrets, you're only moving the reticle. When you're done, you simply retighten the set screws. The nice part is that the machine screw has "infinite" resolution so you don't need to live with a zero that's some value above or below, left or right of the horizontal and vertical planes that you're trying to get on. With every other scope I've seen, reticle movement occurs in discrete clicks determined by the resolution of those clicks. Another useful application of this is that you can record the zero value on the dial and very quickly return to that value if you move the scope to a different rifle, shoot a different load etc. So I know that 5.3 on the elevation turret is my 100 yard zero for the 130gr Berger bullet I'm shooting. Well done Vortex!

razor_hd_gen2_03.jpg

razor_hd_gen2_04.jpg
 
WelshShooter said:
Very nice, and thanks for sharing! Another 6.5x47 Lapua fan here (booo to Creedmoor haha!). Its difficult to find a bad load for the Lapua and it's a very pleasant cartridge to shoot.

Thanks! What powder/bullet combination are you using?

My next chambering will be the 6.5 Lapua

An AI AXMC perhaps? :)
 
From the looks of it, the new bolts look like a scaled down version of the old AWM bolts and the bolt body has elongated sand/debri cuts.
 
Excellent write-up.

I have an AI AT with Tooley Bartlein barrels in .308 Win and .260 Rem. Both routinely shoot 5-shot groups between 1/4 and 1/2 MOA with my handloads. This group, with one called flyer due to Operator Error, was a sight-in group before I took this rifle to a long-range clinic this past August. This group was shot using .308 Win factory FGMM 175gr. ammo. The 4-shot main group measured 1/4" center-to-center.

I got the AI because I wanted a rifle that I could not blame for anything...and AI delivers. The 6.5 calibers are wonderful...when I shoot this .260 Rem barrel out (I estimate by 2,000-2,500 rounds), I will replace it with a 6.5 Creedmor. I may pick up a 6mm CM for the rifle as well. A nice feature of the AI AT is the ability to change barrels in under a minute using just a 4mm Allen wrench with a preset torque setting of 49 inch-pounds.

I have a Vortex Gen 1 MRAD Razor in 5-20x50 with an EBR-2C reticle in a Spuhr 35mm mount. Great set-up...I've taken the .308 Win barrel out to 1,250 yards...I hope to take the .260 Rem barrel out past 1,500 yards. I have a Vortex Gen 2 MRAD Razor, also with an EBR-2C reticle, on my Bergara B-14 HMR in 6.5 CM. Terrific scope, terrific adjustment system.

Also, a shout-out to Mile High Shooting Accessories for the AI AT rifle and their set-up for it. Randy and Diann and their folks, especially Mike Menchaca, are just terrific. They'll make sure that you have a great experience.
 

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Nature Boy said:
You have an extra room for me when my wife kicks me out of the house?

Most definitely if that's what it will take … and I'll throw in a 1,000 yard range out of your bedroom window. :D

@C-grunt, your AT bolts looks just like the AX bolt, which as we observed is similar to the older AWM bolt but shortened. Those cuts are supposedly to reduce the surface contact area between the bolt and receiver to make it easier to break the bolt free if it's frozen in place under severe ice conditions.

@Flatbush Harry, very nice. I agree 110% about having a rifle that delivers out of the box. It's not hard to make an accurate rifle these days, but it takes a lot more work to make one that shoots just about everything well and seems to work flawlessly 100% of the time, even under the toughest of conditions.

I'm looking forward to working up some loads and this weekend and plan on trying IMR 4895 or Varget. First a velocity/accuracy test with 8 to 10 loads followed by a COAL test.
 
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Thanks! What powder/bullet combination are you using?



An AI AXMC perhaps? :)
123gr Scenar and 37gr of Vihtavuori N150. I had previously used the same bullet and double base powder Reload Swiss RS60 (similar to Reloder 17 and Viht N550) but I was concerned this high energy powder was going to eat away at the throat over time so opted for the less energetic N150.

I get around 2,900fps out of a 28" barrel so velocity is perfect. Accuracy is great at 100m but I still pull the occasional shot! That's the problem with these accurate calibres and rifle, they really show your mistakes! :rofl:

Note: each square is 1cm x 1cm. I use an mrad scope so 1 square = 1 click on the scope at 100m.

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I started load development this morning using Varget and the results are shown below. Bottom right target was cold/clean bore with 38.2gr to check zero since the scope was zeroed shooting H4350 handloads. The new brass was neck-sized and deburred inside and out and I was careful to weigh each charge on the Gem Pro 250. COAL was +/- .0005" using a comparator but I didn't sort cases or bullets by weight or any other measurement. I shot "round-robin" without any called shots and felt ok. ES numbers for the 3-shot groups ranged from 3 fps to 16 fps. The narrow velocity "flat spot" at around 2,788 fps produced the worst 3-shot groups :D. To add insult to injury, the best groups at 38.0gr, 38.2gr and 38.4gr are all above max SAAMI pressure, according to QuickLOAD anyway. Bolt lift was decidedly heavy with the 38.4gr load and the primer cratered a bit too with obvious "smearing" from the ejector. The 130gr VLD was seated about .018" off the lands so the next step will be to play with bullet jump at 37.5gr which QuickLOAD estimates to produce about 62,500 psi.

On second thoughts, I think I'll repeat the test using H4350 which produced higher velocities but at lower pressure.

On third thoughts, does anyone have any input on this? Maybe 38.0gr is as good as it gets with a 21 fps spread between the averages that bracket the load. SAAMI puts pressure at 64,958 psi for that load which is over SAAMI max pressure for the cartridge.

varget_vel_test_130gr_vld.jpg

38.4gr Varget - over pressure
case_head.jpg
 
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I started load development this morning using Varget and the results are shown below. Bottom right target was cold/clean bore with 38.2gr to check zero since the scope was zeroed shooting H4350 handloads. The new brass was neck-sized and deburred inside and out and I was careful to weigh each charge on the Gem Pro 250. COAL was +/- .0005" using a comparator but I didn't sort cases or bullets by weight or any other measurement. I shot "round-robin" without any called shots and felt ok. ES numbers for the 3-shot groups ranged from 3 fps to 16 fps. The narrow velocity "flat spot" at around 2,788 fps produced the worst 3-shot groups :D. To add insult to injury, the best groups at 38.0gr, 38.2gr and 38.4gr are all above max SAAMI pressure, according to QuickLOAD anyway. Bolt lift was decidedly heavy with the 38.4gr load and the primer cratered a bit too with obvious "smearing" from the ejector. The 130gr VLD was seated about .018" off the lands so the next step will be to play with bullet jump at 37.5gr which QuickLOAD estimates to produce about 62,500 psi.

On second thoughts, I think I'll repeat the test using H4350 which produced higher velocities but at lower pressure.

On third thoughts, does anyone have any input on this? Maybe 38.0gr is as good as it gets with a 21 fps spread between the averages that bracket the load. SAAMI puts pressure at 64,958 psi for that load which is over SAAMI max pressure for the cartridge.

View attachment 839871

38.4gr Varget - over pressure
View attachment 839872

It looks to me like your node is between 38.0 - 38.4

Group centers have the least amount of vertical deviation compared to each other. Group size doesn’t matter here. That gets sorted out with seating depth.

What primer are you using?

I like your idea of trying again with H4350 since you saw pressure with the varget at those charge weights
 
@Nature Boy, thanks for the feedback. I'm using CCI 450 primers. Too bad those last three groups are over pressure. A similar test using H4350 should prove interesting. The 41.5gr load shot really well, showed decent velocity and is ok for pressure but I only tested two loads. Hopefully I'll get to shoot tomorrow.
 
@Nature Boy, thanks for the feedback. I'm using CCI 450 primers. Too bad those last three groups are over pressure. A similar test using H4350 should prove interesting. The 41.5gr load shot really well, showed decent velocity and is ok for pressure but I only tested two loads. Hopefully I'll get to shoot tomorrow.

Can’t wait to see it.

As an aside, I had to change lots on bullets and powder on my 6BRA and something has changed so I’m also headed to the range today to run another load development cycle
 
@Nature Boy, I'm looking forward to seeing your results too. One thing I've noticed with this AX is virtually zero fouling from the get go. I use Wipe-Out which typically does a good job of removing copper, but so far I've seen almost nothing but a faint hint of blue at the chamber end .... weird! :confused:. Time to head to the reloading bench.

bench.jpg
 
@Nature Boy, I'm looking forward to seeing your results too. One thing I've noticed with this AX is virtually zero fouling from the get go. I use Wipe-Out which typically does a good job of removing copper, but so far I've seen almost nothing but a faint hint of blue at the chamber end .... weird! :confused:. Time to head to the reloading bench.

View attachment 839936

Quality barrel :thumbup:
 
@Nature Boy, thanks for the feedback. I'm using CCI 450 primers. Too bad those last three groups are over pressure. A similar test using H4350 should prove interesting. The 41.5gr load shot really well, showed decent velocity and is ok for pressure but I only tested two loads. Hopefully I'll get to shoot tomorrow.
I'm assuming that with the rifle being an Accuracy International there is little clearance between the firing pin and firing pin hole? My 6.5x47 Lapua is a Remington 700 and standard CCI 400 primers were "blanking" and exiting into the firing pin hole (happened on starting loads!). The magnum CCI 450 primers fixed that problem. I had the firing pin hole bushed by a gunsmith and now the regular CCI 400's work well even at max loads. Magnum primers are a bit scarce where I am so it's always good to know that I have a decent load using either primer type.

With regards to your target, I'd agree with Nature Boy from a shot placement point of view, but from a velocity point of view the difference in average velocity at 38.0gr plus/minus 0.2gr is 10fps and 11fps respectively. That's a pretty small velocity change with respect to the rest of the target.

It's a shame that you've had these results while seeing swipe marks on the case. Hopefully you get better luck finding something midway with H4350 :thumbup:
 
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