User:RadiculousJ/sandbox/Accuracy International AX

Accuracy International AX
Type	Bolt-action sniper rifle
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Production history
Manufacturer	Accuracy International
Variants	AX308 AXMC AX50
Specifications (AXMC 27" barrel)
Mass	6.8 kg (15 lb)
Length	1,250 mm (49 in) (stock unfolded) 1,040 mm (41 in) (stock folded)
Barrel length	690 mm (27 in)
Width	100 mm (3.9 in) (stock unfolded) 105 mm (4.1 in) (stock folded)
Height	185 mm (7.3 in)
Cartridge	.308 Winchester .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Lapua Magnum
Action	Bolt action
Muzzle velocity	123 m/s (400 ft/s)
Effective firing range	123 m (135 yd)

The Accuracy International AX is a bolt-action sniper rifle designed and manufactured by Accuracy International.

History

The Accuracy International AX338/AXMC long range rifle series was designed for long, high-powered super magnum cartridges and was unveiled in January 2010 at the SHOT Show tradeshow. It is a major design evolution based on the AWM variant of the AW series and its development was according to Accuracy International partly driven by a Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) U.S. Special Operations Command solicitation. The PSR contract was awarded in 2013 to Remington Arms for their Modular Sniper Rifle.

The AX 338/AXMC rifle is chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum round and features parts that dimensionally or otherwise are not interchangeable with the AW rifle series. The AX338 was designed as a modular multi-calibre rifle, meaning it can be user changed from .338 Lapua Magnum to .300 Winchester Magnum and 7.62×51mm NATO by exchanging bolts, magazines and barrels. For 7.62×51mm NATO, an additional magazine converter must also be fitted within the magazine port to allow the use of an Accuracy International AX308 magazine. A single shroud/firing pin assembly is provided for each multi-calibre weapon system and must therefore be installed into the required bolt assembly as part of the conversion procedure.

Compared to the AWM, the bolt action of the AX338/AXMC is longer and wider and the internal magazine is lengthened, allowing the unimpaired use of .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges loaded to the C.I.P. (Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Firearms Portable) maximum allowed overall length of 93.50 mm (3.681 in).

The AX338/AXMC bolt is 22 mm (0.87 in) in diameter and the bolt, bolt head, locking ring and barrel tenon construction were designed to be significantly stronger and more capable of handling higher chamber pressures and temperatures and thus higher bolt thrust safely compared to the AWM variant. The bolt construction is significantly revised, allowing removal of the bolt head from the bolt body with simple hand tools. Cartridge/calibre changes can be accomplished by the change of a bolt head or complete bolt assembly. The interior of the bolt has a new safety feature added that will prevent the rifle from firing on a partially closed bolt. An improved leaf-spring AW 7.62 style extractor should enhance the cycling reliability of the bolt action. This extractor can be removed and reinstalled with the help of a bullet tip. The top of the receiver features a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for mounting aiming optics. As an option this rail can be provided with a forward canted angle optimized for extreme long range shooting. The diameter of the barrel threading was enlarged and is unique to the AX 338. The rifle is fitted with a 27 in (686 mm) long .338 in (8.6 mm) calibre free floating fluted barrel as standard. The AX338 has a non conventional 238 mm (1:9.375 in) twist rate to adequately stabilize longer, heavier .338 calibre very-low-drag projectile designs that became more common in the 21st century. Other barrel lengths, calibres and twist rates are available as options. The two-stage trigger has a new trigger shoe that can be moved for and rearwards by 0.5 in (13 mm) and has a 15 to 20 N (3.4 to 4.5 lb_f) adjustable trigger pull. The AX338/AXMC uses new 10-round double stacked .338 Lapua Magnum steel magazines that are inserted into a revised magazine well.

Further, the AX338/AXMC features a revised external chassis stock system with an octagonal shaped fore end which envelops the free floating barrel offering modular attachment points for user (re)movable MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny accessory rails on four sides. Several lengths of octagonal shaped fore end and Picatinny accessory rails are available as options. The rear of the stock can be either a thumbhole or a pistol grip configuration and has a butt spike as standard. The minimal possible length of pull was reduced compared to the AICS stocks to facilitate usage when wearing thick clothing or body armor. The stock has a left-right and height adjustable cheekpiece as standard or can be fitted with an optional quick adjustable cheekpiece. The pistol grip can be fitted with backstraps of differing sizes that combined with the movable trigger shoe enables the trigger to be tailored to the individual shooter.

The AX series rifle is also available in a smaller 7.62×51mm NATO dedicated AX308 version with a smaller short action with a bolt diameter of 20 mm (0.79 in) and in a larger AX50 .50 BMG version with a bigger extra long action with a bolt diameter of 30 mm (1.2 in).

Variants

AX308

Dedicated .308 Winchester

AXMC

.308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum

AX50

.50 BMG