As some of you may know I purchased one of the first Accuracy International AWPs (the black one) that were commercially available in this country. Yesterday I got a chance to play with a new AWM (the green one) in .338 Lapua. I’m not going to get into a “which round is better” discussion but want to address only the rifles.
My AWP is topped off with a Leupold Mark 4 M-1 10x Scope with MilDot Reticle and utilizes a Parker-Hale Bipod.
The AWM was topped off with a Nightforce NSX 8x32 with MilDot and also utilized a Parker-Hale Bipod.
On the rifles themselves. The AWM features an adjustable cheek rest that was unavailable when I bought my AWP. I’m GOING to look into retro fitting one to the AWP. My only problem with the cheek piece is that it has to be removed so the bolt can be taken out of the receiver… a PITA.
The bolt handle on the AWM is of a thinner diameter steel then the one on my AWP. I’m not sure if this was always so (btwn the AWPs & AWMs) or if AI has thinned it over the years to save weight/cost. But it seems it should be the other way around (thicker bolt handle on the AWM). ????
As I’ve gotten use to my AWPs Trigger it was no problem adjusting to the AWMs trigger as they were, as far as I could tell, exactly the same… 2 stage with an extremely crisp break.
Recoil btwn the two, while noticeably different, was not in anyway excessive. Due to the weight v caliber, and the addition of the break on the AWM.
It seams that Parker-Hale has updated their Bipods since I’ve gotten mine so that the new one’s telescoping legs are now spring loaded. Press the release and the leg extends automatically. Personally I do not like this… the legs, in and of themselves, are of enough mass/weight that with mine they extend without any (spring) assistance. And they do it fairly quietly. Where in the newer one when you press the button the leg “shoots” out and fully extends with a “clunk”.
This was the first time I’ve utilized a Nightforce Scope. They are nice!!! Everything one could want in this type of scope; Target Knobs, Side Focus Parallax, Extreme Durability, etc. While we didn’t get a chance to “square” test the adjustments everything I’ve heard about these scopes has been positive. I don’t think a .308 needs a variable scope for the range it will be shot at with a .338 I can see where it would be an asset. If I was going to equip a mid-range/long range rifle (i.e. .338/.50) with a scope it would defiantly be a Nightforce.
We only got to play with the two rifles @ 100 yards but even so one thing can be determined. Wheather an “old” AWP or a recent production AWM Accuracy International rifle’s are, without a doubt, precision instruments. If the shooter has the skill and does his part the shot will go where it is suppose to. It is up to the shooter to bring his skill level up to what the rifle is capable of.
If you are in the market for a "precision" rifle and have the funds you will NOT be disappointed with an Accuracy International!
On a final note… the rifle case’s themselves. All that was available when I got mine was a steal case so I picked on up and it has worked great. Now there is available a hard plastic case with form fitted foam that is o-ring sealed for water. A much better case and I’ll be looking to the cost of this. (and I though I was done getting things for my AWP
)
When I bought my AWP I justified the cost as a one-time purchase of a precision rifle that will outlast me and be handed down. Yesterday caused me to rethink that. An AWM in .338 would allow for extended range precision shooting. Now, I need to get to the store so I can pick up a couple Lotto tickets……
My AWP is topped off with a Leupold Mark 4 M-1 10x Scope with MilDot Reticle and utilizes a Parker-Hale Bipod.
The AWM was topped off with a Nightforce NSX 8x32 with MilDot and also utilized a Parker-Hale Bipod.
On the rifles themselves. The AWM features an adjustable cheek rest that was unavailable when I bought my AWP. I’m GOING to look into retro fitting one to the AWP. My only problem with the cheek piece is that it has to be removed so the bolt can be taken out of the receiver… a PITA.
The bolt handle on the AWM is of a thinner diameter steel then the one on my AWP. I’m not sure if this was always so (btwn the AWPs & AWMs) or if AI has thinned it over the years to save weight/cost. But it seems it should be the other way around (thicker bolt handle on the AWM). ????
As I’ve gotten use to my AWPs Trigger it was no problem adjusting to the AWMs trigger as they were, as far as I could tell, exactly the same… 2 stage with an extremely crisp break.
Recoil btwn the two, while noticeably different, was not in anyway excessive. Due to the weight v caliber, and the addition of the break on the AWM.
It seams that Parker-Hale has updated their Bipods since I’ve gotten mine so that the new one’s telescoping legs are now spring loaded. Press the release and the leg extends automatically. Personally I do not like this… the legs, in and of themselves, are of enough mass/weight that with mine they extend without any (spring) assistance. And they do it fairly quietly. Where in the newer one when you press the button the leg “shoots” out and fully extends with a “clunk”.
This was the first time I’ve utilized a Nightforce Scope. They are nice!!! Everything one could want in this type of scope; Target Knobs, Side Focus Parallax, Extreme Durability, etc. While we didn’t get a chance to “square” test the adjustments everything I’ve heard about these scopes has been positive. I don’t think a .308 needs a variable scope for the range it will be shot at with a .338 I can see where it would be an asset. If I was going to equip a mid-range/long range rifle (i.e. .338/.50) with a scope it would defiantly be a Nightforce.
We only got to play with the two rifles @ 100 yards but even so one thing can be determined. Wheather an “old” AWP or a recent production AWM Accuracy International rifle’s are, without a doubt, precision instruments. If the shooter has the skill and does his part the shot will go where it is suppose to. It is up to the shooter to bring his skill level up to what the rifle is capable of.
If you are in the market for a "precision" rifle and have the funds you will NOT be disappointed with an Accuracy International!
On a final note… the rifle case’s themselves. All that was available when I got mine was a steal case so I picked on up and it has worked great. Now there is available a hard plastic case with form fitted foam that is o-ring sealed for water. A much better case and I’ll be looking to the cost of this. (and I though I was done getting things for my AWP
)When I bought my AWP I justified the cost as a one-time purchase of a precision rifle that will outlast me and be handed down. Yesterday caused me to rethink that. An AWM in .338 would allow for extended range precision shooting. Now, I need to get to the store so I can pick up a couple Lotto tickets……