A dream of mine is to have a rifle that can be utilized as a long-range goal rifle many of the yr and, with minor modifications, be prepared for searching season. Goal rifles and searching rifles are historically extremely totally different, one thing most shooters are conscious of, however new shooters could not notice. A number of firms have launched hybrid rifles that declare to fill each roles, however not one I’ve skilled works really properly at each duties, there are at all times compromises. Aero Precision launched a Hunter model of their Solus rifle this yr, and I immediately wished to know if that is lastly the rifle that could possibly be the multipurpose bolt motion I’ve been in search of. I spent the final 5 months with the Aero Precision Solus Hunter and found fairly a bit, preserve studying to see what I discovered.
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Aero Precision Solus Hunter
The Solus Hunter is on the market in both .308 Winchester, 6.5 PRC, and the caliber I selected – 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor mannequin is provided with a 24” Sendero Fluted barrel. All of them are in AG Composites carbon inventory, TriggerTech Subject Single Stage adjustable set off, DBM Backside Steel, and naturally Aero Precision’s Solus Motion.
Aero Precision Solus Hunter – Preliminary Impressions
Whenever you buy a rifle, the primary impression a buyer goes to have is the packaging. That is the place many firms actually drop the ball. It isn’t an awesome expertise to obtain an costly rifle and also you get a brown cardboard field, some foam, and a black and white handbook made on a laser printer from 1995.
Aero Precision didn’t make that mistake. The packing on this rifle is properly past what I’m used to for many rifles. All the pieces from the standard of the print on the field, the graphics, the packing materials, full colour handbook that’s properly written. All of this instantly gives the look that you’ve got bought a premium product.
My first impression when holding the rifle was, “Effectively, it’s not gentle”. Largely as a result of 24” barrel. The fluting definitely helps, however the total profile is extra what you’d count on from a goal or precision rifle, as an alternative of the everyday ultra-light searching barrels discovered on conventional searching rifles. The Solus Hunter out of the field is listed at 8.92 lbs.
Even model new and unfired, the motion is simply splendidly clean. The AG Composites carbon inventory is gorgeous in each the general match and end, each being barely totally different from the subsequent as a result of hand portray of the camo, mine being Kodiak Rogue. The included journal is a 5 spherical Magpul, no points there. I’ve had loads of good experiences with these.
Aero Precision Solus Hunter – As a Goal Rifle
Being July at this level, there’s nonetheless loads of time earlier than Whitetail searching season begins, so I began getting the Solus Hunter prepared to be used as a goal rifle. I added a Deadair Keymo muzzle break to make use of with my Sandman S, Harris Bipod, and a Nightforce SHV 4.5-14×56 optic.
Preliminary break-in for the barrel being 40–60 rounds, I headed out, obtained a fast zero, and rapidly found how nice of an expertise this Solus Hunter is on the vary. 6.5 Creedmoor is a naturally gentle recoil caliber, however with ultralight searching rifles, even the sunshine recoil from 6.5 Creedmoor can get disagreeable after an extended vary session. The added weight of the Solus Hunter, and all of the equipment, make this rifle a kitten on the vary. Even probably the most recoil delicate shooter may simply use this rifle.
The Solus motion being the center of this rifle is unimaginable. Easy, constant, and dependable.
Accuracy is the place this rifle really shines. It’s almost probably the most correct rifle in my assortment. Even in the course of the break in interval, this Solus Hunter was grouping numerous ammo properly underneath 1” at 100 yards. I discovered only a few loadings that have been over 1” and quite a lot of have been persistently at or under the magical half MOA threshold. The Solus Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor appears to essentially like projectiles within the 140-147gr vary. I had my finest outcomes with Hornady 143gr ELD-M, 143gr Norma Golden Goal Match, and AAC 140gr Seirra Match, all of which gave me repeatable .41-.58 MOA 5 shot teams. For a wonderful breakdown on what the Solus 6.5 Creedmoor is able to for accuracy, take a look at Austin Rex’s detailed article on TheFirearmBlog.
The heavier barrel on the Solus Hunter definitely offers it a severe benefit in 5 shot grouping in comparison with ultralight weight searching rifles, because the barrel can take care of the warmth higher. Most high quality bolt motion rifles can group three rounds properly, however will start to open when the barrel will get scorching.
I comfortably took this rifle out previous 600 yards on a number of events with this setup and with my Nightforce NXS 5.5-22×56, 650 yards being almost the longest distance I can discover in my space of the Southeast. The Solus Hunter made these vary journeys a stroll within the park. With good information, first spherical hits have been assured.
I did uncover a couple of issues I didn’t like with the Solus Hunter, the underside metallic on my instance could have a slight concern the place the tolerances with the journal launch is simply barely unfastened, inflicting a really uncommon seize whereas pushing on one facet of the discharge to alter magazines. This solely occurred to me twice and is sort of not possible to duplicate. Not a giant concern. I’ll say the journal launch on the inexpensive AG Composite Bravo inventory outfitted Solus Bravo was extra snug and didn’t have this concern. Additionally, whoever Aero has that torques the thread protector on, relax buddy. The thread protector was secured so tight I used to be nervous about stripping it.
Being a searching targeted rifle, being outfitted with twin sling swivel studs on the entrance is sensible, supplying you with the flexibility to connect a bipod and sling. That mentioned, I personally don’t look after Harris fashion bipods or any sling stud mounted bipod that I’ve used in comparison with choices that mount to picatinny, MLOK, or Arca. I do know that is extra of a private choice and adapters do exist, however I did wish to point out that. I’ll cowl sling utilization later within the searching phase.
As a goal rifle, the Solus Hunter is extremely succesful and can give any rifle a run for his or her cash. Between the excessive accuracy of the general rifle, snug adjustable inventory, glorious set off, and clean exact motion, when you selected to run this rifle for Precision capturing, bench relaxation, or simply as a goal rifle, you’ll not be disillusioned.
Aero Precision Solus – Hunter
With searching season rapidly approaching by this time, I performed with a couple of totally different configurations, together with thermal for wild boar hunting. As a searching rifle, the Solus Hunter is at residence in a stationary place. This rifle shouldn’t be balanced significantly properly. This isn’t the rifle I’d suggest for climbing miles into the woods and taking unsupported photographs with. Whereas climbing with the Solus Hunter slung over the shoulder, particularly with a suppressor connected, the rifle is entrance heavy, making it wish to roll backwards or off your shoulder all collectively. With a top quality sling, some changes, it may be accomplished however after some time, you could miss having a lighter extra balanced rifle. In case you do plan on packing this rifle, accomplish that with it connected to a searching backpack and save your self the difficulty.
That is the place I found the true pleasure of this rifle. Making it to a capturing home or stand, this rifle has no equal in relation to correct photographs to ethically kill a recreation animal or pest. That’s one compromise that I’m not keen to make, utterly buying and selling accuracy for weight financial savings to the purpose the place an moral kill is probably not attainable. I used to be once more wishing for Arca mount to be used with tripods.
As of this writing, I’ve used the Solus Hunter on a bit of land that has turn into overpopulated by Whitetail Doe, making a severe concern for the native inhabitants. When an space has too many does, the bucks won’t journey. This results in genetic points, herd stress, and isn’t wholesome for the herd. Many Hunters will solely go into the woods in search of a giant buck for trophy causes, making the issue worse. I’m glad that I’ve as able to a rifle to do a small half to verify this downside doesn’t turn into worse whereas, on the identical time, feeding my household. In case your space has these points, be a great conservationist and fill these doe tags. A wholesome wildlife inhabitants that’s correctly managed is paramount to make sure that future generations have the flexibility to benefit from the outside as we do, possibly even higher.
Aero Precision Solus Hunter – Remaining Ideas
That is Aero Precision’s first bolt motion searching rifle, and it’s a robust displaying of what this firm can produce. I want to see Aero launch a light-weight model, presumably outfitted with the inexpensive Bravo inventory, giving hunters extra choices. A special backside metallic wouldn’t damage. In its present state, the Solus Hunter has an MSRP of $2,499.00, however can typically be discovered on sale both on the location or at their distributors, and even with its few drawbacks, that is an excellent rifle that’s able to higher accuracy than most shooters, me included. It’s snug, correct, and dependable. I’d extremely suggest you verify one out for your self. I definitely won’t be searching with out it anytime quickly.
Go to the product web page HERE for extra info. To see a listing of distributors, click on HERE.
A particular thanks to Kirk and the remainder of the group at Aero Precision for sending this rifle out for a long-term assessment. Permitting sufficient time to actually get to know this rifle in and out, firing lots of of rounds has been improbable. As with all our evaluations, no cash exchanged fingers, and all ammo was supplied on my own and AllOutdoor’s Editor. I’ve posted updates on this rifle and can proceed to take action over on my Instagram page, be at liberty to comply with to see extra.
