By Joe Ferronato
My first foray into the world of Precision Rifle Shooting (PRS) happened just a couple of years ago. It always seemed intriguing, but just out of reach as the barrier to entry was immense. Friends who competed talked ad nauseam of the money spent on custom rifles, reloading supplies, precision-tuning equipment, and range gear. To me it just wasn’t worth it—I have enough expensive hobbies.
After being invited by one of those friends to shoot a match, I realized what a great tool PRS shooting is for a hunter, and it was just damn good fun. I borrowed a rifle, paid for some expensive reloads and took to the range. I didn’t take home a trophy, but I wasn’t embarrassed either. What I learned in that match has made me a better shot when in the field on a hunt—a passion for which I will spend my hard-earned money to buy the latest-and-greatest gadgets.
Though I now practice what I’ve learned, nothing really compares to the stress of being at a station with multiple positions to be built and targets to be shot, all while being under the scrutiny of a timer. Now, Aero Precision has built a rifle to lower that barrier to entry, adapt to any shooter’s preferences, and perform on the range. Enter the Solus Competition Rifle.
The company built the Solus Action from a 700 footprint and gave it some added flare. The action features a 60-degree bolt throw, an integrated 20-MOA Pic rail for optics, a three-lug interchangeable bolt head, toolless assembly, and is compatible with detachable AICS-style magazines. The 700 footprint allows the user to customize their rifle system as the action accepts industry-standard components. In the Competition Rifle, the action is fitted with an adjustable TriggerTech single-stage trigger.
The actions are also run through a strict QC process. Each and every action is run through a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). If it doesn’t live up to Aero’s tolerance standards, it doesn’t ship out.
The Solus Action on the Competition Rifle is fitted with a 26-inch Sendero profile barrel chambered in 6mm Creedmoor. The barrels are made in the same factory and honed and lapped to ensure accuracy. The Sendero profile is heavier, but for a competition-style gun, it is a great fit. It is finished with Cerakote, and the muzzle is threaded 5/8×24 for easy attachment of a muzzle device (if you’re civilized, that device is a suppressor).
The barreled action is dropped into the 17-inch Competition Chassis. The chassis has a full-length ARCA rail with M-LOK attachment points along the forend making it easy to place the rifle on a variety of shooting aids including bipods and tripods. There are various QD attachment points, an adjustable thumb rest, a comfortable AR-15-style pistol grip, and a bag rider. The stock can be completely adjusted for length of pull and comb height to fit the shooter.
All the aforementioned components can be purchased a la carte, assembled to each other, or mixed and matched with other brands if you desire to build a truly custom rifle of your own. Or you can do as I did and get the complete package right from Aero and hit the range.
Out of the box, the competition rifle looks great and would easily fit in amongst the ranks at any PRS match aesthetically. But how about with performance? In short, yes. Shooting the 108-Grain Hornady ELD Match rounds, the rifle printed groups well under the company’s sub-MOA guarantee. And to top that off, the action runs flawlessly—an important factor when it comes to running a timed station.
Even shooting standing from a tripod with no rear rest, three shot groups never exceeded that guarantee. Though heavy, the rifle balances well and the ARCA rail makes it easy to find the most stable attachment point. I shot the rifle standing, kneeling, sitting, and from the prone. The rifle delivered superb performance in each.
After some quick ballistic calculations, I stretched the legs a bit. Picking a rock at 854 yards, where standing was the only suitable position, consistent impacts were nearly a guarantee with a good trigger pull. With the right shooter behind this rifle—too bad this one’s stuck with me—it can be a true competitor at any PRS match.
Cost: $2,210
Pros: Accurate; adjustable; smooth action; full-length ARCA rail; M-LOK attachments for added accessories.
Cons: The magazine release, though ambidextrous and mounted to the trigger guard in a fairly standard position, takes some getting used to.
