You know Aero Precision for their AR plaform parts, builder sets and other gun gear. You may not know that they got into the bolt action game a couple of years back with their SOLUS short action. Last year, they used the SOLUS as the basis for a new line of complete rifles.
The SOLUS Action is machined form a solid block of 416 stainless with an integrated 20 MOA Picatinny rail. It’s nitride finished and has a 60-degree bolt throw.
The smooth-cycling action has a magnum-sized ejection port and is compatible with about a gajillion parts and accessories made for the Remington 700 action footprint, including barrels, triggers, stocks, and any other rifle part your fevered imagination can dream up.
The bolt has a removable bolt face, allowing for easy caliber conversion.
The bolt has dual ejectors. This 6.5 Creedmoor bolt has a . Hey .478 bolt face, but if you want to shoot something with more heft, you can easily swap it for a .540 bolt face to shoot magnum calibers.
Aero fitted out the SOLUS Hunter with an AG Composites carbon fiber stock with adjustable comb height. The length of pull isn’t adjustable, but the factory 13.675-inch LOP will comfortably fit most shooters. This rifle has the carbon black/tan finish. Two other finish options are available.
The AG Composites stock has aluminum pillars and bedded with an aluminum block in the forend, allowing you to drill and tap it for an ARCA Swiss or other rail.
Aero has equipped the Hunter with an excellent TriggerTech adjustable single-stage trigger. The advantage of the Remington 700 platform is that if you prefer something different, there are scores of other aftermarket options. That said, the TriggerTech breaks exceptionally cleanly (mine is set at 3.0 lbs.).
The SOLUS action accommodates AICS or AIAW magazines. The Hunter comes with a single 5-round Magpul AICS mag.
The SOLUS Hunter is fitted out with a 24-inch fluted Ballistic Advantage Sendero light threaded barrel with a 1:8 twist.
I’ve shot the SOLUS Hunter with a range of ammo and bullet weights from Hornady (Match and Black) and Federal. Bullets testted ranged from 120 grains to 147 grains. I got the best performance — .5-inch groups — from Federal Premium cartridges loaded with 130 grain Berger Gold Medal boat-tails.
Aero’s made some very good choices in building their first SOLUS action-based complete rifles (the Hunter as well as a the Bravo and a chassis-based competition design). They’ve used first-tier components around the SOLUS action, resulting in an excellent, flexible, functional, and very accurate rifle. The SOLUS Hunter is a full-featured, well-made out-of-the-box-ready gun. Just add an optic and you’re very good to go.
Specifications: Aero Precision Solus Hunter Bolt Action Rifle
Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor (.308 and 6.5 PRC also available)
Action: Remington 700 short action footprint
Barrel Length: 24 inches (1:8 twist, 5/8×24 thread)
Overall Length:
Weight: 8.92 lbs.
Stock: AG Composite carbon fiber
Magazine: 1 5-round Magpul AICS
Made In: USA
MSRP: $2,570 (found online between $1600 and $1900)