This Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Super Magnum (AI AWSM), chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum is configured with; a fixed sock, adjustable cheekpiece, AccuShot BT08 monopod, Picatinny rail, Sniper Tools Angle Degree Indicator on a Badger Ordnance Gen I mount, US Optics swivel bubble level, iron sights, AI bipod, mirage band, muzzle brake, suppressor, spare magazines, hand stop and a rifle sling - transported in a sturdy aluminium case.  The rifle scope is mounted on an AI one-piece sloped mount for a 34mm tube.  Unloaded, it's about 10kg to carry!

AI AWM .338 LM RIFLE

AWM Rifle  
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare (AW) rifle system is available in; .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester (20”, 24” and 26” barrels), .308 Suppressed, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum.  Accuracy International AW rifles are easily identifiable by their angular polymer stock sides that have a thumbhole and five sling attachment points.  Another identifier is a three-position safety mechanism, where the first position (blocking the firing pin and locking the bolt in the closed position) has a pin protruding from the rear of the bolt.  This enables a shooter to feel the safety state, such as in darkness.  Not visible is a full length aluminum chassis that supports the rifle. 
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum in .338 Lapua Magnum is also commonly known as AW Super Magnum.  This has a match grade free floating and fluted barrel with a length of 27”, a twist of one in ten and six grooves.  The bolt is 20mm diameter cast steel with a short throw (60°) handle.  It has a two stage trigger adjustable for pull weights of 1.5-2.0kgs).  It comes standard with a fixed stock (green); bolt on butt pad with 10mm and 20mm spacers, standard cheek piece, muzzle brake and single magazine.  The magazine has a capacity of five rounds, held in a single row.  Without accessories, the rifle weighs 6.9kg (15.1 lbs) and has an overall length of 1230mm.  It has an effective range of 1500m (1600yds).  Optionally, a folding chassis, butt spike, adjustable cheek rest, and additional butt pad spacers are available.

AI Accessories   
Due to the lead times it was more expedient to purchase all the accessories up-front rather than as needed later.  The following Accuracy International accessories were purchased for the AWM; illustrated part catalogue (CD); maintenance manual (CD); standard cheek piece with quick adjust screws; M1913 Picatinny rail; sight mount for 34mm tube; standard muzzle brake; threaded muzzle brake, and muzzle brake thread protector; hand stop (including sling loop); iron sights (for and rear) for Picatinny rail; practical suppressor; mirage band; standard sling (green); AI bipod; maintenance / cleaning kit (including cleaning rod), additional magazines and an aluminum transit case.

Aftermarket Accessories  
While compatibility of equipment can be a real issue, one accessory specifically for Accuracy International rifles is the Accu-Shot BT08-ASAI monopod.  This can be upgraded with the QK01 Quick Knob which provides rapid target acquisition.  It doesn’t require any gunsmithing to install, and eliminates the need to carry a sand sock or dog bone.

Clinometers  
Practical rifle shooting includes shooting up and down hill, which means range must be adjusted for the angle being shot.  Gravity only affects a bullet for what would be the horizontal range to target and shooting for the line of sight range will cause the shot to go high i.e. range overestimated (although there is no difference for the same angle being shot either up or down).  The factor of adjustment is the line of sight range multiplied by the cosine of the angle.

There are two options for a clinometer – either an Angle Degree Indicator (ADI) or Angle Cosine Indicator (ACI).  The ACI, which is common in military use, shows the multiplication value to be applied to the line of sight range e.g. a 10 degree angle has a cosine of about .98. 

For example; (a) a target with a line of sight range of 1200m at an angle of 10° has a ballistic range of 1166m (1200 * .98); (b) a target with a line of sight range of 1200m at an angle of 30° has a ballistic range of 1124m (1200 * .94).
However, the above examples where the line of sight range is simply multiplied by the angle cosine is the least accurate. 
A more accurate method is to multiply the ACI number to the Mil hold on a ballistic data card.  The most accurate method is the entry of the ACI / ADI value into a ballistic calculator. 

The ACI / ADI needs to be mounted to the rifle and this can be attached either to the scope using a Weaver Base scope ring, or to a Picatinny rail using an ACI Mount.  In this case the usual choice is an ADI because the Mildot Master also adjusts in angle degrees, and the A-Trag MX ballistic calculator takes entries in degrees. 
Badger Ordnance produce both a Gen I and Gen II ACI Mount for a Picatinny rail.  The Gen II Mount is preferable because it keeps the ADI well below the scope turrets.  The ACI / ADI is usually sold with a Picatinny mount. 

Nightforce also have a comparable ACI and mount.  Another alternative is the Horus Vision ASLI (Angle Slope Level Indicator) which shows both angle degrees and angle cosine.  The ASLI is available with either a 30mm, 1 inch, or 34mm scope mounting ring. 

Anti-cant Device  
Holding the rifle at a cant (not vertically) when shooting long distance introduces another factor tending to a missed shot.  The simple and inexpensive solution is to use an anti-cant device which will indicate when the rifle is not being held perpendicularly.  Bubble type external cant indicators can be fixed or folding and can be either attached to the rifle scope or a Picatinny rail.  This system has a folding external cant indicator that attaches to a Picatinny rail, from US Optics.

Coatings  
There is a recent and growing trend among rifle owners to have their rifle ‘painted’.  This ensures a rifle is easily identifiable from a group of otherwise identical rifles.  Almost any colour or colours and pattern are now possible.  Benchrest shooters in the USA seem to enjoy particularly bright and glossy designs.

This option was first presented by US Optics as an option for the finish and colour of the rifle scope.  The choices for finishes from US Optics are hard anodized, Robar, or CeraKote.  Sporting Services can also arrange for AI stock sides to be done in CeraKote. The scope, scope mount and rifle stocks have all been finished in CeraKote General All purpose (GAP) digital camouflage.  GAP has a primary colour of olive drab green; a secondary colour of black and an accent of coyote brown.

The DIY alternative to CeraKote is a CamoPak from DuraCoat.  DuraCoat does not require an oven for the curing process and can be purchased in complete packs containing paints, air guns, and templates.