Review by Neil Schutlz 

Long-range target shooting is one of the fastest growing disciplines, especially among new shooters in Australia. Much of the growth in this field can no doubt be attributed to the coverage it receives on social media platforms. Long-range shooting (SSAA Practical Shooting) is becoming available at more Australian venues each year, while F-class has been around for donkey’s ages. 

If one watches YouTube videos (don’t we all), it can appear that the cost of a rifle enabling one to be a successful long-range shooter is staggeringly expensive. American manufacturer, Aero Precision, has the solution in an off-the-shelf rifle specifically designed for the precision shooter. Aero Precision is a new name for Aussie shooters, but it has built a reputation in the USA for top-quality rifle actions and barrels. Its foray into complete rifles began with AR15 platforms, which are immensely popular hunting rifles in more enlightened locales. 

More recently, the company ventured into traditional bolt action hunting rifles built around its Solus actions. Answering requests from customers, it launched a dedicated competition-ready package aimed squarely at long-range shooters. Designated the ‘Solus Competition’, this is a feature-packed unit designed with input from experienced competition shooters. 

At the heart of the rifle is its proprietary receiver and barrel. The receiver is machined from bar stock and includes a 20 MOA optic rail. The bolt is built from 416 stainless steel and nitride coated. The Solus bolt features a three-lug bolt head with dual ejectors and operates with a short, 60-degree throw. The bolt is spiral fluted and fitted with a chunky removable metal handle. The 22-inch (558mm) Sendero profile barrel is honed and lapped to produce excellent accuracy straight from the box. Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, it sports a 1:8 twist and is threaded with a 5/8×24 pitch to allow fitting of most popular muzzle brakes. The barrel and receiver are given a ceracote finish. 

The barrelled action is fitted into an alloy chassis with V-block bedding, a very rigid system indeed. A full-length arca rail is milled into the underside of the forend, which is also equipped with M-lok slots under and on both sides. An adjustable thumb rest on the chassis is a thoughtful addition. Length of pull and cheek rest height are both adjustable to suit most shooters’ needs and large diameter scopes. Pistol grips of any AR style will fit the chassis, although I found the one fitted from factory to be very comfortable. 

The chassis also includes a bag rider beneath the butt and numerous QD sling sockets. Aero Precision has built its rifles to accept the very popular Accuracy International pattern magazines. Completing the package is a fully adjustable single-stage trigger from ‘Trigger Tech’. The bare rifle hits the scales at 5kg and, with the added weight of the 5-25 Leupold scope, was heavy enough to sit solidly on the rest and rear bag.  

At the range 

My first opportunity to put some shots through the Solus Competition came during a visit to my local rifle range where every Saturday is a competition shoot. My intent was to put a few rounds downrange to check the zero, then give the Solus a shakedown session to see how accurate the setup proved to shoot. Being competition day, I found myself signed up for an F-Class match. I thought, ‘Okay, that’s not a bad way to test a new rifle’.   

The test rifle supplied had already been shot by another reviewer, so the break-in was completed. This happily allowed the Solus to show off its best from the first shots I fired. Using Federal factory ammunition, I was able to tally a respectable score in each of the sessions of the F-Class match I was ‘press ganged’ into shooting. 

A later visit to the range, running handloaded rounds using 2209 powder under Rexem 140gr hollowpoint projectiles, my loads produced an average velocity from the 22-inch barrel of 2,650fps, plenty fast enough for shooting out to 1000m. 

For an accuracy test, I shot groups at 100m and found the Solus produced excellent results. Several five-shot groups measured less than ½ MOA. Three-shot groups in a nice clover leaf with all holes touching were easily achieved from the bench. 

Barrels on target rifles tend towards the long side, between 26” and 30”. Aero Precision has departed from convention and fitted the Solus Competition with a short 22” barrel. That stocky barrel proved to be no handicap to accurate shooting. 

The vertical hand grip had a nice palm swell and placed the hand where the thumb fell naturally onto the rest. Running the bolt to load individual cartridges was smooth and, with practice, can be done without removing one’s cheek from the stock. The ergonomics just work. 

The balance point is just in front of the magazine well, perfect for changing positions, as is required in some long-range matches. Adjusting the cheek riser and length of pull is achieved without tools via a cleverly designed system. Adjusting knobs are loosened a little then pushed in to disengage the ratchets; simple and fast. On the subject of the stock, the recoil pad is adjustable for cant, allowing the shooter to pull it into the shoulder pocket in any shooting position. Tilting the top of the recoil pad slightly to the left saw the rifle sitting dead level naturally for me when shooting prone for F-Class. 

As the Solus Competition is designed and marketed as a target rifle, I didn’t take it into the bush for a hunt, but its inherent accuracy would certainly not be a handicap. If you hunt from a buggy or in sit-and-ambush scenarios, this would be a very fitting addition to the gun safe. 

Verdict 

There is plenty to like about the Solus Competition as it comes in the box. The only one negative I found was the follower in the magazine provided with the test rifle was not user friendly for single feeding. This could be easily remedied with one of the scores of AICS pattern magazines readily available. 

If you are looking for an ‘off the shelf’ precision target rifle, this would be an excellent choice. One would not need to upgrade the Solus Competition in any way to be competitive in your chosen shooting discipline.