Hunting And Outdoor SportsGear And Accessories
Field Tested: Aero Precision SOLUS Lightweight Hunter Rifle
Field Tested: Aero Precision SOLUS Lightweight Hunter Rifle
📅
✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Lakewood, Washington, United States
Aero Precision opened its doors in 1994 in Tacoma, Wash., specializing in manufacturing aerospace parts. The rise of the AR market led them to shift into gun manufacturing, becoming an OEM for many companies in the industry that put their logos on Aero Precision uppers and lowers. The company has steadily grown, with operations in three states, and in early 2021, they moved into a 250,000-plus square foot facility in Lakewood, Wash., employing hundreds of staff. Aero Precision is well-known for producing quality AR parts, components, and rifles, but one of their best-kept secrets in precision bolt-action rifles is the newly introduced SOLUS Lightweight Hunter. My first encounter with Aero Precision's bolt actions occurred during an October 2023 writers' event, signaling their confidence that this model could compete in a marketplace dominated by Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs). The SOLUS Lightweight Hunter is an improvement on the previous Hunter Sendero Light model. The rifle's short action is machined from a 416 stainless steel billet at Aero Precision's facility. Featuring an integral recoil lug, the rifle is designed with milled 20-MOA biased Picatinny rail sections around the receiver's ejection port for mounting optics, which helps reduce weight. The entire action weighs just over 30 ounces, making it compatible with AICS detachable magazines while implementing a design that follows the Remington 700 footprint. With a 60-degree bolt throw, the receiver, bottom metal, and barrel shank are PVD-finished, while the bolt is coated for durability and self-lubricating properties, making it smooth during operation. In terms of trigger performance, the SOLUS comes equipped with a TriggerTech single-stage trigger that features the brands patented Frictionless Release Technology, providing an impressive 1.9-millisecond ignition that enhances accuracy. Coupled with a low-profile, non-snag, frictionless safety on the right side of the receiver, the rifle emphasizes user-friendly characteristics. The SOLUS action is encased in a camouflaged Greyboe Phoenix 2 stock, adjustable for both cheek riser height and length of pull. A one-piece M-Lok rail with two QD sling attachment points is embedded in the forend, along with additional flush cups on both sides of the rifle. The barrel is a 24-inch, carbon-wrapped Proof Research option that maintains full accuracy potential while keeping the design lightweight, weighing in at just 8.2 poundsa significant reduction compared to its predecessor. The 6.5 PRC cartridge, developed by Hornady in 2018, serves as a perfect pairing for the SOLUS. The design emphasizes accuracy with a compact/wide powder column, outperforming other popular calibers such as the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win in terms of terminal and flight ballistics. With its notable capabilities to shoot the same bullet 300-plus fps faster than the 6.5 Creedmoor, the 6.5 PRC ensures a flatter trajectory and greater retained energy. The SOLUS has been paired with a Leupold VX-5D 3-15x44mm optic. Thanks to its versatile zoom system and illuminated reticle, it provides hunting enthusiasts with a reliable sighting solution. Additionally, the inclusion of the Aero Precision Lahar-30 suppressor ensures an efficient and controlled shooting experience without minimum barrel length restrictions. During testing, the SOLUS established itself on the range, with groups frequently resembling cloverleaf patterns at 100 yards. Noteworthy performance was observed using Hornady's 130-grain CX, Federal's 130-grain Terminal Ascent, and Berger's 140-grain Elite Hunter loads that consistently produced sub-MOA guarantees. Field testing proved equally promising as the SOLUS handled different shooting positions effectively across varied terrain. Shooters could easily engage targets up to 550 yards and navigate the dynamic Jungle Walk Range with the rifle hanging comfortably from various positions. This adaptability makes the SOLUS a formidable option for any hunting scenario. In conclusion, the Aero Precision SOLUS Lightweight Hunter, chambered in 6.5 PRC, offers a versatile solution for modern hunters. Its combination of lightweight construction and precision design equips it for everything from long-range shots to challenging terrain navigation.