In a world where marketing groups slap the label “out-of-the-box ready” on items, only to add asterisks in the fine print, the Solus rifle from Aero Precision is a refreshing dose of honesty. Let’s look at what makes this rifle appealing and how it lives up to the marketing hype.
The Solus line is Aero Precision’s offering of a custom-built gun experience in either an “out-of-the-box” or personal build format for shooting enthusiasts, as well as those who compete and hunt.
A Solus rifle can be purchased ready to shoot, or you can build one just how you want. This also means that you don’t have to dive in for a big purchase – maybe it’s the gift you give yourself in stages, buying parts until you have the entire rifle you want.
If you purchase this rifle, you could also get a different bolt head, and a different caliber barrel, because the action accepts Zermatt Origin pre-fit barrels or Savage small shank barrels (Barrel Tenon & Chambering Specs). There are barrels available on Aero’s website, and you can also buy all the accessories: from the bolt heads and night vision bridge to picatinny / ARCA spigots. It would be simple to have a PRS rifle in multiple calibers with one Solus chassis and action.
The reason that the Solus created such a splash in the market for long range rifles is that people who want to buy an “out-of-the-box” option for PRS, can actually take this gun, mount an optic and go compete (or hunt, or plink). There isn’t anything else to buy, except more magazines and probably a bipod or two, and a few bags – but, as far as the gun itself, it’s really well thought through!
Perks
For one thing, a major perk is the gun’s 20 MOA top rail. What does this even mean? Well, for those of us who want to shoot things from far away, we need enough elevation adjustment in our scope. Even pricey glass ends up running out of elevation when you are shooting targets at far distances. The 20 MOA base points your optic downward. And it does this in a measurement of 20 MOA (Minute of Angle). You can read more about it here, at Outdoorsmans’ website, but simply put, it points your optic lower from the start so that you can get the most out of the adjustment available in your dials. Including this was a sophisticated move by Aero; it shows they are looking to solve the problems that long range shooters face and remove the need for their customer to purchase aftermarket add-ons.
The Solus also features an adjustable magazine catch and thumb rest. If you have worked with a PRS rifle and different manufacturer’s magazines, you know that adjustment of the mag catch is a function competitors need.
There are QD attachment points, and the main ones are steel-reinforced. The ARCA and M-Lok compatible forend, with M-Lok slots, a cantable recoil pad, length of pull adjustment and bag rider.
Packaging
I grew up building guns. My first personal rifle was a Brazilian Mauser my dad re-barreled for hunting deer. It cost $80 and the sweat equity made it a family heirloom. Memories aside, a gun that comes with all the bells and whistles and all the information and details packaged up like you just bought the Mercedes of rifles is really a nice touch! The envelope Aero includes with the rifle, complete with an actual paper manual, as well as a QR code to the online manual and videos, details of your rifle, and then extra screws for the chassis all point to extra effort to help an end-user experience all the perks of a custom build without the custom price.
Everything you need to hit the range is on the gun when you pull it out of the box. The biggest struggle a newbie would have is inserting the bolt. You just need to raise the adjustable comb all the way up, and then slide the bolt back end up and under the comb, and front end into the action. What you need to shoot that’s also in the box is the Magpul 10 rounds 7.62 AC – AICS Short Action magazine that comes with the gun.
Nitpicking the Details
The only area where I feel Aero could improve this competition version of the Solus is the balance and weight. While some people don’t like a heavy gun, PRS shooters want their gun to be well-balanced and heavy. Top guys in PRS run guns that are 20 pounds or higher. The .308 Solus with the optic and mount that I used weighed in at 13.2 pounds, which is definitely on the light side. It would balance on a sticky game-changer bag, on a plywood VTAC barricade with the Warne Precision bipod that weighs 16.5oz mounted on the front of the chassis. If Aero was to include some weights for the chassis in the box, the serious competitor would be delighted. Most competitors buy their own weights, but if I had the option to buy some with the rifle, I’d take it.
SPECS:
Send it!
Reviews on the Aero website are another great way to get info on this rifle and hear what the end user has to say about it. Even people who might own other PRS rifles own a Solus and recognize that for the price point it’s a winner: “The Solus gives you an integrated pic rail, integrated recoil lug, and swappable bolt head over the other choices in its price range.” Seeing Aero using its website to openly give the customer a view of what people think is another refreshing aspect of the Solus product line. You can even find them engaging with their customers on Reddit.
As for my final take on this rifle: If you were to create a picture of what “out of the box” actually looks like for a precision rifle, it’s the Solus.
Becky Yackley primarily competes in 3 Gun, USPSA, Bianchi pistol, but has competed in shooting since 1989 in disciplines from service-rifle, to NCAA Air Rifle and Smallbore, air pistol and a little bit of long range rifle. She shoots guns and cameras at competitions around the country, and writes in her fictional spare time. View all posts by Becky Yackley
