Aero Precision Solus Review: Bang-For-The-Buck Bolt
The Aero Precision Solus is a feature-packed entry into precision shooting, offering customization, sub-MOA accuracy, and solid ergonomics.
Retired LEO. SWAT Commander. POST/NLEFIA/USCCA Instructor. Former FFL. Gun Writer 10+ years
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Aero Precision Solus Pros & Cons
Pros
- Accurate
- Adjustable ergonomics
- Customizable
Cons
- Intentionally heavy
Aero Precision Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
- Capacity: 10 (as by magazine
- Action: Bolt
- Overall length: 41"
- Barrel length: 22"
- Weight: 11.3 lbs.
- Comes with: Cardboard box, 10-round P-Mag, owner's manual, lock
Features
- Remington 700 Short Action
- Integral 20 MOA rail
- 60 degree bolt throw
- 3-lug interchangeable bolt head
It can feel daunting to try and get into long-range, precision shooting. First, there is a lot to learn, and second, the expenses can add up quickly.
Aero Precision felt this pain and even though they are more well known for their AR-15s, they applied some old-fashioned know-how to help us. Through their efforts, the Solus was born.
We can agree that lowering the entry price is a great way for more people to enjoy the precision game, but did Aero cut too many corners while striving to keep the Solus affordable?
We spent a significant amount of time training with and testing the Solus and have some thoughts on the question. We’ll share the answer with you below, so read on!
Table of Contents
How We Tested the Aero Precision Solus
The Aero Precision Solus was tested over a month-long period, including a long-range precision course.
For range testing, we used Hornady Match ELD 140-grain and Nosler Ballistic Tip 140-grain. We ran the Solus both suppressed (using the Daniel Defense SoundGuard SG-30TI) and unsuppressed.
Sean Curtis has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career of over two decades. He received continued training for his roles in SWAT and as a POST-certified handgun instructor.
Background
One of the cool things about the Solus is it still aspires to the modularity offered by other Aero Precision lines, based on the Remington 700 short action. They want you to be able to customize your journey into long-range accuracy shooting.
Accordingly, Aero offers individual parts: chassis, actions, barrels, and some combinations if you want to roll your own. In addition, complete rifles come chambered in .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, and 6.5 PRC (some actions also come with .478 or .540 bolt faces).
There are also several colors available: Anodized black, black, Magpul FDE Cerakote, Magpul OD Cerakote, Sniper Grey Cerakote, Sako Green, Carbon Steel, Carbon Black/Tan, and Kodiak Rogue.
Who Is It For?
The Solus brings value to a wide range of shooters. If you don’t know anything about long-range precision, this rifle is a great place to start.
More discriminating and experienced shooters will appreciate the flexibility of the entire line because they can mix, match, and even build a rifle to their specifications.
Being a relative novice to long-range, I evaluated the Solus on its ease of use for newbies. I learned a great deal while training with it.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
The Solus is a big and heavy gun, tipping the scales at just over 11 pounds before adding accessories. After adding an optic and bipod, it was 15.4 pounds.
If you are really new to this type of shooting you might be concerned at the weight — don’t be. It truly helps the rifle with stability and a little bit with recoil.
Features
The overall fit and finish are nicely done, and everywhere you look on the rifle, you see customization options. It’s practically dripping with M-LOK, Arca rail, QD, and even threaded holes along the chassis to mount accessories over the barrel.
The honed and lapped barrel is 22 inches long on this model and features a Sendero contour. It also has a 5/8x24 thread pitch on the muzzle, which otherwise comes with no other device.
Loading up the Solus is easy, thanks in part to the flared edges on the magwell. The mag release is a lever mounted in front of the trigger guard which you push forward.
I fed the Solus via the included Magpul 10-round PMAG made for 7.62x51. The mag worked well in all regards, feeding, loading, and dropping when called upon to do so.
The safety is located on the right side, just forward of the thumb rest, and you push it forward to fire and pull it back for safe. I found it was easy to reach for either operation.
Action
The action has a couple of interesting features as well. There is a bolt release button on the left side as well as an integral 20 MOA rail for the Picatinny along the top.
Near the bolt handle, the safety is located ergonomically, for right-handers that is. The bolt also has a few noteworthy features.
First, it is solid. Even fully drawn back to the rear, there is very little play. Second, the bolt cocks just by lifting the handle.
Finally, the bolt has a 3-lug design, an interchangeable bolt head, and a 60-degree throw. A curved channel in the action helps guide the bolt closed when shooters push it forward.
Behind the bolt, Aero included an adjustable thumb rest and this was a welcome feature. Below this, the nearly straight grip was thick, had good texture, and felt great in my hand.
Stock
On the stock end of the chassis, a whole world of adjustability opens up. The cheek riser can be elevated and lowered with the loosening or tightening of a corresponding triangular knob.
Length of pull is also adjustable with a similar knob, though this one you push in on, adjust the length, then release to lock it in place. The butt pad on the end is nicely cushioned.
A good-sized bag rider adorns the bottom and does a great job of interfacing with support bags shooters may place underneath.
How Does the Aero Precision Solus Shoot?
I tested the Solus over the period of about a month, with a week-long Precision Rifle course at Rifles Only making up the bulk of that time. Additional testing was completed at a private range.
Ammunition for the training was graciously provided by Hornady, who sent along their Match 140 gr ELD. However, other brands and weights were used for testing groups as well.
The Solus is designed for long-range accuracy and the first commonly agreed upon metric for that is MOA. My results varied with various ammunition, though the bulk of the groups were around 1 MOA.
It should be noted that testing began with a Daniel Defense SoundGuard SG-30TI, and groups would hover in the ¾ MOA to just above 1 MOA range. However, when I removed the suppressor, I achieved a ½ inch group (5 shots) at 100 yards.
| Ammunition | Best Group | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Hornady 140 gr ELD Match | .75" | 1.5" |
| Nosler 140 gr Ballistic Tip | .50" | 1.3" |
Overall the impulse from the 6.5 Creedmoor was fairly tame, thanks to the weight and generous rubber pad on the butt of the rifle. It was even more tame whenever I used the suppressor.
You can't overestimate the importance of this for follow-up shots. Granted, if you're following the fundamentals of marksmanship (thanks, Jacob), your sight picture should return closely anyway.
Running the bolt, over the course of testing, was very smooth. I never had any issues with misalignment or any kind of wobble--the lockup is strong and sure.
Aero includes a fully adjustable TriggerTech single stage in the Solus, and I can't think of a reason to change it unless you're just a big fan of two-stage triggers. The TriggerTech broke cleanly at around 2 pounds on my Lyman Digital Gauge but it is adjustable between 1.5 and 4 pounds in 1 oz. increments.
This is a great contributor to accuracy. Once you have a solid sight picture and have reached the bottom of your breathing cycle, you can press the trigger back without much effort and break the shot.
With all the ergonomics dialed to suit me, I found shooting the Solus, even over the course of a week, to be very comfortable. I had to remove these adjustments to get it back in the case for transport, but it was a snap.
What Sets It Apart?
If you’re new to the long-range precision scene, it can be very costly. By the time you add on quality accessories to maximize your accuracy/effectiveness (prelude to handloading), it’s easy to spend a few thousand dollars.
Aero Precision kept the price of the base rifles pretty low when you consider the value of everything you get. There are a few different models, but the one we tested is listed at $2,210 on their website, but there are lower prices out there.
In addition, the rifle is very customizable and modular, meaning you can change it up how you like or even build your own since it’s based on the Remington 700 short action.
Aero Precision Solus By the Numbers By the Numbers
Accuracy
5/5
Reasoning: Aero Precision promises sub-MOA out of the box and we had no issues obtaining that though tighter groups were easier without a suppressor.
Reliability
5/5
Reasoning: It’s hard to brag about a bolt-action gun being reliable, but there were no malfunctions during testing of over 400 rounds.
Customization
5/5
Reasoning: There are a great deal of accessories you can attach to the Solus via MLOK, QD, Arca, night vision bridge, Picatinny, and it’s compatible with a bipod spigot.
Ergonomics
5/5
Reasoning: All of the adjustments available on the chassis are solid but the modularity also goes a long way toward making sure this rifle fist you how you want.
Value
Overall
5/5
Reasoning: Grand slam.
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Aero Precision Upgrades u0026 Accessories
5.11 Tactical RUSH72 2.0 Pack
Primary Arms PLx 6-30×56 FFP Rifle Scope
Daniel Defense SoundGuard
ShellShock Ultimate Eyes u0026 Ears Combo (Bluetooth)
Final Verdict
I tested the Solus in a week-long training where I used it to shoot out to 1,000 yards, shoot from multiple positions, and even engage moving targets at 400 yards in 29 MPH winds.
I’m happy to report that Aero Precision did an outstanding job. With no malfunctions, impressive accuracy, wonderful ergonomics, and a budget-friendly price, it’s an easy home run — whether you’re just getting into precision rifle or you're an old pro.
Will you be purchasing a Solus? Let us know in the comments below. Want more long-range rifles? Check out our list of the Best Sniper & Precision Rifles.
Rating score
Latest Updates
April 10, 2024: Added more information to How We Tested section, added headers to Ergonomics section.