ALL CANADIAN
The Rocky Mountain was made for hunting our elk and moose
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With the U.S. and Europe taking the spotlight, Canada is generally not known as a powerhouse in the world of rifle making, but there are exceptions. One such manufacturer is Disraeli, Quebec-based Antler Firearms. Founded in 2014 as Les Arms Fierce inc., the company made and shipped upwards of 20,000 semi-custom hunting rifles to its like-named partner in the U.S., Fierce Firearms. That partnership ended in 2021, leading to the rebranding as Antler Firearms.
Since then, Antler has taken the concept of building semi-custom production rifles to a whole new level. You can now choose from five different models, 11 calibres, 14 camo colours and seven stock variations, along with a variety of add-on options. According to Antler, this makes for 10,780 different rifle combinations, all made in Canada and all guaranteed to shoot three-shot, half-inch, 100-yard groups.
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With all that in mind, the only decision I had to make when the Antler folks asked me to test one of their rifles was to choose a model. Since the idea of an ultimate elk and moose rifle already captivated my thinking, the Rocky Mountain model in .300 Win. Mag. was the obvious choice. Even its moniker has elk rifle written all over it. I also opted for a standard stock in Prairie camo, along with a Tungsten-coloured action, 24-inch barrel and adjustable cheek rest.
Mechanically, the Rocky Mountain features a carbon-fibre barrel paired with an ultra-light titanium action, making for top lightweight performance. And new for 2024, the action has been machined to reduce the weight by an additional two ounces. The barrel itself comprises a stainless steel barrel surrounded by several layers of carbon fibre, collectively providing a light, ridged and accurate barrel that dispenses heat faster.
Meanwhile, the 20 MOA bases and recoil lug are integrated into the action, which substantially reduces vibration. And for machining, Antler uses an EDM process that provides the highest cutting accuracy on the market, at 0.0004 inches. Other features include a three-position safety, adjustable trigger (factory set a 2.75 pounds) and muzzle brake MB42, which is equipped with 42 forward-angled holes to direct the sound and blast away from the shooter.
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Then there’s the concave barrel seat, detachable magazine, three-lug action with a 70-degree bolt lift, and Cerakote coating on all components except the bolt. Finally, the ultra-lightweight carbon fibre stock is not only 50 per cent lighter than wood, but also three times harder. It includes a Limbsaver recoil pad.