This week, we’re taking a look at a bolt-action rifle from a company that was once known only for their budget-friendly AR-15 rifles. It’s the Stag Arms Pursuit Bolt-Action Rifle, and it’s one more piece of proof as to why the modern Stag Arms company is fast becoming a major player in the premium rifle world.
Under new management since 2016, Stag Arms is directed by those that think big, expanding product lines way beyond the basic and producing some of the most accurate rifles we’ve tested in recent years. The new Pursuit Bolt-Action Rifle is a prime example. It’s innovative, versatile, practical, and contains about as many bells and whistles as ever found on a rifle.
The rifle’s heart is a Remington 700-style short-action footprint, made from a solid billet of 7075 steel and highly customized including bottom metal machined to accept a detachable box magazine. The mag detaches via an ambidextrous release mounted to the front of the trigger guard so it can be dropped without displacing the shooter’s grip. The rifle ships with a 5-round mag, but 10-rounders can be purchased separately.
The bolt design is also very unique in that it features a three-lug, push feed design that’s enhanced by dual ejectors. The bolt can be fully disassembled without tools so that the firing pin can easily be cleaned and lubed. The bolt features a quick 60 degree throw and a cocking indicator on its tang. The bolt slides incredibly smooth with notably less play than many of the factory bolt actions currently being produced.
For its fire-control system, Stag chose Trigger Tech’s exceptional Primary flat-faced trigger that broke consistently at 2.75 pounds. The safety is a tang-mounted, two-position unit that does not lock the bolt closed when on safe.
The action provides a solid platform to the Pursuit’s stiff 416-stainless steel barrel. Available in 18-, 20- or 22-inch lengths, depending on caliber, the barrel is aggressively fluted to reduce weight and hasten cooling, and the muzzle features 5/8x24 threading for mounting a suppressor.
As innovative as the action is, the stock is even more so. Made of polymer, the stock features a beavertail fore-end that allows ample clearance to free float the barrel. At its end, Stag embedded a three-inch “spigot” pic rail, presumably meant to anchor a bipod. The stock features a total of five quick detach sling mount cups, while the fore-end also features a row of M-Lok slots and a removable ARCA Swiss plate for attaching the rifle to the new generation of heavyweight shooting tripods.
The molded buttstock features a vertical pistol grip that hides a storage compartment. The rifle’s comb is adjustable for height, as is its buttpad for length of pull, from 12 to 14 inches.
Perhaps the most innovative feature of the Stag Pursuit Bolt-Action is that it breaks into two parts for storage and travel via an AR-10-style hinge pin located on the action’s tail. Simply push the pin out to pull the stock from its grooved mount, and presto, you have a long-range rifle that will fit in a 27-inch-long case.
While this rifle is no slouch, weighing in at 8.5 pounds, its heavy barrel, premium action, incredible trigger and target-style stock go a long way toward driving the sub-MOA accuracy we’ve been seeing from this platform. And there’s no doubt that it’ll make a great hunting rifle, able to be collapsed into a small package for toting to your hunting grounds far off the beaten path. Currently chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .308 Win., you’ll be able to find a Pursuit Bolt Action to fit your needs, be it for target shooting or big-game hunting.
To learn more about the STAG Pursuit Bolt-Action Rifle, visit stagarms.com, and for more great #SundayGunday videos, keep checking back with us here, at AmericanHunter.org.
