NEW- Geissele King Hunter

[Euro.Connor]

Geissele Automatics released their new bolt action rifle today: The King Hunter

This will be chambered in 7mm Backcountry

Rifle Info:
The long action bolt assembly features a floating bolt head for improved lug engagement and a roller guided firing pin, to ensure the most consistent ignition possible. The bolt assembly features our Nanoweapon coating, which makes the action super smooth and incredibly corrosion resistant. The nitrided receiver sits in a Manners Long Range Hunter (LRH) OEM’d carbon fiber stock, which balances ergonomics and weight reduction, with the rifle weighing in at just over 8 lbs. Accuracy is at the forefront of design, and the Geissele 20” stainless-steel cut-rifled barrel with a 1/8 twist is complimented with the “smile-maker” super crisp two-stage Super 700 trigger.

Below is a link to our website, or message me if youd like to place an order

Geissele King Hunter 7mm BackCountry 20" 1:8" SS Bbl Camo Rifle 08-538

Geissele King Hunter 7mm BackCountry 20" 1:8" SS Bbl Camo Rifle 08-538 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

These are going to start rolling in mid February, we are to get the first 50 made.


Connor

 

[mark5pt56]

I just don't know why, why this caliber. I guess it's the new thing, new stuff sells to the ones who "need" it. Where's the picture with the guy/rifle, wearing a thin fleece with ice hanging off his monster soaked goatee somewhere on an icy slope and the temp is minus cold as fuck? I'll say it--wtf, this caliber is fucking retarded. It will cater to a few select folks to peddle the brand.

 

[Kaizoku]

My take away from this is that they finally finished the redesign of the Super 700 trigger

 

[blaqkpanda]

Maybe they are finally bringing back the Super 700 trigger.

 

[Skunk]

At least the rifle isn’t called “Super” Hunter.

 

[AgentO]

The fact that 8.1 lbs and the word backcountry are in the same title is interesting enough... Without ammo, scope, sling, etc

 

[46caliber]

My take away from this is that they finally finished the redesign of the Super 700 trigger

That I can get behind.

 

[6brshooter]

My take away from this is that they finally finished the redesign of the Super 700 trigger

About fuckin time, what's it been 2.5yrs since they disco'd it?

 

[6brshooter]

What action are they using? It would be a pretty nice rifle in 7prc.

 

[B'N'F]

Fairly certain the description, including the "roller guided firing pin" (whatever they mean by that) implies its their own action.

 

[6brshooter]

Fairly certain the description, including the "roller guided firing pin" (whatever they mean by that) implies its their own action.

Thanks, guess I didn't know giessele branched into bolt actions.

 

[JBoomhauer]

Curious to see if this takes a savage/zermatt origin prefit. Impact?

 

[diggler1833]

So...take a high-end rifle with a relatively limited market segment that is as saturated as it has ever been. Then, make that rifle exclusively (at launch) in a brand-new chambering that has zero reloading support at time of introduction, and (presumably) only one manufacturer of ammunition for at least a little bit?

That is quite the risk.

I'll not crap all over it with absolutely zero experience on my end, and I hope that it finds the success that they're looking for. It just won't be me who buys one, or looks hard at the model until it comes out in cartridges I can reload for.

 

[Megalodong]

Imagine buying this when the new seekins ph3 is almost half the cost

 

[owtlaw]

Chambered for a round that answers a question that nobody asked.

 

[Huskydriver]

 

[FuhQ]

Everyone knows I'm not a big Geissele fan, but pushing that bias aside, this will prove to be an utter failure... And here's why...

Brand new rifle, being launched in a brand new (currently) non-reloadable cartridge, with guaranteed expensive as fuck proprietary ammo, available from only 1 company...

What could possibly go wrong?

Edit: Oops, I see that @diggler1833 covered most of these points already, guess I should have read a few posts up first.

 

[hlee]

Chambered for a round that answers a question that nobody asked.

Not exactly.

1. How do we get people to buy a new rifle?
Sell the customer on a new cartridge…

2. How do we sell more loaded ammunition?
Sell the customer on a new non-reloadable cartridge…

 

[FuhQ]

I'm sorry, but how conceited can you be to call your own trigger "the smile-maker"... That sounds pretty gay.

 

[FuhQ]

Not exactly.

1. How do we get people to buy a new rifle?
Sell the customer on a new cartridge…

2. How do we sell more loaded ammunition?
Sell the customer on a new non-reloadable cartridge…

You answered the question of "how do you tank your sales, and kill a cartridge before it's ever even released" with point #2.

Will it appeal to the unwashed masses of rando "average hunters" who don't reload, or only shoot a box of ammo per year... Probably. But they also have weapons knowledge of a potato, zero handling skills...Including safety, and can barely figure out which end the fast pointy thing comes out of.

 

[hlee]

You answered the question of "how do you tank your sales, and kill a cartridge before it's ever even released" with point #2.

Will it appeal to the unwashed masses of rando "average hunters" who don't reload, or only shoot a box of ammo per year... Probably. But they also have weapons knowledge of a potato, zero handling skills...Including safety, and can barely figure out which end the fast pointy thing comes out of.

Does it appeal to the SH crowd? No, at least not initially. But…

You gotta know that every Ron Spomer wannabe is jizzing his shorts about this new whiz bang cartridge. This is the advertising and sales model that has sold hunting rifles since gun mags were invented. And, average hunters are “where the money at.”

And, the vast majority of them are binning their spent brass anyway (if they even think to pick it up at all.)

 

[46caliber]

Does it appeal to the SH crowd? No, at least not initially. But…

You gotta know that every Ron Spomer wannabe is jizzing his shorts about this new whiz bang cartridge. This is the advertising and sales model that has sold hunting rifles since gun mags were invented. And, average hunters are “where the money at.”

And, the vast majority of them are binning their spent brass anyway (if they even think to pick it up at all.)

Did they all buy 6.8 Westerns in 2021?

 

[hlee]

Did they all buy 6.8 Westerns in 2021?

Don’t know. Don’t care. Honestly, I hadn’t heard of the 6.8 western until opening this thread. This cartridge and this chambering does nothing for me. I have a 7RM, so my 7mm niche is filled.

But, there’s a metric butt ton of 7mm offerings. Makes me think there’s probably a butt ton of people that are just mesmerized by 7mm and are always chasing the new shiny 7.

That said, my initial post was mostly in jest, but it illustrates a larger point that I think is missed a lot, especially in the firearms/2A “community.” Manufacturers don’t make guns and ammo in order to enable you to exercise your rights, defend your life, or take a trophy buck. They manufacture them in order to make money.

 

[6brshooter]

Don’t know. Don’t care. Honestly, I hadn’t heard of the 6.8 western until opening this thread. This cartridge and this chambering does nothing for me. I have a 7RM, so my 7mm niche is filled.

But, there’s a metric butt ton of 7mm offerings. Makes me think there’s probably a butt ton of people that are just mesmerized by 7mm and are always chasing the new shiny 7.

That said, my initial post was mostly in jest, but it illustrates a larger point that I think is missed a lot, especially in the firearms/2A “community.” Manufacturers don’t make guns and ammo in order to enable you to exercise your rights, defend your life, or take a trophy buck. They manufacture them in order to make money.

So pretty much like 99% of manufacturers of any good. The 6.8western was a cash grab centered on long range hunters, it pretty much fizzled. It didn't do much over a 6.5prc and was eclipsed by other already established cartridges. This 7mm brokeback can be almost matched(looking at their numbers) with 7prc handloads and eclipsed with 7rum or 28nosler. The cartridge and this rifle are to grab some business from the disposable income hunting crowd that needs to have the newest, shiniest shit to show off to their buddies.

I had hoped giessele would bring this trigger back, solid 2 stage field trigger assuming you are fine with a 1.5lb 2nd stage break. If they price it 350+(probably, since they're nicknaming it the smile maker), I'll stick with my bix for the same money and have different top sear and trigger shoe options with a lighter weight break(if I want).

 

[wvfarrier]

 

[diggler1833]

Geissele might be onto something, despite my lack of reasonable understanding.

I mean, if you'd have told me that a company could sell grossly overpriced turn-key hunting rifles (with mounted optics) and "custom" ammo for north of $10K...and make a good living at it...I'd have laughed at you 15 years ago.

^ Yet here we have Gunwerks, thriving. However they are a marketing genius with the implementation of long range hunting videos. Everyone wants to be able to do what they routinely do, and those with pockets deep enough, little free time, and no exposure to comparable alternatives are willing to pay 2x the price for the convenience.

Geissele's claim to fame with this rig is a "smile maker" (sounds like a cringy sex toy) trigger, and a proprietary (for now) cartridge, and that's it. He got Ron Spomer to champion it from what it sounds like (I've not seen anything, but I don't watch/read Ron's stuff). I just don't think that's enough...but I'll leave this here to be able to come back and admit how wrong I was if this rifle takes off. I hope for Geissele's sake that it does, and I say that having spent a decent amount on his AR triggers over the years...I think they're exceptional.

 

[WeR0206]

Geissele might be onto something, despite my lack of reasonable understanding.

I mean, if you'd have told me that a company could sell grossly overpriced turn-key hunting rifles (with mounted optics) and "custom" ammo for north of $10K...and make a good living at it...I'd have laughed at you 15 years ago.

^ Yet here we have Gunwerks, thriving. However they are a marketing genius with the implementation of long range hunting videos. Everyone wants to be able to do what they routinely do, and those with pockets deep enough, little free time, and no exposure to comparable alternatives are willing to pay 2x the price for the convenience.

Geissele's claim to fame with this rig is a "smile maker" (sounds like a cringy sex toy) trigger, and a proprietary (for now) cartridge, and that's it. He got Ron Spomer to champion it from what it sounds like (I've not seen anything, but I don't watch/read Ron's stuff). I just don't think that's enough...but I'll leave this here to be able to come back and admit how wrong I was if this rifle takes off. I hope for Geissele's sake that it does, and I say that having spent a decent amount on his AR triggers over the years...I think they're exceptional.

You may very well be right. If you hit The link in the OP they’re already sold out. Not sure how much initial inventory they had though.

 

[diggler1833]

You may very well be right. If you hit The link in the OP they’re already sold out. Not sure how much initial inventory they had though.

I believe according to the OP in the initial post that the rifles aren't in yet and won't be until sometime next month (it was hidden at the bottom of the post). I think that they are just taking orders at this point, but I've been wrong before (many times).

 

[WeR0206]

I believe according to the OP in the initial post that the rifles aren't in yet and won't be until sometime next month (it was hidden at the bottom of the post). I think that they are just taking orders at this point, but I've been wrong before (many times).

Good catch, I completely missed that part of the OP lol. Well see how they do I guess. I do like eurooptic in general though (great prices/selection) except the fact that I recently wasn’t able to get them to ship a box of berger 77gr OTM bullets to my house in Cali for some reason so I used a different vendor.

 

[zeroz]

At the price, weight and caliber, I'll pass but hopefully its a home run for somebody.....

 

[6brshooter]

Good catch, I completely missed that part of the OP lol. Well see how they do I guess. I do like eurooptic in general though (great prices/selection) except the fact that I recently wasn’t able to get them to ship a box of berger 77gr OTM bullets to my house in Cali for some reason so I used a different vendor.

Off topic, but did you try calling them to order bullets? I tried to order a couple boxes of different bergers, online, it wouldn't let me ship to Illinois. I called and they said it was no problem and took my order on the phone.

 

[Long Range 338]

I’m certain that there is a certain segment of the population who wants the newest bestest whiz bang and this will fill the niche. If one is shooting purely factory ammo from factory rifles and wants the performance (assuming the velocities claims are true) this new cartridge could have merit. A lot of the hunters I know are sucked in by the numbers game and certainly some will bite.

I see Seekins is starting down the same path with their new action that is rated for higher pressure ammo. Looks like the industry has decided this is the new path forward for performance.

 

[diggler1833]

I’m certain that there is a certain segment of the population who wants the newest bestest whiz bang and this will fill the niche. If one is shooting purely factory ammo from factory rifles and wants the performance (assuming the velocities claims are true) this new cartridge could have merit. A lot of the hunters I know are sucked in by the numbers game and certainly some will bite.

I see Seekins is starting down the same path with their new action that is rated for higher pressure ammo. Looks like the industry has decided this is the new path forward for performance.

Yep, saw last night that the PH3 is a three-lug design designed (among other things as touted) for higher pressures...and old Matty specifically mentioned the 7 Brokeback as one of the cartridges.

 

[babyguppy]

I just don't know why, why this caliber. I guess it's the new thing, new stuff sells to the ones who "need" it. Where's the picture with the guy/rifle, wearing a thin fleece with ice hanging off his monster soaked goatee somewhere on an icy slope and the temp is minus cold as fuck? I'll say it--wtf, this caliber is fucking retarded. It will cater to a few select folks to peddle the brand.

It says 7mm...... must be more better than a 6.5mm and WAY MORE better than a 6mm
but it's not a 7mm mag or have the cool 'Ultra' in the name like a 7mm Ultra Mag.

"The 7mm Backcountry is Federal’s newest rifle cartridge promising to “reinvent ammunition.”
The 7mm Backcountry (7mm BC) is perhaps easiest described as a steel-cased, high pressured, 7mm long-action rifle cartridge."

7mm Backcountry - Federal's New Wonder-Cartridge?

Federal's newest cartridge has just been announced, the 7mm Backcountry. Check out our MUST READ FIRST article on this new cartridge.

gununiversity.com

I'm sure if you break it down, it has its unique benefits. There will be a discussion like 260 rem vs 6.5 CM.
These ammo changes at the factory have to increase the cost of some of the small batch runs.

"steel case/high pressure technology" - I wonder if this will be reloadable or will Hornady make where you have to buy 'factory' ammo.

Almost sounds like, seed producers making seed that can only be used once, so you can't replant (reuse) the wheat seed; but I digress.

 

[WeR0206]

Off topic, but did you try calling them to order bullets? I tried to order a couple boxes of different bergers, online, it wouldn't let me ship to Illinois. I called and they said it was no problem and took my order on the phone.

No I just moved on to a different vendor to order online but ill def try calling next time.

 

[gopherslayer]

First run from Geissele is 50 rifles from what I read.

With them using Manners as a supplier did Manners increase capacity or will they tell everyone to get to the back of the line and make sure Geissele gets their stocks as needed?

 

[AleksanderSuave]

We've totally never seen a company known for ARs try to milk the bolt action market. Who knows how this could possibly work out?

/S

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-siete/

 

[Baron23]

I just don't know why, why this caliber.

Wondered the same....maybe its me, but I don't see it.

 

[kthomas]

For starting out in the bolt action scene, it's an interesting strategy. Not sure I understand it.

But good for them if they can pull it off.

 

[Huskydriver]

You may very well be right. If you hit The link in the OP they’re already sold out. Not sure how much initial inventory they had though.

They had 0 inventory....

What Leupold gold ring running fudd part of market is this geared towards?

 

[powdahound76]

What a bunch of whiny little pussies around here.


And yet I dont see any of you naysayers doing jack besides spewing your Kamala Harrise IQ level foolishness upon the interwebs.


Good for them.
Cool to see someone push a new high pressure cartridge and rifle besides the guy here running loads in the .277 fury cases and going nuts with pressure and speed.


Tad heavy as thats what my 24” 300 wsm weighed with scope and 3 rds of ammo.

 

[BipThatInstance]

I hope it succeeds just so maybe Bill will make bolt guns in cartridges that make sense like 300 PRC or 6 ARC.

I like G$ rails and triggers, they're just down the county road from me, so it's hard to root against them despite their crazy prices on certain things.

Now as for the 7mm Brokeback Mountain...I do not get it...but there are so many folks who just want a cool toy and the latest junk and that's fine. 2A means we should be armed for whatever reason, Im not gonna buy this shit, I'd rather the dirty fucking Brits take me to the cleaners over an AXSR

 

[FuhQ]

I hope it succeeds just so maybe Bill will make bolt guns in cartridges that make sense like 300 PRC or 6 ARC.

I like G$ rails and triggers, they're just down the county road from me, so it's hard to root against them despite their crazy prices on EVERYTHING.

Now as for the 7mm Brokeback Mountain...I do not get it...but there are so many folks who just want a cool toy and the latest junk and that's fine. 2A means we should be armed for whatever reason, Im not gonna buy this shit, I'd rather the dirty fucking Brits take me to the cleaners over an AXSR

Fixed that for you... Everything they make is overpriced and overhyped. There's literally someone out there doing the same things as them, that are just as good, or better, for exponentially less money.

 

[CMP70306]

Everyone knows I'm not a big Geissele fan, but pushing that bias aside, this will prove to be an utter failure... And here's why...

Brand new rifle, being launched in a brand new (currently) non-reloadable cartridge, with guaranteed expensive as fuck proprietary ammo, available from only 1 company...

What could possibly go wrong?

Edit: Oops, I see that @diggler1833 covered most of these points already, guess I should have read a few posts up first.

Not exactly.

1. How do we get people to buy a new rifle?
Sell the customer on a new cartridge…

2. How do we sell more loaded ammunition?
Sell the customer on a new non-reloadable cartridge…

You answered the question of "how do you tank your sales, and kill a cartridge before it's ever even released" with point #2.

Will it appeal to the unwashed masses of rando "average hunters" who don't reload, or only shoot a box of ammo per year... Probably. But they also have weapons knowledge of a potato, zero handling skills...Including safety, and can barely figure out which end the fast pointy thing comes out of.

It says 7mm...... must be more better than a 6.5mm and WAY MORE better than a 6mm
but it's not a 7mm mag or have the cool 'Ultra' in the name like a 7mm Ultra Mag.

View attachment 8585843
"The 7mm Backcountry is Federal’s newest rifle cartridge promising to “reinvent ammunition.”
The 7mm Backcountry (7mm BC) is perhaps easiest described as a steel-cased, high pressured, 7mm long-action rifle cartridge."

7mm Backcountry - Federal's New Wonder-Cartridge?

Federal's newest cartridge has just been announced, the 7mm Backcountry. Check out our MUST READ FIRST article on this new cartridge.

gununiversity.com

I'm sure if you break it down, it has its unique benefits. There will be a discussion like 260 rem vs 6.5 CM.
These ammo changes at the factory have to increase the cost of some of the small batch runs.

"steel case/high pressure technology" - I wonder if this will be reloadable or will Hornady make where you have to buy 'factory' ammo.

Almost sounds like, seed producers making seed that can only be used once, so you can't replant (reuse) the wheat seed; but I digress.

Y’all are capable of reading right? It’s literally on the main info page straight from Federal.

https://www.federalpremium.com/backcountry.html

This is Federal’s way of undercutting the 7 PRC while recouping money on the NGSW ammo contract that they lost to the hybrid case of the .277 Fury. The cartridge itself is nothing special, it’s basically a .280 Rem / .280 AI but the fancy new case is what makes it stand out.

Personally I’m more interested in getting that technology into other cartridges, not sure about how easy that case would be to neck up but it would make one hell of a 30-06 case for my Mausingfield.

 

[Huskydriver]

What a bunch of whiny little pussies around here.


And yet I dont see any of you naysayers doing jack besides spewing your Kamala Harrise IQ level foolishness upon the interwebs.


Good for them.
Cool to see someone push a new high pressure cartridge and rifle besides the guy here running loads in the .277 fury cases and going nuts with pressure and speed.


Tad heavy as thats what my 24” 300 wsm weighed with scope and 3 rds of ammo.

I see our first Leupold gold ring user has entered the chat.....

 

[matt33]

I will admit it, I am interested in this rifle and in this new cartridge. I'm going to hold off until some first hand trusted feedback is available, reloading is also huge to me, so I need to learn more about that. I've heard that the case uses faster burning powder to reach the 80k PSI threshold from what is similar to a 30-06 case.

I was going to build a 7mm PRC rifle using a custom Bolt action, 20" Bartein medium heavy cut rifled stainless steel barrel coated black, along with the same Manners stock. My cost and parts alone would have been well north of $3,000. This rifle actually makes sense on paper for me, as I'm looking for a sub 10 lb high performing 20" 7mm rifle

 

[FuhQ]

Y’all are capable of reading right? It’s literally on the main info page straight from Federal.
View attachment 8586450

https://www.federalpremium.com/backcountry.html

This is Federal’s way of undercutting the 7 PRC while recouping money on the NGSW ammo contract that they lost to the hybrid case of the .277 Fury. The cartridge itself is nothing special, it’s basically a .280 Rem / .280 AI but the fancy new case is what makes it stand out.

Personally I’m more interested in getting that technology into other cartridges, not sure about how easy that case would be to neck up but it would make one hell of a 30-06 case for my Mausingfield.

You did read, right? It says, "requires strict adherence to lab-tested PROCESSES and data." That means, standard dies ain't gonna cut it, and you're gonna need special equipment...So more money to piss down the drain for ONE special cartridge. And it probably requires a monster press, as well. I mean, I've got a 419 Zero and it produces TONS of leverage with minimal effort, but I'm not going to try to reload steel cases with it. No thanks... I'll stick with my .280 AI, 7 PRC, 7mmRM, and 7mm STW's if I want to get 3000+ from a 175. I already got dies, brass, etc... I don't need special shit to reload them.

 

[FuhQ]

I will admit it, I am interested in this rifle and in this new cartridge. I'm going to hold off until some first hand trusted feedback is available, reloading is also huge to me, so I need to learn more about that. I've heard that the case uses faster burning powder to reach the 80k PSI threshold from what is similar to a 30-06 case.

I was going to build a 7mm PRC rifle using a custom Bolt action, 20" Bartein medium heavy cut rifled stainless steel barrel coated black, along with the same Manners stock. My cost and parts alone would have been well north of $3,000. This rifle actually makes sense on paper for me, as I'm looking for a sub 10 lb high performing 20" 7mm rifle

Yes, but what if the new rifle doesn't like their proprietary new ammo for some reason? Barrels can be quite hit-or-miss (pun intended) on whether they will shoot a particular bullet (or ammo) or not. Also, are you ready to not be able to reload for it for probably a year or 2? What about buying the hundreds in special equipment to reload for the steel cases, just for 1 cartridge? Or $100 for a box of 20 rounds?

 

[matt33]

You did read, right? It says, "requires strict adherence to lab-tested PROCESSES and data." That means, standard dies ain't gonna cut it, and you're gonna need special equipment...So more money to piss down the drain for ONE special cartridge. And it probably requires a monster press, as well. I mean, I've got a 419 Zero and it produces TONS of leverage with minimal effort, but I'm not going to try to reload steel cases with it. No thanks... I'll stick with my .280 AI, 7 PRC, 7mmRM, and 7mm STW's if I want to get 3000+ from a 175. I already got dies, brass, etc... I don't need special shit to reload them.

The one review video I saw discussed, the guys said that standard reloading equipment will work. They said that it uses faster burning powder than what is used traditionally in this size case in order to achieve 80,000 PSI

I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon too early, but I am intrigued as I don't own a 7 mm and I've been considering a 7 PRC with a shorter than traditional Magnum barrel

 

[Holliday]

How do you know when you are over pressure with this wiz bang alloy case, your firing pin bounces off your cranium? Oops better back it down some…..