Accessorizing a favorite fur gun can turn it from good to great.
OK, you’ve dropped more than a few hard-earned Benjamins and now have in your possession the predator-hunting rifle dreams are made of. But before you settle on factory-best — no matter how good that might be — why not consider taking your new gun to the next level by adding a few accouterments that will elevate it to elite/precision status? And that might mean investing in an aftermarket stock and/or barrel and other improvements that will turn it into a tack-driving, fur-collecting machine. Here are a few add-ons that will help you make that happen.
American Tactical Schmeisser S60 Magazine with Window
American Tactical now offers an updated model of its popular Schmeisser S60 polymer AR-15 magazine — complete with a side window. Made from glass reinforced polymer, this patented stick magazine features a unique follower system that allows for double capacity from a normal AR magazine without being bulky or cumbersome. New for 2021, the updated Schmeisser S60 also has a last round bolt hold open feature integrated in the follower and is designed to shoot both .223 Rem. and 5.56x45mm ammunition.
MSRP: $84.95
Bell and Carlson Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard Rifle Stock
Bell and Carlson has added a M40-style model to its extensive line of custom rifle stocks — designed as a “drop-in” to fit Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard, short-action, hinged-floorplate, heavy-barrel contour rifles. It incorporates two front sling studs, one rear sling stud and a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad and has a standard length of pull of 13.75 inches. This stock, like all of those in the Medalist line, has a full-length aluminum bedding system that is computer designed and CNC-machined out of aircraft grade 6061-T6 aluminum. The aluminum block extends through the forearm to add strength and stiffness and also has an aluminum “tail piece” from the bedding block through the grip area to add rigidity to strengthen the stock.
MSRP: $300
Green Mountain GM-M52 SS .223 Wylde Barrel
Need a better solution for keeping Wile E. Coyote at bay? No worries. Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Company has the solution. In fact, it has been providing hunters and competition shooters with high-quality barrels since 1976, made with pride and attention to detail. Sure to be a favorite with hardcore predator hunters is its 18-inch fluted, 416 stainless steel barrel chambered in .223 Wylde that comes with a 1:8 twist and weighs in at 2.1 pounds. The GM-M52 is factory honed, button rifled, air gauged, stress relieved and has a black passivated finish. It also features a nickel boron extension with M4 feed ramps and a rifle length gas system.
MSRP: $198.95
Helix 6 Precision Carbon Fiber Rifle Barrels
At the heart of every Helix 6 Precision barrel is a match-grade 416R stainless steel core — an advanced, corrosion resistant steel alloy — ideal for making precision rifle barrels. Each barrel is hand lapped, improving accuracy while minimizing fouling. Helix 6 builds barrels with extremely tight tolerances and each one must pass a rigorous inspection before leaving its facilities. Customers can choose from one of the many popular long-range calibers from .224 to .338. Self-installation is easy using a pre-fit Savage or Ruger Precision Rifle barrel while carbon fiber barrel blanks are ready to chamber and fit by a professional gunsmith for any rifle system. One-off custom barrels in any caliber and twist rates are available for order, too.
MSRP: Price varies per model.
Mission First Tactical Battlelink Aluminum Minimalist Stock
Manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum, billet and extruded hard coat anodized to Mil-Spec, the MFT Battlelink Aluminum Minimalist stock is completely adaptable to the needs of the environment and operation by utilizing custom accessory mounts, interchangeable butt plates and a new custom sling configuration — all done without sacrificing any functional requirements. The Battlelink Aluminum Minimalist stock is a slide-on replacement for a collapsible buttstock — its angled, non-slip, checkered butt pad allowing for faster presentation. Other features include quick detach sling mounts and an enhanced cheek weld.
MSRP: $179.99
Proof Research Carbon Fiber-Wrapped AR Barrels
Carbon fiber has long been hailed across many industries — aerospace, cycling, alternative energy — as a wonder material making everything lighter and stronger. When employed in a rifle barrel the benefits extend beyond reducing weight and increasing strength. Up to 64 percent lighter than traditional steel barrels with a similar contour, Proof Research carbon fiber-wrapped barrels aren’t just a lightweight alternative to steel, they provide superior performance, including extreme accuracy, unprecedented durability and increased barrel life. By combining its unique manufacturing process with advanced technology composite materials and thermo-mechanical design principles, Proof Research produces match-grade carbon fiber barrels that weigh a fraction of traditional steel barrels without compromising performance. They’re not just lighter — they’re better.
MSRP: $920/AR-15; $940/AR-10
Sentry Hexmag AR-15 Magazine
Sentry Products Group’s Hexmag carbon fiber AR-15 magazine, made from a proprietary carbon fiber composite blended with Polyhex2 polymer, offers exceptional durability and consistent performance. And an added benefit is that the use of carbon fiber reduces the total weight by 20 percent over a standard magazine. As with all Hexmag products, the new carbon fiber AR-15 magazine features its patented Hexture pattern for confident and positive grip in the worst environmental conditions. A heat-treated stainless steel spring eliminates corrosion and resists fatigue even while loaded for long periods of time. Other features include tool-less takedown design, color coded caliber/ammo type identification and 10-, 15- and 30-round configurations.
MSRP: $21.99
Shaw Barrels 6mm ARC
Owners of AR-15 platform rifles can now convert to the 6mm ARC chambering by simply switching to a custom barrel from Shaw Barrels. The 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge (6x38mm) is a 6mm (. 243) caliber full-power rifle cartridge introduced by Hornady in 2020, as a low-recoil, high-accuracy long-range cartridge designed for AR shooters. Shaw Barrels’ 6mm ARC match barrel comes in 18- and 22-inch versions and is made from double stress relived premium 416R stainless steel and features spiral black flutes. It has a 1-7.5-inch twist rate, stainless steel M4 feed ramps, .750-inch gas block, rifle length gas system 5/8-24 threads and a HBAR contour.
MSRP: $210/Base price
Woox Furiosa Micarta Rifle Chassis
The Woox Furiosa rifle chassis is now offered in a new model that’s a combination of aircraft grade aluminum and micarta. Micarta is widely regarded as one of the toughest materials made. During the production process, sheets of material are impregnated with colored dyes and phenolic resin. These sheets are then stacked together to achieve the desired thickness and bonded into a single sheet under tremendous pressure and heat. This process then produces a material that is impervious to cracking or warping. Weather resistant, the Woox Furiosa micarta chassis casts off moisture, as well as most oils and solvents and is available for Remington 700, Howa 1500, Weatherby Vanguard, Sauer 100 and Tikka T3 actions.
Retail: $1,199
