I built this rifle with one goal in mind—something I could trust anywhere I chase elk. The kind of rifle that disappears on my shoulder until I need it, then just works. Elk country doesn’t give out freebies, especially in Oregon’s Blue Mountains. Every ridge feels steeper on the way out, and every canyon holds a bull that knows how to vanish. That’s the kind of country this rifle was built for.

The plan was simple: build a rifle I could take anywhere, shoot with confidence, and that wouldn't weigh me down. Just a tool I could trust when the mountain turned steep and the pack got heavy.

At the heart of the rifle is Bergara’s Premier barreled action in 7PRC—fast, flat, and hard-hitting without the punishment. The 22-inch carbon barrel cuts weight but keeps the balance right, so it still feels steady. It dropped cleanly into the MDT HNT26 chassis and instantly felt like the two belonged together.

I went with the MDT HNT26 because it’s lean and practical. The folding buttstock makes it easy to strap to my pack, and the integral ARCA rail lets me clip into a tripod in seconds. It’s not a traditional stock, but at only 30 ounces, it packs a lot of features without the bulk. I finished the rifle with a TriggerTech Special, which is clean, crisp, and consistent. Those three core components make up one purpose-built elk rifle.

For glass, I went with the Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50 Gen 2. It’s the kind of scope that just makes sense in the West. It’s bright in low light, rugged in bad weather, and built to last long enough for my son’s kids to hunt with it someday. I paired it with Leupold’s Backcountry Remington 700 base and 30mm cross-slot rings, a setup that keeps weight down without giving up strength or durability.

Out in the mountains, this rifle will make a difference. Climbing through deadfall or side-hilling a canyon, it won’t weigh me down like my older rifles. At about seven and a half pounds, it carries light, comes up quick, and feels built for the kind of country I hunt. This November, it’s headed into the Blues after a bull tucked where few are willing to go. That’s where this 7PRC backcountry rifle will shine.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of a full pack, the burn in your legs, and the satisfaction of glassing a bull in a place you had to earn, you need a rifle that delivers. Every ounce counts. Reliability matters. This one was built for both.

--

Scott R.

Digital & Brand Manager at Leupold

SPEC LIST AND BUILD COST:

• Action & Barrel: Bergara Premier Barreled Action - $1,699.99
• Barrel: 22" Carbon No.6 CURE
• Chambering: 7PRC 
• Twist Rate: 1:8
• Stock: MDT HNT26 (folding buttstock, integral ARCA rail, AICS mag compatible) - $1,699.95
• Trigger: TriggerTech Remington 700 Special (Single Stage) - $224.99
• Optic: Leupold VX-6HD 3–18×50 Gen 2 w/ FIreDot Reticle - $2,399.99
• Base & Rings: Leupold Backcountry Remington 700 LA Base and 30mm Medium Cross-Slot Rings - $150

Build Total: $6,174.92 (MSRP)

SHOP PRODUCTS USED IN THIS BUILD: