FINAL REVIEW: Fierce CT Rival 300 PRC Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
- I have now owned my Fierce CT Rival in 300 PRC for almost a year. I have taken it on several hunts and spent well over 30 days in the field with it. This has given me enough experience to put this final review together. I let you know what I like and what I don't. Hopefully, you find this review helpful if you're considering this gun.
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Jay Nichol
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It's hard to loose a floor plate. You could have a magazine fall out while in the brush and ruin your hunt. I see a floor plate as a plus actually. 👍🙏✌
Good point!
Exactly!!
My Sako has a pushup and then simultaneously release the magazine by engaging the depress button. It would be nearly impossible to hook on brush that would pushup and engage the depress button to lose the magazine.
Magazine equals more weight, less cartridge overall length and its not if but when it will fall out. Mags suck for hunting!!
That's why prudent hunters carry spare mags. Let's see who reloads fastest!😁
I am 63 years old. I carry a 10 lb rifle with 26" barrel using a Kifaru gun bearer. I live and hunt the mountain West about 60-70 days a year.
I have no problem whatsoever "busting brush" or carrying my rifles.
Maybe I come from a tougher generation?😁
💪
Scope height is perfect like this. Leupold makes the best scope covers. Alumina covers screw inside the ocular and objective. They have magnets and o ring, much better than any plastic junk you have to put on any other scope make.
Oh damn. I need to grab some of those.
Have had my ct rival in 300 prc for two hunting seasons. Wolves , deer, antelope,elk . It has been used and looks like the day i took it out of the box. For a big guy it fits me well and shoots well. My rifle was special ordered with a shorter barrel which i liked.
Would i buy another? Yes.
Was eager to take out hunting after using it on a range and was more than pleased with rifle also liked the location and flush cups with a neoprene sling. Overall highest rated gun in the gun vault for hunting rifle.
🙌
I have owned 3 Fierce rifles and all of them were shooters and nothing but quality! I have owned hundreds of rifles and can buy any rifle on the market and I would buy a Fierce again! My three sons love the ones I got them!
Thanks for the honest and great review.
🙏
Fierce does sell a folding stock rifle (mtn reaper) for about 800$ more and most of their guns you can choose between an 18 all the way to 26in barrel. For you if you’re only planning on shooting out to 4-5hundred yards a 20-22 inch barrel would be more than capable. (That would definitely keep the overall rifle length down). And their new Rival has an option to get a detachable box magazine if you want that or you can save a couple hundred and stick with the floor plate. Definitely an amazing gun, and great value for the top shelf components at that price point when compared to the industry. (Weatherby backcountry 2.0 3.3k, everybody is 1 moa guarantee ect…) but does everybody need that for mountain hunting? Absolutely not, a Bergara or Tikka would probably do just as well at those distances and save some coin. If you want a badass rifle though with awesome components and a industry leading guarantee that you can shoot out to 1000 yrds+ the rival and especially the new version is a phenomenal choice. Excellent review, appreciate the content!
Thanks man. Been looking at that Mtn Reaper and considering switching. Also considered dumping this gun in an XLR or MDT chassis. Really appreciate the feedback.
@@MindfulHunter Definitely! I don’t have any experience with the XLR Chassis but I have shot the MDT HNT26 and I really like it! Can’t wait to see what you come up with👍
@MindfulHunter they sale the mountain reaper chaises separately.
5 year review of my Fierce Fury in 28 Nosler.....it's still driving tacks, with Hornady ammo as well as hand loads. Lots of one shot kills on Pronghorn beyond 500yds, Mule deer, African game up to Kudu and Blue Wildebeest sized animals in the mid 300yd ranges as well as Nyala (Mule deer sized) at beyond 700yds. I would agree regarding barrel length for some styles of hunting (mine is 26"+brake) but if you're planning on consistently long shots on game or steel you can wring out max velocity with slow burning powders. I've got the Zeiss V4 in 6-25x50 which dials nicely and dependably with a solid stop at zero MOA, and I tend to use the reticle to discern level as well as holding for wind. Would I ever part with this rig? Not on your life!
Love hearing that man. Glad it’s held up for you. That speaks volumes.
They also do a model with a magazine. FP in the model name is for floor plate, XP is for Xremovable Pmagazine. Yeah, that does not quiet work, but you get the idea.
👍
Tikka 300WSM with a 21" CarbonSix prefit and a Mesa stock and the Leupold. Just about as good as you can get for a mountain rifle. I had the same problem during Spring Bear last year and decided on the short carbon barrel. Totally worth it and way less than the semi-custom factory rifles out there.
That’s a sweet setup. I loved both my Tikkas.
Best argument I’ve heard for the floor plate (other than weight savings) is that there is less to go wrong. You can’t accidentally drop your magazine when boonie busting or not seat the mag all the way by accident. You load your rounds at the start of the hunt and they’re not going anywhere. 🤷🏼♂️
That’s not a bad point either. I’ve also packed my magazine separate from my gun before and just couldn’t find it for a while. I’ve stopped doing that lol. Goes back in the gun empty every time now.
Nice review Jay, interesting to hear your thoughts on the floor plate. I have a tikka and on two different hunts in sub zero conditions in Yukon and northern BC the mag was knocked out and on one occasion the cold brittle plastic cracked rendering the shitty plastic tikka mag useless as the spring didn't have enough tension to work properly with the bullets being seated. Going forward I would get a hard metal or custom mag box if that's an option the 100 plus dollar tikka replacements are not worth it and you never have to worry about that if you run a floor plate.
That’s definitely a weakness of a detachable magazine for sure. I’ve also just misplaced mine before n
Thanks! Fierce does make the Mountain Reaper which is the same action and barrel in a folding chassis. You may be able to just get the chassis swapped on. I believe the Fierce Custom shop will also do a shorter 300 PRC carbon barrel but maybe not as short as you want. They’ll certainly cut down their spiral fluted barrels as short as you’d like.
Never thought about contacting their custom shop. I do like the looks of the reaper too.
Also, I agree the floorplate is a big annoyance. I believe the main benefit is weight. Sometimes it’s also magazine length, especially for reloaders who like to load bullets long. Personally, I prefer a detachable magazine as well.
That’s a good point!
I think the 2023 CT Rival XP has the removable mag.
If that’s right, Jay should def call Fierce up and get it. Just be sure to carry an extra mag busting all that brush. Would suck to have some alder drop your only magazine in the bush!
Great review with lots of particular examples and points made. To be fair though, the price of the Fierce includes the $2,000 Leopold scope with it mounted and sighted in whereas the price of the Tika is without the scope and rings included. Fierce does offer a detachable magazine version which is $200 more than the floorplate versions.
Appreciate the feedback!
I have the same rifle on a MDT HNT26 with the folding stock; it looks and feels great. And it shoots awesome.
Good to know! The only thing that holds me back from the swap is I’d like a shorter barrel
Totally agree with you. Nice rifle, nice action. But too long and no detachable mag.
In this case I recommend get a custom action, custom barrel and stick it in a MDT HNT 26 Chassi.
Or keep action and change out floor plate to a mag one and the MDT Chassi.
Appreciate the feedback!
I think the 2023 CT Rival XP has the removable mag.
You can order this with a shorter barrel, and a detachable box mag.
Sweet review Jay! Definitely a sexy gun, could see the benefit if a folding stock for sure!
Thanks Vance!
Just built a 300 wsm with 20” barrel and put in xlr magnesium chassis with folding stock. Super compact and light weight.
That's right up my alley!
Great review , it’s a hard sell to buy a $5k rifle when a $1k rifle can do essentially the same job.
💯
Look at a Red Rock Precision or Gunwerks.
The fierce is only 2500. I think he meant 5k for his setup. I’ve never seen a tikka consistently shoot 1/4 moa groups like the fierce does
Have a look at the MDT HNT26 stock.
I prefer a floor plate to a DM...you can't loose the plate and to unload just dump the plate.
The less that can go wrong, the less that will go wrong!
CT Rival owner here too, 7 SAUM, 24" barrel
Thanks for the review.
That's the exact chassis I am thinking of.
You need the fierce mountain reaper! I just got the 300 prc it is amazing, the titanium action once broken in super smooth. Then after breakin and zero 40 rounds I’m shouting .35” groups
Super compelling option. Also like the Bergara MG Lite.
@@MindfulHunter those were the two I went back and forth on. Chose the fierce I love it
@@rickhofmeister2125 was there anything in particular about the Fierce that swayed your decision?
@@MindfulHunter the caliber voices for one. I wanted 300 prc, mg lite pretty limited on calibers. Also watched a few videos and didn’t see great accuracy out of mg lite. Although I don’t give that a lot of credit. Fierce you can choose yours barrel length as well. I went with 22” didn’t want it too long because I run a suppressor.
Ok, valid points. With all of this being said, it sounds like you just picked the wrong rifle. All of your gripes would have seemed more easily resolved with a MTN Reaper rifle.
That’s what I said in the video. Great rifle but didn’t suit my needs. Where was the confusion?
I strongly prefer the floor plate vs magazine. It seems you need a folding stock with a shorter barrel. Buyers remorse. I do agree the tikka t3x are amazing, especially for the money
Yeah that’s 100% the setup I’m building next. Is that I’ve had more time in the field with it I’m coming to like the floor plate.
You could’ve went with a 22” barrel. But if you only plan on shooting 500 yards and under might as well get a gun under $1000. Fierce is basically a custom gun and is made for long range but still lightweight to be packed around
Yep, agreed. Still fun to have a sexy gun sometimes though even when it's overkill.
That is true. The fierce is one sexy rifle!
Great video Jay!
Thanks!
she is pretty. floor plate is so you dont loose your mag in the field or forget it. also sliding in and out of saddles you want smooth
Fair point. More I use it the more I like it.
You should pick up the mountain Reaper chassis from Fierce it folds and has detachable mags....I love my Reaper
Yeah, not sure how that never made it on my radar in the first place.
Why didn’t you buy a shorter barrel with the gun ? If you need a short gun for mountain hunting I would have figured that out before buying it ?
Must be convenient to buy the perfect product first time every time. Unfortunately I’ve had to experiment with different pieces to find out what works for me and what doesn’t.
For $5,000, it shouldn’t have any negatives!
Well now that’s just ridiculous. No piece of gear is perfect no matter what it costs.
So I have this exact rifle except mine isn’t ct in a 22” barrel and have some questions about the scope ring combo, are those med rings? Also how’s the eye relief considering that’s a long action and scope adjustment is limited?
Those are tally rings. And I find the eye box quite comfortable for me. And I normally need a little more eye relief. For example, I always have the eye cups, fully extended on all my binoculars. But I find the combination of the pistol grip and the cheek weld on the stock, very comfortable and very easy to attain a clear sight picture.
@@MindfulHunter great to hear and I meant I know they are tally rings but what is the height? Med, high etc? I have high cheek bones so I like my optics low
@@KillenNReelinoutdoors I realized right after I posted that response that I miss read the question. Those are low rings.
@@MindfulHunter thanks a lot man I def appreciate the speedy reply.
One more comment, Omer will sell you a Leupold 44mm alumina lens cap which threads into the objective bell instead of having to fit over top of it.
Good call!
What about the Fierce Mtn Reaper seems like it has everything you want
I need to look into that.
The Fierce MTN Reaper seems like it would check your boxes. I’m between the CT Rival and MTN Reaper. You’ve definitely helped reinforce my concerns. The Reaper is sounding better and better.
I’ve been doing a a lot of research on folding stocks because I also live and hunt in BC. This is the build I’m doing 👊
MDT HNT26 CHASSIS SYSTEM with folding option ( BC Company 👍)
Action - Defiance Rukus GA Hunter
diamond flute. 7mm PRC ( spoke to the guys at defiance for over an hour going through all the options)
Proof Research carbon barrel 22”
I also went with HTN26 non folding bought it last year then had to find a action ended up with a gunwerks stainless long action and now getting a Carbon barrel from international Barrel ( BC company) cut and mounted to my action in .280 ai
Nice!
That’s the exact chassis I’m looking at
@@MindfulHunter
The XLR is a great chassis also, if you don’t want to build a rifle look at Bergara
Bergara Premier MG Lite Full Size Bolt Action Rifle .300 Winchester Magnum 24" #6 CURE Carbon Fiber Barrel (1)-5Rd Mag XLR Element Folding Chassis 4.0 Stock Flat Dark Earth/Black Finish
They offer it in 6.5PRC with a 22” barrel
They will be making a 7mm PRC with a 22”
@@Outdawrzman been looking at that chassis as well. I like the looks of that 7mm PRC around too
Greetings from Vancouver. This was precisely the review I was looking for on this rifle. Looking at the specs I had concerns about the barrel length and you confirmed that it's not ideal for the intended use.
Think I'll pass on this rifle and just order a 20-22in carbon barrel in 300PRC and spin that onto one of my existing rifles instead.
Yeah you nailed it. Great gun, too long for the mountains.
What did you think about the titanium action? Was it still somewhat smooth?
It’s a bit sticky for sure. Not a deal breaker but noticeable.
@@MindfulHunter thank you sir! Just subscribed.
I have the same rifle,I wish they would have came with a 22" barrel option,I took my muzzle break off and just use the thread protector,so it's actually 24" instead of 26 with the brake.Have u looked into the Mountain Reaper from fierce it has a folding stock and it is supposed to be lighter than the original.
You’re the second guy to mention the Reaper. I need to look into it.
Beautiful rifle. Maybe one of the short action magnums would also be a good look. Could shave a few inches even before a folder.
👍
How are you attaching it to your tripod? Are you using the javalin adapter to arca?
For the sling try a blueforce gear(Get the padded). the quick adjust is really nice for various reasons. You will have to cut off some material to make it shorter but you have to either way to fit it to yourself. A MDT HNT might be in your future. They cost a arm and a leg tho.
I actally don't attach it to my tripod. It's usually occupied filming while I shoot. Definitely looking at the MDT chassis
You mentioned 5 animals with a 300 Win Mag and ELDX ammo, all DRT. Would you elaborate on the animals and the shots?
2 bears and 3 deer. One of the bears is on film on my CZcams channel. All shots were under 300 yards. I think the larger calibres have less failures with the eldx bullets. I’ve never had the pencilling issues some people complain of.
@@MindfulHunter thanks for the reply.
I just got a Rogue, also from Precision Optic. I've heard so much good things about Fierce and how they are so much better than Christensen arms. But honestly, the finish on the Rogue is so much worse than the finish on my Christensen arms Ridgeline fft. the CA stock is smooth like silk, Fierce stock feels like it left the factory unfinished. The action of the Fierce is also not as smooth as CA, tho that might be due to the tighter tolerances? The worst thing is, that the trigger they put in the Fierce is squishy!! I can't believe it, it is squishy!!! Like there is sand in the trigger, mushy and squishy! The trigger tech trigger is much better in the CA. Why did Fierce had to try something different? Just stick to the norm and slap a trigger tech in there. plus, Fierce totally lied about their rifles' weights!!! My short action, according to their website, SA 22" barrel is 5.8 lb, LA 22" is 6.1 lb, and my SA 22" is 6.1 lb.
At the end of the day, looking at the Fierce's stock finish and carbon barrel's "graphics" of the rogue, it just looks like a *cheap Gunwerks knock-off* and I hate nothing more than cheap knock-offs.
My Fierce has a Trigger Tech Special in it but I do know different models use different triggers.
What Talley Rings are those? Low or Medium..?
-Thanks! Sweet Setup
Low. The only part that’s a little bit annoying is the scope is so close to the barrel that you can’t really fit a slip on scope cover around the bottom of the scope. You can squeeze it in, but it’s a bit of a pain in the ass.
Your elk skull is on wrong so flip the heat bracket so it won’t fall off
🫡
You may have your gun figured out, but if $$$ isnt’ too much of a problem, check out the MDT HNT 26 stock. (Get the ARCA Rail, and Foldable Stock.)
That’s exactly what I’m looking at. Comparing it to the XLR 4.0. MDT is just up the road from me.
@@MindfulHunter how cool is that, I’m building a 7prc and prob going with that setup on mine. There are a couple reviews on CZcams, looks favorable. But the MTN Reaper looks cool too!
@@MindfulHunter I just purchased the MDT HNT26, have a terminus action (Lightweight), trigger tech diamond adjustable trigger, proof 7mm PRC Carbon Fiber barrel, going overboard with the scope but starting with a Leupold 4x24x52 with the illuminated TMOA reticle (Warne lightweight MTN rings.) Hope it doesn’t kick too much. I can’t wait. What did you decide?
@@ryanswanson1150 that’s almost my identical build. Except I’m going Lone Peak Fuzion Ti action. Still deciding what scope.
Good video on final thoughts. Sounds like new scope mounts are in your future. Haha.
Thanks man!
Are those low rings?
Yep. Only pain in the ass is a slip on scope over doesn’t reach fit underneath the bottom of the scope housing
Ah thats good information. Thanks. I just ordered a Rogue and ordered low rings for it.@@MindfulHunter
Nightforce NXS glass doesn’t touch a VX5HD
Haven’t looked through it yet but you’re the first guy I’ve heard that from.
What colour combo is this rival?
Carbon Forest
Wait is the floor plate not hinged?
NO, the floor plate is hinged.
When it comes to hunting I prefer hinged floor-plate. I like the light weight design. I’m a reloader so having a long mag opening allows for more freedom in overall cartridge length. There’s of course nothing to forget/lose, and I like the slick silhouette, less to hang up or snag on things. Typically a internal mag will hold more than enough for most hunting scenarios, so the big benefit of a box mag is negated.
@@acerdale5099 the longer I have the floor plate the more I like it actually.
I’ve just heard so many negatives about fierces accuracy though…
Well sub 0.5 moa accuracy guarantee or you give it back.
Fierce mtn reaper. or get the reaper chasis from fierce
I like the looks of that mtn reaper
Bergara crest for the win!
💪
But do u like it as much as your Bow ? 😂
It’s not even close
Get a mag and watch it get lost “busting brush” that’s why I don’t have riffles with them. Belly fed only for me.
Definitely one of the benefits of this system.
@@MindfulHunter I mean I love the ease like you said removed the mag when you get to the truck and stuff I guess maybe I’m just old school and anything can happen in the back country. I just ordered a new fierce carbon rival in 7prc 20” barrel and same scope as you today thanks for the honest review.
@@xfighter1117 glad it was helpful man.
I wouldn't sell it, just go buy another rifle with folding stock. Get a Bergara Mglite, sig cross, etc.
The Fierce MTN Reaper looks cool too.
If you get the MTN Reaper, please do a review ASAP, it looks bada$$
@@ryanswanson1150 will do
floor plate! i hate them stupid mags
I am getting used to it now I’ll admit.
FIERCE the worst customer service off all time, surprised your rifle even came with rifling in the barrel!!!!
Interesting, I have never had to deal with them actually.
What Hight are your Talley rings? I have this same scope to put on my 7MM REM MAG by Weatherby. Thanks for your time!
Low. She’s a tight fit though. Can’t even fit a slip on scope cover on.
@@MindfulHunter Ok Thanks for the reply!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Cheers!