Bolt Action Builds Ep.1 | Low Tier, Mid Tier & High Tier

Launching the Bolt-Action Series and Rifle Lineup

The hosts decide to start a new bolt-action rifle series after seeing interest in the comments. They joke about previous hangout series and note this is the first time some of them, including Ka, are hosting a dedicated series. The concept is to compare low, mid, and high tier bolt guns across multiple episodes. Several companies have contributed rifles, including US Arms Co., Aero Precision, and Bergara, and the team plans to add an additional off-the-shelf “everyman” rifle pulled straight from the warehouse shelves to represent a more accessible option. With four rifles and only three regular on-camera hosts, they invite Ryan, usually behind the camera and described as the backbone of the channel, to step in as a shooter. They playfully discuss how he’ll manage being both in front of and behind the camera, joking about the camera levitating. The segment sets up a friendly competition between the different rifles and configurations that will be explored in later installments, and they tease going to the warehouse to pick a random but representative production rifle to round out the lineup.

US Arms Azrael 6.5 Creedmoor High-End Build

The highest-end rifle in the series is the US Arms Azrael, chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It wears an X2 Devrew Orion suppressor and has noticeable weight, which is described as beneficial for recoil control and stability. The rifle is topped with an EOTech Vudu 5–25 optic. It feeds from 10-round MDT magazines and is built on an original J. Allen chassis, a design no longer in production since MDT acquired the company, making these chassis sought after. An Arca rail supports an MDT bipod, and the stock includes an adjustable cheek riser. The rifle uses a TriggerTech Diamond single-stage trigger with virtually no take-up and a very light, crisp break. The setup is presented as fully equipped for precise, accurate shooting, placing performance responsibility largely on the shooter.

AGM Night Vision and Thermal for Low-Light Episode

A future episode in the series is planned around competition in low-light conditions. To support this, the team partners with AGM, which provides night vision scopes for the event. In addition to the night vision optics, AGM supplies a thermal clip-on unit that one of the hosts plans to use to gain an advantage during the low-light competition. The other competitors are not yet aware of this specific thermal setup. This segment previews episode six of the series, where the same bolt-action platforms will be tested under night and low-visibility conditions using the AGM night vision and thermal equipment.

Aero Precision Solus Competition Rifle Overview

The second most expensive rifle is the Aero Precision Solus, built on a Remington 700 short action and chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It uses a 22-inch 6.5 Creedmoor barrel and will be accuracy-tested against the other rifles in a later episode. At the muzzle is a VG6 Lambda 6.5 Creedmoor four-chamber self-timing muzzle brake, similar in concept to the self-timing device previously used on a Mk13 Mod 5 build in .300 Win Mag. The rifle sits in Aero’s aluminum competition chassis, heavier than a typical hunting stock to help mitigate recoil. The skeletonized stock offers adjustable cheek height, with discussion about keeping the optic mounted relatively low for better balance. Optics are a Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6–18 scope in mils, mounted in 35 mm Mark 5 rings. A TriggerTech single-stage trigger provides a very light, crisp pull, and a Warne Precision bipod with an Arca adapter, approximately 6–9 inches in height, attaches to the Arca rail on the chassis. The rifle is described as likely more accurate than the shooter and will represent Aero Precision in the series competition.

Bergara B14 HMR Carbon Wilderness .308 Setup

Another featured rifle is the Bergara B14 HMR Carbon Wilderness, chambered in .308 Winchester. It uses a 20-inch carbon fiber–wrapped 410 stainless barrel with 5/8x24 threads and an Omni brake from Bergara. A basic Champion bipod is fitted, emphasizing a simpler, lighter setup compared to the more accessorized competition rifles. The rifle sits in a gray HMR chassis that contributes to its relatively low weight of about 7.5 pounds before optics and accessories. On top is a first focal plane 3–18 mil-based scope with 0.1 mil elevation adjustments, side windage and parallax controls, and an illuminated reticle, intended to support both long-range and intermediate-distance shooting. The rifle uses standard AICS-pattern magazines and ships with a five-round magazine. It features a Bergara performance trigger with a light, clean break around three pounds, demonstrated after confirming the rifle is clear. The B14 action cycles smoothly, and the stock offers adjustable comb height and length of pull via spacers, plus multiple QD sling mounting points front and rear. With the .308 chambering, muzzle brake, and recoil pad, recoil is expected to be manageable, and the host anticipates a competitive advantage from the rifle’s lighter overall weight.

Teasing the Classic Scoped K98 Rifle

To round out the lineup, the team looks for a rifle with more historical character. They discuss choosing something classic with real history, deciding against options like a Carcano and instead gravitating toward a more iconic platform. The search leads to a scoped K98 rifle equipped with a sling, introduced briefly at the end of the segment. The K98 is presented as a traditional, historically significant bolt-action that contrasts with the modern chassis rifles and carbon-fiber builds featured earlier. Details on the optic, caliber, and specific configuration are not yet explored, as this appearance serves mainly as a teaser for how the classic K98 will fit into the low, mid, and high tier bolt-action comparison in future episodes.