Nosler Model 21: Lightweight hunting firepower

Nosler is stepping into the firearms manufacturing scene again, with the all-new Model 21. In keeping with current consumer trends, mostly inspired by TV and social media, the Model 21 is a lightweight hunting rifle; Nosler calls it "a rifle for the next decade."

The Model 21 uses a proprietary bolt action design, but precision shooters may notice a similarity to the EVO action built by Mack Brothers from South Dakota. That's because the Model 21 is actually a refinement of that action, with customization to Nosler's specifications. This is supposed to guarantee accuracy with the rifle right out of the box, with no need for "accurizing" tweaks by the buyer.

This makes plenty of sense; with Nosler primarily being an ammunition and components manufacturer, outsourcing action design to a trustworthy manufacturer is the best way to go.

The action is manufactured with advanced wire EDM equipment (electrical discharge machining), meaning every unit is made to the same careful blueprinted dimensions. As is common with modern mountain hunting rifles, the Model 21 action comes with spiral fluted one-piece bolt, Nitride-coated and made of chrome-moly steel. The bolt handle comes with 5/6-24 threaded handle, should you wish to replace it. The safety is atop the action, mounted to the side, behind the bolt handle.

The recoil lug is self-indexing; Nosler says this "eliminates recoil lug alignment issues and increases thread shank length for added barrel support." The Model 21 action comes with scope bases attached, when shipped.

There's an M16-style extractor and fire control group; both can be removed from the rifle without using tools Very handy in the mountains, if you've left your gunsmithing kit back in the truck.

The trigger is a TriggerTech Field single-stage affair, with the company's Frictionless Release Technology. It's user-adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds.

The Model 21 comes with a Shilen match-grade barrel, with recessed crown and threaded for attachment of muzzle devices (a knurled thread protector is included). Threads are either 1/2-28 or 5/8-24. The barrels are hand-lapped for bore smoothness.

As you'd expect, the stock is carbon-fibre composite for combined rigidity, weight reduction and durability. It comes with aluminum pillars, a 1-inch recoil pad, an all-weather epoxy paint finish and 13.5-inch length of pull. Depending which calibre you order, barrel length is 22 inches or 24 inches, and magazine capacity is three rounds or four rounds. Overall length ranges from 41 5/8 inches to 42 1/2 inches; weight ranges from 6.8 to 7.1 pounds. It won't be as much of a featherweight as the Weather Backcountry 2.0 Ti, which was also just recently introduced (sub-5 pounds, in some configurations!), but it's definitely on the light side for many hunters.

The new Model 21 will be available in a wide range of chamberings, including proprietary calibres such as .22 Nosler, .26 Nosler, .27 Nosler, .28 Nosler, .30 Nosler and .33 Nosler. It's also available in standard rounds such as .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 Creedmore, .375 H&H Magnum, and more.

Full details on the rifle are at Nosler's website here. No word yet on Canadian pricing or availability, but Americans will pay $2,495 US.

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