New APS Raptor Stalker pics

[Fiftydriver]

A month or so ago I posted some pics of a rifle that was similar to what my Raptor Stalker rifles would look like. Well, now, I have a full concept rifle to take some pics of to show you guys.

This rifle is conceptually what Raptor Stalker looks like. This rifle has an adjustable Cheek piece which would not be a standard feature on the Raptor Stalker but this is why I like using the McMillan HTG or Manner MCS-T stocks, they offer the ability to still use a quality integral adjustable cheek piece if the customer wants that option.

Parts list is as followes which will be pretty standard for the Raptor Stalker rifles:

-Chambered in 7mm Allen Magnum
-Raptor receiver
-20 moa stainless steel, full length rail base, triple pinned, six 8-40 mounting screw.
-Heat treated heavy recoil lug
-Lilja Stalker contour barrel, 27" finish length, fluted barrel, 1-9, 4 groove
-APS small Painkiller muzzle brake
-Bead Blast Matte finish on barreled receiver
-McMillan HTG painted black stock
-!" decelerator recoil pad
-Integral Adjustable Cheek Piece
-Custom pillar bedding
-HS Precision Detachable Magazine system
-Jewell trigger set at 1.5 lbs

This rifle really showed the refined nature of the Stalker version of the Raptor compared to the LRSS version which is by design. The specific design goal is to offer a rifle that will compete head to head with a conventional rifle that weighs around 15-16 lbs. In comparision, the Raptor Stalker tips the scales at just over 8 lbs with this adjustable CP stock. Without the Adj. CP option, you will get slightly under 8 lbs.

In the soon to come full feature lightweight model, the stock will be a carbon fiber shell model in either HTG or T which will drop another 1/2 lb off the rifles total weight. Another weight reduction feature to come is the "Hunter" version of the Raptor receiver. This receiver will have two new features that will help drop weight.

1. The ejection port is much larger on the "Hunter" model which will save several ounces from the weight of the standard Raptor.

2. This larger ejection port also allows the use of much lighter internal magazine boxes designed for chamberings such as the RUMs, Edge and Ultra Maxx class chamberings. The light internal mag box combined with the light alloy BDL style floorplates or even ADL style systems will drop weight even more.

Combining all these features will produce a rifle in the low 7 lb range. This with a FULL SIZE receiver, FULL SIZE sporter weight stock and FULL SIZE barrel in the 25 to 27" finish length ranges. Now this is bare rifle weight, no optics, no rings, no bipod. Just complete rifle and rail base installed.

The rifle in the above picture is for a customer that had a project get seriously held up. It was supposed to be based on another receiver but the manufacturer had some serious problems getting the componants to us so I asked him if he would consider going with the Raptor upgrade and a Stalker rifle. He agreed which was good for me as I was able to get his rifle out FINALLY!!!

I have not been able to test this rifle yet, waiting for the bedding to fully cure but should have bullets in the air early next week.

Anyway, wanted to get these pictures posted for you guys.

Anyone looking for the ultimate packing rifle that will offer legit+1/2 mile reach yet still allow an in shape hunter to pack the rifle the better part of a day in the field, well, this is my personal idea of exactly that rifle, the APS Raptor Stalker.

Again, the Stalker is available in the following chamberings:

Single shot or Detachable Mag Box:
257 STW, 270 ALLEN MAGNUM, 7mm STW, 7mm DAKOTA, 7mm RUM, 7mm ALLEN MAGNUM, 300 DAKOTA, 300 RUM, 300 ALLEN XPRESS, 300 RAPTOR, 338 RUM, 338 EDGE, 338 ULTRA MAXX, 338 ALLEN XPRESS, 338 RAPTOR, 338 KUBLA KAHN, 375 RUM, 375 ALLEN XPRESS, 375 RAPTOR

Repeater with internal Mag box:
257 STW, 270 ALLEN MAGNUM, 7mm STW, 7mm DAKOTA, 7mm RUM, 300 DAKOTA, 300 RUM, 338 RUM, 338 EDGE, 338 ULTRA MAXX, 375 RUM

Other conventional belted magnums will be optional as well but the Raptor rifles, LRSS and Stalker are designed for the biggest and baddest of the high performance chamberings so that is what it will be focused around.

Obviously, any McMillan stock will be available in gel coat finish as well so you can choose your color finish. Any carbon fiber shell stock will have to be in a painted finish.

Let me know what you guys think!!

 

[J E Custom]

Very nice work Kirby !!!!!

Good looking receiver.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Camshaft]

Kirby, not sure if this info is out there or not already, but will this receiver be available in a LeftHand version?

 

[venom600]

Sure is a good looking rifle. Will be anxious to see some data on how it shoots.

 

[Pdvdh]

Impressed that you're getting the weight down to backpacking feasible, yet still with the full-sized receiver, stock, and barrel. Looking forward to hearing how the test firing goes.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I love it to say the least. It has me thinking for sure about alot of things.

 

[Fiftydriver]

Camshaft,

Yes it will be available in left hand. Actually the first prototype lefties had one small issue that we had to work out but that has been corrected and the first lefties are supposed to be ready to ship within the next week or so.

The left hand model will have all the features and options as the Right hand as far as mag box window configurations and chambering options.

 

[Fiftydriver]

My personal lightweight 7mm AM, old "GREEN" is based on a Rem 700 with an HS sporter stock, HS DM system, #3 non fluted barrel and its for all intent and purpose the same weight as this new Raptor Stalker but it has a 26" barrel length instead of a full 27".

The reason for this is the HS stock is pretty heavy for a sporter stock with its full length aluminum bedding block.

Again, we can get lighter then this Stalker pretty easily. I also forgot to mention that We can go with a different Raptor Stalker barrel contour. The Standard Stalker barrel channel is very similiar to a Lilja #5 contour but with a longer then standard barrel shank.

The lightweight Stalker model uses a contour that is smaller yet, around a #4 contour with flutes yet it still retains the longer shank length for much better barrel rigidity. This is one feature that helps the Stalker compete very well against much heavier rifles. The longer shank is much more rigid. Add to that the dramatically longer bedding area under the receiver, especially the front of the receiver and you get a much larger bedding footprint to support the barreled receiver. The large diameter receiver thread and the long receiver thread length also add to the increased stability and rigidy of the Stalker compared to conventional weight rifles.

My light weight 7mm AM is quite impressive numbers wise. When the barrel was fresh, it would drive the 200 gr ULD RBBT to 3180 fps with very comfortable chamber pressures which I required with the use of the Rem 700 receiver. Its barrel has become pretty long in the tooth and has some heat cracking in it now so its to rough for the 200 gr ULDs at this velocity.

As such, I have swapped out to two other bullets. For long range shooting I use the 175 gr SMK loaded right at 3340 fps in the 26" barrel length. Again, this is a good comfortable load. A bit higher pressure then the 200 gr load but PLENTY acceptable pressures for even a Rem 700 based rifle. In my ballistic testing, I have to use a BC of .680 with the 175 gr SMK to get drop charts to accurately match up with actual bullet trajectories. Pretty impressive ballistically out of a 10 lb rifle ready to hunt with.

For most of my big game hunting chores I use the 160 gr Accubond loaded to 3420 fps at similiar chamber pressures. Certainly not as potent as the heaiver bullets ballistically but its a very accurate load and plenty for hunting out to even 800 yards and its a very good bullet for closer range impacts so its a good all around choice for out to moderate range hunting.

I list these numbers for a comparision. My Raptor LRSS with a 30" barrel length will easily surpass what the 200 gr ULD RBBT will be able to survive. We have to limit muzzle velocity to around 3300 fps with this bullet or you will have bullet integrity problems.

We do not have this problem with the 175 gr SMK as it will handle MUCH more velocity but does give up a bit of terminal performance. I have tested the 175 gr SMK to over 3550 fps out of the Raptor LRSS. In testing, the 7mm AM will drop around 25-28 fps going from 30" down to 27". So you would be looking at a velocity of around 3465 to 3475 fps in the 27" Raptor Stalker on average.

The 160 gr Accubond has been tested at 3600 fps in the Raptor LRSS although I prefer to see velocity in the 3575 fps range for top end loads. +3500 fps in the Stalker should be pretty easy.

I have not tested the 140 gr Accubond in the Raptors but with the strength of this rifle, I would be surpised if you would not see well over 3600 fps in the Stalker model and possibly pushing 3700 fps in the LRSS. This bullet would be a bit of a waste in the big LRSS model but for those that wanted a laser flat shooting bullet in the Stalker for basically no or very little holdover shooting out to 500 yards on lighter big game, this would be a very practical choice.

In this customers rifle, I may give the 190 gr Matrix VLD bullet a run and see what it will handle. Since its based on the J-4 jacket, I am sure it will be limited to the same 3300 fps velocity ceiling as the 180 gr Berger VLD and 200 gr ULD RBBT from Wildcat Bullets. Even at the reduced 3300 fps velocity however, it would still be a very impressive bullet choice for the long range hunter.

I will post results of tests hopefully early next week.

 

[MT4XFore]

Oh be still my beating heart..................

 

[Camshaft]

Camshaft,

Yes it will be available in left hand. Actually the first prototype lefties had one small issue that we had to work out but that has been corrected and the first lefties are supposed to be ready to ship within the next week or so.

The left hand model will have all the features and options as the Right hand as far as mag box window configurations and chambering options.

This makes me very happy, i'm set on a 300Raptor in an MCS-T, and its gonna be a lefty! Im about 4 months out from having the $$$ to place the order though sadly.

 

[yama49]

Looking great, cant wait for some results, keep up the good work....gun)

 

[captacademy]

Very nice rifle! Kirby, you're building a rifle for me now in 338 Lapua, would it be possible to make it into a 9 lbs or 10 lbs stalker?

 

[Pdvdh]

The reason for this is the HS stock is pretty heavy for a sporter stock with its full length aluminum bedding block.

Again, we can get lighter then this Stalker pretty easily. I also forgot to mention that we can go with a different Raptor Stalker barrel contour. The Standard Stalker barrel channel is very similar to a Lilja #5 contour but with a longer then standard barrel shank.

The large diameter receiver thread and the long receiver thread length also add to the increased stability and rigidy of the Stalker compared to conventional weight rifles.

I list these numbers for a comparision. My Raptor LRSS with a 30" barrel length will easily surpass what the 200 gr ULD RBBT will be able to survive. We have to limit muzzle velocity to around 3300 fps with this bullet or you will have bullet integrity problems.

I will post results of tests hopefully early next week.

Good information and explanation Kirby. This post plus your initial post helps explain the options and how you go about producing and assembling a lighter weight, high performance, LRH rifle. Thanks again.

 

[sp6x6]

Very nice, and I THINK you will find a good market for them