The Modern Hunter Rifle UPDATED December 10 2015

[Stevebot-7]

has anyone talked about the .50 Beowulf for this gun?

Unless I am mistaken, that would require similar dimensions and/or tooling as .223 which puts it in the "Maybe after we sell a bunch of .308 and free up some funds to redesign the gun."

Oh winter overtime pay, come soon so I can buy me a Modern Hunter.

 

[nowarningshot]

I believe they talked early in this post about not deviating from the 308 family of cartridges due to the huge cost and time frame for getting an frt.

The FRT is a done deal, changing caliber does not change the fundamental engineering of the firearm. The 308 family is first up, and again it would not mean a new FRT or any real changes for each caliber, as the springs, mag well, magazine...everything is the same.

They said going to another caliber(s)is a plan, but after they have made some money and recovered some R&D money. Lots of people are talking about 223, i am talking about calibers like 7mm Rem mag, 338 win mag. Since those two are based on the same 300H&H case sized to 2.5", it would be a barrel change and $750...or roughly the cost of any bolt action, to have two ATRS modern hunters with the turn of the wrench and 15 minutes.

So a lot of people are probably putting down deposits, and i am hoping that there is a time frame. Ballpark, best guess here.

 

[ShaunM]

They have thought this all out extremely well... I went in person to pick out my options on mine, and there are plans / dreams of going with both magnums and varmint cartridges. But let's not forget that this rifle is still brand new, to the point that only prototypes are in existence. I'd expect years for the other versions. We have to keep our expectations realistic. We've just been let in on the development AGES before most manufacturers would release it.

And about the Cadillac versions, this is ATRS, I can't picture them putting their stamp on anything less. If all you want is a cheap semi auto 308, get a norinco m305.

this is more in competition with xcr-m, famae 542, and swiss arms in my opinion . It doesn't even feel right to say compete though, since all of those funds are 2-5 moa at best. Seeing parts of this in person, it's an absolute thing of beauty and I have complete confidence it will shoot as good or better than all of ATRSs' builds. Even the base model at 3100 is vastly superior to its competitors, but it has options for more

 

[purplezuk]

I'd like to consider this as more of a Ferrari than a Cadillac. Cadillacs are just Chevys with nicer paint. Having seen some parts up close, these are at the top of the food chain and i don't know if there is anything that could be done to make them any better if fully optioned.
Recievers looked amazing and i cannot wait to hold a complete rifle and then get my own

 

[H Wally]

I know this is incredibly needy, but for decision making purposes would it be possible to get a very approximate breakdown on profile and length in weight on the SS and Carbon Fiber barrels? Since this is non-restricted it'll be replacing a couple other guns as bush guns, and stuff gets heavy in the mountains.

I know you're quite busy so no worries if it's not convenient, but I think it would help a lot of people figure out what exactly they're hoping for and going to get.

IE:

Basic upper/lower receiver weight with standard internals - _____lbs

Stainless steel barrel, Light Profile
18.6 inches - _____lbs
20 Inches - _____lbs
22 inches- ______lbs

Stainless steel barrel, Medium Profile
18.6 inches - _____lbs
20 Inches - _____lbs
22 inches- ______lbs

Stainless steel barrel, Heavy Profile
18.6 inches - _____lbs
20 Inches - _____lbs
22 inches- ______lbs

Carbon Fiber etc etc etc

Obviously stock, grip, guards, mounts etc all weigh something, but a big unknown variable to me is the difference in weights between the different barrel profiles and lengths. I remember reading that CF wrapped barrels are 40% lighter? I could be wrong on that. I could probably find a weight somewhere in this thread and break it down to a by-the-inch weight and then calculate it out, but I figure it might be easier asking the guy with a stack of them

 

[purplezuk]

I was in store and was leaning heavily towards a medium or heavy contour until I held a bolt gun with both a heavy and a carbon barrel. I didn't want to spend the extra on the carbon barrel originally, but the carbon barrel got circled yes. It was night and day difference.
If you can feel the difference first hand and can afford the extra 750$ the decision will be made for you.
I wasn't planning on going lightweight on this, but other than the buttstock it's as light as possible. Keep in mind that the carbon barrels only come in a single contour which o would guess to mimic a heavy contour. And they just look badass

 

[ShaunM]

Did the exact same thing purplezuk, it's quite compelling isn't it! I had to just say screw it and get it the way I want it, damn the costs and suffer for it later lol.

 

[purplezuk]

Did the exact same thing purplezuk, it's quite compelling isn't it! I had to just say screw it and get it the way I want it, damn the costs and suffer for it later lol.

Yup, the weight sells the barrel.... and since the barrel is carbon fiber, it only makes sense that that handguard is carbon fiber too. Might have to get the prs stock dipped in a carbon fiber pattern. I'd like to know how many of the 75 are going with carbon barrels and carbon handguard.

 

[purplezuk]

I'm sure if everyone who did the preorder was able to handle the barrels and compare the weight I'd bet 75 percent would have carbon barrels. Of those half would have the matching handguard. If I could get a carbon keymod I'd be all over that.

 

[rally guy]

Google is your friend.

Lancer system stock for ar-15/308 99/130$

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

just curious if there is certain hand guards that wont fit or will most AR10 hand guards fit?

The 1s that we know will fit are listed on our website in the pages for the Modern Hunter.
Many do not as they are designed to fit the Armalite version which is different than the DPMS version.
Given that Amallite has fewer options we elected to go with the DPMS deck height and barrel extension type.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Just me, but if a lot of people opt in for certain things like ceracote, specific barrel profiles, vanilla furniture....would you then offer a chevrolet version of the rifle at a discounted price. I am thinking of price, and from your point of view...ease of manufacture.

I don't know how many people are going to want a cadilac version, i am not wanting a tactical item. Really i want what the topic talks about, a modern hunter. Accurate and dependable without lot of fuss. Again any idea of a time frame...even a ballpark....where a non 308 family chambering would be available?

We DO offer a base rifle, but funny enough so far 95% have decided to go with many if not all the upgrades, so it would appear than most prefer the Cadillac versions.

No clue as to when we might have time or the capital to invest in the Modern Magnum. THIS is the honest answer. I can tell you any lie you want to hear but prefer not to. What I can state is that the Modern Varminter will be the next model we plan to work on.
Simply it is a matter of numbers. The higher the demand the greater the urgency to get it into production. The fact is we are busting our balls trying to get this project under control.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

The FRT is a done deal, changing caliber does not change the fundamental engineering of the firearm. The 308 family is first up, and again it would not mean a new FRT or any real changes for each caliber, as the springs, mag well, magazine...everything is the same.

They said going to another caliber(s)is a plan, but after they have made some money and recovered some R&D money. Lots of people are talking about 223, i am talking about calibers like 7mm Rem mag, 338 win mag. Since those two are based on the same 300H&H case sized to 2.5", it would be a barrel change and $750...or roughly the cost of any bolt action, to have two ATRS modern hunters with the turn of the wrench and 15 minutes.

So a lot of people are probably putting down deposits, and i am hoping that there is a time frame. Ballpark, best guess here.

I wish you were correct, but sadly.... The scaled down version Modern Varminter and up scaled version Modern Magnum will both require an inspection by the FRT group simply because they are different platforms all together. Your theory is sound IF we were talking anything but a semi auto firearm. Unfortunately as soon as it is a semi auto the thought process from the government changes radically.
The entire lower is different from the platform for 223 to 308 based cartridges as well as from 308 to magnums. The mag well is not only different in length but the mag release also differs greatly. To date there is really no commercially available mags for the magnum calibers except from a couple of proprietary mags offered by Nemo and Noreen. And they are not cheap.
There is significant differences in what the dimensions are for each upper and lower. Now I realize that the Hydra system has been able to account for some of these, but it is 100% proprietary so we can not employ it.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Well as someone posted right after my "cadilac version" post... a cadilac is a chevrolet with nice paint. A better analogy might be a Corvette and a Ferrari.

Thanks for replying about the "Modern magnum", that would be my rifle. Reliable, accurate, and designed to help with recoil from magnum hunting calibers. Know there are some stock designs to help with recoil...Knoxx?? Anyways you folks have to go where the demand is, and in thinking on it, the "Modern Varmiter" would be the next demand. People wanting super accurate 223 NR platforms.

I could see there being a demand for a platform like this in large hunting calibers such as 300 WM, 338 WM, and even 7 mm and 300 RUM. Unfortunately the demand might be in the States, a closed market for a small company.

I doubt that we will be any more successful marketing our "Modern" series rifles in the US that we are with our AR15 variant. It was deemed a "weapon of war" by the BATFE, hence non importable.

I think that there WILL be a limited market for the Magnum, being a bigger caliber fan myself I also truly want a semi auto in 300 Win, but developing these is not cheap, and as benevolent as I am have to look at the economics.
My thinking is, we KNOW we can make an AR15 work flawlessly and be very accurate. We are damned sure we can make an AR10 style rifle run flawlessly and be accurate given what we have experienced with the MH to date. Once we have some in circulation I think we learn more still. I am realistic enough to realize that we will have some guns that could be problems in the beginning but we are prepared for that. We are REAL anal here and are doing our absolute best to make sure what we make IS what we claim it will be. Once we KNOW that the Modern Hunter is perfect then we can take what we have learned and apply it to the Magnum. But it will take time. There are only so many hours in a day and days in a year. Rather than try to rush several projects at the same time it seems more logical to develop 1, make it perfect then move to the next project.
Hopefully that answers the questions. truly i am not trying to be a smart ass, just up front and honest about what we are doing.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Just like in the USA where FS2000s, Tavors, MSARs, RFBs etc can be had a rock bottom prices because they have to compete with $600 ARs! Oh wait, that is utter BS! First of all, quality products do not compete with cheap products or products in different market sectors. AR-308s do not compete with .223 AR15s. There is little market crossover. KAC is not competing with Norinco, same as Ford Focus is not competing with a Lexus SUV. Whether or not the AR is DE-RESTRICTED (let's not delude ourselves, the AR will never be a "named" non-restricted), the vast majority of ARs in the country will remain restricted due to barrel length. You are quite frankly an idiot if you think all the other currently non-restricted black rifles will plummet in price simply because 18.5"+ ARs are Non-Restricted.

As for ATRS's "Not an AR-308" AR-308 rifle, they are more than in line with other top offerings in the field. Whether or not ARs are de-restricted will not change the fact that quality AR-308s start around $2K USD and climb to over $5K USD. Again, ATRS is not making this .308 rifle to compete with .223 rifles. That would just be non-nonsensical. If they planned in competing with .223s, they would have made a .223!

Personally I am very interested in this rifle. However that hinges on the rifle's ability to accept either standard or modified A1/A2 handguards, or how readily I could manufacture a wood forearm for it. If I were to purchase an ATRS Modern hunter, it would be used exactly as the name suggests, for hunting. My personal taste dictates that any self-respecting hunting rifle has a wood stock, and they only make wood AR stocks is A1/A2 configuration.

We actually had wood furniture made for the prototype we sent to the FRT group.
It would not be difficult to make wood furniture similar to the A2 butt and fore stock. To use the 2 piece plastic snap in hand guards would only require putting a front furniture ring behind the gas block and employing a Delta ring on the barrel nut.
In our business ethic we only do what we can do well, so leave wood entirely alone. It has been said of my best wood working skill as making a campfire.

 

[Stevebot-7]

Am I reading this correctly? People are putting deposits down on a concept, not an actual functional, tested firearm? Sounds like a Kickstarter campaign.

ATRS is one of the companies that have the positive reputation to pull it off. They have a long history of making quality gear, expensive yeah, but quality.

Really though, we're just getting a really early look at this. In other cases, the manufacturer would wait 6 months until they have a polished unit, and then start shopping it around to distributors and clients, and then a year or two later after tens of thousands of units had been assembled it would hit the shelves.

Instead, ATRS is giving us the pre-release to the pre-release, letting us see it and get first dibs and provide input before it's on store shelves. If ATRS had waited until they had a bunch made, there would be endless complaining because people wanted a 24" barrel and not a 22" barrel.

The hardest part is through, it has received it's Non-Restricted FRT entry, which took several years unless I'm mistaken. Many of the features such as the DI gas system and the magazines have already been arguably perfected, and ATRS has much related experience with their AT-15 Pistol and their AR-15 rifles.

Okay, shilling complete, give me a free rifle!

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Am I reading this correctly? People are putting deposits down on a concept, not an actual functional, tested firearm? Sounds like a Kickstarter campaign.

Not at all are you reading this correctly. We have a well known and proven company that has a solid reputation for making very high quality firearms for the last 20 years that has a proven prototype, that simply needed to be made pretty hence sale-able, offering a chance to own a truly custom and potentially collectable firearm to 75 people ahead of the mainstream production run where options will be severely limited, much like the other manufacturers do.
What we are offering is a 60 year old operating system that is WELL proven in a slightly modified package that has some refinements and upgrades made to it, but unlike the rest of this style of rifle it is NON Restricted.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Put out your price for a 338 lapua version, il send in full payment now!

Well, based on the investment to date of the first Modern Hunter to come out of production I would estimate that the first Modern Magnum would cost just a touch over $200000.00, the second and subsequent rifles produced will be much less expensive mind you.
I realize that $200000.00 to $250000.00 may be chump change to some, but to a small manufacturer like us, it is not.
If you want to front the costs of developing the Modern Magnum so we can get it into production sooner, maybe we should talk further?

 

[TSE JR]

Well, based on the investment to date of the first Modern Hunter to come out of production I would estimate that the first Modern Magnum would cost just a touch over $200000.00, the second and subsequent rifles produced will be much less expensive mind you.
I realize that $200000.00 to $250000.00 may be chump change to some, but to a small manufacturer like us, it is not.
If you want to front the costs of developing the Modern Magnum so we can get it into production sooner, maybe we should talk further?

Rick,

You are to be commended for taking the risk to bring a new firearm to the market. Many talk the talk, but here you ahve proven you are willing to walk the walk.

Congrats,

JR

 

[ShaunM]

Well, based on the investment to date of the first Modern Hunter to come out of production I would estimate that the first Modern Magnum would cost just a touch over $200000.00, the second and subsequent rifles produced will be much less expensive mind you.
I realize that $200000.00 to $250000.00 may be chump change to some, but to a small manufacturer like us, it is not.
If you want to front the costs of developing the Modern Magnum so we can get it into production sooner, maybe we should talk further?

When I win the lotto tonight, I'll be in touch. ;-)

Development costs are high, but this starved Canadian market really needed a high quality option that I just don't think any of the available non restricted semi autos took care of.

And I didn't read back if there was any slag at my supporting ATRS, but I'm a non affiliated repeat customer and there's a reason for that repeat business, they're my go to place.

Shaun