Gunwerks ClymR Rifle: The Definition of Precision Hunting

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Texas is many things, but it was not the first place that came to mind when my friend Jesse White of Federal Ammunition suggested hunting trophy mule deer.

Colorado? Wyoming? You’d think so, but nope. He wanted to go to Texas.

Western Texas has a species of desert mule deer known as the trans-Pecos region muley. For the most part they tend to be smaller than their Rocky Mountain cousins.

Someone forgot to inform the buck I—jaw slack and heart pounding—was glassing of that fact. The one antler I could see protruding from behind a clump of cactus had massively deep forks and a long drop tine. It would easily measure 90 inches. If combined with a conservative 20-inch inside spread and a matching antler on the other side, the buck would be a solid 200-inch deer.

Trouble was, the rut was on and a hot doe was leading the old buck on a merry chase in a cactus thicket. I was 90 yards from them, and could only catch glimpses. This was a far cry from the open-country conditions I’d anticipated and worked my Gunwerks rifle out for. I’d chosen to hunt with a super-accurate Gunwerks ClymR rifle chambered in 7mm SAUM, loaded with Terminal Ascent bullets, because of the potential need to reach far to kill.

CRAFT WERK

For nearly two decades Gunwerks has been the tip of the spear in long-range precision hunting rifles, and in hands-on education about accurate shooting in the field. Without doubt, Gunwerks has done more to further the understanding and abilities of precision hunters than any other gun company.

Among the several customizable models offered by Gunwerks, the ClymR is their state-of-the-art mountain rifle. I’m a backcountry hunter, and while sojourning through middle age, I’ve come to appreciate three things in a backcountry rifle: Light weight, premium quality and tack-driving accuracy.

ClymR models provide all three, plus the technical ergonomics necessary to help us humans shoot with consistency. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: In my opinion Gunwerks’ stocks are in a class of their own when it comes to making a rifle easy to shoot consistently. The deeply researched and perfectly engineered geometry of the grip, comb and buttstock circumvent many of the human-induced inconsistencies that cause erratic accuracy.

STOCK SPECS

Gunwerks accomplished this extraordinary feel of the ClymR stock by “…studying the ergonomics of shooter interaction, and the rifle recoil impulse in super light rifles.” Moreover, their engineers “…identified the grip as a key interface with major influence on long-range precision and accuracy.”

The result? A grip unmatched by any other. It positions the shooting hand comfortably, consistently and torque-free, thereby eliminating muscle-induced, accuracy-robbing tremors and optimizing the way your finger addresses the trigger.

A comb with a negative slant toward the action positions the buttpad higher and more in line with the barrel, reducing muzzle jump. This makes it easier to spot your own impacts downrange and to make fast follow-up shots—plus reduces perceived recoil and aids consistency.

ClymR forends combine the trinity of virtues: a comfortable feel in the support hand; a modestly flat bottom for stable shooting across a backpack or sandbag, and easy bipod compatibility thanks to a short section of Picatinny rail incorporated into the forend tip. For minimum weight and maximum aesthetics with short, suppressor-ready barrels, the forend is about an inch shorter than most.

It goes without saying that barrel channels are properly free-floated, with generous but discrete clearance around the barrel.

Finally, Gunwerks stocks are manufactured of the finest carbon fiber available, and feature a unique machined-aluminum bedding block with a recoil-lug locking system that gives the action a perfectly secure and consistent bed.

THE REST OF THE PACKAGE

Actions are available in both steel and titanium. They feature one-piece bolt and handle; the ultimate recipe for unbreakable strength. “Borden” bumps on the bolt body allow smooth, reliable function even with mud or ice or debris in the action, as well as absolutely precise alignment when locked into battery.

Wyatt extended-magazine compatibility ensures you can handload the longest, sleekest long-range bullets available. A premium horizontal ejection system ensures your ejected fired cases won’t contact the windage knob on your scope and bounce back into the action.

Like most modern custom-level actions, Gunwerks has a Remington M700-type footprint, meaning the action will accept all M700 aftermarket triggers (not that you’ll need one; ClymR models come fit with TriggerTech Special triggers).

It’s worth noting that action tops do not accept standard M700 bases, however. You can order several scope-mounting options from Gunwerks along with your rifle, including simple Picatinny bases, Unity rings that are one-piece ring-and-base affairs, and so forth.

Two types of magazine are available: A great-looking, flush-fitting floorplate or a premium detachable box magazine made by Hawkins Precision. Both are terrific.

Historically, Gunwerks used Proof Research carbon-fiber-wrapped barrels. That’s what’s on my 7mm SAUM. As of a year or two ago, Gunwerks began manufacturing their own premium, carbon-wrapped barrels, and indications are they’re stellar.

Gunwerks’ barrels are a bit more slender than Proof barrels, leading to a slightly lighter product. Pick your preference of 18-, 20-, or 22-inch length, in a vast number of popular cartridges. Muzzles come threaded, of course, with a beautifully blended thread cap. You can opt to add a directional muzzle brake if desired.

All metal parts come Cerakoted—and there’s a broad spectrum of colors to pick from. You’ll also get to pick your stock colors. The Gunwerks signature pattern is natural black carbon fiber weave with black and orange paint applied, then clear-coated with an abrasion-resistant finish.

At this point, you’re already facing a hefty bill (more on that later). But hold your horses! Like the great British gunmakers of old, Gunwerks founder Aaron Davidson envisioned providing sportsmen with a boxed rifle that’s 100 percent ready to hunt. As Holland & Holland or Rigby would have, upon request Gunwerks will install and regulate sights (in this case a nice scope rather than folding-leaf iron sights and an ivory front bead). They’ll also supply ammunition and an appropriate ballistic turret.

Me, I can’t afford all that. It’s nice to know it’s available, but I’m already stretching far enough to just bring home the ClymR rifle. Plus, choosing and mounting a scope, tuning up a handload, and working the rifle out on the long-distance range is half the fun, right?

Mine wears a 3-18x44 Leupold VX-6HD scope, a Gunwerks 6IX suppressor, and shoots it’s favorite Berger bullets obscenely well. As in, comfortably sub-half-MOA. Would you believe that only one out of 14 factory handloads tested averaged more than one MOA?

TEXAS TIME

Hunt dates were coming up quick, and I needed to make some changes. I swapped out my Gunwerks 6IX steel suppressor for a new Banish Backcountry all-titanium can made by Silencer Central, and re-zeroed the scope for a Federal Custom Shop 7mm SAUM load Jesse sent me. It’s topped with 155-grain Terminal Ascent bullets, which exit the muzzle at 2,915 fps. Accuracy was good and the Terminal Ascent is one of my all-time favorite bullets. It’s absolutely reliable on impact, whether hitting at 800 yards or 80 yards.

After a plane ride and a long jaunt into some of the most desolate country in America, we paused on an old bush-type airstrip to shoot and make sure our scopes were sighted in. The ClymR put bullets on point of aim on the box wobbling in the wind 200 yards downrange. We propped up a narrow stump at 500 yards, at the end of what used to be the runway. My bullet knocked it over.

As luck would have it, Jesse shot his buck the first day—while out for a little sight-seeing trip around the ranch. It occurred almost too fast, but you don’t pass a perfectly symmetrical 188-inch mule deer.

Mine took longer. And wouldn’t you know it, when we found a massive old buck, it was in tight cover. A different hunter’s guide spotted and filmed him the night before. One antler was mind-blowing—perfectly formed, deep-forked and sporting a terrific drop tine. The other was gnarled, stunted and distorted—but still impressive.

I took one look at the shaky spotting-scope footage and grinned at my guide. “Let’s try and find that buck!”

Not long after dawn we were on him, and he was on to us, fading away like smoke through the cactus brush. One antler bobbed, visible beyond the edge of a scrubby mesquite, as he walked. I still hadn’t seen both his antlers clearly, but I distinctly felt my mind seem to warp with a trace of dizziness at the size of the good side. Although crazy asymmetrical and certainly stunted on the other, this was one of the coolest mule deer bucks I’d ever seen.

A shooting window—I won’t call it an alley—through the brush opened, and my guide whistled. More wary than spooked, the buck stopped, quartering away but staring back at us, giving me a fleeing opportunity. Gluing the crosshairs behind his shoulder, I squeezed the trigger.

Gunwerks Climyr Specs

• Type: Bolt-Action Repeater
• Caliber: 7mm SAUM (tested)
• Barrel: 23 In.; 1:8 RH Twist, cut rifled, carbon wrapped stainless
• Weight: 6 lbs., 9 oz.
• Capacity: 3+1
• Stock: carbon fiber, machined aluminum bedding block
• Finish: tungsten Cerakote
• Sights: none, low pro 20 moa scope bases factory installed
• Trigger: trigger tech premier, 2 lbs., 6 oz. pull  (as tested)
• MSRP: $6,500 to $8,000 depending on options
• Manufacturer: Gunwerks, gunwerks.com

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