Stag Arms Pursuit: Unique Looks, Consistent Accuracy

The Stag Arms Pursuit rifle will surely turn heads, but its accuracy will open eyes!

July 17, 2024 By David Draper

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Less than a decade ago, the big-game rifle business was in a race for the bottom. Every major gun manufacturer was trying to introduce the lowest-priced rifle it could, and consumers could find a good – not great – deer-hunting rifle for less than $400 on the street. Thankfully, for both discerning consumers and gun-company accountants, the precision-rifle world put a hard stop to all that nonsense. Now, everyone is chasing maximum accuracy, premium performance and custom-like fit. That sweet spot in the market is now a bit south of $2,000, and there are a lot of great guns for consumers willing to trade a few paychecks for a bolt-action rifle that shoots sub-MOA.

Several gun manufacturers, known better for their ARs, have recognized that demand and dipped their toes in the bolt-action rifle market. Stag, who already catered to hunters with their leather-clad Pursuit AR rifles, recently introduced the Pursuit Bolt-Action Sporter rifle, with three short-action chamberings currently in the line.

Precision Rifle Roots

One glance at the Pursuit’s profile shows this is not your grandfather’s hunting rifle. Stag Arms didn’t stray far from the precision-rifle world when designing a bolt gun, building it on the familiar chassis style that is so popular today.

The center section of the three-piece chassis is milled steel with an extended magazine well. (Photo courtesy of Stag Arms)

The heart of the three-piece Hybrid Hunter chassis is a steel bedding block with recessed sides to reduce as much weight as possible. The machining delivers clean and modern lines to the midsection of the rifle and provides positive purchase when carrying the rifle in the woods. The magazine well is integral to the bedding block and is extended to accept AICS-style magazines. (One three-round steel magazine is included.) The trigger guard is also machined and features an ambidextrous paddle-style magazine release.

Bookending the receiver are a pair of polymer stock pieces that come in the owner’s choice of tan, black or olive drab. Most notable is the rear buttstock, which is easily detachable via an AR10-style capture pin and dovetail mount that requires no tools to remove. This makes the Pursuit ideal for storage, transport and packing off the mountain in a backpack. The buttstock also features an adjustable cheekpiece and length of pull (via a pair of included shims), thick rubber recoil pad and wide, pistol grip. The stock profile is in the popular trekker style, but for bench work, an optional bag rider comes included.

stag arms pursuit buttstock — The stock is adjustable for both comb height and length of pull to secure a comfortable fit. (Photo courtesy of Stag Arms)

The forend is wide and flat, perfect for resting on a pack in the woods or window rail in an elevated box blind. The bottom is fitted with a metal insert featuring five M-LOK slots for versatile mounting options, and the rifle kit also includes an ARCA Swiss plate that is easily attached to accommodate popular tripod heads. A short Picatinny rail extends from the front of the forend, adding even more mounting versatility, though I can’t say it does anything for the rifle’s otherwise rugged profile. Both the forend and buttstocks have QD cups throughout.

A Piece of the Action

While the chassis design is all the rage, the barreled action is where the Pursuit’s performance really shines. Like seemingly every other high-grade production (and most custom) rifle on the market, the Pursuit Sporter utilizes a short-action receiver built on the Remington 700 pattern. That means you can strip the Pursuit down to its bones and build it back up again with one of the million aftermarket parts – from triggers to optic mounts – that fit the Remington 700. You can even easily swap barrels by using a Zermatt Origin or Savage Small Shank pre-fits, though I’m not sure why you’d want to as the Pursuit is nearly perfect as is.

rifle action with rear of stock detached — Taking a page from the AR10, the Pursuit breaks down via a pin and dovetail. (Photo submitted by the author)

The push-feed bolt can be stripped without tools should it require maintenance in the field and features a three-lug design and two plunger ejectors. The bolt has a 60-degree throw for quick cycling that is greatly enhanced by the precision machining and slick, Cerakote finish. This also helps reduce the chance of a scope’s zoom ring interfering with the bolt handle while cycling the rifle. The bolt knob is an oversized hexagon for a sure grip, even with wet hands or while wearing gloves. Up top is a 20 MOA Picatinny rail that is removable via four 8-40 screws should you decide to opt for a different optical mounting system, such as a two-piece rail to reduce weight.

Much like with other Remington 700-style receivers, Stag Arms followed the crowd and added a TriggerTech single-stage trigger that is adjustable from 1.5 to 4 pounds. TriggerTech has become hugely popular in recent years thanks to their crisp, clean pull that eliminates creep entirely. It is a true bang-switch that goes boom with the slightest pressure. Mine came from the factory set at just under 3 pounds, which I added a ½-pound to for my preference. A two-position safety lies at the right rear of the receiver and allows for bolt operation in both safe and fire modes. The bolt also has a red cocking indicator for an additional measure of safety.

cocking indicator and bolt knob — The bolt features both an easy-to-grip oversized knob and cocking indicator for safety. (Photo submitted by the author)

The spiral-fluted barrel machined from 416 stainless steel both reduces the overall weight and increases the barrel’s ability to dissipate heat. The muzzle is threaded in 5/8-24 for the addition of a muzzle brake or suppressor and comes with a thread cover. My test rifle was a 6.5 PRC with a 22-inch barrel in 1:8 twist. The Pursuit Sporter is also available in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 20-inch barrel and .308 Win. with an 18-inch barrel. All models are black Cerakoted for corrosion resistance.

If there’s one knock against the Stag Arms Pursuit, it is the rifle’s weight. Bare bones it weighs nearly 9 lbs., which means it’s pushing 12 lbs. with a scope and any accessories attached. This is my common complaint about all chassis rifles. Sure, they are deadly accurate, but for a guy who likes to roam around the woods like I do, they can be a literal pain to carry. Still, for the stand hunter, or a spot-and-stalk rifleman that doesn’t mind the extra weight, precision rifles do offer their advantages.

Range Report

I’d love to tell you how the Stag Arms Pursuit bolt-action performed in the field. Unfortunately, I ran out of tags and seasons were over before I was able to get my hands on a test model. Hopefully, though, it will get some work collecting fur before winter ends. As it is so far, I had to satisfy myself with some range time with the two loads I had on hand – Hornady’s Precision Hunter 143-grain ELD-X and their 130-grain CX bullet in the Outfitter line.

stag arms pursuit accuracy test — (Accuracy test provided by David Draper)

For bench work, I fitted the 20 MOA rail with a Leupold VX-5HD in 3-15x44 and, after setting the rifle/optic combo with a 200-yard zero, shot three 3-shot groups with each. Not surprisingly, both loads fell comfortably below the MOA mark, with the ELD-X edging out the CX. Notably, the ELD-X turned in a .33-inch three-shot group, the best I’ve ever achieved from the bench. A dedicated rifleman could work up a custom load that regularly prints ½-inch groups. That kind of accuracy is in the Stag Arms DNA.