![\"Hunt](\"https:\/\/gastatic.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_7175.jpg\" "\\"Hunt")
<\/a>The Fieldcraft\u2019s matte finishes blended well with the gray\u2019s of the morning sky. Remains were all I was able to find while taking the Fieldcraft to the woods, but at least I knew I was in the right area.<\/p><\/div>\n
Barrett obviously focused their considerable resources on designing and developing the new Fieldcraft before it came to market, as the compact gun leaves little else to be desired.<\/p>\n
What is it you really want in a good hunting rifle? Lightweight, ease of handling, weather resistance, good trigger and an accurate barrel is all you really need. They delivered all of these and more.<\/p>\n
Barrett clearly started with a clean slate, only added in what was mission essential, and trimmed everything else away to reduce weight. Every part of the gun seems to have been addressed to reach the objective of building a premier hunting rifle.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Bolt fluting and hollowed out bolt handle knob all work toward the goal of shaving ounces.<\/p><\/div>\n
Having hunted the Rockies a few times myself, I know how much a pound here or there matters when you are hiking up and down mountains day after day chasing elk or mule deer. As one of my military friends so eloquently pointed out, \u201counces make pounds.”\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re humping the mountains of Afghanistan or Colorado, if you\u2019re from the flatlands and you get above 8000 feet the air starts to taste real thin on oxygen and the lighter your load the better you\u2019ll like it.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Positive operations are handled by the robust extractor and ejector.<\/p><\/div>\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/h2>\nCaliber – 308 Win (tested, 9 others available)
\nAction – Stainless Steel Bolt action
\nBarrel length – 21\u201d (as tested, others available)
\nOverall length – 41\u201d
\nStock – Carbon Fiber
\nLOP – 13 \u00be\u201d
\nWeight – 5-6 lbs. (depending on caliber)
\nSafety – Two position
\nMSRP – $1,799<\/p>\n
![\"Hunt](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_7118-1024x623.jpg\" "\\"Hunt")
<\/a>The action sizes are scaled depending on the caliber of the gun. The action including bolt on the 308-model tested is a full 5\/8 of an inch shorter than a Remington 700 short action and is smaller in diameter.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Fieldcraft action and barrel are made of 416 stainless steel; a proven performer in barrel materials.\u00a0 Worrying about your gun\u2019s finish isn\u2019t what needs to be on your mind when you\u2019re chasing your dream bull up and down the mountains.<\/p>\n
In addition, instead of being a full round contour receiver, Barrett achieved part of the weight savings by scalloping the right and left sides of the upper part of the receiver. The smaller, lighter receiver didn\u2019t seem to adversely affect accuracy when we got to the range.<\/p>\n
The bolt is also considerably downsized and fluted to reduce weight. The bolt handle is smaller in nature than most guns but was fast and easy to operate. Have no doubt this gun was put on a serious diet by the folks at Barrett, and you\u2019ll appreciate it when you carry it to the field.<\/p>\n
![\"Hunt](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_7094-1024x680.jpg\" "\\"Hunt")
<\/a>Fieldcraft bolt (top) compared to a Rem 700 short action bolt (below); shorter, thinner, fluted = lighter, much lighter!<\/p><\/div>\n
The 308 tested sports a 21\u201d lightweight 1-10 barrel, but I would not say it is underweight. Like everything else on the Fieldcraft, it\u2019s appropriately scaled for the gun and the task at hand. They advertise that each gun is tested and delivers sub-moa accuracy with heavy high-grade hunting ammunition.<\/p>\n
Shorter threaded barrel versions are also available to support the growing trend of hunting with suppressors that are sweeping many states in the country.<\/p>\n
![\"Hunt](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_7148_2-1024x688.jpg\" "\\"Hunt")
<\/a>Aluminum pillar bedding is used to hold the receiver in place. Recoil lug pocket can be seen in the bedding material.<\/p><\/div>\n
The stock is hand-laid carbon fiber, and very rigid for its small size. The stock has a slight texture that allows a good grip without being overly aggressive; it\u2019s just right, not too slick or rough.<\/p>\n
![\"Hunt](\"https:\/\/gastatic.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_7142-198x300.jpg\" "\\"Hunt")
<\/a>The stock has a 13 \u00be\u201d length of pull and was very comfortable to shoot and achieve proper eye relief on the scope.<\/p>\nThe biggest surprise I found when examining the gun is that the barrel and action are full-length bedded. In an age when almost everyone else is free floating the barrel, Barrett chose to bed the barrel from the tip of the fore end all the way back around the action.<\/p>\n
Barrett states that it was done this way to increase stock rigidity and decrease barrel harmonics. Well, the stock certainly is rigid and having over 10 inches of the barrel bedded should certainly cut down on the barrel harmonics.<\/p>\n
You have to assume they tried the free-float approach and found this to be better for this application. As solid as the gun feels and as well as it performs, it\u2019s not worth questioning further.<\/p>\n
![\"Hunt](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_7168-1024x680.jpg\" "\\"Hunt")
<\/a>The bedding job is executed flawlessly; it has crisp clean lines surrounding the barrel, recoil lug, and action.<\/p><\/div>\n
Going back to the receiver for a minute, Barrett threaded the receiver for #8 screws for added strength rather than the smaller #6\u2019s found on some other guns. In addition, they added a third hole for scope base mounting on the forward part of the receiver. This additional hole allows you some flexibility when installing the mounts to best support your scope.<\/p>\n
As I said earlier, they left little else to be desired; they covered all the bases; almost as if they had built guns that would be taken into battle where lives depended on it.<\/p>\n
![\"Hunt](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_7146_2-1024x560.jpg\" "\\"Hunt")
<\/a>The well-shaped grip and cheek piece added to the familiar handling and comfort while shooting the Fieldcraft.<\/p><\/div>\n
Hanging from my trigger scale, with the recoil pad and the trigger guard still installed, the stock assembly weighed in at a mere 29oz. I wanted to pull off the recoil pad and trigger guard to get the bare weight but resisted the temptation. Of course, the stock is fitted with front and rear sling swivel studs for ease of carrying.<\/p>\n
The short action has a 3\u201d 4 round internal box magazine in the stock. This also helped to reduce overall weight compared to a detachable magazine and allowed a small lightweight trigger guard. To help soften the blow from shooting the lightweight slugger the stock is fitted with a Decelerator recoil pad.<\/p>\n
The weight of the gun with Talley rings holding a one-inch Vortex Razor HD 2-10x was a feathery 6 lbs. 6 oz. Shooting the gun was not as harsh as I expected and I had no problem doing group testing with multiple loads in a\u00a0one afternoon.<\/p>\n
![\"Hunt](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_7117_2-1024x872.jpg\" "\\"Hunt")
<\/a>The bolt handle is fitted and pinned to the fluted bolt. The action was smooth and fast to operate.<\/p><\/div>\n
On many parts of the gun Barrett did a great job of reinventing the wheel, innovating where needed to bring a great little gun into existence; on the trigger they didn\u2019t need to get creative, they just installed a Timney.<\/p>\n
The installed trigger broke cleanly at 2lbs 12oz and was a joy to shoot. The gun has a two-position safety located on the right-hand side of the receiver and an out of the way little bolt release on the left side.<\/p>\n
Test Firing<\/strong><\/h2>\nTypically, lighter weight guns are more difficult to shoot well, as they just don\u2019t want to sit and track the way a heavier gun would. However since you\u2019re probably going to carry a hunting gun more than you\u2019re going to shoot it, it\u2019s worth a bit more focus.<\/p>\n
Most manufacturers shoot 3 shot groups when testing accuracy to meet their sub-moa standard. As the Fieldcraft is fitted with a 4 round magazine I went ahead and shot 4 round groups at 100 yds for the accuracy testing.<\/p>\n
I have little doubt that the 3 shot group sizes would have ended up with better numbers than the 4 round groups below as the lightweight barrel would have heated up less and had one less opportunity to open the group size up.<\/p>\n
Barrett makes a point of stating that they use HEAVY BT ammunition for the testing. Most of what I tested would be considered medium weight bullets but was ammunition some would probably use for hunting.<\/p>\n
All but the Fusions shot what I would consider being accuracy suitable for hunting out to 400 yards or so, a true accomplishment for a gun\/ scope combo weighing in at 6 \u00bd pounds.<\/p>\n
I shot the Black Hills 168 Match ammo as a test standard. Quality 168 HPBT ammunition has always been one of the gold standards of accuracy for the 308 Win. It didn\u2019t disappoint in this case either.<\/p>\n
\nAction – Stainless Steel Bolt action
\nBarrel length – 21\u201d (as tested, others available)
\nOverall length – 41\u201d
\nStock – Carbon Fiber
\nLOP – 13 \u00be\u201d
\nWeight – 5-6 lbs. (depending on caliber)
\nSafety – Two position
\nMSRP – $1,799<\/p>\n
<\/a>The action sizes are scaled depending on the caliber of the gun. The action including bolt on the 308-model tested is a full 5\/8 of an inch shorter than a Remington 700 short action and is smaller in diameter.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Fieldcraft action and barrel are made of 416 stainless steel; a proven performer in barrel materials.\u00a0 Worrying about your gun\u2019s finish isn\u2019t what needs to be on your mind when you\u2019re chasing your dream bull up and down the mountains.<\/p>\n
In addition, instead of being a full round contour receiver, Barrett achieved part of the weight savings by scalloping the right and left sides of the upper part of the receiver. The smaller, lighter receiver didn\u2019t seem to adversely affect accuracy when we got to the range.<\/p>\n
The bolt is also considerably downsized and fluted to reduce weight. The bolt handle is smaller in nature than most guns but was fast and easy to operate. Have no doubt this gun was put on a serious diet by the folks at Barrett, and you\u2019ll appreciate it when you carry it to the field.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Fieldcraft bolt (top) compared to a Rem 700 short action bolt (below); shorter, thinner, fluted = lighter, much lighter!<\/p><\/div>\n
The 308 tested sports a 21\u201d lightweight 1-10 barrel, but I would not say it is underweight. Like everything else on the Fieldcraft, it\u2019s appropriately scaled for the gun and the task at hand. They advertise that each gun is tested and delivers sub-moa accuracy with heavy high-grade hunting ammunition.<\/p>\n
Shorter threaded barrel versions are also available to support the growing trend of hunting with suppressors that are sweeping many states in the country.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Aluminum pillar bedding is used to hold the receiver in place. Recoil lug pocket can be seen in the bedding material.<\/p><\/div>\n
The stock is hand-laid carbon fiber, and very rigid for its small size. The stock has a slight texture that allows a good grip without being overly aggressive; it\u2019s just right, not too slick or rough.<\/p>\n
The biggest surprise I found when examining the gun is that the barrel and action are full-length bedded. In an age when almost everyone else is free floating the barrel, Barrett chose to bed the barrel from the tip of the fore end all the way back around the action.<\/p>\n Barrett states that it was done this way to increase stock rigidity and decrease barrel harmonics. Well, the stock certainly is rigid and having over 10 inches of the barrel bedded should certainly cut down on the barrel harmonics.<\/p>\n You have to assume they tried the free-float approach and found this to be better for this application. As solid as the gun feels and as well as it performs, it\u2019s not worth questioning further.<\/p>\n The bedding job is executed flawlessly; it has crisp clean lines surrounding the barrel, recoil lug, and action.<\/p><\/div>\n Going back to the receiver for a minute, Barrett threaded the receiver for #8 screws for added strength rather than the smaller #6\u2019s found on some other guns. In addition, they added a third hole for scope base mounting on the forward part of the receiver. This additional hole allows you some flexibility when installing the mounts to best support your scope.<\/p>\n As I said earlier, they left little else to be desired; they covered all the bases; almost as if they had built guns that would be taken into battle where lives depended on it.<\/p>\n The well-shaped grip and cheek piece added to the familiar handling and comfort while shooting the Fieldcraft.<\/p><\/div>\n Hanging from my trigger scale, with the recoil pad and the trigger guard still installed, the stock assembly weighed in at a mere 29oz. I wanted to pull off the recoil pad and trigger guard to get the bare weight but resisted the temptation. Of course, the stock is fitted with front and rear sling swivel studs for ease of carrying.<\/p>\n The short action has a 3\u201d 4 round internal box magazine in the stock. This also helped to reduce overall weight compared to a detachable magazine and allowed a small lightweight trigger guard. To help soften the blow from shooting the lightweight slugger the stock is fitted with a Decelerator recoil pad.<\/p>\n The weight of the gun with Talley rings holding a one-inch Vortex Razor HD 2-10x was a feathery 6 lbs. 6 oz. Shooting the gun was not as harsh as I expected and I had no problem doing group testing with multiple loads in a\u00a0one afternoon.<\/p>\n The bolt handle is fitted and pinned to the fluted bolt. The action was smooth and fast to operate.<\/p><\/div>\n On many parts of the gun Barrett did a great job of reinventing the wheel, innovating where needed to bring a great little gun into existence; on the trigger they didn\u2019t need to get creative, they just installed a Timney.<\/p>\n The installed trigger broke cleanly at 2lbs 12oz and was a joy to shoot. The gun has a two-position safety located on the right-hand side of the receiver and an out of the way little bolt release on the left side.<\/p>\n Typically, lighter weight guns are more difficult to shoot well, as they just don\u2019t want to sit and track the way a heavier gun would. However since you\u2019re probably going to carry a hunting gun more than you\u2019re going to shoot it, it\u2019s worth a bit more focus.<\/p>\n Most manufacturers shoot 3 shot groups when testing accuracy to meet their sub-moa standard. As the Fieldcraft is fitted with a 4 round magazine I went ahead and shot 4 round groups at 100 yds for the accuracy testing.<\/p>\n I have little doubt that the 3 shot group sizes would have ended up with better numbers than the 4 round groups below as the lightweight barrel would have heated up less and had one less opportunity to open the group size up.<\/p>\n Barrett makes a point of stating that they use HEAVY BT ammunition for the testing. Most of what I tested would be considered medium weight bullets but was ammunition some would probably use for hunting.<\/p>\n All but the Fusions shot what I would consider being accuracy suitable for hunting out to 400 yards or so, a true accomplishment for a gun\/ scope combo weighing in at 6 \u00bd pounds.<\/p>\n I shot the Black Hills 168 Match ammo as a test standard. Quality 168 HPBT ammunition has always been one of the gold standards of accuracy for the 308 Win. It didn\u2019t disappoint in this case either.<\/p>\n<\/a>The stock has a 13 \u00be\u201d length of pull and was very comfortable to shoot and achieve proper eye relief on the scope.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>Test Firing<\/strong><\/h2>\n