RPA Hunter

I have recently come back from a visit to RPA down in Tonbridge in Kent and returned with one of their new Hunter series to test. Apart from their pure target rifles, the models that most interested me were the sniper-type guns (Range Masters) and the Hunter series, which has a definite use for our market place. This rifle is more a field version of their Interceptor.

Quadlite Described

The Hunter consists of two stock options – General Purpose (GP) which is a standard layout or thumbhole (TH). The guns are made around RPA’s respected, all-steel Quadlite action, with its four-lug lock up, which must be a bugger to get right in terms of an even engagement on all surfaces. With a fully supported head the bolt face shows a decent chunk of extractor and a passive, plunger-type ejector. This, unlike the more common sprung version, which exerts constant pressure on the base of the case all the time, is said to offer more consistent chambering of the cartridge.

I was told that the Hunter uses 100 ton steel in its manufacture, which makes for an immensely strong build. Feed is by a 3-round, detachable box magazine with the release catch located on the right side of the trigger guard. Rounds are presented centrally, so making the process more precise. The bolt lever is long and curves rearwards and shows a plastic ball end for easy manipulation. The shroud is round and has a cocked action indicator plunger, which sits flush with the end when the mech is ready, so can be seen and felt.

The barrel is one of the two components that are bought-in; speaking to CEO - Mark Cox he told me they source tubes from the best manufacturers for the job. The Hunter uses a 24”, medium/heavy, stainless/fluted tube, which as standard is threaded (17x1mm) and comes with a synthetic protector. Other thread forms are available.

Oh Canada!

The barrel/action sits in a Canadian, Robertson Composites stock, made of epoxy with glass and Kevlar reinforcements. It is what I would call “slightly floated” for 2/3 of the forend length, but not up to the reinforce area. The big recoil lug is a separate item that is sandwiched between the barrel and action much like the Remington 700. I was surprised to see that the gun is not bedded, which I assumed for this sort of equipment would be mandatory…

As standard the Hunter comes with separate, 1”, Weaver-type dovetail bases, so all you need is glass and rings. The only other controls are the bolt release catch (rear left) of the receiver and the safety (rear right), which is a simple, 2-position (push/pull) design again much like the Remy 700. The trigger is adjustable from 0.5 to 1.5 Kg and offers a sweet, 2-stage pull. The blade is wide and made from grooved aluminium and can be slid front/rear to get your ideal, first pad finger position. Lock time is quoted at 1.5 milliseconds.

The thumbhole stock shows a big/deep pistol grip, cheek piece and high comb with a slim rubber butt pad and QD sling studs front and rear. The TH is right-hand-only, though the GP is available in dedicated right and left hand rifles. Black is the default colour, though others are available on request. RPA says that the Hunter will shoot ½-MOA if not better and to be honest I would be very surprised if it does not!

First Impressions

Compared to the more normal hunting rifles the Hunter comes over as reasonably big and heavy at 4 Kg/8.8 lbs (unscoped). Putting on glass rings and maybe a bipod does pile on the pounds. Add a moderator and you would have quite some lump to carry around. To be honest I would not want to do a lot of foot stalking with it and I say this as the owner of a Mauser M 03 and that’s no waif either; but lighter than the RPA!

I scoped up with a Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 Zenith Flashdot in Sports Match 30mm rings. The Zenith by nature shows a reasonably short body tube and the bases on the receiver were too far apart to allow it to sit in the rings. This was easily solved by reversing the dovetails so the recoil slots were re-positioned front (backwards) and rear (forwards) so reducing the ring spacing length. Frankly a one-piece base would give greater mounting latitude.

With that sorted I elected to use Hornady’s 308 Win, 168-grain TAP FPD ammunition, which is a cracking round and one very similar to my favourite 308, A-MAX load for my old Riflecraft/Remy 700 LSR (Light Sporting Rifle). The Hunter would be shot on and off a Harris bipod to see if there was any difference in point of impact (POI), as the free float was minimal as I already mentioned.

On the point of calibres RPA have kept it simple and short action only, as they offer just four – 22-250 Remington, 243 Win, 260 Rem and 308 Win. Though liking them all, I was surprised that they do not offer 223 Rem, which is probably the most popular 22 centrefire in the UK for both fox-busting and small deer. To be honest I would drop 22-250 in favour of 223 if I had to keep it to four options, as 243 can very much fill that slot.

Down Test & Adjust

There’s little to fault the rifle on, the action is smooth and easy and the near invisible magazine catch, which is up on the right side of the trigger guard is easy to operate with the trigger finger; even with gloves on! The 2-stage trigger allows you to get the feel of the blade then break the shot with a superb and predictable release, which on my tester went to about 1 ½ lbs – nice… This is a good example of a light yet safe and totally understandable mechanism.

Cheek weld and head/scope position are near perfect too. My only slight gripes are the aforementioned size/weight, plus the shape, position and feel of the safety catch. To my mind that flat piece of L-shaped metal does not do the rest of the build justice and is also a tad too far forward, the latter does tend to make you break your firing hand position a little whether you use finger or thumb to operate it. It’s also very easy to push and I would have liked to have seen a bit more resistance on this all important control. You might think I’m being over critical, but on such a slick design as this I feel I am justified in my comments, as it could be better…

As I said the trigger was a sheer joy and getting on target allows you to concentre all your attention on the sight picture and point of aim, as you know that when you need it it’s effortlessly there…

Again as surmised; the 168-grain Hornady TAP shot like a demon with the rifle turning in a best of ½ ” @ 100-yards. Recoil was pretty good for a 308 too, which I have found to be a snappy cartridge given the layout of some guns. To be honest I could discern no difference in POI on or off a bipod, which is probably a combination of a very rigid barrel and forend, despite the marginal free-float used…

Heavy Varminter

In summation I am in two minds about the Hunter; it’s doubtless an exceptional design in terms of potential and ability and a joy to shoot! However, for me it’s a little heavy to be considered a true hunting rifle! RPA has taken all the best bits off their target series to make an undeniably accurate and efficient gun, but has not really considered the needs of the stalker in terms of a tool that’s carried a lot and shot little. To be honest you could afford to lose weight off the barrel, receiver and even stock design with no real loss of ability; if your needs are purely hunting. As even with all that slimmed down; I doubt if it would stray outside ½” @ 100 yards off the bench…

For me it’s a heavy hunter/varminter; where you tend to tolerate the weight more as it’s normally used from a fixed position or vehicle and this is how I would employ it! Price-wise it’s not that cheap at £2063 + vat, but you know you are buying an accurate tool, which is what it’s all about.

Guns can be ordered through your local RPA dealer and I was told that the average waiting time is from 12 to 14 weeks. Mark mentioned there will be a price change in November, which will doubtless be upwards; hopefully not by too much…

We Reckon:

• Too heavy for a true hunter
• Superbly accurate
• Excellent build

PRICE: £2063 + VAT and shipping (either version)