About Fierce
Fierce Firearms is headquartered in Redmond, Utah. Though the company's emphasis falls on high-end, lightweight bolt-action hunting rifles, few folks know Fierce also crafts two modern sporting rifle models: an inertia-driven magnum shotgun and a serious long-range muzzleloader.
Our focus today, though, falls squarely on centerfire rifles. As advertised on its website, “Each rifle is handcrafted at the Fierce Factory by our professional gunsmiths.” The four main rifle families at the time of this publication are the Rage, Rival, Edge, and Fury. Each uses the company’s precision machined actions, carbon fiber barrel technology, and their own proprietary C3 Carbon Tech stocks.
In a nod to their quality and belief in precision accuracy, all rifles include either a .5 or .75 MOA accuracy guarantee at 100 yards.
Our Test Rifle
What better place to begin our introduction to Fierce Firearms than with their flagship model bolt gun, the Edge. Though inventory changes rapidly, GDC regularly lists a number of both new and used Fierce guns; thus, when we saw a lightly used Edge come available in an equally interesting chambering, the 28 Nosler, the Edge was on its way. Our test gun wears a 26-inch carbon fiber barrel culminating in a flush-fitting muzzle brake. Rifling on this 28 Nosler is done at a 1:8.5 twist.
We’re not really fans of flashy colors on hunting rifles, but the stock is an eye-catcher with its orange and gray accents. For what it’s worth, buyers selecting a new rifle can choose from a veritable rainbow of color options, yet the carbon fiber materials steal the show.
There’s a single forward sling stud, two-position safety, and cocking indicator. The gun looks heavy but feels light, weighing in at 6.5 pounds empty and sans scope but with bases. We couldn’t help but wonder how much wallop it might pack in a zippy chambering like the 28 Nosler. We hoped the cushy Limbsaver pad and brake would aid in keeping us on target.
Field Notes
The detachable dropbox magazine fits flush and snug, sans any rattle. The rifle is sleek and feels fine in the hand. In this class of rifle, we expect a flawless trigger pull, and the pull on our test rifle did not disappoint.
Though we expected greater recoil from the 28 Nosler – essentially a magnum chambering – in a lightweight rifle, the rig proved surprisingly pleasant to fire. Attribute that to the muzzle brake, stock dimensions, or overall build, but there’s no need to fear power from the Fierce. The spiral fluted bolt is both practical and lovely, while the oversized tactical-style bolt knob aids in rapid and smooth cycling.
One of our only gripes centers not on the firearm itself, but its details. The rifle shipped in a basic cardboard box, but with price points measured in thousands of dollars, we’d like to see a hard case included. Per the company’s web store, they do offer some sweet SKB-brand hard cases with the Fierce logo.
More ‘Deets’
In addition to our chosen chambering, the Edge family of rifles can also be had in .22-250, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, .300 RUM, .338 Lapua, and .375 H&H. Barrel lengths range from 20 to 26 inches, with the most common either 24 or 26.
According to company advertising, their goal is “to secure the title of the lightest, most deadly accurate rifle…ever.” To that end, the basics of each remains the same. The framework is Fierce’s Titanium Triad three-lug action, with EDM precision-cut raceways for the tightest machined tolerances possible. The bolt throw measures 70 degrees.
The company uses Bix’n Andy match-grade adjustable triggers, with the pull on our specific rifle breaking at just under 3 pounds out of the box, albeit used. Stocks are Monte Carlo-style and crafted of C3 Carbon, along with a solid carbon bedding system.
Turnkey Option
Hunters seeking more frills – or less range work – ought to check out some of the company’s upper echelon models. When cost is not a hindering factor, the complete rifle packages offer a turnkey setup. In addition to the rifle, with most packages, buyers receive an SKB travel case, a Zeiss Conquest optic, custom yardage turret with dial-up work, and in some cases, ammo.
More and more custom-level companies like Fierce are offering such options for hunters wanting to enter the world of longer-range hunting and even hunt-related precision shooting matches. The company has already taken the guesswork and legwork out of preparing a serious rig.
Warranty
Fierce Firearms backs its guns with a limited lifetime warranty. That means different things at every company, so how does that fit for buyers of Fierce’s premium rifles? It covers basic wear and tear from shooting and operating, and that warranty is transferrable, regardless of if you’re the first owner or the last.
What’s not covered for terribly long is the accuracy guarantee. One area of the warranty information states it’s valid only for the first six months, while another area claims the guarantee with the be honored for the first one year of ownership. In the case of our test Edge, it would have been backed by a .5 MOA promise, which technically expired long ago.
On one hand, we don’t blame the company for protecting themselves from factors they cannot control, from inappropriate handloads to sloppy bore care. Then again, those dropping upward of three grand on a rifle and doing everything correct would feel better with more than a half or full year’s promise.
There’s always a little trepidation in buying a used rifle, as you have no idea how many previous owners it had, the number of rounds shot, or the degree of care they put into bore love and cleaning. A healthier warranty on a high-end, young-ish rifle would be comforting, but at the end of the day, it was a moot point. The rifle shot impressive 100-yard groups with the well-traveled Vortex Optics Viper we mounted for the range.
Range Time
We headed to the range with two flavors of premium 28 Nosler rounds from both Hornady and Nosler. The Nosler Trophy Grade 175 AccuBond LR and Hornady Precision Hunter 162-grain ELD-X. Though these rifles ought to be capable of much greater things, the accuracy guarantee is measured at a football field, so that’s where we commenced testing.
The Fierce, albeit used, did not disappoint. It regularly put out sub-MOA groupings with both brands of ammunition and bullet weights. Of course, the rifle should be capable of much more at distance, but for today, our focus rests on testing the claims of the manufacturer and taking a closer look at what buyers get out of the box with Fierce Firearms.
Pros & Cons
