I’ve had the chance to see the new Geissele King Hunter here at SHOT Show 2025, and I’m really impressed with what this rifle brings to the table.
It’s a brand-new bolt-action rifle, and Geissele’s attention to detail in its design is immediately noticeable. This rifle is packed with advanced features that make it a serious tool for hunters and long-range shooters alike.
Chambered in 7mm BackCountry
Let’s talk about the heart of the rifle first: the caliber. The King Hunter is chambered in 7mm BackCountry, a new, high-pressure round from Federal that really pushes the boundaries of performance.
This caliber is a game-changer, generating 80,000 PSI—about 20,000 PSI more than traditional Magnum cartridges. What does that mean?
It means the 7mm BackCountry produces twice the energy of a 30-06 at 1,000 yards. Whether you’re hunting or shooting targets at the range, this caliber gets the job done with a flat trajectory and high ballistic coefficient.
Barrel and Action
Geissele’s commitment to durability and precision is clear when you look at the King Hunter. The action is specifically built to take on the 80,000 PSI the 7mm BackCountry produces, which makes this rifle one of the more reliable options when you need something that can stand up to high-pressure performance.
The barrel is 20″ long and is cut and rifled with a 4-groove, 1:8 twist. Geissele coats the barrel in Cerakote, which ensures long-lasting protection against the elements. This is different than the action.
The action on the King Hunter is where Geissele really shows off their engineering. Geissele coats it with their proprietary Nanoweapon coating, which is pretty unique—it helps the metal absorb oil, making the whole action incredibly smooth.
It’s not just smooth to the touch; this treatment also makes it corrosion-resistant, so you can count on it, even in harsh conditions. The floating bolt head improves lug engagement, which adds to the overall reliability of the action.
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Also, the King hunter has a roller-guided firing pin that ensures you get the most consistent ignition possible, shot after shot. Geissele’s design provides a toolless cocking piece and firing pin removal, making maintenance easy without the need for extra tools.
This rifle is built to give you the performance you can count on, and it’s set up to handle future caliber offerings thanks to the floating bolt face, which shows a real commitment to versatility. I was also told that *if* or *when* new calibers are added, they may not stay in a long-action size. Hopefully, a short action is in the works.
Precision Trigger and Stock
When it comes to precise shooting, the trigger makes all the difference. The King Hunter is equipped with Geissele’s Super 700 2-stage trigger, which is set to a 3.5-pound pull weight. It’s smooth and crisp, giving you great control and consistency, but it is not adjustable.
The stock on the King Hunter is the Manners Long Range Hunter (LRH) carbon fiber stock, which is not only lightweight but also very durable. This stock is designed with long-range shooting in mind and provides excellent stability and ergonomics with its adjustable cheek riser and verticle grip.
Great Balance of Size and Power
The Geissele King Hunter weighs in at just over 8 pounds, which is a great weight for a rifle built for long-range shooting and even longer hikes. It’s not too heavy to carry for extended periods, but still hefty enough to give you solid control and stability when you’re taking that shot. The rifle’s length is 40.25 inches, making it a good balance of compactness and capability.
Another cool feature?
The rifle comes with a Geissele Swavvy QD muzzle brake, which lets you attach a HUXWRX FLOW suppressor like the FLOW 762. I’ve used similar brakes with these suppressors, and it really helps manage recoil while keeping the rifle quieter.
Keep your rifle quiet and on target.
Specifications and Features:
- LENGTH: 40.25″
- WEIGHT: 8.1 lbs
- CALIBER: 7mm BackCountry
- ACTION: Long Action
- COLOR: Geissele Camo
- RECEIVER: Nitrided Finish
- TRIGGER: Super 700 2-Stage Trigger
- BARREL: 20″ Stainless Steel, 1:8 Twist, Cerakote finish
- STOCK: Manners Long Range Hunter (LRH)
- BOLT ASSEMBLY: Nanoweapon Coated w/ Floating Bolt Head
- Available for purchase on Eurooptic and from other distributors
- MSRP: $3,800.00
Extras and Accessories
Geissele includes some handy extras with the King Hunter. It comes with a 6061 aluminum faceted knob that’s Type 3 Hardcoat Anodized for extra durability and grip.
The rifle also includes a 6-slot Picatinny rail section for the stock, a muzzle thread protector, and a single Magpul AICS Long Action 5-round PMAG®. These little additions make using the rifle even easier, and they add to the overall quality and attention to detail that Geissele is known for.
Thoughts
After seeing the Geissele King Hunter, it’s clear that this rifle is built for performance.
Whether you’re using it for hunting, precision shooting, or just pushing the limits at the range, the 7mm BackCountry caliber, combined with Geissele’s expert engineering, makes this rifle a top-tier choice.
From the smooth action to the precision trigger and the lightweight yet durable stock, the King Hunter is one impressive package. If you’re in the market for a new bolt-action rifle that can handle some serious power from this new cartridge and deliver pinpoint accuracy, I think the King Hunter is a great option.
Learn more about Geissele’s King Hunter here.